The Stage is Set for an Epic Adventure
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The Stage is Set for an Epic Adventure
The Stage is Set for an Epic Adventure
Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel, in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him, while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days. And when these days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in Susa the citadel, both great and small, a feast lasting for seven days in the court of the garden of the king’s palace. There were white cotton curtains and violet hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rods and marble pillars, and also couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones. Drinks were served in golden vessels, vessels of different kinds, and the royal wine was lavished according to the bounty of the king. And drinking was according to this edict: “There is no compulsion.” For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired. Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the palace that belonged to King Ahasuerus.
On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was lovely to look at. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command delivered by the eunuchs. At this the king became enraged, and his anger burned within him.
Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times (for this was the king’s procedure toward all who were versed in law and judgment, the men next to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king’s face, and sat first in the kingdom): “According to the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti, because she has not performed the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?” Then Memucan said in the presence of the king and the officials, “Not only against the king has Queen Vashti done wrong, but also against all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. For the queen’s behavior will be made known to all women, causing them to look at their husbands with contempt, since they will say, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, and she did not come.’ This very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s behavior will say the same to all the king’s officials, and there will be contempt and wrath in plenty. If it please the king, let a royal order go out from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes so that it may not be repealed, that Vashti is never again to come before King Ahasuerus. And let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. So when the decree made by the king is proclaimed throughout all his kingdom, for it is vast, all women will give honor to their husbands, high and low alike.” This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did as Memucan proposed. He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language, that every man be master in his own household and speak according to the language of his people.
Read verses 1-9
I am so excited to begin this new school year, with a new series of studies, through a book of the Bible that many of us have never really studied before. The book of ’m excited for a number of reasons.
First: The main human character in this book, is a woman. There aren’t many books of the Bible, of which that’s true. Women - you already know that when we read, “brothers”, or “man” in the Bible - that you properly insert ‘sisters’ or ‘woman’ in that spot. God created us male and female - in His image. But still, it’s refreshing to have a female take center stage once sometimes - so ladies - I’m excited for you here.
Second: this book is history - it’s our story as Christians … and it’s a GREAT STORY. Brilliantly written -
Blockbuster movies - Marvel - Avengers … Superheroes each of whom could have a movie of their own … come together to save the world from alien invaders.
The book of Esther is a blockbuster … Epic … There is Power on an immense scale … one that we don’t see today.
Power is in the hands of Ahasuerus (NIV - Xerxes. It’s the same person: Xerxes is his Greek name; Ahasuerus is his name in Hebrew). He is the god-king or god-emperor. Film 300 - Xerxes defeats the Greeks at Thermopylae in 480 BC (lost the next year). Xerxes - He is the power figure in this story
Every blockbuster needs a villain … There’s a brilliant villain in this story … his name is Haman. He’s the kind of person you can’t help but hate. When you see him in action, when you hear his manipulative talk - your blood is going to boil.
A blockbuster needs a hero and and heroine … In this book, Mordecai is the hero and Esther is the heroine ...they aren’t romantically involved.
Now, most blockbusters have the hero and heroine getting romantically involved. That doesn’t happen in this story … Mordecai and Esther are cousins. Mordecai is older - like a father figure. He has raised Esther, as his own daughter, since her own parents passed away.
There are beautiful women, palace intrigue, wealth on a vast scale.
Within the story - reversal of fortune, people being at the right place at just the right time to make a difference, we see one man’s courage and one woman’s courage - on display … we see the destiny of an entire people - the Jews, hanging in the balance ...
… we have a titanic struggle against injustice.
We also have the threat of a coming holocaust - which connects this book to very recent history … Jewish writers have made many connections between Esther and post-holocaust
So, why did I grow up in church, never having heard a series of sermons preached through the book of Esther? Sure, growing up in Sunday School - we learned the story of Esther the queen and Haman the creep … flannelgraph images are still emblazoned in my brain - but don’t remember a single sermon, let alone series walking through this book and what it means for us, today. And why do I think that, if we took a survey here this morning of those who have been in church for all of your lives, - why am I pretty sure that most of the rest of you haven’t heard a series on this book, either?
Because it’s kind of an obscure, OT book? Maybe.
Because at the end it gets a little violent? Maybe.
Because it’s very Jewish - and doesn’t seem to connect to the NT very well? Perhaps.
Most likely, though - for the very same reason the book of Esther was one of the few books with any question at all over whether it should be received into the canon of Scripture - the 66 books that make up our Bible - recognized as God’s inspired word.
I don’t want to blow this out of proportion because it wasn’t like there was huge controversy over Esther - but there were no copies of this book found in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Luther didn’t like this book. The reason for the controversy over Esther - is because God is NOT mentioned in the entire book. Not by His revealed name: “Yahweh” - “The Great I Am”; There’s not even a single reference to the generic title, ‘God’. Not a single time.
No word from God, No THEOPHANY, No dream given by Him … NOTHING BUT SILENCE!
How can God inspire a book as useful - needful for His Church, when He doesn’t even show up, ONCE, on its pages?!!
I love it - - Do you see how relevant this book is for you? In the world you live in, right now?! IN fact, I would suggest that there is NO MORE relevant book for us to give our attention to, as we begin a new school year
.... ILLUSTRATION/ EXAMPLES .... Persecution
.... Unanswered prayer.
When you pray, when you take seriously that you are a Christian and you want to represent your Savior in this world - WELL … but you hear from heaven only silence … when you feel like God is so far away and not. Doing. Much. .... What could have more relevance to you … than a Biblical book where there is no mention of God … than this very book.
… where God seems to be utterly ABSENT … not even a mention of His name.
And yet .... where He shows Himself to be fully and completely and unavoidably at work, on every page … accomplishing His purposes, for His glory … and for the joy of His people.
And He is.
That’s why I’m so excited to dig into this book with you.
What we don’t have in the book of Esther … is God. Or so it seems. God is not named. That’s important. And that’s the third and biggest reason that I’m so excited to begin this year, in this book: Because the book of Esther is SO RELEVANT to your life and mine. Today. Right here. There is nothing you need more, in your life this year, than to understand the message of this book.
Now I just want to jump into the story. It’s so good, I can hardly wait. But the problem is, if I do that - and you don’t get the context - where this book fits into history - what’s gone on to lead up to this point … then you’re going to miss too much. So, before we go any further - I need to give you a history lesson. Everybody’s back into the school mode, so let me just take you to a quick history class:
Esther is a Jew - living in the 6th century BC - and you don’t belong. You ha
NEED A HISTORY LESSON here. Before we dive into the book, you need to find its place in history.
We need to go back - King David unites God’s people in the nation of Israel. King Solomon’s reign was the ‘golden age’ of the nation - peace and prosperity and greatness in the eyes of the world, but the spiritual slide into idolatry and worshiping false gods brought God’s judgment - and, After Solomon died and his son took over - the continued spiritual side led to the breaking apart of Israel into 2 separate kingdoms with 2 separate kings, the Northern Kingdom and the 2 tribes that made up the Southern Kingdom, where Jerusalem was and where a descendant of David and Solomon reigned.
… 722 the Northern Kingdom falls to the Assyrian Kingdom - the superpower of its day.
The Southern Kingdom - Judah and Jerusalem, continues on for another 130 plus years, with a variety of kings, some godly, some anything but, the nation goes through ups and downs, but increasingly down … until you have kings like Manasseh, who turns so far from God that he ends up sacrificing his son in the fire, in pagan worship of a pagan god. And the God of heaven has enough of this rebellion - He has warned them through the mouths of His prophets, for centuries … and now He brings the judgment. And oh, how God brings His Holy Wrath.
He sends judgement in the form of the international superpower of the day … the Babylonians. There are successive waves of attack on Jerusalem, starting in 605 BC.. And finally, in 586 BC, the Babylonians sack the southern kingdom, completely destroy the holy city of Jerusalem. The last king of Judah is Zedekiah. tells us that Zedekiah is captured. Listen to what happened to him: , “Then they captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, and they passed sentence on him. (7) They slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him in chains and took him to Babylon.”
