Ester 5

Ester 5

Esther 3-4 Esther 8-10 Esther 5:1 Commentary Esther 5:2 Commentary Esther 5:3 Commentary Esther 5:4 Commentary Esther 5:5 Commentary Esther 5:6 Commentary Esther 5:7 Commentary Esther 5:8 Commentary Esther 5:9 Commentary Esther 5:10 Commentary Esther 5:11 Commentary Esther 5:12 Commentary Esther 5:13 Commentary Esther 5:14 Commentary Esther 6:1 Commentary Esther 6:2 Commentary Esther 6:3 Commentary Esther 6:4 Commentary Esther 6:5 Commentary Esther 6:6 Commentary Esther 6:7 Commentary Esther 6:8 Commentary Esther 6:9 Commentary Esther 6:10 Commentary Esther 6:11 Commentary Esther 6:12 Commentary Esther 6:13 Commentary Esther 6:14 Commentary Click to Enlarge Timeline Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission Swindoll's Intro and Overview Chart Van Dine's Analysis of Esther MacArthur's Intro to Esther CHRONOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIP OF EZRA-NEHEMIAH-ESTHER 538-515 BC 483-473 BC 457 BC 13 Year Gap 444-425 BC Ezra 1-6 Book of Esther Ezra 7-10 Book of Nehemiah First Return of Jews from Babylonian Exile 58 Year Gap Second Return of Jews from Babylonian Exile Third Return of Jews from Babylonian Exile ESTHER: THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD Esther 1 Es 1:1-22 Esther 2 Es 2:1-23 Esther 3 Es 3:1-15 Esther 4 Es 4:1-17 Esther 5 Es 5:1-14 Esther 6 Es 6:1-14 Esther 7 Es 7:1-10 Esther 8 Es 8:1-17 Esther 9 Es 9:1-32 Esther 10 Esther's Exaltation Haman's Cunning Plot Haman's Humiliation Mordecai's Exaltation Feast of Ashasuerus Fast of Mordecai Feast of Esther Feast of Purim Exaltation Persecution Preservations Commenoration Jewish Existence Threatened Jews Spared Gentile Setting Jewess Elevated Threat to Jews Influence of a Jewess Deliverance of Jews A Jew Exalted Feast of Ahasuerus Feast of Esther and Purim Location of Events: Persian 10 Years (483-473BC) Timeline of Ezra-Nehemiah-Esther-See page 38 Timeline of Esther related to Ezra & Nehemiah - Parallel lines for Medo-Persian Kings & Daniel, Zechariah, Haggai and Malachi - see page 15 Key Passages: Esther 4:14, 16, Esther 8:17, Esther 9:26, 31 Key Words: See list under "Precept Ministries Inductive Study on Esther" The Book of Esther is unusual - God's Name is not mentioned once, yet God's "Hand" is clearly present and active throughout the book, to the extent that many see the book of Esther as a veritable "treatise" on the doctrine of Divine Providence (see separate study) Purim Music Video - Purim with a beat. Give it a listen as you ponder "For such a time as this!" Marty Goetz and Misha's song - For Such A Time As This (Esther's Song) "UPS AND DOWNS OF ESTHER'S MAJOR CHARACTERS" Source: Bible Study Magazine - Volume 11, Issue 2, Jan/Feb, 2019 Esther 5:1 Now it came about on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace in front of the king's rooms, and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the throne room, opposite the entrance to the palace.: ESTHER'S RESOLVE PROVEN BY PERFORMANCE As Lawson says "Esther was not one of those who resolve and promise well, but do not perform." THOUGHT - Beloved, are you good to your word like Esther? Do you say you will do something (like pray for someone) and follow through on your promise? May God grant that our yes be yes and our no be no, for the sake of our good and His glory. Amen. Sidlow Baxter writes... That word "providence" comes from the Latin provideo, which means that I see a thing beforehand (pro = before; video = I see); so that the root meaning of providence is foresight. Inasmuch, however, as foresight always occasions activity in relation to that which is foreseen, providence comes to have the acquired meaning of activity arising from foresight resight. Strictly speaking, there is only One who has foresight, and He alone, therefore, is able to act on the basis of foreknowledge. Providence, then, in its one absolute sense, is the Divine foreknowledge and the Divine activity which arises there from; and such providence implies that God wields absolute power over all the works of His hands. It is this which we see demonstrated in the Book of Esther. The crisis about which the book is written is providentially anticipated and then providentially overruled just at the crucial moment. No miraculous intervention is resorted to. All the happenings recorded are the outworking of circumstances in their natural sequence. Yet while there is no miracle recorded, the whole thing, in its ultimate meaning, is a mighty miracle - the mighty miracle whereby a sovereign Deity so manipulates all non-miraculous events as to bring