The Book of Esther
I.
Contents and Outline
This book is generally divided
into three major section:
1.
1:1 to
2.
3:1 to
3.
to 10:3
It may also be divided in detail
into the follow 14 sections:
1.
1:1-22
Queen Vashti was removed from the
palace
2.
2:1-20
Esther was chosen to become queen
3.
2:21-23
Mordecai saved the king’s life
4.
3:1-7
Haman was elevated by the king
5.
3:8-15
Haman conspired against the Jews,
the king commanded to kill all Jews
6.
4:1-17
Mordecai acted to save his people,
Esther recognized her duty to save her people
7.
5:1-8
Esther’s first banquet
8.
5:9-14
Haman prepared a gallows, plotted
against Mordecai
9.
6:1-13
The honored was put to shame, Haman
led Mordecai on horseback
10. -8:2
Esther’s second banquet, Haman
hanged on gallows
11. 8:3-17
The king commanded to remove the
Jews’ enemies
12. 9:1-19
Jews destroyed their enemies and
lived in peace
13. 9:20-32
Feast of the days of Purim
14. 10:1-3
Mordecai elevated to prime minister
II.
Events and Historical Background
The events in the Book of Esther
occurred during the time of King Ahasuerus (485-465 B.C.), who was the
historical Xerxes. He attacked Greece but was defeated by Thermopolae in 480
B.C., and by Salamis
in 479 B.C., and returned without any accomplishments. He made Esther queen in 478 B.C. (1:3; ). The king’s banquet in chapter one took place
in 483 B.C. The first days of Purim were
the 14th and 15th days of the twelfth month in 473 B.C. Susa, located
300 kilometers east from Babylon,
was the city were King Cyrus built his winter palace.
III.
Special Features
The Bible records many virtuous
women, however, only the Books of Ruth and Esther use a woman’s name as the
title. One was an exemplary Gentile
woman who entered into the house of the Elect, the other was a savior of her
people in a Gentile land. According to
Jewish scholars, the Persian meaning of Esther (sitareh) is star. She was truly a star that shone in darkness
during the time when the Israelites were taken captive to foreign lands. She brightened the chosen people in her time
and, transcending the boundaries of time and space, she has enlightened the
true believers of the last days.
When the Israelites were taken
captive in Gentile lands, they were like a rock that fell into a vast
ocean. That was a silent period. This book emerged as a shining star in a
period of darkness, allowing us to understand the people’s patience,
intelligence, and dedication.
Throughout the book, there is no
mention of the word “God” or “the Lord”, however, God’s planning and
preparation is evident in all the events.
Sharp contrasts of right and wrong, good and evil, reward and
punishment, and life and death may be found in the book. Events in the book are very fast paced,
although there are places in which the events seemed to be delayed, but they
only serve as a break amid the fast-paced action.
IV.
Characters in the Book of Esther
A.
The enemy of the Jews, the evil Haman (7:6)
1.
He was an Agagite (3:1) and possibly descendant
of the Amalekites, a fierce enemy of the Jews (descendants of Agag; Ref.: I Sam
15:20). Haman exhibited the
deceitfulness and violence of the Amalekites.
“Amalek was first among the nations” (Num 24:20), an ancient tribe of
people, and descendants of Esau’s son Eliphaz and his concubine (Gen 36:12,16;
I Chron ). They lived in the same region as the
descendants of Ishmael, “from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is east of Egypt”
(I Sam 15:7; Gen 25:18)
Historical Battles Between
Israelites and Amalekites
a.
Roaring lions of the wilderness road (I Peter
5:8)
(a)
Israelites’ first battle after leaving Egypt
- the battle at Rephidim (Exod 17:8-16):
Although the Israelites were victorious in the battle of Rephidim, the
Amalekites followed the Israelites throughout the wilderness journey, killing
those who were weak and tired who fell behind (Deut 25:17-19). This was still remembered by God even until
the time of Samuel (I Sam 15:2-3).
(b)
Tragedy in Kadesh - battle at Hormah (Num -45):
The Amalekites were the tall and mighty people seen by the spies (Num ; ); the Israelites exercised their strong
will to neglect God’s will, resulting in the bitter defeat at Hormah
b.
One of the fierce enemies in the time of the
Judges (Judg ; ; 6:3, 33; )
c.
King Saul’s battle against the Amalekites (I Sam
10:5)
d.
Battle
at Ziklag in the time of King David (I Sam 27:5-12; 30:1-31)
e.
Final battle in the time of King Hezekiah -
battle in MountSeir (I Chron 5:42f); from this time on
the Amalekites disappeared from biblical history
2.
Haman had the cruelty, treachery, and pride of
the Amalekites
B.
Mordecai
He was a Benjamite. By studying
the genealogy (2:5-6; Ref.: I Sam 9:1), it was highly possible that he was from
the house of Saul; he exhibited the excellent characters of God’s chosen
people:
1.
Took care of the young and orphans as they were
his own (2:7)
2.
Did not seek the high positions, did not promote
his good work (-23;
6:1-3)
3.
Willing to be ordinary, did not seek after
abundance ()
4.
Humbled in the high post, kind and merciful as
ever (8:1-2; 10:1-3)
C.
Esther
Taken captive during the years of
turmoil, God prepared her as a shining star during the time of dwelling in
foreign lands. She shone the light of
God to brighten the entire household of God and the entire race of her
people.
1.
Her life was comparable to the life of Joseph in
many aspects:
a.
Chosen to live in the palace of foreign king
b.
Captive nation was a fierce enemy of Israelites
c.
Saved themselves and their entire race of people
2.
Her good characters:
a.
Showed filial piety, even though she was queen
(2:7, 20)
b.
Did not seek anything else, did not occupy
herself with material enjoyment ()
c.
After recognizing her responsibility, she fully
relied upon God, risking death to save her people (-16)
d.
Did not rebel, did not force, wisely saved the
people (5:3-8; 7:1-6)
V.
Reflection From Reading the Book of Esther
A.
God appeared to remain silent—He had already
prepared (Gen )
1.
Esther’s position as queen
2.
Mordecai’s work guarding the king’s gate
3.
Years of the kingdom’s struggles
a.
God prepared the salvation (Eph 1:3-12)
b.
Joseph suffered thirteen years, to prepare to
save his own race (Gen 45:5; 50:19-21)
c.
Moses’ training and trials in the first eighty
years was God’s period of preparation
B.
To recognize the responsibility and to seize the
opportunity, isn’t it for today’s opportunity ? (Esth 4:14)
1.
Lived a calm and peaceful life at the palace,
oblivious of the danger and disasters outside
2.
Encountered difficulties without means to
resolve them
3.
Recognized the responsibility and seized the
opportunity
4.
Originally had nothing (), but could now destroy the enemy ()
a.
Abraham receiving the Lord (Gen 16:1ff)
b.
Seize the chance to offer the ointment (Mk 14:7)
c.
Gehazi misjudged the opportunity (II Kg )
d.
The two anointed ones, show the distinction
between man’s timing and God’s timing (I Sam chapters 24; 26)
C.
The people’s prayer of intercession upheld
Esther is determined heart of sacrifice ()
1.
All Jews in Shushan fasted and prayed for three
days and nights
2.
Servant girl in the palace fasted and prayed for
three days and nights
3.
Esther fasted and prayed for three days and
nights
a.
Jesus’ prayer of intercession to help in Peter’s
weakness and to strengthen him
b.
Jesus, who is everlasting, is praying for us in
heaven to save us unto the end (Rom -34)