That was the end of Israel - Northern and Southern kingdom. The temple is burned to the ground, the king’s palace is burned to the ground, the walls of Jerusalem are busted down into rubble, the people are rounded up, carted off to Babylon … and there is no more free, nation of Israel, from that time. all the way until 1947.
God’s people are in captivity, in Babylon, all the way until 539 - King Belshazzar is ruler of Babylon - and you remember in the book of Daniel (), how he has a dream that he needs interpreted - he sees a disembodied hand, writing on a wall. ‘Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin”. Daniel, the exiled man of God is able to interpret it and tells the king that God has weighed him in the balances and found him wanting. His wickedness is too great and God says, ‘Your time is up’. That very night, October 12, 539 BC, the army of the Persians - under the command of Cyrus the Great, in the middle of the night, wade through the Euphrates River and through the canals of Babylon, they march straight into the palace, kill Belshazzar in his sleep, take the city and, just like that, Persia is the new Superpower of the world.
Cyrus makes a decree that the Jews in captivity (and all the other captives) should be allowed to return home .... back to Judah. The prophet Jeremiah had predicted this would happen, Isaiah calls him by name, - that “Cyrus - this foreign, pagan king, would be “the LORD’S anointed” - - for the sake of God’s rebellious, judged, exiled people - that he would issue a decree, because God would prompt it - and the people of God could go back the land God had given them. Their failure was not final. God does not abandon His own. (Don’t forget that, Christian - not after 70 years and rank rebellion).
Zerubbabel leads a group of Jews back to their homeland - Ezra goes back and leads an effort to rebuild the fallen temple
Sixty years later, Nehemiah goes back to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls.
So the book of Esther, takes place between the return of Ezra and Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls ...
But Esther doesn’t take place in Jerusalem … doesn’t take place in the homeland at all.
Verse 2 of chapter 1, “… in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel ...” This is where the book of Esther takes place - in Susa - one of the capital cities of the foreign superpower of the day.
Question: Why is Esther even here? Why is Mordecai here? They could have gone home. They are the people of God - - shouldn’t they have gone back to the “Holy Land”? There’s nothing stopping them anymore and thousands of their fellow Jews have taken the opportunity to go back.
Is it because they were born in Persia and it was home? The Jews had a reputation in Esther’s day, as they do in our day, of being hard-working, successful businessmen. Many of them were born in Persia, they built lives for themselves here - they were comfortable here.
Is it because they had become comfortable in this foreign, godless land?
We don’t know why Mordecai and Esther are still in Susa - but it’s important and we’re going to deal more with this as we go along.
There is no situation that you and I face, where the appropriate response is not - “JOY”. And the staggering thing about the book of Esther - is that God does all of this rescuing, without His name ever being mentioned. In this entire book - God’s name does NOT appear ONCE.
One of the greatest rescues of His people in history - and God’s name is completely absent.
.... And yet, He is everywhere - all the way through the book.
And that’s another way that the book of Esther stands out: It also says, “God isn’t only there in the religious times of life”. God isn’t only there in the worship service, not only in your personal devotional times. He is there in every sentence of the book … God is working on every page, in every single situation.
Esther teaches us to read our lives in that light. Even when you are in a totally irreligious place - - even when you are in the throne room of the gods of this world - - -you don’t have to try and ‘bring God in’ - - God is THERE.
ILLUSTRATION ....
There is no atom, no molecule of the universe, where God is NOT in control.
STORY BEGINS:
Now this book is named Esther after the woman God uses to rescue His people from extinction. But in order for Esther to get to a position where she’s able to do anything - - - the existing queen has to be taken out of the way. And there is a queen already, at the beginning of the book. Her name is Vashti.
Chapter 1 paints a picture of the world into which God is working out His plan … paints a picture of how the Bible reads the world - and how WE can read the world. Here we see that in the most ungodly of circumstances .... at the very place in the world where you look and say … GOD IS ABSENT .... God may be present in church, during a worship service … God may be present with me when I do my own personal devotions and pray … God may be present on the mission-field, when the missionary team has an all-night prayer meeting .... Oh there are many places in the world where I can see God … BUT THERE IS NO WAY THAT GOD IS PRESENT HERE!!!
Esther chapter 1 is telling us - - - in that very place - - - God is not only present … but He is has been here, at work, for longer than you can know. He is going to turn the place around - and He’s going to put one of His people
Esther is going to find herself catapulted into place
Verse 1-9 tell us about the power and wealth of King Ahasuerus. He has a vast empire. Verse 1 tells us that he reigned ‘from India to Ethiopia (Cush in some translations)’. It doesn’t matter when you live in history, this is a massive empire. He reigns over 127 provinces. In all of these lands, Ahasuerus has absolute power over life and death. You can imagine how that kind of power would bring unfathomable wealth.
The king has multiple palaces in different parts of his empire, but verse 2 tells us that, at this time in his reign, the king is sitting on his ‘royal throne in Susa, the citadel’. This is not the first time in the Bible that the citadel of Susa is mentioned. The book of Nehemiah, about that Jewish exile, who has somehow risen through the ranks to become cupbearer to the king of Persia - who prays and is burdened for God’s people and their lack of protection - - Nehemiah serves at the citadel of Susa.
So when the original audience reads Esther chapter 1, they recognize Susa - and they are reminded of the state of God’s people at this time in history. The Jews are here because they were forcibly ripped from their homes and dragged hundreds - thousands (?) of miles from home, into exile.
They are powerless in the face of overwhelming earthly power.
By Esther’s day, King Cyrus of Persia has already lived and reigned and died - - while he was on the throne, he is the one who issued the edict that the Jewish exiles could go back home. From wherever they had been dragged TO - they could gather their things and go back home to their native land.
And many did - but not everyone. Esther and Mordecai
Ahasuerus is in the middle of a campaign - - he is trying to build up enough resources to go into battle against the Greeks. He is in year 3 of a four year campaign. So he throws a banquet to try and impress the people whose support he’s going to need, if he’s going to have any chance of defeating the mighty Greek military machine.
This banquet that he throws is beyond extravagant. Verse 4: “… he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days.” A SIX MONTH PARTY!!
No limit to the indulgence … whatever you want - you can have. Verse 8, “And drinking was according to this edict: ‘There is no compulsion.’ For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired.”
Isn’t that a funny way to put it: The RULE is that there ARE NO RULES - - however you want to drink … that’s the way you MUST drink.”
(Plastic straws; out of a sippy-cup or a dog dish … whatever you want).
This is a proud man. He doesn’t throw a party, just because he likes to be the fun-guy. He sees himself as a god-man. He is saying, ‘Look at my wealth - look at my power .... I am a god … WORSHIP me.’
Like North Korea today. A leader who sees himself as a being so great he is worthy of worship .... and he is calling others to worship him as well.
Wealth oozing verses 6-7.
Don’t miss what the text is saying to us today: is reminding us that we don’t just leave our worship and go out into a world that’s neutral … we go out from here into a world that has other gods. Gods competing against the one, true God of heaven, whom we worship and serve.
People’s problem out there - isn’t usually just that they don’t KNOW about our God .... the problem is that people already have allegience to competing gods. It’s the first 2 commandments of the 10 commandments that are broken: “Don’t have any other gods before Me,” God says. And, second, “Don’t worship idols”. Our society is full of idols filled with competing gods.
A large part of Esther has to be read from her point of view. And that’s another thing I want you to see from this first chapter … the way that the world’s power treats women.
Vashti is queen. She is the wife of Ahasuerus - and it was pretty typical in that day for a king to throw a party for the man and the queen to throw a parallel party for the women. That’s what’s happening.
Verse 10 tells us that on the seventh day, “when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded (his seven highest ranking Eunichs - who were his personal servants) to, (v. 11) … to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was lovely to look at.”