about a predetermined outcome; and this miracle is all the more miraculous just because it achieves the predetermined outcome without the need for using miracles! Truly, this mysterious reality which we call providence, this sovereign manipulation of all the ordinary, non-miraculous doings which make up the ordinary ongoing of human affairs, so as to bring about, by natural processes, those results which are Divinely predetermined, is the mightiest of all miracles; and it is this, we repeat, which is strikingly demonstrated in this Book of Esther. It is this which explains why the name of God does not occur in the Book of Esther. (Explore the Book) Comment: The 1828 Webster's Dictionary defines providence - "In theology, the care and superintendence which God exercise over His creatures. He that acknowledges a creation and denies a providence, involves himself in a palpable contradiction; for the same power which caused a thing to exist is necessary to continue its existence. Some persons admit a general providence, but deny a particular providence, not considering that a general providence consists of particulars. A belief in divine providence, is a source of great consolation to good men. By divine providence is often understood God Himself." Now it came about (came to pass) - This time phrase occurs 65 times in the NAS. It is like a marker of the providential workings of God in history (His story). Now it came about (KJV = now it came to pass) - Ge 6:1; 8:13; 21:22; 22:1, 20; 26:32; 27:1, 30; 30:25; 34:25; 42:35; 48:1; Ex 2:11, 23; 4:24; 6:28; 12:29; Lev 9:1; Josh 1:1; 5:1, 13; 9:1; 10:1; 23:1; Jdg 1:1; 6:7; 9:42; 19:1; Ru 1:1; 1Sa 1:12; 18:1, 10; 20:35; 23:6; 28:1; 2Sa 1:1; 7:1; 13:23; 15:1, 7; 16:16; 21:18; 1Ki 6:1; 9:1; 13:20; 17:17; 21:1; 2Ki 6:24; 14:5; 18:1; 25:27; 1Chr 19:1; 20:4; 2Chr 8:1; 20:1; 21:19; 24:4; 25:3; Neh 4:1; Est 5:1; Isa 7:1; Jer 52:4, 31; Ezek 1:1; 11:13. (KJV "now it came to pass" 24 times = Josh 10:1KJV; Ru 1:1KJV; 1Sa 14:1KJV; 2Sa 1:1KJV; 2Ki 18:1KJV; 1Chr 17:1KJV; 1Chr 19:1KJV; 2Chr 24:11KJV; 2Chr 25:3KJV, 2Chr 25:14KJV; Neh 6:1KJV; Neh 7:1KJV; Neh 13:3KJV; Esther 1:1KJV; Esther 3:4KJV; Esther 5:1KJV; Isa 36:1KJV; Jer 26:8KJV; Jer 36:16KJV; Jer 41:1KJV, Jer 41:13KJV; Ezek 1:1KJV; Lk 8:22KJV; Lk 10:38KJV) McEwan has an interesting comment on "now it came about"... These words call for special notice in a book which strikingly illustrates the providence of God both in regard to nations and individuals. They remind us that there is nothing stationary--that what comes is moving on. Seasons of trial and perplexity would be overwhelming if they had the character of fixedness. It is happily not so. As you have stood gazing on a mountain, bathed in sunlight, you may sometimes have observed a dark shadow creeping along the side of it, as though hastening to accomplish its mission, and quickly gliding away out of sight, leaving the landscape all the more beautiful because of your remembrance of it. So is it with what is painful and sad in providence. Events of this kind have come at intervals, but it was only to pass--not to abide--like the floating of little clouds between us and the sun, and when past, giving to human life, as to nature, a greater richness and variety. Biographies are but commentaries on these familiar words. Indeed, men themselves but come to pass. (Biblical Illustrator) THOUGHT: Beloved, are you experiencing a season of suffering? May these words "now it came about" (came to pass - i.e., it will "pass!") remind you that suffering and affliction is momentary and for believers is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison (2Cor 4:17+, which means we need to depend on the Spirit to give us the eyes to see the eternal in the momentary (2Cor 4:18+). On the third day - In Esther 4:16 they had fasted for 3 days so this event would coincide with the third day. And remember that it has also been 33 days since King Xerxes has seen Esther. What might she look like after 3 days of no eating or drinking? While we are not to put on a gloomy face when we fast, we still might physically look less attractive then when we are fully fed. This was apparently of no concern to Esther. In Daniel God granted he and his 3 friends favor and compassion (Da 1:8-9) when they sought to not eat the king's royal food. Notice the commander's fear about their appearance, specifically that their faces might be "looking more haggard." (Da 1:10). And notice what their appearance looked like after 10 days of eating vegetables and drinking water (Da 1:15). Why? God showed them favor and