Esther - One Woman Saves a Nation (Part 2)

One Woman Saves a Nation - The Story of Esther (Part 2)

"Esther 4:12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. 13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
Mordecai plainly states his belief (with out mentioning God's name) that God, in His sovereignty, had providentially ordered the events of Esther's life to put her in position where she can act to save all of the Jews. He believed that God would bring relief and deliverance through Esther but that God was not restricted to this plan if Esther's courage failed and she decided to remain quite. No matter what transpires, if we fail to follow through with our part in God's plan, God always has a back up plan to accomplish His purposes.

"Esther 4:15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. 17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him."
Fasts were generally prescribed for only one day, this unusually long fast points to the seriousness of the situation. Esther's righteous response was a decree for an offering of prayer and fasting before God. Even though God again is not mentioned...who do you think Esther, Mordecai, and Israel were praying to? In this Esther expressed her conviction, faith, and fear of God her defender and provider. She exhibited what Jesus said in the account in the Book of John, "John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." This truth is seen in Esther. This should be our commitment to our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus our risen Lord and Savior.

"Esther 5:1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. 2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. 3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. 4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him. 5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed. 7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is; 8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said. 9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai."
God's hand of protection and favor was with Esther as she approached the king. Full trust in God allows us to be able to walk into a lions den or a fiery furnace with confidence that our God is able. Esther was a woman of full confidence in God and whether God would deliver her or not, she would do what God expected of her. She walked her walk of faith with courage. God in his providence placed upon the heart of the king to offer Esther half of his kingdom if only she asked for it. He in this was offering to make her his equal in the rule of the kingdom, an offer far beyond anything offered to anyone in the Bible other than Joseph in Egypt. Esther turned down this request (just like Jesus turned down Satan's offer to Jesus of all the wealth in the world when Jesus was tempted) and stuck with the plan that God had given her through the man of God, Mordecai. Esther concealed the identity of the one to be honored at this banquet. Haman assumed that it was himself that was to be honored since he was invited as the only preferred guest of the king and queen. Haman now begins his assuming of his coming honor, starts listing his dreams list which focused on public acclaim and adulation (not material gain), clearly a man of vanity.

"Esther 5:10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. 11 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. 12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. 13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."
Haman's wife, family, friends (advisors) all got into the act. So much like our enemies when they seem to perceive that they have us in their grasp, giving voice to us as being worthless and an offense to everyone around us, that our God is nothing and can do nothing to save us from them.

"Esther 5:14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made."
Haman's wife then proposed that Haman build a gallows fifty cubits high (about 75 feet tall), a rather oversized gallows to say the least, one that would allow everyone in the city to be able to see Mordecai being hung. But, in God's plan, his wife had just given him the idea that would be his own death sentence.

"Esther 6:1 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 3 And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him."
God withheld sleep from the king that night and placed it upon his heart to read something until he felt ready for sleep. Beyond even that, it was the book of chronicles and records he chose. And guess what, of all things the night before the feast, the king in his reading is brought into remembrance that Mordecai had saved his life and had never been rewarded! Clearly God at work on His plan of deliverance! God was clearly at work for Mordecai, just as when we look at our own situations closely we will see God's working for us in our lives.

"Esther 6:4 And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. 5 And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in. 6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? 7 And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, 8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: 9 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour."
Talk about bad timing and a bad plan. Haman, was waiting for the opportunity right at the time God's plan to deliver Mordicia had been put in place. Still thinking that it was himself to be honored, when the king asked what should be done for a man in the kingdom the king wanted to honor, Haman thought he was "the Man." Haman lays out what he wanted for this honor, he went all out since there was no limit expressed to what would be done for the man. Royal apparel, a crown, and that all of the nobility and princes of the land would apply this honor by taking part in the arraying of him. Going on even further he wanted for a procession with acclamations to go though the entire city so everyone would know of his great honor from the king. Just like our enemies not only gloat over our present position and falsely perceive their own worth and position, God does not let His faithful children fail to receive His promise ("Psalms 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.").

"Esther 6:10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. 11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour. 12 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. 13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. 14 And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared."
Here was God's judgment on Haman. The realization that his plan was gone now, that his enemy was to be honored instead of himself was a devastating blow. All he could do was to be the one sent by the king to confrere the same honor he envisioned for himself on Mordecai whom he thought would be hanging from a gallows by now. Haman and his following were now in the same fear and dread that they had brought upon God's chosen people.

"Esther 7:1 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. 2 And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom."
[A second time she is tempted with equal rulership of the kingdom and half of it's wealth to deter her from keeping to her part in God's plan of deliverance, yet she remained obedient to God's will.]