All the guys at the party are lathered up with liquor and the king says, ‘Have you seen my wife, lately? What’s the point of having all this beautiful stuff if you don’t have your own queen with beauty to match?” The guys are pushing him on … “Yeah - bring her in here - - let’s have a look”.
The king summons. Verse 12, “But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command delivered by the eunuchs.” And the king does what many men do when they are drunk - his mood immediately does a 180. He goes from high spirits to rage … Verse 12 continues, “… At this the king became enraged and his anger BURNED within him.”
First: The main human character in this book, is a woman. There aren’t many books of the Bible, of which that’s true. Women - you already know that when we read, “brothers”, or “man” in the Bible - that you properly insert ‘sisters’ or ‘woman’ in that spot. God created us male and female - in His image. But still, it’s refreshing to have a female take center stage once sometimes - so ladies - I’m excited for you here.
Second: this book is history - it’s our story as Christians … and it’s a GREAT STORY. Brilliantly written -
Blockbuster movies - Marvel - Avengers … Superheroes each of whom could have a movie of their own … come together to save the world from alien invaders.
The book of Esther is a blockbuster … Epic … There is Power on an immense scale … one that we don’t see today.
Power is in the hands of Xerxes. He is the god-king or god-emperor. Film 300 - Xerxes defeats the Greeks at Thermopylae in 480 BC (lost the next year). Xerxes - He is the power figure in this story
Every blockbuster needs a villain … There’s a brilliant villain in this story … his name is Haman. He’s the kind of person you can’t help but hate. When you see him in action, when you hear his manipulative talk - your blood is going to boil.
A blockbuster needs a hero and and heroine … In this book, Mordecai is the hero and Esther is the heroine ...they aren’t romantically involved.
Now, most blockbusters have the hero and heroine getting romantically involved. That doesn’t happen in this story … Mordecai and Esther are cousins. Mordecai is older - like a father figure. He has raised Esther, as his own daughter, since her own parents passed away.
There are beautiful women, palace intrigue, wealth on a vast scale.
Within the story - reversal of fortune, people being at the right place at just the right time to make a difference, we see one man’s courage and one woman’s courage - on display … we see the destiny of an entire people - the Jews, hanging in the balance ...
… we have a titanic struggle against injustice.
We also have the threat of a coming holocaust - which connects this book to very recent history … Jewish writers have made many connections between Esther and post-holocaust
What we don’t have in the book of Esther … is God. Or so it seems. God is not named.
Esther is a Jew - living in the 6th century BC - and you don’t belong. You ha
There are many themes in the book of Esther - many features to the story … different kinds of literature in the Bible.
Esther does have a purpose. (Here comes the connection to us) … all the themes of Esther are wound up in the common thread of the Feast of Purim - the reason why the Jews from that day forward, through the rest of history, celebrate this feast of deliverance - when the nation was rescued from its enemies and certain destruction.
We read it with an extra amount of delight. What Mordecai had in mind, is what we as Christians need to keep in mind, as well.
Habbakuk: “The Babylonians are coming - - who can possibly be big enough to stop the Babylonians?!” Begins the book by ranting at God (which is not what prophets are supposed to do). But God won’t let him stay there … and Hab. ends his book with these words, “Though the fig tree does not bud .... I will rejoice ...”. He puts it to song.
What Esther is about is this:
“God is Sovereign, He is in control of every power, every force in the universe He created .... And, when life is AT ITS WORST - determining, resolving to rejoice in Him.”
COmmon theme of the New Testament - - Paul: “Rejoice in the Lord, always, I will say it again, rejoice ...”
Esther does something very subversive, countercultural: “Rejoice, when things are really bad.”
“When it looks like the gods of this world are strong - - Rejoice - Your God is stronger”
, a psalm for people struggling in a hostile world: “You prepare a table for me, in the presence of my enemies”. Enemies are not gone - they’re right there in your face … fangs bared. God hasn’t taken the enemies away - hasn’t taken you away from the sight of those who hate you and Him … but instead of running in fear, David says, “I think I’ll sit here at the table and have another grape.”
There is no situation that you and I face, where the appropriate response is not - “JOY”. And the staggering thing about the book of Esther - is that God does all of this rescuing, without His name ever being mentioned. In this entire book - God’s name does NOT appear ONCE.
One of the greatest rescues of His people in history - and God’s name is completely absent.
.... And yet, He is everywhere - all the way through the book.
And that’s another way that the book of Esther stands out: It also says, “God isn’t only there in the religious times of life”. God isn’t only there in the worship service, not only in your personal devotional times. He is there in every sentence of the book … God is working on every page, in every single situation.
Esther teaches us to read our lives in that light. Even when you are in a totally irreligious place - - even when you are in the throne room of the gods of this world - - -you don’t have to try and ‘bring God in’ - - God is THERE.
ILLUSTRATION ....
There is no atom, no molecule of the universe, where God is NOT in control.
STORY BEGINS:
Now this book is named Esther after the woman God uses to rescue His people from extinction. But in order for Esther to get to a position where she’s able to do anything - - - the existing queen has to be taken out of the way. And there is a queen already, at the beginning of the book. Her name is Vashti.
Chapter 1 paints a picture of the world into which God is working out His plan … paints a picture of how the Bible reads the world - and how WE can read the world. Here we see that in the most ungodly of circumstances .... at the very place in the world where you look and say … GOD IS ABSENT .... God may be present in church, during a worship service … God may be present with me when I do my own personal devotions and pray … God may be present on the mission-field, when the missionary team has an all-night prayer meeting .... Oh there are many places in the world where I can see God … BUT THERE IS NO WAY THAT GOD IS PRESENT HERE!!!
Esther chapter 1 is telling us - - - in that very place - - - God is not only present … but He is has been here, at work, for longer than you can know. He is going to turn the place around - and He’s going to put one of His people
Esther is going to find herself catapulted into place
Verse 1-9 tell us about the power and wealth of King Ahasuerus. He has a vast empire. Verse 1 tells us that he reigned ‘from India to Ethiopia (Cush in some translations)’. It doesn’t matter when you live in history, this is a massive empire. He reigns over 127 provinces. In all of these lands, Ahasuerus has absolute power over life and death. You can imagine how that kind of power would bring unfathomable wealth.
The king has multiple palaces in different parts of his empire, but verse 2 tells us that, at this time in his reign, the king is sitting on his ‘royal throne in Susa, the citadel’. This is not the first time in the Bible that the citadel of Susa is mentioned. The book of Nehemiah, about that Jewish exile, who has somehow risen through the ranks to become cupbearer to the king of Persia - who prays and is burdened for God’s people and their lack of protection - - Nehemiah serves at the citadel of Susa.
So when the original audience reads Esther chapter 1, they recognize Susa - and they are reminded of the state of God’s people at this time in history. The Jews are here because they were forcibly ripped from their homes and dragged hundreds - thousands (?) of miles from home, into exile.
They are powerless in the face of overwhelming earthly power.
By Esther’s day, King Cyrus of Persia has already lived and reigned and died - - while he was on the throne, he is the one who issued the edict that the Jewish exiles could go back home. From wherever they had been dragged TO - they could gather their things and go back home to their native land.
And many did - but not everyone. Esther and Mordecai
Ahasuerus is in the middle of a campaign - - he is trying to build up enough resources to go into battle against the Greeks. He is in year 3 of a four year campaign. So he throws a banquet to try and impress the people whose support he’s going to need, if he’s going to have any chance of defeating the mighty Greek military machine.
This banquet that he throws is beyond extravagant. Verse 4: “… he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days.” A SIX MONTH PARTY!!
No limit to the indulgence … whatever you want - you can have. Verse 8, “And drinking was according to this edict: ‘There is no compulsion.’ For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired.”
Isn’t that a funny way to put it: The RULE is that there ARE NO RULES - - however you want to drink … that’s the way you MUST drink.”
(Plastic straws; out of a sippy-cup or a dog dish … whatever you want).
This is a proud man. He doesn’t throw a party, just because he likes to be the fun-guy. He sees himself as a god-man. He is saying, ‘Look at my wealth - look at my power .... I am a god … WORSHIP me.’
