The Pride and Humility in Esther

Pride and Humility seen in the people of the book of Esther

KING: Exerses (Ahashueras)

King of all Persia.

Hosted a feast to show off his Glory

It lasted half a year

Jews were in exile in Babylon when the Persians conquered Babylon.

Banished his wife because she refused to display her beauty in front of his drunken guests.

Then declared an edict that women in his country must obey their husbands.

A beauty contest was held to choose a new Queen and Esther was chosen.

Esther

An orphaned Jewish girl

raised by her cousin Mordecai.

Mordecai

· Uncovered a plot to kill the king

· The deed was recorded but not rewarded.

Haman the Agagite

· was a racial enemy of the Jews.

· The king elevated him to the place above all the other nobles.

· Everyone, except Mordecai, knelt down and paid honour to him.

· This so enraged Haman that he tricked the king into declaring a foolish and deadly edict.

· On one specific day, all the citizens of Persia are to rise up against their Jewish neighbours and kill all the men women and children and take their possessions as plunder.

Mordecai pleaded with Esther to approach the king and beg for their lives.

“Who knows,” he said, “but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this.”

Reluctantly she agreed knowing that the king could have her killed for approaching him without being summoned.

She asked Mordecai and all the Jews in the city to fast and pray for her for three days.

On the third day she approached the king,

he extended to her the royal sceptre

and asked her what her petition was.

Her request, please come to a banquet I have prepared and bring Haman.

After the meal, the king asked her to state her request.

Once again she invited the king and Haman to a second banquet the next day and then she would do as the king asked, then she would state her request.

Haman went home from the banquet swollen with pride but passed Mordecai on the way and again was enraged that Mordecai did not pay him honour.

“His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "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."

Notice who is honoured and exalted and who is disgraced and humiliated.