Ester 8
John MacArthur · Citado em PreceptAustin
Ester 8
MacArthur comments: After an execution, the body was permitted to hang on a tree for the rest of the day as a public display of the consequences of disobedience. However, the body was not to remain on the tree overnight, but was to be properly buried before sunset. Peter Craigie comments: The sequence in this verse indicates that hanging was not a method of execution, but something that was done after the death of a criminal, on the same day. When the man was dead, he would be hanged on a tree or a "wooden post" of some kind; the gruesome sight would then serve as a warning to the population of the results of breaking those laws which were punishable by death.... An object accursed. The body was not accursed of God (or lit. "curse of God") because it was hanging on a tree; it was hanging on a tree because it was accursed of God. And the body was not accursed of God simply because it was dead (for all men die), but it was accursed because of the reason for the death. To break the law of God and live as though He did not matter or exist, was in effect to curse Him; and He who cursed God would be accursed of God. To break the law of God and incur thereby the penalty of death, was to die the worst possible kind of death, for the means of death was a formal and terminal separation from the community of God's people. Hence the use of this verse in Paul's Epistle to the Galatians is very forceful. Christ took upon himself the curse of the law, the penalty of death, thereby redeeming us from the curse of the law. (Gal. 3:13) The manner of His death, crucifixion, symbolized dramatically the meaning of His death. His separation from the family of God made possible our admission to the family of God, because the curse of the broken law—which would have permanently barred admission—had been removed. Esther 9:14 So the king commanded that it should be done so; and an edict was issued in Susa, and Haman's ten sons were hanged.: Haman's ten sons were hanged - They had already been killed that same day, but now would be impaled for all to see (and be warned) for the remainder of the day, presumably being taken off the posts before sunset (in accordance with Dt 21:22-23).
Ester 8
MacArthur says Purim is "The first and last biblically revealed, non-Mosaic festival with perpetual significance." Modern Jews celebrate Purim by reading the Book of Esther in the synagogue and whenever Haman's name is mentioned, they boo, hiss, stomp their feet and rattle their gragers (Click to hear a grager) Here's a great song that portrays the story of Esther and subsequent celebration associated with the festive day of Purim - The Maccabeats - Purim Song Purim - This is the plural of pur, because there are two days (purim), not one (pur). Why might they have named this feast Purim? Ultimately Who was behind the casting of the pur? Although man casts the lot, but God directs the "decision" (Pr 16:33-Spurgeon's devotional + notes; Sermon by Charles Simeon), so the providential hand of God is behind the scene of the "seen." Had He not directed the decision to have the specific date of the Jewish annihilation be 12 months after Haman's initial "death warrant" was sent, the Jews would not have had sufficient time to prepare to defend themselves from their enemies who hated them! So in the final analysis the name Purim gives praise and glory the One Who directed the "decision" of the pur! PLAY THIS SONG THAT REMINDS US THAT... GOD IS IN CONTROL The celebration of Purim usually falls in the month of March. Here are the dates for the next 4 Purim - sunset February 23, 2013 - nightfall February 24, 2013, sunset March 15, 2014 - nightfall March 16, 2014, sunset March 4, 2015 - nightfall March 5, 2015; sunset March 23, 2016 - nightfall March 24, 2016. Notice that in accord with Mordecai's letter, the festival of Purim takes place on two successive days! May your study of the Book of Esther serve as a bridge to dialogue with your Jewish co-workers and friends regarding the significance of this miraculous event and how it made possible the greatest event in the history of the world, the Coming of the Messiah from the lineage of the Jews. THOUGHT - May God open the eyes of many Jews in the last days (the day of the consummation the "edict" for all mankind is drawing nigh) to the deliverance found only in the good news of the Messiah's death, burial and resurrection. Amen Judaism 101 site has the following note on Purim - Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of Adar, which is usually in March. The 13th of Adar is the day that Haman chose for the extermination of the Jews, and the day that the Jews battled their enemies for their lives. On the day afterwards, the 14th, they celebrated their survival. In cities that were walled in the time of Joshua, Purim is celebrated on the 15th of the month, because the book of Esther says that in Shushan (a walled city), deliverance from the massacre was not complete until the next day. The 15th is referred to as Shushan Purim. (Judaism 101 Purim - some interesting descriptive comments although much of it is not Biblical per se - so read it with a "grain of salt.") Wiersbe has this note on the celebration of Purim - Today, the Jews begin their celebration with a fast on the thirteenth day of the month (Es 9:31), commemorating the date on which Haman’s evil decree was issued (Es 3:12). They go to the synagogue and hear the Book of Esther publicly read; and whenever the name of Haman is mentioned, they cry out, “May he be accursed!” or “May his name perish!” Children bring