Like North Korea today. A leader who sees himself as a being so great he is worthy of worship .... and he is calling others to worship him as well.
Wealth oozing verses 6-7.
Don’t miss what the text is saying to us today: is reminding us that we don’t just leave our worship and go out into a world that’s neutral … we go out from here into a world that has other gods. Gods competing against the one, true God of heaven, whom we worship and serve.
People’s problem out there - isn’t usually just that they don’t KNOW about our God .... the problem is that people already have allegience to competing gods. It’s the first 2 commandments of the 10 commandments that are broken: “Don’t have any other gods before Me,” God says. And, second, “Don’t worship idols”. Our society is full of idols filled with competing gods.
A large part of Esther has to be read from her point of view. And that’s another thing I want you to see from this first chapter … the way that the world’s power treats women.
Vashti is queen. She is the wife of Ahasuerus - and it was pretty typical in that day for a king to throw a party for the man and the queen to throw a parallel party for the women. That’s what’s happening.
Verse 10 tells us that on the seventh day, “when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded (his seven highest ranking Eunichs - who were his personal servants) to, (v. 11) … to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was lovely to look at.”
All the guys at the party are lathered up with liquor and the king says, ‘Have you seen my wife, lately? What’s the point of having all this beautiful stuff if you don’t have your own queen with beauty to match?” The guys are pushing him on … “Yeah - bring her in here - - let’s have a look”.
The king summons. Verse 12, “But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command delivered by the eunuchs.” And the king does what many men do when they are drunk - his mood immediately does a 180. He goes from high spirits to rage … Verse 12 continues, “… At this the king became enraged and his anger BURNED within him.”
First: The main human character in this book, is a woman. There aren’t many books of the Bible, of which that’s true. Women - you already know that when we read, “brothers”, or “man” in the Bible - that you properly insert ‘sisters’ or ‘woman’ in that spot. God created us male and female - in His image. But still, it’s refreshing to have a female take center stage once sometimes - so ladies - I’m excited for you here.
First: The main human character in this book, is a woman. There aren’t many books of the Bible, of which that’s true. Women - you already know that when we read, “brothers”, or “man” in the Bible - that you properly insert ‘sisters’ or ‘woman’ in that spot. God created us male and female - in His image. But still, it’s refreshing to have a female take center stage once sometimes - so ladies - I’m excited for you here.
Second: this book is history - it’s our story as Christians … and it’s a GREAT STORY. Brilliantly written -
Second: this book is history - it’s our story as Christians … and it’s a GREAT STORY. Brilliantly written -
Blockbuster movies - Marvel - Avengers … Superheroes each of whom could have a movie of their own … come together to save the world from alien invaders.
Blockbuster movies - Avengers … Superheroes each of whom could have a movie of their own … come together to save the world from alien invaders.
The book of Esther is a blockbuster … Epic … There is Power on an immense scale … one that we don’t see today.
The book of Esther is a blockbuster … Epic … There is Power on an immense scale … one that we don’t see today.
Power is in the hands of Ahasuerus (NIV - Xerxes. It’s the same person: Xerxes is his Greek name; Ahasuerus is his name in Hebrew). He is the god-king or god-emperor. Film 300 - Xerxes defeats the Greeks at Thermopylae in 480 BC (lost the next year). Xerxes - He is the power figure in this story
Power is in the hands of Ahasuerus (NIV - Xerxes. It’s the same person: Xerxes is his Greek name; Ahasuerus is his name in Hebrew). He is the god-king or god-emperor. Film 300 - Xerxes defeats the Greeks at Thermopylae in 480 BC (lost the next year). Xerxes - He is the power figure in this story
Every blockbuster needs a villain … There’s a brilliant villain in this story … his name is Haman. He’s the kind of person you can’t help but hate. When you see him in action, when you hear his manipulative talk - your blood is going to boil.
Every blockbuster needs a villain … There’s a brilliant villain in this story … his name is Haman. He’s the kind of person you can’t help but hate. When you see him in action, when you hear his manipulative talk - your blood is going to boil and you’re going to want to punch him in the face.
A blockbuster needs a hero and and heroine … In this book, Mordecai is the hero and Esther is the heroine ...they aren’t romantically involved.
A blockbuster needs a hero and and heroine … In this book, Mordecai is the hero and Esther is the heroine ...they aren’t romantically involved.
Now, most blockbusters have the hero and heroine getting romantically involved. That doesn’t happen in this story … Mordecai and Esther are cousins. Mordecai is older - like a father figure. He has raised Esther, as his own daughter, since her own parents passed away.
Now, most blockbusters have the hero and heroine getting romantically involved. That doesn’t happen in this story … Mordecai and Esther are cousins. Mordecai is older - like a father figure. He has raised Esther, as his own daughter, since her own parents passed away.
There are beautiful women, palace intrigue, wealth on a vast scale.
There are beautiful women, there’s palace intrigue, there’s wealth on a vast scale.
And within the story - over and over again, we see reversals of fortune, people being at the right place at just the right time to make a difference, we see one man’s courage and one woman’s courage - on display … we see the destiny of an entire people - the Jews, hanging in the balance ...
Within the story - reversal of fortune, people being at the right place at just the right time to make a difference, we see one man’s courage and one woman’s courage - on display … we see the destiny of an entire people - the Jews, hanging in the balance ...
… we have a titanic struggle against injustice.
… we have a titanic struggle against injustice.
We also have the threat of a coming holocaust - which connects this book to very recent history … Jewish writers have made many connections between Esther and modern history. Esther marks the beginning of the Jewish Feast of Purim - the celebration of God’s protecting the Jewish race from genocide. We’ll look at that in a coming week.
We also have the threat of a coming holocaust - which connects this book to very recent history … Jewish writers have made many connections between Esther and post-holocaust
“Anti-Semites have always hated the book, and the Nazis forbade its reading in the crematoria and the concentration camps. In the dark days before their deaths, Jewish inmates of Auschwitz, Dachau, Terblinka and Bergen-Belsen wrote the Book of Esther from memory and read in secret on Purim. Both they and their brutal foes understood its message. this unforgettable book teaches that Jewish resistance to annihilation, then as now, represents the service of God and devotion to His cause. In every age, martyrs and heroes, as well as ordinary men and women, have seen in it not merely a record of past deliverance but a prophecy of future salvation.”
So, why did I grow up in church, never having heard a series of sermons preached through the book of Esther? Sure, growing up in Sunday School - we learned the story of Esther the queen and Haman the creep … flannelgraph images are still emblazoned in my brain - but don’t remember a single sermon, let alone series walking through this book and what it means for us, today. And why do I think that, if we took a survey here this morning of those who have been in church for all of your lives, - why am I pretty sure that most of the rest of you haven’t heard a series on this book, either?
So, why did I grow up in church, never having heard a series of sermons preached through the book of Esther? Sure, growing up in Sunday School - we learned the story of Esther the queen and Haman the creep … flannelgraph images are still emblazoned in my brain - but don’t remember a single sermon, let alone series walking through this book and what it means for us, today. And why do I think that, if we took a survey here this morning of those who have been in church for all of your lives, - why am I pretty sure that most of the rest of you haven’t heard a series on this book, either?
So, why did I grow up in church, never having heard a series of sermons preached through the book of Esther? Sure, growing up in Sunday School - we learned the story of Esther the queen and Haman the creep … flannelgraph images are still emblazoned in my brain - but don’t remember a single sermon, let alone series walking through this book and what it means for us, today. And why do I think that, if we took a survey here this morning of those who have been in church for all of your lives, - why am I pretty sure that most of the rest of you haven’t heard a series on this book, either?
Because it’s kind of an obscure, OT book? Maybe.
Because it’s kind of an obscure, OT book? Maybe.
Because at the end it gets a little violent? Maybe.
Because at the end it gets a little violent? Maybe.
