Post by sosmatt on Apr 27, 2013 16:02:24 GMT -8
For today's Bible Study I wanted to focus mainly on the Book of Esther. It is one of greatest books about how things fall into place and if you overcome fear, you may be able to help others that may have otherwise been headed for disaster. As I say in most of my bible studies, really understand that these are REAL people having to deal with every human emotion of: Fear, sadness, anxiety, heartbreak, passion, etc. They are not just some imaginative fictional human beings. We will see how a female saved God's chosen:
-Esther-
"1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush: 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present."
I choose this verse to show that a timeline is given. History experts and buffs have had the ability to disprove this story ever happened but yet have failed to do. It gives an exact year, an exact timeline of events as they played out.
The Importance of this banquet: King Xerxes, a great leader of "over 127 provinces" was having a huge banquet which lasted "seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king's palace, for ALL the people from the least to the greatest, who were in the citadel of Susa." So again, King Xerxes was celebrating his delight in his possessions and his army prior to them going to war. He was showing off if you will in front of his friends. Who does not do that at some point of their life?
Now an important part in the history of Gods people in the Old Testament takes place. On the 7th and final day of this banquet, King Xerxes drunk called for the Queen, his wife, Queen Vashti to show her beauty off to people and nobles. He pretty much wanted Queen Vashti to parade herself in front of all these people. He wanted her to be a piece of meat. Queen Vashti refused. The king obviously became outraged/embarrassed and Queen Vashti ended up losing her position as the queen. There are a few things that had to happen in order for it to get this far:
1) The king had to have a banquet, 2) The king drank too much, 3) The king had to call for the queen 4)The queen had to refuse. The point is not that everyone should have tons of parties, get drunk and call their significant others to strip for others but rather mistakes or bad decisions that may frustrate us may turn out to be something of a miracle if we do what we know is good in our hearts.
The search for a replacement: Obviously an "replacement" queen needed to be found. Since Queen Vashti was banished from being in the king's presence, I am sure it was to fill that loneliness the king was feeling.
Over the 127 provinces, a search was conducted to fulfill the vacancy of both the position of the Queen and to help heal the kings heart. One of those who were picked to be shown to the king was Hadassah also known as Esther.
Quick History of Esther: Esther's male cousin Mordecai was actually taken from Jerusalem to Babylon during Nebuchadnezzar. Mordecai was caring for Esther and took her to Babylon with him because both of Esther's parents were killed and she had nobody else.
There we see a few things that had to happen again in order to get to this point:
1) Kings advisors had to suggest a replacement be found, 2) Esther's parents were dead. 3) Mordecai had to decide to take care of his cousin 4) Mordecai had to be taken from Jerusalem to Babylon, 5) Esther had to be chosen to be one of the many females that were suggested.
Look how horrible things at the time were going on. Esther had no parents, Mordecai was taken away from his comfort place in Jerusalem and Esther was taken to see if she was "good" enough to be queen. How would you act if you lost both parents at such a young age? Would you give up? Would you rebel? What about Mordecai who had this younger person to take care of? Would you take care of your cousin like this or would you try to find someone else? Would you leave everything you know? Look around your house, look at all your family and friends around you. Everybody has their comfort place and we choose to live in it.
Esther gains the kings attention/becomes queen: Right when the king seen her, he knew she was something special to him. I think we have also had that happen in our lives. I am not talking about lust (which may or may not be the case). But rather a strong feeling that this person was intended to be someone special to you. However, Esther did not tell the king her nationality or family background. This allowed the king to make a fair decision based on what he seen and felt. Esther was one of the girls who went through a year long beauty school so to speak.
Now came the day when each of the females would take whatever they wanted and go in front of king as a "final inspection." The females would then return to their place where they stayed and would not return to the king unless he called for her by name. That means these females had to leave a huge impression on him. Reminds me of my high school days when the males try to go after that one "popular female." They try to stand out so much for her attention.
When it came time for Esther's time to stand before the king, she choose to bring nothing except for what the care-mother suggested. In short form, Esther was chosen by the king and she became queen.
Lets see what had to happen as fate: 1) The king had to have that strong feeling for her, 2) Esther did not tell the king of her nationality, 3) Esther listened to advice.
Mordecai's twist of fate: Chapter 2 Verse 21-23 "During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22 But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23 And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were hanged on a gallows. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king."
More things had to happen to set up what happens later on. 1) Mordecai had to be at the gate 2) Bigthana and Teresh had to be in hearing distance of Mordecai 3) Mordecai had to stay in contact with Queen Esther 4) Credit had to be given to Mordecai 5) The events had to be recorded for proof. God places us in certain situations for reasons. To allow us to hear things, see things and to do things. It is like a box of dominoes. Each one has to fall perfectly right for everyone to be affected.
