Esther 2:19-3:15

Esther 2:19-3:15

Overview of 1-2

Mordecai hears valuable information concerning the king (2:19-23)

- Unknown how much time has passed since Esther became queen, and she still has not made known her nationality.

- The writer tells us that the virgins were gathered a second time (V19)…We do not know if this is the same group, or another group.

- Reminder of how Xerxes is controlled by his flesh.

- Mordecai is stationed at the Kings Gate…(1) Some kind of official position, (2) To check on Esther, (3) Location of conducting business, similar to Esther (city gate)

- No matter the reason, Mordecai hears of a plan to assassinate the King by two of his eunuchs, Bgithan and Teresh.

- Mordecai passes this information on to Queen Esther, who then tells then King (v22)

- QUESTION:Why does Mordecai do this? Why doesn’t he just let it happen? After all the King has done? It’s a bit of an ethical dilemma…He chooses to pass word on to the King.

- The information is investigated, found to be true and the eunuchs are executed…my bible says at the gallows, some text say impaled…Most likely they were not hanged, but killed ahead of time, then had a pole ran through the body from end to end and placed at the gallows as a reminder and example.

- All this is recorded, but will still be forgotten.

Take Away:

- Despite our circumstances we should seek to do good…unclear if this is Mordecai desire or not.

- Paul gives this exhortation in the book of Romans chapter 12…As we believers we should seek to leave peaceably among one another and leave vengeance to the Lord.

Mordecai is looked over and Haman is promoted (3:1-5)

- Transitioning into chapter 3 Mordecai nor Esther are rewarded for their information, but rather a guy by the name of Haman is promoted. (v1)

- He is promoted to position above all the other rulers in the kingdom.

- The writer briefly points out a piece of Hamans lineage…He is an Agagite…this would have been a derogatory description.

- The writer appears to link Haman to Agag the King of the Amalekites, who were long- time enemies of Israel, as they treated them unkindly when they came out of Egypt.

- In 1 Sam 15, God tells Saul to destroy all the Amalekites to bring complete destruction on them and their lives stock.

- Saul spares King Agag for a moment and brings back some of the choice live stock. He is confronted by Samuel and Samuel goes on to slaughter (hack) the King to pieces.

- After this 1 Samuel 30 and 2 Samuel 1, mention Amalekites, so it is possible that some survived or where not destroyed…opening a door for offspring. Resulting in a guy name Haman being in a place that he shouldn’t be, because of decisions he didn’t make.

- Now we have a Benjaminite (Mordecai) same tribe as Saul, being skipped over by basically a sworn enemy.

- Back to our story…those who are at the gate and in the city, out of honor bow down and pay homage to Haman.

- The writer doesn’t say they are bowing down in worship, but showing honor.

- Mordecai isn’t playing along and won’t bow down…the reason he gives is because he is Jewish (maybe he’s made because he was skipped over, or maybe its because Haman represents a long standing enemy, we really don’t know)

- When reported to Haman it makes him made, and he decides that he doesn’t only want Mordecai gone, but all his people…Another over reaction.

Take Away:

- We won’t always be rewarded for the good we do and we should not be motivated by potential recognition.

- We should seek to do good because we God has commanded us to do so.

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- Landon Dowden in his commentary points out two questions we should ask from this text (1) Are we like Haman, and seeking our own honor? (2) Are we like Mordecai, and withholding honor that is due?

- Some of you are looking at me, hoping there is a third option.

- The Bible offers times when we should be honored, and when we should show honor…but this text points out the at times we seek our own, and we withhold it at times

Haman’s plan to destroy an entire people group (7-15)

- A four year jump has taken place at some point between Esther becoming queen and these events. We are now in the 12th year of Xerxes reign.

- Haman begins his process of destroying the Jews by casting lots or casting pur…this would have been very similar to rolling dice.

- It was decided by this process that this would take place in the 12th month…So 11 months from this time.

- Haman then goes to Xerxes and makes his case and he is vague…

~ A certain people not following your laws

~ Spread across the kingdom

~ If it please you let it be decreed and they be destroyed

- Haman even offers to add a little to the Kings treasure $10,000 talents of silver (2/3 of the royal income)

- Xerxes agrees and gives Haman his signet and tells him to do what he wants.

- Xerxes doesn’t give it any thought (fewer people and more money)…sounds good to me.

- Scribes write the document, and it is sent out hurriedly (3-4 months for all people to receive it)

- Last words Xerxes and Haman drink, the people are in confusion.

- Timing Esther and Mordecai probably had the full 11 months to prepare, some would only have 5, 6, 7 months).

- The decree comes on the 13th day of the first month (Mar/Apr). The Jews are hearing this news one day before they will celebrate the Passover. The day before they will celebrate God’s deliverance and saving of their people, they hear they will all die…Confusion.

Take Away:

- Text ends with a huge problem…They have a death sentence that they can do nothing about.

- Been this way since the garden, and still that way today.

- We have a death sentence we doing nothing about…apart from Jesus.