Because it’s very Jewish - and doesn’t seem to connect to the NT very well? Perhaps.
Because it’s very Jewish - and doesn’t seem to connect to the NT very well? Perhaps.
Most likely, though - for the very same reason the book of Esther was one of the few books with any question at all over whether it should be received into the canon of Scripture - the 66 books that make up our Bible - recognized as God’s inspired word.
Most likely, though - for the very same reason the book of Esther was one of the few books with any question at all over whether it should be received into the canon of Scripture - the 66 books that make up our Bible - recognized as God’s inspired word.
I don’t want to blow this out of proportion because it wasn’t like there was huge controversy over Esther - but there were no copies of this book found in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Luther didn’t like this book. The reason for the controversy over Esther - is because God is NOT mentioned in the entire book. Not by His revealed name: “Yahweh” - “The Great I Am”; There’s not even a single reference to the generic title, ‘God’. Not a single time.
I don’t want to blow this out of proportion because it wasn’t like there was huge controversy over Esther - but there were no copies of this book found in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Luther didn’t like this book, John Calvin didn’t preach a single sermon from it - he wrote commentaries on almost every book in the Bible - not Esther. One of the main reasons for the controversy over Esther - is because God is NOT mentioned in the entire book. Not by His revealed name: “Yahweh” - “The Great I Am”; There’s not even a single reference to the generic title, ‘God’. Not a single time.
No word from God, No THEOPHANY, No dream given by Him … NOTHING BUT SILENCE!
No word from God, No THEOPHANY, No dream given by Him … NOTHING BUT SILENCE!
How can God inspire a book as useful - needful for His Church, when He doesn’t even show up, ONCE, on its pages?!!
And this is a book in the BIBLE?! How can God inspire a book as useful - needful for His Church, when He doesn’t even show up, ONCE, on its pages?!!
I love it - - Do you see how relevant this book is for you? In the world you live in, right now?! IN fact, I would suggest that there is NO MORE relevant book for us to give our attention to, as we begin a new school year
I love it - - Do you see how relevant this book is for you? In the world you live in, right now?! IN fact, I would suggest that there is NO MORE relevant book for us to give our attention to, as we begin a new school year.
Many of you kids have just gone back to schools where you are being told that ‘God’ has as much reality as a ‘Divine Spaghetti Monster’ .... that science can explain everything that needs explaining and your faith in God is something to be ashamed of and hidden … or, better than that … abandoned to the garbage can of history. When you’re in a class like that, don’t you ever wish that the teacher’s desk would just suddenly turn into a burning bush and God would speak from the flames: “I’m real - so stop doubting”? But He doesn’t. In the face of mocking and skepticism there seems only to be … silence.
Maybe your school years are behind you … but you still long for a Word from the Lord. You’re facing crisis in your life - - - you need some kind of direction for your life … coasting too long, you want things to change, but you don’t know the next step to take. Maybe it’s a health issue - the future doesn’t look good. A relationship has been broken and you don’t know how to fix it - you can’t. Or you are walking through the deep shadows of grief .... you long for a word - some kind of sign that God hasn’t forgotten you … but the heaven’s are silent.
You pray and pray and pray … and nothing.
I love reading the lives of the giants of faith, like Abraham and Noah and Moses and Elijah and Peter and Paul .... people God used so powerfully … but sometimes I read about people like that and find myself left with a longing .... “Noah had God’s voice telling him to build the ark … Abraham had God speak to Him … Moses had the burning bush … Peter and Paul had visits from heaven .... why doesn’t God do anything like that for me?”
.... ILLUSTRATION/ EXAMPLES .... Persecution
When you pray, when you take seriously that you are a Christian and you want to represent your Savior in this world - WELL … but you hear from heaven only silence … when you feel like God is so far away and not. Doing. Much. .... What could have more relevance to you … than a Biblical book where there is no mention of God … than this very book.
.... Unanswered prayer.
.... Unanswered prayer.
When you pray, when you take seriously that you are a Christian and you want to represent your Savior in this world - WELL … but you hear from heaven only silence … when you feel like God is so far away and not. Doing. Much. .... What could have more relevance to you … than a Biblical book where there is no mention of God … than this very book.
When you pray, when you take seriously that you are a Christian and you want to represent your Savior in this world - WELL … but you hear from heaven only silence … when you feel like God is so far away and not. Doing. Much. .... What could have more relevance to you … than a Biblical book where there is no mention of God … than this very book.
… where God seems to be utterly ABSENT … not even a mention of His name.
… where God seems to be utterly ABSENT … not even a mention of His name.
And yet .... where He shows Himself to be fully and completely and unavoidably at work, on every page … accomplishing His purposes, for His glory … and for the joy of His people.
And yet .... a book where He shows Himself to be fully and completely and unavoidably at work, on every page … accomplishing His purposes, for His glory … and for the joy of His people.
And He is.
And He is.
That’s why I’m so excited to dig into this book with you.
That’s why I’m so excited to dig into this book with you.
And that’s the third and biggest reason that I’m so excited to begin this year, in the book of Esther. There is nothing you need more, in your life, right now, than to understand the message of this book.
What we don’t have in the book of Esther … is God. Or so it seems. God is not named. That’s important. And that’s the third and biggest reason that I’m so excited to begin this year, in this book: Because the book of Esther is SO RELEVANT to your life and mine. Today. Right here. There is nothing you need more, in your life this year, than to understand the message of this book.
Now I just want to jump into the story. It’s so good, I can hardly wait. But the problem is, if I do that - and you don’t get the context - where this book fits into history - what’s gone on to lead up to this point … then you’re going to miss too much. So, before we go any further - I need to give you a history lesson. Everybody’s back into the school mode, so let me just take you to a quick history class:
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FINDING OUR PLACE
Now I just want to jump into the story. It’s so good, I can hardly wait. But the problem is, if I do that - and you don’t get the context - where this book fits into history - what’s gone on to lead up to this point … then you’re going to miss too much. So, before we go any further - I need to give you a history lesson. Everybody’s back into the school mode, so let me just take you to a quick history class:
Esther is a Jew - living in the 6th century BC - and you don’t belong. You ha
We need to go back - King David unites God’s people in the nation of Israel. King Solomon’s reign was the ‘golden age’ of the nation - peace and prosperity and greatness in the eyes of the world, but the spiritual slide into idolatry and worshiping false gods brought God’s judgment - and, After Solomon died and his son, Rehoboam took over - the spiritual side only accelerated and Israel broke apart into 2 separate kingdoms with 2 separate kings, the Northern Kingdom and the 2 tribes that made up the Southern Kingdom, where Jerusalem was and where a descendant of David and Solomon reigned.
NEED A HISTORY LESSON here. Before we dive into the book, you need to find its place in history.
… Every single king of the Northern Kingdom was a disaster and, in 722 that Kingdom falls to the Assyrian Kingdom - the superpower of its day.
We need to go back - King David unites God’s people in the nation of Israel. King Solomon’s reign was the ‘golden age’ of the nation - peace and prosperity and greatness in the eyes of the world, but the spiritual slide into idolatry and worshiping false gods brought God’s judgment - and, After Solomon died and his son took over - the continued spiritual side led to the breaking apart of Israel into 2 separate kingdoms with 2 separate kings, the Northern Kingdom and the 2 tribes that made up the Southern Kingdom, where Jerusalem was and where a descendant of David and Solomon reigned.
The Southern Kingdom - Judah and Jerusalem, continues on for another 130 plus years, with a variety of kings, some godly, some anything but, the nation goes through ups and downs, but increasingly down … until you have kings like Manasseh, who turns so far from God that he ends up sacrificing his son in the fire, in pagan worship of a pagan god. And the God of heaven has enough of this rebellion - He has warned them through the mouths of His prophets, for centuries … and now He brings the judgment. And oh, how God brings His Holy Wrath.