Haman plots to kill the Jews: Haman found favor in the King's eyes. He turned into the head nobleman. Haman had such respect and honor that everyone was suppose to kneel at that gate to somewhat worship Haman and his power. Mordecai refused to kneel. He and the Jews felt that they should not honor other beings but only God. As soon as Haman found out why he didn't kneel he plotted to have ALL the Jews destroyed in King Xerxes' kingdom which was what 127 provinces? To be a controlled kill, Haman made an order in the 1st month to eliminate all the Jews. This day fell on the 13th day of 12th month. Haman then sweetened the deal for those who would carry out these attacks to pay them money. Could you imagine knowing your execution date? Really thinking 100% that a huge slaughter would be made on a certain date of you and your people? It is not like you had a place to really hide. You lived within a kingdom where freedom wasn't really known. You couldn't just get in a car or plane to get away.
Esther and Mordecai: Mordecai tells his cousin Queen Esther of the evil plot that is going down which was started by Haman. Queen Esther had not a clue as to what was going on. There was no CNN or Facebook back in those days. She seen that Mordecai was in distress (torn clothes as a sign for mourning) and sent people to check on him. Queen Esther then found out and Mordecai wanted Esther to speak to the King about it.
Esther reminded Mordecai that "any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I (Esther) was called to go to the king." So in order for Queen Esther to tell the King not to destroy the Jews, her people, she would have to break the laws and risk her life! She had to lean on God to deliver her from the punishment of breaking the law. Sound similar with Christ?
Now one of the most powerful verses about being in a situation for certain reason comes in Chapter 4 verse 14: "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Mordecai knows in his heart that God will save the Jews. He has no doubt that something greater will happen if Esther does not act. Some of the Jews, his people, may fall but a greater deliverance will be made.
He also states "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Our positions and placement is for a purpose. We not just where we are to fail. Where are in positions to help others.
Queen Esther instructed all the Jews to fast for three days for to put trust in God. She is basically asking for prayer. Verse 16 of chapter 4 shows her trust in God, trust in her decision. "When this (the fasting) is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." What bravery is that? She is saying I will risk it all. I will break that law so that others may be saved. IF I PERISH, I PERISH. Her live, she sees is no big deal compared to what this has the ability to do.
Esther approaches King/Haman Boasts: Esther approached the King and he immediately is happy and extends gold scepter (what a relief!) and she asks for a banquet with Haman. She does not state why and the King agrees that the next day there will be a banquet with Haman.
In that exact same time frame, Haman is sealing his fate: Chapter 5 verse 9: "Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king's gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai." He is allowing his ego to control his emotions. He let a good day turn bad by him thinking he is higher than God. It upsets him so much that Haman has such an ego that he boasts about all the great things he has and how the Queen only asked for him for this banquet. He tells his friends, he wants Mordecai destroyed. His wife and friends suggest in verse 14 "Have a gallows built, seventy-five feet high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with the king to the dinner and be happy." This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the gallows built."
Kings troubled Dream: King Xerxes has trouble sleeping that very night. He actually asks for the book of chronicles and looks over what is going on and he sees how Mordecai saved him from two servants that were going to over throw him. The king finds out that Mordecai was never rewarded. At that exact time, Haman entered the room to talk about Mordecai's execution. Before he could do so the king asks Haman how he would honor someone. Haman, thinking it was about him since his ego was so big, told the king what he would do. The king turned the tables and uses that suggestion for Mordecai. Haman had to honor his enemy, a Jew! What if Queen Esther never would of waited that extra day? The king never would of thought about Mordecai. What if Haman go to the King first? You see everything happens for a reason
The Feast: While Queen Esther, King Xerxes and Haman were at the feast, Queen Esther informed the king of her family history, her religion and of Haman's plan. The king left in rage and came back to Haman weeping over Queen Esther cause he knew he was in trouble. The king took it as him trying to violate the queen. He immediately thought of ways to punish Haman. The king seen the gallow which was built to hang Mordecai. The king then had Haman hanged by his own contraption.
Jews are saved: Mordecais ends up taking Haman's place and a new decree is made. The Jews were not only saved from death: they could also attack those people who had been their enemies, and could claim their property. On the very day that they were to have been annihilated, they turned the tables by destroying all those who had sought to kill them. Thousands were killed, including the ten sons of Haman.