a special Purim rattle called a “grager” and use it to make noise every time they hear Haman’s name read. On the morning of the fourteenth day of the month, the Jews again go to the synagogue, where the Esther story is read again and the congregation engages in prayer. The story about Moses and the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8–16) is also read. Then the celebrants go home to a festive holiday meal with gifts and special foods, and the celebrating continues on the next day. They also send gifts and food to the poor and needy so that everybody can rejoice together. (Ibid) Esther 9:27 the Jews established and made a custom for themselves and for their descendants and for all those who allied themselves with them, so that they would not fail to celebrate these two days according to their regulation and according to their appointed time annually.: CSB - the Jews bound themselves, their descendants, and all who joined with them to a commitment that they would not fail to celebrate these two days each and every year according to the written instructions and according to the time appointed. ESV - the Jews firmly obligated themselves and their offspring and all who joined them, that without fail they would keep these two days according to what was written and at the time appointed every year, NET - Therefore, because of the account found in this letter and what they had faced in this regard and what had happened to them (most versions include this text at the end of Es 9:26), the Jews established as binding on themselves, their descendants, and all who joined their company that they should observe these two days without fail, just as written and at the appropriate time on an annual basis. Those who allied themselves with them - This describes proselytes who took up the Jewish religion. They also were instructed to celebrate the two days of Purim. Allied (03867) (lavah) means to join or accompany and conveys the idea of one attaching himself to some one or some thing. Esther 9:28 So these days were to be remembered and celebrated throughout every generation, every family, every province and every city; and these days of Purim were not to fail from among the Jews, or their memory fade from their descendants.: Remembered: Ex 12:17 Ps 78:5-7 Ps 103:2 Memory fade: Ex 13:8,9 Jos 4:7 Zec 6:14 PURIM: A MEMORIAL These days of Purim were not to fail from among the Jews - That is they were not to fail to observe the two days of Purim. Memory (02143) (zeker) is a noun which means remembrance. Zeker - 23x in OT - Ex 3:15; 17:14; Deut 25:19; 32:26; Es 9:28; Job 18:17; Ps 6:5; 9:6; 30:4; 34:16; 97:12; 102:12; 109:15; 111:4; 112:6; 135:13; 145:7; Pr 10:7; Eccl 9:5; Isa 26:8, 14; Hos 12:5; 14:7 and is translated memorial-name(1), memory(12), mention(1), name(4), remembered(2), remembrance(2), renown(1). THOUGHT - What effect would (should) this memorial day have on the Jews? To remind them that God is in Control. Do you believe that is true in your life? Have you set up any "memorial stones" to remind you and your children of His past deliverances? Listen to Twila Paris' song "God Is In Control" (it has some good words), thank Him for His manifold deliverances in your life and worship His hand of providence in your life. After the children of Israel passed through the Jordan River on dry ground under the leadership of Joshua, they were instructed to establish a memorial of this great event... Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever. (Joshua 4:7) COMMENT: Have you set up any "memorials" in your life or the life of your family? As we can all attest, our tendency is to forget things, even the great things God has done in our lives. Setting up a memorial counters our natural tendency to forget. May God give you insight into how you might set up a personal and/or family memorial that commemorates the great act of God in your life. For example, instead of celebrating your physical birthday, you might choose to celebrate your spiritual birthday with your family. See Charles Spurgeon's sermon Things to be Remembered. (See related Preceptaustin Blog Post) Esther 9:29 Then Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter about Purim.: SECOND LETTER CONCERNING PURIM (Es 9:29-32) Second letter about Purim - While we cannot state with absolute certainty why there were two letters regarding Purim, there is no doubt that one effect on the Persian Jewish recipients would have been to add an extra measure of assurance that they would indeed now be able to experience peace and truth (security)! And now not only did the letter have the backing of the Prime Minister (Mordecai) but it was also affirmed by the Queen herself. Surely the effect on the Jews who had been appropriately anxious and fearful for their lives for many months could now put their anxious thoughts and fears to rest. Esther 9:30 He sent letters to all the Jews, to the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, namely, words of peace and truth: PROCLAMATION OF PEACE AND TRUTH The NET renders it "Letters were sent to all the Jews in the hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the empire of Ahasuerus– words of true peace" with an explanatory note that... The present translation is based on the Niphal form (vayyishalakh, "were sent"; so also NRSV, TEV, CEV, NLT) rather than the reading of the Massoretic Text (vayyishlakh, Qal, "and he sent"). The subject of the MT verb would have to be Mordecai (cf. NAB, NIV, NCV), but this is problematic in light of Esther 9:29, where both Esther and Mordecai are responsible for the letters. Peace and truth (NIV = "goodwill and assurance") - This phrase is found 3 other times in Scripture - 2Ki 20:19 (repeated in Isa 39:8) is in the form of a question (actually a declaration in most of the other major translations - ESV, NET, NIV - which translate the Hebrew word as "security" rather than as "truth") from Hezekiah to the prophet Isaiah. In Jeremiah the words are in the form of a promise of Jehovah to faithless, exiled Judah and Israel... Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth. (ESV, NET = security) (Jer 33:6) Criswell comments on Jeremiah 33:6-8: Here we find Yahweh's promise of restoration. In the restoration Yahweh will grant healing, peace, truth, cleansing, and forgiveness. Jer 33:8 contains three terms that express different aspects of the idea of sin: "iniquity" (`avon, Heb., "to stray from the appointed path"); "sinned" (hata, Heb., "to miss the mark"); and "transgressed" (pasha`, Heb., "to rebel"). For these offenses God will grant "cleansing" (taher, Heb., "to make ceremonially clean") and "pardon" (salah, Heb., "to forgive"). Central to the character of God is His willingness and desire to forgive. This is based on His grace (Eph 2:8, 9). Comment: Notice that Jeremiah 33:8 is essentially describing the salvation and heart circumcision (cleansing) available only in the New Covenant. Thus although the world "New Covenant" is not used here, clearly it is implied. (See interesting discussion of New Covenant in the Old Testament ) Peace (07965)(shalom from salam/salem/shalam = to be safe, sound, healthy, perfect, complete [1Ki 7:51, Neh 6:18) signifies a sense of well-being and harmony both within and without (A message Esther and Mordecai would surely want to convey in their second letter!) It also signifies completeness, wholeness and peace. Think about what this great Hebrew word meant to the Jewish recipients who had only months before been faced with the threat of total annihilation. Now they receive a communication that spoke of shalom to their hearts, for they understood the many great nuances of shalom including health, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, rest, harmony, absence of agitation or discord, state of calm without anxiety or stress. These attitudes and emotions were possible now that Haman's edict had been effectively countered! Truth (0547) ('emeth) is derived from the word aman (related to amen) which describes firmness, certainty, and stability, thus the noun 'emeth describes firmness, faithfulness, truth with the nuances of stability, sureness, reliability, continuance. 'Emeth is frequently coupled with hesed (lovingkindness - Pr 3:3, Hos 4:1). The epitome and essence of truth is of course God Who is fittingly referred to as "the God of truth" (Ps 31:5). In the context of Haman's recent threat of annihilation and disturbance of peace and tranquility, taking 'emeth as speaking of "security" might be a more contextually appropriate rendering than "truth." W A Criswell comments that "This verse, together with Es 9:22, alludes to Zech. 8:19, indicating that this divine reversal of fortunes (cf. Es 4:3 and Es 8:16, 17) is taken as a sign confirming the ultimate fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy of peace and prosperity for God's people. The switching of "truth and peace" to "peace and truth" is typical of such allusions. Thus, the Book of Esther is not only historical, theological, and devotional, but also subtly prophetic." Esther 9:31 to establish these days of Purim at their appointed times, just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established for them, and just as they had established for themselves and for their descendants with instructions for their times of fasting and their lamentations.: NLT - These letters established the Festival of Purim--an annual celebration of these days at the appointed time, decreed by both Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther. (The people decided to observe this festival, just as they had decided for themselves and their descendants to establish the times of fasting and mourning.) Esther 9:32 The command of Esther established these customs for Purim, and it was written in the book.: ESTHER 10 COMMENTARY Esther 10:1 Now King Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land and on the coastlands of the sea.: MORDECAI'S EXALTATION & RULE (Es 10:1-3) See Spurgeon's Sermon - Esther 10:3 He worked for the good of his people Tribute (04522) (mas) referred to forced labor or unpaid labor from a vassal to a lord or as in the present context forced payment of submissive peoples to a superior ruler. Webster defines our English word tribute as "a payment by one ruler or nation to another in acknowledgment of submission or as the price of protection." HCSB Study Bible writes that "The mention of Ahasuerus imposing a tax (Heb = mas) throughout the land seems out of place. Some interpreters suggest this may be another example of reversal, as the tax relief given to the empire when Ahasuerus married Esther (Es 2:18) was now made up for with the new tax. More likely this is an echo of Joseph and his role as second in command in Egypt (Ge 41:40). Like Joseph before him, Mordecai the Jew helped a Gentile king bring prosperity to the crown." Esther 10:2 And all the accomplishments of his authority and strength, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia?: And all the accomplishments of his authority and strength - This refers to King Ashasuerus "epitaph." Are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia? - A rhetorical question. Yes they are written in the Book. Henry