He sends judgement in the form of the international superpower of the day … the Babylonians. There are successive waves of attack on Jerusalem, starting in 605 BC.. And finally, in 586 BC, the Babylonians sack the southern kingdom, completely destroy the holy city of Jerusalem. The last king of Judah is Zedekiah. tells us that Zedekiah is captured. Listen to what happened to him: , “Then they captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, and they passed sentence on him. (7) They slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him in chains and took him to Babylon.”
… 722 the Northern Kingdom falls to the Assyrian Kingdom - the superpower of its day.
That was the end of Israel - Northern and Southern kingdom. The temple is burned to the ground, the king’s palace is burned to the ground, the walls of Jerusalem are busted down into rubble, the people are rounded up, carted off to Babylon … and there is no more free, sovereign nation of Israel, from that time. all the way until 1947.
That was the end of Israel - Northern and Southern kingdom. The temple is burned to the ground, the king’s palace is burned to the ground, the walls of Jerusalem are busted down into rubble, the people are rounded up, carted off to Babylon … and there is no more free, sovereign nation of Israel, from that time. all the way until 1947.
The Southern Kingdom - Judah and Jerusalem, continues on for another 130 plus years, with a variety of kings, some godly, some anything but, the nation goes through ups and downs, but increasingly down … until you have kings like Manasseh, who turns so far from God that he ends up sacrificing his son in the fire, in pagan worship of a pagan god. And the God of heaven has enough of this rebellion - He has warned them through the mouths of His prophets, for centuries … and now He brings the judgment. And oh, how God brings His Holy Wrath.
There is no way that the people of Judah could be completely surprised by their utter devastation. This was God fulfilling His promise of 800 years before:
, “But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD your God or be careful to do all His commandments and His statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you...”
verse 36: “The LORD will bring you and your king whom you set over you to a nation that neither you nor your fathers have known ....”
Verse 64, “And the LORD will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other gods of wood and stone, which neither you nor your fathers have known.”
God promised if you sow the wind … you’ll reap the whirlwind. His people have ignored His voice and the prophets He sent to speak warning after warning … the people have sowed the seed of sin and now they’ve reaped the whirlwind of destruction.
God’s people are in captivity, in Babylon, all the way until 539 BC. Throughout all of those years, what do you think is the constant, nagging, piercing question in the hearts and minds of God’s people? It has to be this question: “Are we STILL God’s people? Are we still in relationship with Him - - or have we sinned our way right out of His love?” “Is this devastation the end of the story?” Can you identify?
He sends judgement in the form of the international superpower of the day … the Babylonians. There are successive waves of attack on Jerusalem, starting in 605 BC.. And finally, in 586 BC, the Babylonians sack the southern kingdom, completely destroy the holy city of Jerusalem. The last king of Judah is Zedekiah. tells us that Zedekiah is captured. Listen to what happened to him: , “Then they captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, and they passed sentence on him. (7) They slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him in chains and took him to Babylon.”
God’s people are in captivity, in Babylon, all the way until 539 BC. Throughout all of those years, what do you think is the constant, nagging, piercing question in the hearts and minds of God’s people? It has to be this question: “Are we STILL God’s people? Are we still in relationship with Him - - or have we sinned our way right out of His love?” “Is this devastation the end of the story?” Can you identify?
In 539 BC, King Belshazzar is ruler of Babylon - and you remember in the book of Daniel (), how he has a dream that he needs interpreted - he sees a disembodied hand, writing on a wall. ‘Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin”. Daniel, the exiled man of God is able to interpret it and tells the king that God has weighed him in the balances and found him wanting. His wickedness is too great and God says, ‘Your time is up’. That very night, October 12, 539 BC, the army of the Persians - under the command of Cyrus the Great, in the middle of the night, wade through the Euphrates River and through the canals of Babylon, they march straight into the palace, kill Belshazzar in his sleep, take the city and, just like that, Persia is the new Superpower of the world.
- King Belshazzar is ruler of Babylon - and you remember in the book of Daniel (), how he has a dream that he needs interpreted - he sees a disembodied hand, writing on a wall. ‘Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin”. Daniel, the exiled man of God is able to interpret it and tells the king that God has weighed him in the balances and found him wanting. His wickedness is too great and God says, ‘Your time is up’. That very night, October 12, 539 BC, the army of the Persians - under the command of Cyrus the Great, in the middle of the night, wade through the Euphrates River and through the canals of Babylon, they march straight into the palace, kill Belshazzar in his sleep, take the city and, just like that, Persia is the new Superpower of the world.
That was the end of Israel - Northern and Southern kingdom. The temple is burned to the ground, the king’s palace is burned to the ground, the walls of Jerusalem are busted down into rubble, the people are rounded up, carted off to Babylon … and there is no more free, nation of Israel, from that time. all the way until 1947.
Cyrus makes a decree that the Jews in captivity (and all the other captives) should be allowed to return home .... back to Judah. The prophet Jeremiah had predicted this would happen, Isaiah calls him by name, - that “Cyrus - this foreign, pagan king, would be “the LORD’S anointed” - - for the sake of God’s rebellious, judged, exiled people - that he would issue a decree, because God would prompt it - and the people of God could go back the land God had given them. Their failure was not final. God does not abandon His own. (Don’t forget that, Christian - not after 70 years and rank rebellion).
God’s people are in captivity, in Babylon, all the way until 539 - King Belshazzar is ruler of Babylon - and you remember in the book of Daniel (), how he has a dream that he needs interpreted - he sees a disembodied hand, writing on a wall. ‘Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin”. Daniel, the exiled man of God is able to interpret it and tells the king that God has weighed him in the balances and found him wanting. His wickedness is too great and God says, ‘Your time is up’. That very night, October 12, 539 BC, the army of the Persians - under the command of Cyrus the Great, in the middle of the night, wade through the Euphrates River and through the canals of Babylon, they march straight into the palace, kill Belshazzar in his sleep, take the city and, just like that, Persia is the new Superpower of the world.
Zerubbabel leads a group of Jews back to their homeland - Ezra goes back and leads an effort to rebuild the fallen temple
Sixty years later, Nehemiah goes back to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls.
Cyrus makes a decree that the Jews in captivity (and all the other captives) should be allowed to return home .... back to Judah. The prophet Jeremiah had predicted this would happen, Isaiah calls him by name, - that “Cyrus - this foreign, pagan king, would be “the LORD’S anointed” - - for the sake of God’s rebellious, judged, exiled people - that he would issue a decree, because God would prompt it - and the people of God could go back the land God had given them. Their failure was not final. God does not abandon His own. (Don’t forget that, Christian - not after 70 years and rank rebellion).
Zerubbabel leads a group of Jews back to their homeland - Ezra goes back and leads an effort to rebuild the fallen temple
The book of Esther, takes place between the return of Ezra and Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls ...
Sixty years later, Nehemiah goes back to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls.
But wait a minute … Esther doesn’t take place in Jerusalem … doesn’t take place in the homeland at all.
Verse 2 of chapter 1, “… in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel ...” This is where the book of Esther takes place - in Susa - one of the capital cities of the foreign superpower of the day.
So the book of Esther, takes place between the return of Ezra and Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls ...
But Esther doesn’t take place in Jerusalem … doesn’t take place in the homeland at all.
Question: Why is Esther even here? Why is Mordecai here? They could have gone home. They are the people of God - - shouldn’t they have gone back to the “Holy Land”? There’s nothing stopping them anymore and thousands of their fellow Jews have taken the opportunity to go back.
Is it because they were born in Persia and it was home? The Jews had a reputation in Esther’s day, as they do in our day, of being hard-working, successful businessmen. Many of them were born in Persia, they built lives for themselves here - they were comfortable here.
Verse 2 of chapter 1, “… in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel ...” This is where the book of Esther takes place - in Susa - one of the capital cities of the foreign superpower of the day.
Is it because they had become comfortable in this foreign, godless land? If the biggest question of God’s people during the exile was, “Has God given up on us?” … well, now that He has shown His faithfulness and restored His people to their homeland … Jerusalem is being rebuilt, God’s Temple is back in business … but that’s a THOUSAND MILES AWAY. The biggest question for Esther and Mordecai now must be … “Is God with US .... HERE in this pagan land?!”