compassion. Ryrie explains... A part of a day was counted as a whole day, explaining how the fast could extend for three days, night and day (Esther 4:16), and yet terminate on the third day. Put on her royal robes (Literally "put on royalty" robes is not in Hebrew) - What had she been doing? Fasting, but now that the fast was over she donned her best apparel. John Brug quips "After she had prepared herself spiritually with fasting....Esther prepared herself physically for her encounter with the king." In a much less dangerous context, we see Ruth at Naomi's suggestion also preparing herself to meet her kinsman redeemer Boaz (Ru 3:1-4) Paul Ferguson writes that Esther's approach Ahasuerus was particularly difficult and fraught with danger because... (1) Esther has to break the law in which the penalty for doing so is death. (2) Esther has to admit that she has been deceiving Ahasuerus about her ethnic background for five years. (3) Esther has to persuade the proud Ahasuerus to effectively reverse an irreversible law in so doing he will lose a huge amount of promised revenue. (4) Esther has to oppose and overcome one of the most cunning and powerful foes in Persia Haman. (5) Esther has to lead Ahasuerus down a path in which he will inevitably lose face. In the book of Esther there are a number of places where the Septuagint has Greek text which does not correspond to the Hebrew Masoretic text. While I feel we must base our observations primarily on the Hebrew, it is nevertheless interesting to read the English translation (of the Greek)... when she had ceased praying (Ed: Never stated in the Hebrew in Esther), that she put off her mean dress, and put on her glorious apparel. And being splendidly arrayed, and having called upon God the Overseer and Preserver of all things, she took her two maids, and she leaned upon one, as a delicate female, and the other followed bearing her train. And she was blooming in the perfection of her beauty; and her face was cheerful, and it were benevolent, but her heart was straitened for fear. And having passed through all the doors, she stood before the king: and he was sitting upon his royal throne, and he had put on all his glorious apparel, covered all over with gold and precious stones, and was very terrible. And having raised his face resplendent with glory, he looked with intense anger: and the queen fell, and changed her colour as she fainted; and she bowed herself upon the head of the maid that went before her. But God changed the spirit of the king gentleness, and in intense feeling he sprang from off his throne, and took her into his arms, until she recovered: and he comforted her with peaceable words, and said to her, What is the matter, Esther? I am thy brother; be of good cheer, thou shalt not die, for our command is openly declared to thee, Draw nigh. Comment: What are we to make of this commentary added by the scholars who translated the Hebrew text into Greek? Frankly, I do not know. It is interesting, even intriguing, but I think we must be cautious in arriving at any definitive conclusions based on the Septuagint. I suppose we will have to wait that day when we know fully just as we have fully known! (1Cor 13:11) Ron Mattoon on the third day... On the third day, Esther puts on her royal apparel and stands at the inner court of the king's house where the king was sitting upon his throne. The third day in the Bible is the day of resurrection life, blessing, and glory. • On the third day of Creation, the submerged earth came out of the waters and brought forth vegetation. • Hezekiah was sick unto death. He cried out to God in tears, begging for deliverance and healing. The Lord answered his prayer and on the third day he would go up to the house of the Lord (2 Kings 20:5). • Jonah preached repentance to Nineveh after three days in the whale motel. Resurrection, life, and blessing were about to come to pass for Israel because Esther was willing and ready to give herself as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). We have the hope of resurrection because Jesus Christ gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins! (Treasures from Esther) Esther 5:2 When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter.: Esther Before Ahasuerus We must not miss how much conviction and courage Esther displayed in this situation. Would we be willing to stand for our convictions in the face of evil? Chuck Swindoll asks... Do you teach your children to stand up for what they believe? Are you teaching your grandchildren how to be people of character, regardless? That is