E s t h e r
There is a book in the Bible which does not speak about God once from beginning to end and yet God is seen to be at work throughout the events in the book! do you know which book that is? It is the book of Esther – the story of the queen who saved her people.
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A Beauty Contest
King Xerxes of Persia (also known as Ahasuerus) was holding a banquet for his friends and he had seen to it that the people were fed too. He had a great banquet that lasted for a week at least. When his friends were in their cups the King sent for his Queen, Vashti, who was also holding a banquet with her ladies. The King wanted to show his friends what a beautiful wife he had. No doubt the men wanted to ogle her so Queen Vashti refused to come! She disobeyed the King’s command.
The King was very angry indeed – it was unheard of for anyone for disobey him!
Later, when the King had calmed down a little, he got together his nobles to discuss this matter of the Queen’s disobedience.
They said “Queen Vashti should never again come to the King”, and that King Xerxes should have the most beautiful girls in the Persian Empire to come before him, and that he should choose one of those to be Queen instead of Vashti. It was indeed going to be a kind of Beauty Contest – perhaps the first one in history!
So Esther entered the contest – not that she, or any of the others, had any choice in the matter! She was an orphan who had been adopted by her cousin Mordecai who was some years older than Esther. Mordecai said that she was not to mention she was a Jew. And because Esther was obedient she didn’t say a word as to her nationality. Well, at the end of the proceedings Esther was chosen to be Queen. She must have been exceptional in every way – in manners and character, as well as in beauty. The eunuch who was in charge of all of the contestants gave Esther the best rooms to stay in because he was impressed by her. Also is seems that everyone liked her. She asked for nothing, except what was given her. She indeed was lovely in every way.
In the meantime, Mordecai kept an “eye” on his beautiful cousin to make sure she was alright. One day, as he was walking in the Kings courtyard, near where Esther was, he overheard two men plotting against the King. Mordecai reported this and the King’s life was saved. The two who had plotted against the King were hung for their treason.
A terrible edict
Later Mordecai heard that Haman, who detested the Jews, had become chief advisor to King Xerxes. In this position Haman expected everyone to bow to him. But Mordecai would not do this. So Haman got the king to sign an edict declaring that all the Jews in the land were to be put to death on a certain day. Haman even paid 10,000 talents of silver into the royal coffers to get the law passed.
When he heard the news Mordecai was devastated. He put on “sackcloth and ashes” and went about the city of Susa weeping loudly and bitterly. But he went only as far as the King’s gate and didn’t go any further, because it was forbidden.
Esther heard about Mordecai’s behaviour and sent new clothes to him – but Mordecai would not accept them. In the end Esther sent one of the servants, a eunuch named Hatbach, to find out from Mordecai what was upsetting him so much. Mordecai told him everything. Through this eunuch the following conversation ensued (as Esther was not allowed to speak directly with Mordecai).
She was told by Mordecai that she must speak to the King herself. Esther said that the King had not asked to see her for 30 days and if she were to appear before him without being asked she would forfeit her life. Mordecai replied that if the edict went though she would die anyway as every Jew would be killed, even herself. She mustn’t remain silent, and anyway, maybe she was raised up to such a position for this very time. Mordecai also told her that if she did not defend her people then someone else would be raised up to do it.
Esther realized that it was something she had to do. So she told everyone to fast for three days and then she said, “I will go to the King, even though it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.”
So Mordecai went away and carried out Esther’s instructions.
A brave queen
After three days of fasting Esther put on her royal robes and went to the King.
Xerxes was surprised and pleased to see her and held out his sceptre to her as a sign of acceptance. Esther came forward and touched the tip of the sceptre. The King offered her anything she wanted – up to half of his kingdom.
Esther replied that she didn’t want anything at that moment but she proposed that he come to a banquet and bring Haman with him. Then she would let him know her request.
Haman was very happy to be invited by the King and Queen. He went out expecting everyone to bow before him – but again Mordecai did not. At this Haman was very angry. At home his wife Zeresh suggested that he build a gallows, 75 feet high, on which to hang Mordecai. So Haman went to the banquet and had the gallows built! At the banquet, once again, Esther declined to say what her request was and she was invited then for another banquest on the next day.
A fit reward
The night after that banquet the King found he couldn’t sleep. So he ordered the Book of Chronicles of the Empire to be read to him as a bedtime story! As the servant read the book it transpired that Mordecai had not been honoured for his part in foiling the plot to kill the King.
King Xerxes then asked, “Who is in the courtyard at present?” It was now early morning and Haman had just entered. So the King asked Haman what should be done for the man whom the King delighted to honour. Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honour than me?” So he devised the best reward we could.
He answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honour, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honour, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honour!’ “
“Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”
A just punishment
After having done what the King ordered Haman rushed home, filled with grief and anger. His wife also was very upset. But at that moment the King’s eunuch came with the order that Haman had to immediately attend the banquet given by the Queen.
At this banquet the king asked Esther again what was her petition. She then requested him to spare her people and went on to explain that there was a plot to destroy and annihilate them.
The King was astounded. Who is the man who would dare to do such a thing?” he asked. And Esther replied, “The adversary and enemy is vile Haman!”. The King was outraged and in his rage strode out of the room, leaving his wine behind.
Haman was terrified he got down on his knees before Esther as she reclined on her couch begging her to spare him. The King came back and seeing Haman there cried, “Will he even molest the Queen while she is with me in the house?”
At that moment Haman was doomed. He was dragged off and hanged on the very gallows that he had had erected for Mordecai. We read then the King’s fury subsided.
The outcome of all this was that the Jews were allowed to defend themselves on the day that had been decided for their destruction and all those who attacked them were killed.
Up to this very day the happenings of the Book of Esther are remembered by the Jews in a joyous festival called Purim. This festival is at least 2600 years old!
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Conclusion
And so God protected his people, the Jews. It was of the Jews that our salvation came when the Messiah, Jesus, came into the world.
“God is working his purposes out, as year succeedeth year,”
He will always have the last word. God is not mocked. God is great.
Let us follow Jesus the Messiah whom God has sent. I him we see the very face of God himself. We have so much to be thankful for in knowing him.
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