Question: Why is Esther even here? Why is Mordecai here? They could have gone home. They are the people of God - - shouldn’t they have gone back to the “Holy Land”? There’s nothing stopping them anymore and thousands of their fellow Jews have taken the opportunity to go back.
We don’t know why Mordecai and Esther are still in Susa - we’re going to deal more with this as we go along. But for right now, I want you to notice that Susa in Persia is exactly where these people of God are. This is so relevant to us. There are some of you here, this morning - you have been saved - you’ve surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, accepted His finished work on the cross as your only salvation … and you want to make your life count. You don’t want to live the vapid, shallow life that dominates our culture - you want to leave a legacy. You want your life to matter.
Is it because they were born in Persia and it was home? The Jews had a reputation in Esther’s day, as they do in our day, of being hard-working, successful businessmen. Many of them were born in Persia, they built lives for themselves here - they were comfortable here.
Is it because they had become comfortable in this foreign, godless land?
But you have this incessant, nagging voice in your ear - - “It’s too late for you. You can be saved - sure … but to live a life that matters - to know a life of holy joy and impact .... too late.”
“You made the wrong choice of a marriage partner”. “You chose the wrong career”. “Those rebellious years - back in high school- in college ... where you dove headfirst into the world’s corruption - and made your home with the wrong crowd .... those choices sealed your destiny.”
We don’t know why Mordecai and Esther are still in Susa - we’re going to deal more with this as we go along. But for right now, I want you to notice that Susa in Persia is exactly where these people of God are. This is so relevant to us. There are some of you here, this morning - you have been saved - you’ve surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, accepted His finished work on the cross as your only salvation … and you want to make your life count. You don’t want to live the vapid, shallow life that dominates our culture - you want to leave a legacy. You want your life to matter.
“God had a Plan A for you .... but you’ve gone so far off track .... well, you’re just going to have to settle for Plan ‘C’, let alone Plan ‘B’.”
But you have this incessant, nagging voice in your ear - - “It’s too late for you. You can be saved - sure … but to live a life that matters - to know a life of holy joy and impact .... too late.”
The book of Esther makes the point that there is no place you can ever find yourself, where God can’t change a world through you. You may be, right now, in a place, like Esther and Mordecai, where it can be argued - you shouldn’t be living here. But It’s never too late. Don’t listen to any voice that tells you otherwise - because it’s not the voice of God.
“You made the wrong choice of a marriage partner”. “You chose the wrong career”. “Those rebellious years where you dove headfirst into the world’s corruption - and made your home with the wrong crowd .... those choices sealed your destiny.”
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“God had a Plan A for you .... but you’ve gone so far off track .... well, you’re just going to have to settle for Plan ‘C’, let alone Plan ‘B’.”
2. THE STORY BEGINS:
The book of Esther makes the point that there is no place you can ever find yourself, where God can’t change a world through you. You may be, right now, in a place, like Esther and Mordecai, where it can be argued - you shouldn’t be living here. But It’s never too late. Don’t listen to any voice that tells you otherwise - because it’s not the voice of God.
Let’s dip our toes into the story, with the rest of the time we have left. The book kicks off with a massive display of wealth and power - the wealth and power of Ahasuerus (Greek name is Xerxes. If you have the NIV, that’s the name you see - don’t worry - it’s the same guy. Xerxes is his Greek name, Ahasuerus is his Persian name).
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Verse 1, “Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces”. This is no small-time king who rules over a Luxembourg or somewhere you can barely find on a map - (MAP) this is a massive empire - 127 territories, covering much of the known world - where this one man has absolute power over life and death for every citizen.
STORY BEGINS:
This is the third year of the king’s reign - he has numerous palaces, in different parts of his empire, but v. 2 tells us that, right now he’s sitting on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel. And when we join the story, Ahasuerus has thrown a feast for his military leaders, his princes and nobles… all the power-brokers of the kingdom. Ahasuerus is in the middle of a campaign - - he is trying to build up enough resources to go into battle against the Greeks. He is in year 3 of a four year campaign. So he throws a banquet to try and impress the people whose support he’s going to need, if he’s going to have any chance of defeating the mighty Greek military machine.
Let’s dip our toes into the story, with the rest of the time we have left.
Verse 1-9 tell us about the power and wealth of King Ahasuerus. He has a vast empire. Verse 1 tells us that he reigned ‘from India to Ethiopia (Cush in some translations)’. It doesn’t matter when you live in history, this is a massive empire. He reigns over 127 provinces. In all of these lands, Ahasuerus has absolute power over life and death. You can imagine how that kind of power would bring unfathomable wealth.
Anyone who is anyone is here. And boy does this king know how to throw a party - v. 4, “… he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days.” A SIX MONTH PARTY!! … and everyone who steps foot into the royal city cannot help but be blown away by the extravagant wealth, just oozing from every angle. There are marble pillars and hangings of white and violet linen in the gardens … there are couches to sit on, made of gold and silver … the pavement on the ground was a mosaic made of precious stones ...
The king has multiple palaces in different parts of his empire, but verse 2 tells us that, at this time in his reign, the king is sitting on his ‘royal throne in Susa, the citadel’. This is not the first time in the Bible that the citadel of Susa is mentioned. The book of Nehemiah, about that Jewish exile, who has somehow risen through the ranks to become cupbearer to the king of Persia - who prays and is burdened for God’s people and their lack of protection - - Nehemiah serves at the citadel of Susa.
The possessions that other people would keep locked away in a safe like treasure - - - This king uses to make things for you to sit your bum on and walk on with your feet.
So when the original audience reads Esther chapter 1, they recognize Susa - and they are reminded of the state of God’s people at this time in history. The Jews are here because they were forcibly ripped from their homes and dragged hundreds - thousands (?) of miles from home, into exile.
There’s no limit to the indulgence … The wine is flowing with no limit - served not just in nice glasses, but in golden goblets - no two of which are exactly alike.
They are powerless in the face of overwhelming earthly power.
In fact, the only rule in this whole party is - that there are no rules. V. 8, ‘And drinking was according to this edict: ‘There is no compulsion.’ For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired.”
By Esther’s day, King Cyrus of Persia has already lived and reigned and died - - while he was on the throne, he is the one who issued the edict that the Jewish exiles could go back home. From wherever they had been dragged TO - they could gather their things and go back home to their native land.
Isn’t that a funny way to put it: The ONLY RULE is that there ARE NO RULES - - however you want to drink … that’s the way you MUST drink.”
(Plastic straws; out of a sippy-cup or a dog dish … whatever you want).
And many did - but not everyone. Esther and Mordecai stay put. Free to go home and they choose not to.
When we read this long description of this party - we are supposed to respond just like we respond when we read the stories and see the pictures of Hollywood weddings - the bands, the fireworks, the outrageously expensive clothes - - - on the one hand you are in awe of such wealth (and a little jealous) .... and on the other hand, you’re also a little disgusted - it’s such a waste, when there are so many people who have nothing.
Ahasuerus is in the middle of a campaign - - he is trying to build up enough resources to go into battle against the Greeks. He is in year 3 of a four year campaign. So he throws a banquet to try and impress the people whose support he’s going to need, if he’s going to have any chance of defeating the mighty Greek military machine.
There are actually 2 parties in chapter 1 - the first one is for the power-brokers all over the kingdom. Then there’s a second party for 7 days for the people of Susa, itself - a reward for putting up with all the outsiders who’ve been trampling over the city for 6 months.
This banquet that he throws is beyond extravagant. Verse 4: “… he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days.” A SIX MONTH PARTY!!
No limit to the indulgence … whatever you want - you can have. Verse 8, “And drinking was according to this edict: ‘There is no compulsion.’ For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired.”
This is a proud man. He doesn’t throw a party, just because he likes to be the fun-guy. He sees himself as a god-man. He is saying, ‘Look at my wealth - look at my power .... I am a god … WORSHIP me.’