From that day on, the Jewish people kept the day as a special festival called Purim. It was a day when gifts were exchanged among members of each family, and presents given to the poor. It commemorated the day the Jewish people were saved by Esther.
It took all these, what seem bad events to lead to the saving of Jewish people. Put trust in God always and know there is a reason for it all. Just have to jump at the opportunity to help.
-Esther-
"1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush: 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present."
I choose this verse to show that a timeline is given. History experts and buffs have had the ability to disprove this story ever happened but yet have failed to do. It gives an exact year, an exact timeline of events as they played out.
The Importance of this banquet: King Xerxes, a great leader of "over 127 provinces" was having a huge banquet which lasted "seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king's palace, for ALL the people from the least to the greatest, who were in the citadel of Susa." So again, King Xerxes was celebrating his delight in his possessions and his army prior to them going to war. He was showing off if you will in front of his friends. Who does not do that at some point of their life?
Now an important part in the history of Gods people in the Old Testament takes place. On the 7th and final day of this banquet, King Xerxes drunk called for the Queen, his wife, Queen Vashti to show her beauty off to people and nobles. He pretty much wanted Queen Vashti to parade herself in front of all these people. He wanted her to be a piece of meat. Queen Vashti refused. The king obviously became outraged/embarrassed and Queen Vashti ended up losing her position as the queen. There are a few things that had to happen in order for it to get this far:
1) The king had to have a banquet, 2) The king drank too much, 3) The king had to call for the queen 4)The queen had to refuse. The point is not that everyone should have tons of parties, get drunk and call their significant others to strip for others but rather mistakes or bad decisions that may frustrate us may turn out to be something of a miracle if we do what we know is good in our hearts.
The search for a replacement: Obviously an "replacement" queen needed to be found. Since Queen Vashti was banished from being in the king's presence, I am sure it was to fill that loneliness the king was feeling.
Over the 127 provinces, a search was conducted to fulfill the vacancy of both the position of the Queen and to help heal the kings heart. One of those who were picked to be shown to the king was Hadassah also known as Esther.
Quick History of Esther: Esther's male cousin Mordecai was actually taken from Jerusalem to Babylon during Nebuchadnezzar. Mordecai was caring for Esther and took her to Babylon with him because both of Esther's parents were killed and she had nobody else.
There we see a few things that had to happen again in order to get to this point:
1) Kings advisors had to suggest a replacement be found, 2) Esther's parents were dead. 3) Mordecai had to decide to take care of his cousin 4) Mordecai had to be taken from Jerusalem to Babylon, 5) Esther had to be chosen to be one of the many females that were suggested.
Look how horrible things at the time were going on. Esther had no parents, Mordecai was taken away from his comfort place in Jerusalem and Esther was taken to see if she was "good" enough to be queen. How would you act if you lost both parents at such a young age? Would you give up? Would you rebel? What about Mordecai who had this younger person to take care of? Would you take care of your cousin like this or would you try to find someone else? Would you leave everything you know? Look around your house, look at all your family and friends around you. Everybody has their comfort place and we choose to live in it.
Esther gains the kings attention/becomes queen: Right when the king seen her, he knew she was something special to him. I think we have also had that happen in our lives. I am not talking about lust (which may or may not be the case). But rather a strong feeling that this person was intended to be someone special to you. However, Esther did not tell the king her nationality or family background. This allowed the king to make a fair decision based on what he seen and felt. Esther was one of the girls who went through a year long beauty school so to speak.
Now came the day when each of the females would take whatever they wanted and go in front of king as a "final inspection." The females would then return to their place where they stayed and would not return to the king unless he called for her by name. That means these females had to leave a huge impression on him. Reminds me of my high school days when the males try to go after that one "popular female." They try to stand out so much for her attention.
When it came time for Esther's time to stand before the king, she choose to bring nothing except for what the care-mother suggested. In short form, Esther was chosen by the king and she became queen.
Lets see what had to happen as fate: 1) The king had to have that strong feeling for her, 2) Esther did not tell the king of her nationality, 3) Esther listened to advice.
Mordecai's twist of fate: Chapter 2 Verse 21-23 "During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22 But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23 And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were hanged on a gallows. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king."
More things had to happen to set up what happens later on. 1) Mordecai had to be at the gate 2) Bigthana and Teresh had to be in hearing distance of Mordecai 3) Mordecai had to stay in contact with Queen Esther 4) Credit had to be given to Mordecai 5) The events had to be recorded for proof. God places us in certain situations for reasons. To allow us to hear things, see things and to do things. It is like a box of dominoes. Each one has to fall perfectly right for everyone to be affected.
