Esther I. Introduction A. Esther: a great example of faith B. Dire challenges for Israel 1. Jews consigned to death! 2. Esther has the opportunity to save her people 3. What shall she do? C. Let us consider the book II. Esther: The Details A. Authorship 1. Author unknown 2. Book sometimes questioned as inspired since it does not have the name of God within it, no NT attestation 3. Nevertheless, hand of God present throughout the book 4. Greek Septuagint includes additions to Esther, parts of book in Greek not found in Hebrew manuscripts-- rather redundant, mentioned here not because they are inspired, but for information's sake B. Dating 1. Book covers events in times of Xerxes king of Persia (ca. 485 BCE) 2. Book written sometime after events C. Audience 1. The audience represents the returned exiles in the Persian period 2. We can gain much also D. Purpose 1. To describe Israel's deliverance from Haman's plot 2. To explain the origins of the feast of Purim 3. To set forth the example of Esther III. Esther: The Story A. Main Sections 1. Esther's Ascension (Esther 1-2) 2. Haman's Plot (Esther 3-7) 3. Vindication (Esther 8-10) B. Xerxes and Vashti (Esther 1) 1. [Greek apocryphal addition: Mordecai's dream, discovery of plot (A:1-17)] 2. Xerxes (Ahasuerus) has great feast in Susa; its opulence (Esther 1:1-8) 3. Queen Vashti also has feast; Xerxes summons her; she does not come (Esther 1:9-12) 4. Wise men advise Xerxes to depose her lest husbands be held in contempt by wives throughout the empire; done (Esther 1:13-22) C. Esther and Mordecai (Esther 2) 1. Xerxes seeks virgins to find next queen (Esther 2:1-4) 2. Mordecai, relative of King Saul through Shimei (cf. 2 Samuel 16, 19), has raised niece Hadassah (Esther); very fair (Esther 2:5-7) 3. Mordecai gets Esther in as one of the virgins; Esther pleasant to chief eunuch, given place of prominence; her Jewish identity not known (Esther 2:8-11) 4. After year of preparation, Esther gets her chance; Xerxes loves Esther, makes her chief queen in Vashti's place (Esther 2:12-20) 5. Mordecai in gate; hears of plot of eunuchs against Xerxes; Esther tells Xerxes in Mordecai's name; written in annals of king (Esther 2:21-23) D. Haman and His Plot (Esther 3) 1. Haman the Agagite elevated in kingdom; Mordecai refuses to bow to him; greatly angers Haman (Esther 3:1-5) 2. Haman conspires to wipe Jews out of empire; convinces Xerxes to go along with it; decreed (Esther 3:6-13) 3. [Greek apocryphal addition: decree of Xerxes (B:1-7)] 4. All things in place (Esther 3:14-15) E. Esther's Test of Faith (Esther 4-5) 1. Mordecai mourns; Esther hears of it, communicates with him via Hathach her eunuch; given copy of decree, instructions (Esther 4:1-9) 2. Esther concerned; not called to see the king; to enter king's presence without summons means death unless the king spares her (Esther 4:10-12) 3. Mordecai encourages Esther to take the risk for her own life and the life of the Jews; all this communication through Hathach (Esther 4:13-14) 4. Esther tells Mordecai to have Jews fast on her behalf and she will go in three days (Esther 4:15-17) 5. [Greek apocryphal addition: prayer of Mordecai; Esther mourns, her prayer (C:1-30)] 6. [Greek apocryphal addition: Esther comes in to see king; king described in superlative terms; she faints twice, is pardoned (D:1-16)] 7. Esther before Xerxes; he lifts scepter toward her, pardoning her; she requests Xerxes and Haman to come to a feast (Esther 5:1-4) 8. Haman, Xerxes come to feast; she requests that they come back the next day for another feast (Esther 5:5-8) 9. Haman exultant at his fortune, despite seeing Mordecai; describes to his wife all the things the king has given him and the feast he enjoyed; soul vexed by Mordecai; commissions gallows to be erected to hang Mordecai (Esther 5:9-14) F. Haman Undone (Esther 6-7) 1. King unable to sleep; has records read to him; account of Mordecai and the uncovering of the plot read (Esther 6:1-2) 2. Xerxes wants to know if anything has been done; told no; Haman enters at this time (Esther 6:3-4) 3. Xerxes asks Haman what should be given to the one in whom the king delights; thinking it refers to himself, he talks about all these grandiose honors; Xerxes tells him to bestow them on Mordecai (Esther 6:5-11) 4. Haman and wife recognize his situation; Haman goes to Esther's banquet (Esther 6:12-14) 5. Feast; Xerxes again asks what Esther wants; she reveals that she and people are to be killed; he wants to know how this happened (Esther 7:1-5) 6. Esther identifies Haman; Xerxes in anger goes to garden; Haman pleads for life; Xerxes thinks he is assaulting queen, Haman is seized (Esther 7:6-8) 7. Xerxes informed of gallows Haman made for Mordecai; commands Haman to be hung on it (Esther 7:9-10) G. Vindication (Esther 8-10) 1. Mordecai given Haman's place, honor; Esther again speaks to king to reverse Haman's decree (Esther 8:1-6) 2. Authority granted to Mordecai and Esther to have new decree written up; new one written giving Jews authority to kill enemies; dispatched quickly by king's horses and horsemen (Esther 8:7-12) 3. [Greek apocryphal addition: copy of decree (E:1-24)] 4. Jews rejoice, have feast and holiday; Mordecai in royal robes (Esther 8:13-17) 5. On appointed day, Jews obtain vengeance on enemies, assisted by royal officials fearing Mordecai; 500 killed in Susa, and 10 sons of Haman (Esther 9:1-12) 6. Xerxes has edict of second day of vengeance; sons of Haman hung; 300 more killed in Susa; 75000 in the provinces (Esther 9:13-16) 7. 14th day of the month of Adar set aside for feasting; Mordecai and Esther make it a perpetual holiday to commemorate the defeat of Haman and God's deliverance; called Purim (Esther 9:17-32) 8. Mordecai in the court, next to Xerxes; took care of Jews and their interests (Esther 10:1-3) 9. [Greek apocryphal addition: Mordecai explains his dream from A as it relates to story of Esther, himself, and Haman; validity of events and purpose for Purim demonstrated in Ptolemaic period (F:1-11)] IV. Esther: Important Passages A. Esther 1:13-17 1. Concern might seem odd to us 2. Demonstration of need for respect of wives for husbands B. Esther 4:11 1. Decorum in court of king 2. Nature of coming before a superior-- you follow his rules, or else 3. Is this not the same with the King of Kings? C. Esther 4:14 1. Mordecai suggests to Esther that God's providential hand has placed her where she is so that she can deliver Israel 2. Encouragement to us: even without direct words from God, we perhaps are placed in circumstances where we can present God's truths by His providential care! V. Conclusion A. Esther: a great story of faith 1. Difficult times and circumstances 2. Esther and Mordecai save the day B. God's providence clearly present C. Let us take opportunities we have to promote God's purposes! D. Invitation/songbook