the way they will learn it. Let me probe one question deeper. Are you modeling authentic character? That leaves the message permanently etched in their minds. (Esther: a woman of strength and dignity) She obtained favor in his sight ("received grace" Young's Literal) - Hebrew reads "she obtained grace in his eyes." Favor is shown repeatedly to Esther 2:9, 15, 17, 5:8, 7:3, 8:5 Esther also was the recipient of favor. Surely these multiple bestowals of favor reflect the providential hand of God working behind the scenes (seen). John MacArthur on the phrase "she obtained favor"... This actually means that Esther first found favor with the God of Israel (cf. Pr 21:1, cp Da 5:23). The king extended to Esther the golden scepter - Esther 4:11 explains that entering the king's presence without having been summoned is tantamount to taking one's life in their hands. Is this not the providence of God working to preserve His chosen people from annihilation? If the king had chosen to not receive Esther, the Jews would have had to be delivered by some other means. But the king's heart was disposed toward Esther for as King Solomon writes us... The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD. He turns it wherever He wishes. (Pr 21:1) (Proverbs 21:1-2 Comments by J Vernon McGee, Proverbs 21:1 - F B Meyer; Proverbs 21:1 - George Lawson) (Read of God's sovereignty over a king in Ezra 6:22) So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter - Surely Esther's heart trembled as she waited for the uplifting of the scepter! How different is the believer's access to the Throne of Grace! "Perfect love casts out fear." (1Jn 4:18) Paul writes... Therefore (term of conclusion based on Ro 4:25-note) having been justified (declared righteous, in right standing before God) by faith, we have (present tense = our continual possession is) peace (eirene) with God through (the Mediatorial role of) our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through Whom (His Mediatorial role = 1Ti 2:5) also we have obtained our introduction (See word study on this great Greek word - prosagoge) by faith into this grace in which we stand (perfect tense = pictures this as our permanent privileged position!); and we exult in hope of the glory of God (Future glory when we are glorified and made like Christ - Titus 2:13-note, 1Pe 1:13-note). (Ro 5:1-2-note) The writer of Hebrews repeatedly invites believers to draw near boldly (confidently, without fear of rejection like Esther must have entertained) to God's Throne... Let us therefore (based on Jesus' sinlessness and His mediating Priesthood - Heb 4:15-note) draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:16-note) Thou art coming to a King, Large petitions with thee bring; For His grace and power are such None can ever ask too much. -John Newton Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh (Ed: The supernaturally Rent Veil in the Temple as Christ gave up his spirit on the day of crucifixion [Mt 27:45, 50, 51; Mk 15:38, Lk 23:45, cp Ep 2:13-14-note] was a clear sign of the dawn of the "new age", the inauguration of the New Covenant in His blood![ Lk 22:20, 1Co 11:25]), 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (Heb 10:19-21-note, Heb 10:22-note) THOUGHT - These truths beg several questions. Esther drew near to "intercede" for her people -- Are you availing yourself of the privileged opportunity to draw nigh to the Throne of Grace (not the "throne of law" to which Esther drew near)? Are you interceding for the lost...in your family, your school, your sphere of influence, etc? Are you begging God to send revival and a third great awakening to America before He irrevocably "withdraws His scepter of grace and mercy" so to speak? Esther was willing to risk her life declaring "If I perish, I perish." (Esther 4:16) Are you willing to lose your life, to die to self and to selfish interests, for the sake of the Gospel, the power of God to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek? (Mk 8:34, 35) Esther 5:3 Then the king said to her, "What is troubling you, Queen Esther? And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be given to you.": What: Esther 5:6 Esther 7:2, 9:12 1Ki 2:20 3:5 Mt 20:20-22 Lk 18:41 THE RIGHT TIME THE RIGHT PLACE THE RIGHT RESULT What is troubling you - Troubling is added by the NAS translators but is not in the original Hebrew text. The Hebrew literally reads "What to you?" The ESV accurately renders it "What is it, Queen Esther?" What is your request - Notice that she deferred her real wish until Esther 7:2, 3. Even to half of