"Esther 7:3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: 4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. 5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? 6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen."
To get the king to make the decree against the Jews, Haman had given the king a bribe ("Esther 3:9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries."). Esther referred to this bribe to accomplish evil (just as our enemies will use their material wealth to fight against us) and then quoted the exact wording in the decree of what was to be done to God's people who were in the decree to be destroyed, killed, annihilated. She revealed to the king that she was one of the Jews decreed to die. Well talking about hitting a nerve, Haman now realized he was about to go down. The drama of this whole event is heightened by Esther's slow unveiling of her petition for her own life and for the life of her people. Wisely with God's guidance she made the proper approach to the king that would sway his heart to comply with her request. Just as she, we should be harmless as doves and wise as serpents ("Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."). Then when the king's indignation that such a person who threatened the life of his queen and people existed in his kingdom was at the highest point, Esther reveals that Haman was that man. It is at this point that God's deliverance for his people through Esther came into action.

"Esther 7:7 And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. 8 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. 9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified."
Haman then made the ultimate violation of etiquette and sealed his fate. He had gotten into the bed where Esther lay to beg her to spare his life, then the king came in and saw it and perceived it as a sexual advance on his beloved wife. For us to, our adversary tries to use sex as a means of persuasion to detract and deter us from doing the will of God and in this case God's will for Haman's punishment was to be exactly what he wanted to do the man of God, Mordicai. As always the king welcomed the advice of others and the eunuch that God caused first of all others to hold Esther in esteem, made the suggestions that since Haman had made a gallows to hang Mordecai on, it was only fitting that he be hanged on it instead ("Psalms 37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. 15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken."). Just as happened to Haman, so is the promise from God to us in His Word, that your enemies will fall by the same weapon they have devised against you. You are more than a conqueror.

"Esther 8:1 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her. 2 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. 3 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. 4 Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king, 5 And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces: 6 For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred? 7 Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. 8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse. 9 Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. 10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: 11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, 12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. 13 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. 14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace."

"Esther 8:15 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. 16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. 17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them."
Just look at what just one woman's obedience to the will of God accomplished. The people of the kingdom rejoiced with the Jews. Consider the greatness of the power of God in manifestation brought about by one obedient woman in the deliverance of her people in that through out the country "Many people of the land became Jews". The witness and faithfulness to God brought many people to worshiping God and becoming one with the people of God. As we make our stand for God and our brothers and sisters in Christ we to can also expect our example to bring others to the light of the Gospel and to inherit salvation as we have.

"Esther 9:1 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;) 2 The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people. 3 And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. 4 For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater. 5 Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them. 6 And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. 7 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, 8 And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, 9 And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha, 10 The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand. 11 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king."
Again the reversal of the fate of the Jews is emphasized in these verses. God was with His chosen people and they fought victoriously. Mordecai became even greater and more powerful in the kingdom on that day, God lifted Mordecai to even a higher position as the result of his obedience to God's plan. And the children of Israel were saved by God.

"Esther 9:12 And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done."
If what had just happened was not enough, the king offered to Esther further petition of whatever else she wanted to be done. Talk about God giving His children the upper hand in life...they had just crushed their enemies and if that was not enough, they had been given the opportunity and authority to do whatever they needed to do for themselves in the kingdom.

"Esther 9:13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. 14 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons. 15 For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand. 16 But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey, 17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. 18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. 19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another."
Esther's last request from the king was that the 10 sons of Haman be hanged.
From that point on the Jews celebrated God's deliverance with a day of feasting, gladness, and giving gifts to each other in remembrance of what God had accomplished for them. This was the unofficial beginning of The Feast of Purim that is still celebrated by Israel today.

"Esther 9:20 And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, 21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, 22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. 23 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; 24 Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; 25 But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. 26 Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them, 27 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year; 28 And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed."

The man of God Mordecai wrote to the Jews everywhere in the kingdom that because of what God had done for Israel, that they should keep these two days as a feast to celebrate God's deliverance for His people and this feast should endure throughout every generation from that time on as a memorial of what was done for Israel.

"Esther 9:29 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim. 30 And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, 31 To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry. 32 And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book."
As a confirmation of the second letter in regard to the matters of Purim, Ester as Queen joined with the man of God Mordecai issued the second letter and in doing so it was entered into the book. Some have thought this meant the book of the court of the king, I say written into this true account of God's deliverance for His people.

"Esther 10:1 And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea. 2 And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed."

As a final act on the part of the king, he placed the payment of tribute to be made by the entire kingdom to be delivered to Mordecai and placed Mordecai second in command to himself. Of Mordecai, God made him great among the Jews and he sought for wealth for his people and spoke peace to Israel. God can use you women out there to accomplish great things. It's not just a man's job to be a servant of God. God used Esther to save a nation and God used Ruth to be the mother of a nation...what can God use you to do if you let Him?