Haman plots to kill the Jews: Haman found favor in the King's eyes. He turned into the head nobleman. Haman had such respect and honor that everyone was suppose to kneel at that gate to somewhat worship Haman and his power. Mordecai refused to kneel. He and the Jews felt that they should not honor other beings but only God. As soon as Haman found out why he didn't kneel he plotted to have ALL the Jews destroyed in King Xerxes' kingdom which was what 127 provinces? To be a controlled kill, Haman made an order in the 1st month to eliminate all the Jews. This day fell on the 13th day of 12th month. Haman then sweetened the deal for those who would carry out these attacks to pay them money. Could you imagine knowing your execution date? Really thinking 100% that a huge slaughter would be made on a certain date of you and your people? It is not like you had a place to really hide. You lived within a kingdom where freedom wasn't really known. You couldn't just get in a car or plane to get away.
Esther and Mordecai: Mordecai tells his cousin Queen Esther of the evil plot that is going down which was started by Haman. Queen Esther had not a clue as to what was going on. There was no CNN or Facebook back in those days. She seen that Mordecai was in distress (torn clothes as a sign for mourning) and sent people to check on him. Queen Esther then found out and Mordecai wanted Esther to speak to the King about it.
Esther reminded Mordecai that "any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I (Esther) was called to go to the king." So in order for Queen Esther to tell the King not to destroy the Jews, her people, she would have to break the laws and risk her life! She had to lean on God to deliver her from the punishment of breaking the law. Sound similar with Christ?
Now one of the most powerful verses about being in a situation for certain reason comes in Chapter 4 verse 14: "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Mordecai knows in his heart that God will save the Jews. He has no doubt that something greater will happen if Esther does not act. Some of the Jews, his people, may fall but a greater deliverance will be made.
He also states "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Our positions and placement is for a purpose. We not just where we are to fail. Where are in positions to help others.
Queen Esther instructed all the Jews to fast for three days for to put trust in God. She is basically asking for prayer. Verse 16 of chapter 4 shows her trust in God, trust in her decision. "When this (the fasting) is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." What bravery is that? She is saying I will risk it all. I will break that law so that others may be saved. IF I PERISH, I PERISH. Her live, she sees is no big deal compared to what this has the ability to do.
Esther approaches King/Haman Boasts: Esther approached the King and he immediately is happy and extends gold scepter (what a relief!) and she asks for a banquet with Haman. She does not state why and the King agrees that the next day there will be a banquet with Haman.
In that exact same time frame, Haman is sealing his fate: Chapter 5 verse 9: "Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king's gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai." He is allowing his ego to control his emotions. He let a good day turn bad by him thinking he is higher than God. It upsets him so much that Haman has such an ego that he boasts about all the great things he has and how the Queen only asked for him for this banquet. He tells his friends, he wants Mordecai destroyed. His wife and friends suggest in verse 14 "Have a gallows built, seventy-five feet high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with the king to the dinner and be happy." This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the gallows built."
Kings troubled Dream: King Xerxes has trouble sleeping that very night. He actually asks for the book of chronicles and looks over what is going on and he sees how Mordecai saved him from two servants that were going to over throw him. The king finds out that Mordecai was never rewarded. At that exact time, Haman entered the room to talk about Mordecai's execution. Before he could do so the king asks Haman how he would honor someone. Haman, thinking it was about him since his ego was so big, told the king what he would do. The king turned the tables and uses that suggestion for Mordecai. Haman had to honor his enemy, a Jew! What if Queen Esther never would of waited that extra day? The king never would of thought about Mordecai. What if Haman go to the King first? You see everything happens for a reason
The Feast: While Queen Esther, King Xerxes and Haman were at the feast, Queen Esther informed the king of her family history, her religion and of Haman's plan. The king left in rage and came back to Haman weeping over Queen Esther cause he knew he was in trouble. The king took it as him trying to violate the queen. He immediately thought of ways to punish Haman. The king seen the gallow which was built to hang Mordecai. The king then had Haman hanged by his own contraption.
Jews are saved: Mordecais ends up taking Haman's place and a new decree is made. The Jews were not only saved from death: they could also attack those people who had been their enemies, and could claim their property. On the very day that they were to have been annihilated, they turned the tables by destroying all those who had sought to kill them. Thousands were killed, including the ten sons of Haman.
From that day on, the Jewish people kept the day as a special festival called Purim. It was a day when gifts were exchanged among members of each family, and presents given to the poor. It commemorated the day the Jewish people were saved by Esther.
It took all these, what seem bad events to lead to the saving of Jewish people. Put trust in God always and know there is a reason for it all. Just have to jump at the opportunity to help.