Isn’t that a funny way to put it: The RULE is that there ARE NO RULES - - however you want to drink … that’s the way you MUST drink.”
Like North Korea today. A leader who sees himself as a being so great he is worthy of worship .... and he is calling others to worship him as well.
(Plastic straws; out of a sippy-cup or a dog dish … whatever you want).
Don’t miss what the text is saying to us today: is reminding us that we don’t just leave our worship and go out into a world that’s neutral … we go out from here into a world that has other gods. Gods competing against the one, true God of heaven, whom we worship and serve.
This is a proud man. He doesn’t throw a party, just because he likes to be the fun-guy. He sees himself as a god-man. He is saying, ‘Look at my wealth - look at my power .... I am a god … WORSHIP me.’
Don’t miss what the text is saying to us today: is reminding us that we don’t just leave our worship and go out into a world that’s neutral … we go out from here into a world that has other gods. Gods competing against the one, true God of heaven, whom we worship and serve.
People’s problem out there - isn’t usually just that they don’t KNOW about our God .... the problem is that people already have allegience to competing gods. It’s the first 2 commandments of the 10 commandments that are broken: “Don’t have any other gods before Me,” God says. And, second, “Don’t worship idols”. Our society is full of idols filled with competing gods.
Like North Korea today. A leader who sees himself as a being so great he is worthy of worship .... and he is calling others to worship him as well.
And if we aren’t careful - it can look as though the earthly gods are winning.
Wealth oozing verses 6-7.
Don’t miss what the text is saying to us today: is reminding us that we don’t just leave our worship and go out into a world that’s neutral … we go out from here into a world that has other gods. Gods competing against the one, true God of heaven, whom we worship and serve.
Drew Brees - Quarterback for the New Orleans Saints - future hall of famer. He’s also a Christian. This past week, he shot a 20-second video encouraging Christian kids to participate in an annual ‘Bring Your Bible to School Day’. The angry uproar in the media was deafening - people calling him hateful and anti-gay.
This weekend, the first franchise of my favorite fast-food chain in the world, “Chick Fil-A”, opened in Canada … in Toronto, of course … (the center of the universe). Opening day brought lines of people who wanted to try the chicken sandwiches … but it also brought a mass protest of people who came to gather in front of the restaurant and lie down, pretending to be dead … it’s called a ‘Die - In’. You see, the CEO of Chick Fil-A is a Christian - he has been open about his personal belief in traditional marriage … and all of the restaurants are closed on Sundays. Protestors called out “Shame … Shame” and accuse
In Hong Kong, even as we sit here - the Chinese police have marched in to shut down demonstrations calling for the democracy to be protected that was promised by the Communist Chinese government, when Britain turned Hong Kong over to China, as a distinct territory. Several of the protest organizers are Christians, and the Chinese police have rounded a number of them up and carted them off.
Do you look around at the world we are living in and wonder, “What’s next? Where is all this going?!”
This book is God’s word to you - Saying … “Don’t look around. Look up. God is on His throne”.
People’s problem out there - isn’t usually just that they don’t KNOW about our God .... the problem is that people already have allegience to competing gods. It’s the first 2 commandments of the 10 commandments that are broken: “Don’t have any other gods before Me,” God says. And, second, “Don’t worship idols”. Our society is full of idols filled with competing gods.
Now this book is named Esther after the woman God uses to rescue His people from extinction. But we haven’t even met her yet. in order for Esther to get to a position where she’s able to do anything - - - the existing queen has to be taken out of the way. And there is a queen already, at the beginning of the book. Her name is Vashti.
Chapter 1 paints a picture of the world into which God is working out His plan … paints a picture of how the Bible reads the world - and how WE can read the world.
A large part of Esther has to be read from her point of view. And that’s another thing I want you to see from this first chapter … the way that the world’s power treats women.
Vashti is queen. She is the wife of Ahasuerus - and it was pretty typical in that day for a king to throw a party for the man and the queen to throw a parallel party for the women. That’s what’s happening.
Here we see that in the most ungodly of circumstances .... at the very place in the world where you look and say … GOD IS ABSENT .... God may be present in church, during a worship service … God may be present with me when I do my own personal devotions and pray … God may be present on the mission-field, when the missionary team has an all-night prayer meeting .... Oh there are many places in the world where I can see God … BUT THERE IS NO WAY THAT GOD IS PRESENT HERE!!!
Verse 10 tells us that on the seventh day, “when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded (his seven highest ranking Eunichs - who were his personal servants) to, (v. 11) … to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was lovely to look at.”
Esther chapter 1 is telling us - - - in that very place - - - God is not only present … but He is has been here, at work, for longer than you can know. He is going to turn the place around - and He’s going to catapult one of His people in the very place she needs to be, at the very moment she needs to be there - so that she can be His instrument to save an entire race from extinction.
Esther is going to find herself catapulted into place where she will be the instrument to save an entire race from extinction.
All the guys at the party are lathered up with liquor and the king says, ‘Have you seen my wife, lately? What’s the point of having all this beautiful stuff if you don’t have your own queen with beauty to match?” The guys are pushing him on … “Yeah - bring her in here - - let’s have a look”.
The king summons. Verse 12, “But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command delivered by the eunuchs.” And the king does what many men do when they are drunk - his mood immediately does a 180. He goes from high spirits to rage … Verse 12 continues, “… At this the king became enraged and his anger BURNED within him.”
And the staggering thing about the book of Esther - is that God does all of this rescuing, without His name ever being mentioned. In this entire book - God’s name does NOT appear ONCE.
One of the greatest rescues of His people in history - and God’s name is completely absent .... And yet, He is everywhere - all the way through the book.
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.... And yet, He is everywhere - all the way through the book.
Now this book is named Esther after the woman God uses to rescue His people from extinction. But in order for Esther to get to a position where she’s able to do anything - - - the existing queen has to be taken out of the way. And there is a queen already, at the beginning of the book. Her name is Vashti.
And that’s another way that the book of Esther stands out: It also says, “God isn’t only there in the religious times of life”. God isn’t only there in the worship service, not only in your personal devotional times. He is there in every sentence of the book … God is working on every page, in every single situation.
Chapter 1 paints a picture of the world into which God is working out His plan … paints a picture of how the Bible reads the world - and how WE can read the world. Here we see that in the most ungodly of circumstances .... at the very place in the world where you look and say … GOD IS ABSENT .... God may be present in church, during a worship service … God may be present with me when I do my own personal devotions and pray … God may be present on the mission-field, when the missionary team has an all-night prayer meeting .... Oh there are many places in the world where I can see God … BUT THERE IS NO WAY THAT GOD IS PRESENT HERE!!!
Esther chapter 1 is telling us - - - in that very place - - - God is not only present … but He is has been here, at work, for longer than you can know. He is going to turn the place around - and He’s going to put one of His people
Esther teaches us to read our lives in that light. Even when you are in a totally irreligious place - - even when you are in the throne room of the gods of this world - - -you don’t have to try and ‘bring God in’ - - God is THERE.
Esther is going to find herself catapulted into place
ILLUSTRATION ....
There is no atom, no molecule of the universe, where God is NOT in control.
And the staggering thing about the book of Esther - is that God does all of this rescuing, without His name ever being mentioned. In this entire book - God’s name does NOT appear ONCE.
One of the greatest rescues of His people in history - and God’s name is completely absent.
.... And yet, He is everywhere - all the way through the book.
And that’s another way that the book of Esther stands out: It also says, “God isn’t only there in the religious times of life”. God isn’t only there in the worship service, not only in your personal devotional times. He is there in every sentence of the book … God is working on every page, in every single situation.
Esther teaches us to read our lives in that light. Even when you are in a totally irreligious place - - even when you are in the throne room of the gods of this world - - -you don’t have to try and ‘bring God in’ - - God is THERE.
ILLUSTRATION ....
There is no atom, no molecule of the universe, where God is NOT in control.