Dei Time

Haman Exposed

Dei Break

Esther 4:1 – 10:3

Haman's lies and bribery were discovered and exposed by Esther. His end was strikingly ironic. The Jews, whose property he hoped to attain, received his property instead. The queen whose support he hoped to obtain turned out to be the niece of his greatest enemy. She was even a Jew, one of the proposed victims of his scheme. Haman died on the gallows meant for Mordecai (5:14) and (7:9-10). The king's signet ring was jerked from his finger and given to his old enemy (8:2). Instead of the Jews, his own sons were wiped out (9:14). Mordecai not only won the battle, he took Haman's place at the king's side.

Esther countered Haman's plan by arranging a special banquet for him and the king. Haman, unsuspecting and arrogant, could hardly wait. At the banquet, Esther exposed the greedy and hateful favorite of the king (chapter 7). Haman was terrified.

After Haman's exposure and arrest, a problem still remained. Any order made in the king's name and authorized by his ring-seal impression could not be revoked, even by him. Mordecai and Esther asked Xerxes to give the Jews authority to defend themselves when the day of extermination arrived (8:11). Xerxes agreed and the Jews' victory over their enemies was overwhelming.

One more irony in Haman's story remained. Instead of being destroyed, the Jews came to greater prominence through the positions of Mordecai and Esther, and due to their restraint in defending themselves (see 9:15,16) probably gained more respect as a people than they had previously enjoyed among the Persians.

This is a great story to take the time to read. In this account of Esther, Mordecai, Haman, and Xerxes, how many "coincidences" do you note? Although God is not mentioned in Esther, do you think that He was active in this small part of Israel's history? As Christians we have the joy of knowing that no matter what is taking place in our lives, whether good or bad, God is working in it for our good.

Next time: Job, an Ancient Story of Perseverance

The Plot Thickens

Dei Break

Esther 2:19 – 3:15

Chapter 2 ended with Mordacai hearing a plot against Xerxes, telling Esther (now the queen), and thus saving the king's life and contributing to the execution of the plotters.

In chapter 3 we meet Haman, the next plotter against the king's life. Josephus (an ancient Jewish historian) says that Haman was an Amalekite, but other discoveries indicate that he may have been from a Persian province named Agag. More important than his origin, however, he was an egotistical power seeker. He managed to work his way into the trust of the king. The king ordered all of his other servants to bow to Haman (3:2). They apparently did not do so willingly. Perhaps he already had a reputation for deceit. Mordecai refused to bow. Even as a Jew he had undoubtedly bowed to the king, so his reason for refusing may have been his opinion of Haman.

Enraged that he was unable to control Mordecai, Haman determined to destroy him and his entire race (3:4-5). Because the Persians believed that Fate determined their success or failure, Haman cast the Persian version of lots or dice (the "pur") to determine when to attack all of the Jews in the empire, including those in Jerusalem. He then asked the king's permission and even offered to pay the entire cost of the operation out of his own pocket (vs.9).

As a high official himself, Mordecai learned quickly what Haman was up to and sent word to Esther through her eunuch. She was afraid to get involved. Apparently two things were of concern to her. First, not even the queen could approach the king without invitation and she had not been invited for a month. Second, the law said that if she showed up without invitation she could be executed.

The communication between Mordecai and Esther indicates that he believed that God had placed Esther in her position for just this calamity. He challenged her to do the right thing and avoid God's anger. Mordecai also expresses faith that one way or another, God will save His people from Haman's plan.

As Chapter 3 ends, Haman's plot is going as planned, as he sits and drinks with the king.

Next time: Haman Exposed

Esther

Dei Break

Esther 1:1 - 2:18

Xerxes (Ahasuerus in some translations) ruled Persia from 485 to 465 B.C.

Known for his cruelty and abrupt mood changes that could bring about instant execution for anyone unlucky enough to irritate the king Xerxes was dangerous. Sources outside of the Bible affirm that he persecuted religions other than his own religion of Ahura Mazda and his prophet Zoroaster. Several nations ruled by Persia tried to revolt under Xerxes. Eventually he was assassinated by one of his highest officials. He is best remembered for his wars with Greece in which he utilized some of the most modern military equipment of the time, including pontoon bridges, to aid in his attacks on Greece. (See Xerxes' capital—Persepolis, now in Iran—and photos of reliefs of Ahura Mazda)

The book of Esther does not mention God, but His presence is easily sensed. Jews still celebrate the story of Esther in the Feast of Purim and most know her story from beginning to end.

Why did Xerxes declare an extravagant feast (vs.3)? Herodotus (a historian from ancient times) said that Xerxes prepared for four years to invade Greece and offered a great feast before the invasion began. (Link to photos of his palace ruins)

Queen Vashti was either an arrogant wife who embarrassed her husband, or an early women's rights advocate, depending on whose opinion you read. Her story is included mainly as background explaining the advancement of Esther.

Mordecai (2:5) was a descendant of an early exile to Babylon. Mordecai's name was closely related to the name Marduka. That name is found in non-biblical records referring an accountant and inspector for the Persian government about this time. Same man? Maybe—it would explain Mordecai's ability to be close to the palace and able to uncover a plot against the king. He was Esther's cousin and responsible for raising her, adopting her as his own daughter (vs.7)

Esther was one of the girls chosen to "compete" to replace Queen Vashti. After 12 months of preparation with other chosen girls, she met the king and he fell in love with her. Through it all, Mordecai had advised her not to reveal her Jewish heritage.

Next time: The Plot Thickens