Esther 9-10

Esther 9-10:3

Introduction:

- We have come a long way in 10 chapters, over a decade of time has passed.

- This narrative has come a long way from those beginning chapters when Esther and Mordecai were a couple of random Jewish people in the empire of King Ahasuerus.

- Esther has finally revealed who she is and who her people are…she shares with the King that her people have had a death sentenced pronounced upon them under the leadership of Haman, but also at the approval of the King through his signet ring.

- After hearing this the King, has Haman executed on the gallows that were erected for Mordecai.

- This was not enough for Esther…she wanted the salvation of her people people…so again she pleads with the king.

- Chapter 8:6, “How can I bare to see the calamity that is coming to my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?

- He doesn’t completely understand and tells her she can issue an edict…So Mordecai who has now taken the place of Haman issues an edict that the Jewish people can defend themselves and plunder those who would try to come against them.

- The edict is sent out on the royal horses and spread through the empire.

- As word spreads the people go from sorrow to gladness and joy, and fear grew among non-Jewish people and they began to identify themselves as Jews.

The Outcome of the Edict (1-20)

- These first 20 verses of the passage share the outcome of Mordecai’s edict.

- The construction of these verses is a little confusing…If you notice it talks about the destruction of Haman’s sons twice.

- What the writer does here is gives a summary of the events, stops to interject a specific conversation, and then finishes the summary.

- The end of V1 sums it up well…”the reverse occurred.”

o READ V1B

- Several months have passed and the establish day for the destruction and execution of the Jews has arrived.

- The Jewish people have gathered in their cities through all the empire and have made ready to defend themselves against anyone who would bring them harm.

- The writer throws a little note that we will return to a little later, that during this time Mordecai has risen to fame and power within the kings household.

- Then jumps back to his summary and tells us that the Jews defended themselves, strike down their enemies, 500 in Susa, including the 10 sons of Haman.

- Note they did not lay a hand on their plunder.

- The writer focuses on this conversation with Esther and Queen…500 have been killed here in the city, surely that is reflective of the rest of the empire…what do you want me to do?

- Esther’s response is let them do it one more day…so the King agrees…The 10 sons of Haman are executed, and another 300 are killed in Susa.

- Then jumping back into the summary we find that 75,000 have been killed throughout the Kings empire.

- Again, they did not lay hands on their plunder only defended themselves.

- Then the people move very quickly from self-defense to celebrating and feasting.

- All weeks when I have study this part I have had the only lines of “I Just Want to Celebrate” by Rare Earth stuck in my head.

I just want to celebrate another day of livin’

I just want to celebrate another day of life

A Celebration (20-32)

- Mordecai see’s that what they are celebrating and sees this a good things…So he writes a letter establishing these two days are days of celebration and feasting.

- The purpose was to be a constant reminder…V2 when they received relief from their enemies…sorrow turned to joy…mourning into a holiday…

- The name is taken from Pur (lots/dice) that Haman had rolled early in the narrative to determine the day of the Jews destruction.

- The name signified that Haman has cast pur before his gods to determine the day, but the One true God determines everything.

- They show mercy to one another (no pluner and share food)

- To this day the Jewish people celebrate Purium.

- Each year during the feast of Purium the Jewish people read the story of Esther aloud…(1st click rocks together…clacker toys…) when Hamans name is read, so that it can’t be heard.

- Wrote his name on the bottom of their shoes…stomp feet…rubs off…showing he had be removed from the face of earth.

- The religious Jewish calendar is bookend with two feast First- Passover (Nisan) and Ends – Purium (Adar)

- They begin by celebrating the relief and release from Egypt and end with celebrating their relief from Haman.

A Comparison of Power (10:1-3)

- The King reinstates the taxes that he had lifted in the beginning…Shows his power.

- Then also other things.

- Mordecai had risen to fame and power in chapter 9

- Chapter 10 Mordecai was great and popular because he loved the people and sought their welfare and peace.

Final Challenges…

1. Because we have received mercy, let us show mercy…

2. Celebrate what matters, rather then grumble over

what we don’t have…

- What we celebrate reflects what is important to us.

- Do we celebrate people and the relief and freedom that have found in Christ Jesus?

3. Be found faithful and revered because we seek the welfare of people, not our position,

- If we are going to celebrate people we have to go after people.

- Who’s Your One – Thirty Day Prayer Guide