the kingdom it shall be given to you (cp Herod's similar offer Mk 6:23, see also frightened Belshazzar's offer to Daniel - Da 5:9, 16) - This statement is a hyperbole or exaggeration and was not intended to be interpreted literally, but was a rhetorical statement meant to create a strong impression. In this case it meant that the king would be generous. Herodotus describes Ahasuerus making such an offer, but on a different occasion. I think commentators who take this literally like J Vernon McGee are wrong ("To make her feel at ease, he hands her a blank check and invites her to fill in the amount." - McGee) Guzik rightly observes that... Esther showed tact by not blurting out her ultimate request right away. She wanted to first win the king’s confidence in her - and she wanted Haman at the banquet to ultimately expose his wickedness. John Brug observes that... Xerxes’ promise reminds us of one made by King Herod Antipas to a dancing girl. Herod also promised, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom” (Mark 6:23). What that girl asked for—and got—was the head of John the Baptist on a platter! The historian Herodotus records another occasion on which Xerxes made a rash promise to a young woman whom he desired. Herodotus characterizes Xerxes as a rash, impetuous man with a roving eye, who was easily swayed by feminine beauty. The Lord used even the flaws of Xerxes’ character to set up the situation in which God would provide deliverance for his people. (The People's Bible) Esther 5:4 Esther said, "If it pleases the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.": The banquet that I have prepared - This is banquet #1 (Esther 5:4-8) which would be followed by banquet #2 (Esther 6:14-7:1) between which God would providentially interject the events of Esther 6:1-2ff! God is behind the scenes and controls the scenes He is behind, including every act, every scene, every moment of our lives! If you truly believe this (for it is true), it will be a source of great comfort amid the variegated slings and arrows that fly in each of our lives, many times when we least expect them. It is then that the great truth that the Great God is in control of these slings and arrows that our heart can rest and be at peace in Him. Hallelujah! And Haman - She is setting him up for his climatic calamity! Sidlow Baxter notes that... As a matter of fact the name of God does occur in this Book of Esther, in a most remarkable way. The name "Jehovah" is secretly hidden four times in an acrostic form, and the name Ehyeh ("I am that I am") once. In several ancient manuscripts the acrostic consonants which represent the name are written larger, to make them stand out, as though we might write it in English thus - JeHoVaH. There are no other acrostics in the book, so that the intentionalness of these five is clear. The five places where the acrostics occur are Esther 1:20; 5:4,13; 7:7,5 (Explore the Book) Comment: The significance of this observation is unclear and since I don't read Hebrew, I cannot comment on the veracity (although it mentioned by other commentaries). In short, this information is included only for completeness, but in my opinion does not add to the profundity of the divine providence in a narrative that otherwise has no clear mention of Jehovah. Esther 5:5 Then the king said, "Bring Haman quickly that we may do as Esther desires." So the king and Haman came to the banquet which Esther had prepared.: QUEEN ESTHER'S FIRST BANQUET Quickly (04116) (mahar) means to hasten or make haste. It is interesting that a proverb uses this same word (mahar) to describe evil men like Haman as those whose "feet run to evil, and they hasten to shed blood." (Pr 1:16) This Hebrew word is also used in God's list of seven things He hates "A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil." (Pr 6:18) King Ashasuerus uses the same word in Esther 6:10 calling on Haman to do quickly all that he had recommended for the man whom the king would honor. Esther 5:6 As they drank their wine at the banquet, the king said to Esther, "What is your petition, for it shall be granted to you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done.": As they ate and drank - The king, queen and Haman. How this must have bolstered his ego as if it needed any inflating! This is the king's second query to Esther regarding her petition and request and his offer of up "to half of the kingdom" which would encourage her that increase her assurance that the king would grant her request. Ahasuerus knew Esther did not risk her life for a dinner date. Henry