Esther 1: Party Problems

The events in the book of Esther take place about 55 to 65 years after the Babylonian exile of the Jewish people had ended. The story is set in Susa, the primary capital of the Persian Empire during the reign of Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes). Chronologically, this places it in the middle of the book of Ezra—after the second temple in Jerusalem was dedicated in 516 BC, but prior to Ezra leading a group of exiles to Jerusalem (in 458 BC).

Faithlife Study Bible Introduction to Esther

Esther functions like a play, using irony, tragedy, and comedy

Introducing King Headache

Ahasuerus = King Xerxes

The Persian king Ahasuerus reigned from 486 to 465 BC; he was the son of Darius I, who is mentioned in Ezra and Nehemiah (e.g., Ezra 4:5; Neh 12:22)

Ahasuerus sounds kind of like “headache” in Hebrew

This is the first plot clue that things are not going to go well for God’s people.

What do we learn about this king?

He was extremely powerful (v. 1-2)

The Persian empire was the largest and most powerful empire at the time

At this point, Xerxes was a successful military ruler who ended rebellions in both Egypt and Babylon (around 484 BC) prior to the time of the book of Esther.

He was ridiculously rich (v. 3-9)

He hosts a six month feast and then another seven day feast.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 1

The length of the banquet, the roster of invitees, and the king’s decision to display his wealth suggests this may have been the military planning session for Persia’s invasion of Greece, which took place from 480–479 BC.

This party makes the Met Galla look like church pot luck dinner.

Herodotus related an incident that occurred during Xerxes’ retreat from Greece when the king left his tent in one of the abandoned camps. The Greeks were astounded to find gold and silver couches in the tent. They asked one another why the rich Persian king would want to conquer their Greek “poverty.”

The Medes and Persians had a law that whenever the king drank, everyone drank. This phrase may refer to the temporary negation of this law or to each person being allowed to drink however much he desired.

Greek historian Herodotus notes that the Persians often deliberated upon important matters while drunk and then made final decisions the day after, while sober. He also notes that, at times, they would deliberate while sober and then reconsider their decision while under the influence of alcohol (Herodotus, Histories 1.133).

He was insecure and petty (v.10-22)

Crown of his wealth – his wife (literally a trophy wife)

Vashti refuses – not only embarrassing but potentially politically harmful. He was trying to gain support to go to war. If he could not control his own wife, how could he command an army?

Cabinet – this could break down the order of society. I mean what would happen if wives suddenly started having opinions of their own?

A decree must be made that goes throughout the empire to ensure wives honor their husbands. I mean how do you enforce this?

What can we learn from this chapter?

Appearances can be deceiving

The king and his leadership look petty, wasteful, unstable, and rash (the most powerful man on the planet has been shown he can be manipulated and controlled by those beneath him).

They seemed to be more marked by insecurity than by confident assurance. There is a bit of humor in reading this.

Think of how the original audience would have reacted to this book. It’s like God is communicating to his people, “take a good look at your enemy”. They outwardly appear as if they are invincible and on top, but they are crumbling at the core.

The Jews were facing twin dangers:

To completely assimilate in the culture (these were the Jews that didn’t return home; they are still in exile).

To be given over to hopelessness and despair. A defeated mentality that robs your joy.

We face the same temptation today.

The pressures of living in an increasing post-Christian society can cause a lot of stress.

How will we respond?

Cave and change;

Become bitter and angry;

Feel anxious and helpless;

Prayerful and purposeful;

Rescue through providence

One of the key features of this book is that there is no mention of God, the laws, sacrifices, prayer not mentioned (except fasting)

This made the scholars of The Septuagint so uncomfortable they added 6 passages to the text to “smooth” things out.

God works in our world through two means:

Through miracle - He just makes it happen (Egypt, Red Sea)

Through providence - How He normally operates (ordinary means)

Most of us, in our time of need, want the Red Sea parted, but most often God will bring our rescue in ordinary ways.

One of the reasons why God included this story in His plan of redemption was to show us that He rescues this way. Just because we do not see a Red Sea parted, does not mean God is not busy behind the scenes working for our good.

We need to know He is powerful enough to solve our problems instantly, but He is still good when He rescues through ordinary means.

While we wait...

We pray for patience and trust.

We preach truths from Scripture to our souls.

Long for a better king

As we look at this king headache, whom God has allowed to rule over his people, we should rightly reflect on our True King.

See Christ is unlike Ahasuerus in almost every way.

He is powerful, but He uses His power to serve rather than suppress.

He is rich, but He doesn’t invite us just to see and temporarily enjoy, but to inherit and own.

He is forgiving. We offend Him and sin against Him, but instead of worrying about His image, he "emptied himself” and became “obedient to the death, even death on a cross” so that our sins can be forgiven and that we can truly know Him.

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