Scripture Reading: The Book of Esther
We wouldn’t want to leave our study of women without looking into the life of Esther. Like Ruth, there is a book of the Bible called by Esther’s name. We know that the headings in our Bibles are not part of the inspired Word of God. They are put there by man to help us in studying and referring to Scripture. Esther and Ruth are the only two books with the name of women as the title. They did not write the books.
“Holy men of old wrote as they were moved of the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21)
You are urged to read the entire book of Esther along with this lesson. We are not going to study the book as a whole, but rather look at the book through our study of Women. To understand Esther’s life and how the Lord used her, we need to look into some background of the time and place where she lived.
The book of Esther took place at a time that the Jewish people were scattered abroad throughout the nations. King Ahasuerus reigned in the country where Esther lived. He reigned over 127 provinces from India unto Ethiopia. The Jewish people tried through all their problems to always worship the true God of Israel even while living in countries who didn’t believe in God and worshipped idols and other gods. It was in this condition that Esther grew up. She was an orphan and was raised by Mordecai who was a relative who took her to raise when her father and mother died. He was among those Jews that were in captivity. He cared for her as if she were his own daughter, and taught her concerning the true God of Israel. She looked to him as a father, and she relied on his wisdom and advice.
We will see as we continue in our study of Esther that this obedience to her “father,” and her relying on his wisdom and advice helped in Esther being used of the Lord in the preservation of the nation of Israel. God had a plan to use Esther to deliver Israel and her yielding to God made it possible for her to carry out this privilege of serving her God.
There are a few other women mentioned in this book of Esther. Most of them are not even mentioned by name; however there is one that we want to look at because it was because of her that a door was opened for Esther to be able to serve God and to be a part in the saving of the Jews.
Ahasuerus’ wife, Queen Vashti is mentioned in the first chapter of Esther. There isn’t much given about her. King Ahasuerus had a great party to show off how much he owned. It went on for seven days, and he had served in vessels of gold. He had “one of kind” of these to show off. He had much riches and power to brag about and show to his visitors. Then he thought of his wife who was beautiful and he called for her to come and show off her beauty. Vashti refused to come! This was something not heard of! Imagine not obeying the king! We can admire Vashti in this. Think of what was being asked of her to come into the party of all the drunk men to show off her beautiful body! But, of course, her refusal caused problems for Vashti. She was put out as queen, and all her possessions taken from her. Her punishment was great; however, we can see the Lord working through this. It was because of King Ahasuerus’ need for a new queen that Esther was able to get in a position to help the Jews.
King Ahasuerus was looking for a new queen. The suggestion was made to him that all the beautiful young virgins of his providence be brought in for him to choose a queen. Esther was one of these beautiful young ladies who was brought to the palace. Mordecai, who worked outside the palace, passed by each day to check and watch to see that Esther was doing alright. He told Esther not to reveal, at this time, that she was one of the Jewish young ladies. When the king saw Esther, he was especially pleased and showed her extra favors. Each young lady was to wait until the king called for her.
While all this was going on, many of the men of the country were wanting to get rid of all the Jews. The Jews were persecuted and ridiculed. One man named Haman, who had been appointed above all the princes was especially plotting a way to get rid of the Jews. Haman went to the king and told him about all these Jews that had come as captives. He told the king that the Jews were making trouble. He said they had their own laws and that they wouldn’t obey the laws of the king. He also asked permission to offer a reward for anyone who would help to destroy them and bring their profits to the king. This pleased the king and he gave Haman authority to carry this out. Haman especially hated Mordecai. Mordecai was one who would not bow to Haman, and, of course, this angered Haman.
Thus it was declared throughout all the 127 provinces that everyone should do all they could to destroy the Jews. Mordecai was grieved about this. While this was all going on, the king had chosen his new queen. He chose Esther! One day Esther noticed that Mordecai was sitting outside the gate looking so sad and was clothed in sackcloth. She sent one of her servants out to find out what the problem was. Mordecai told the servant about Haman’s plan, and even sent a copy of the degree to Esther. The decree told about money being offered to anyone helping to destroy the Jews. Mordecai wanted Esther to go to the king and seek help. Esther reminded Mordecai that no one, not even the queen, could go to the king unless he had asked for them. She didn’t think she could help in this way.
In chapter 4 and verses 13-14 Mordecai sent word to Esther that even she wouldn’t escape if all the Jews were destroyed. Then he said,
“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 was showing Esther that perhaps the Lord had brought her to this very place and time, for this very purpose. He and all the Jews had been praying much about the situation, and felt that perhaps that is why God had seen to it that Esther had become Queen. Esther sent a message back to Mordecai in verse 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.”
The Jews did pray for Esther. After three days of prayer, Esther put on her royal apparel and stood in the inner court of the king’s house. When the king saw her he showed favor to her and called her in. Esther was very brave to do this. It could have even meant her death. However, the Lord was in control. He had heard their prayers. He had planned things this way for the saving of the Jews. Knowing the power of her God, Esther had trusted that He would deliver her. If not, she was willing to perish trying to help her people.
Esther was certainly in a hard place. It seemed the saving of the Jewish people depended upon her; and yet,. she was not allowed to go to the king, unless he called her. She made a decision to help. She asked Mordecai and the Jews to be praying and fasting. She, also, was praying and fasting. We all have decisions to make that are sometimes very hard. We, too, must bring this to the Lord and be open to act as He leads.
After three days of prayer, Esther prepared herself in royal clothing and went to the inner court of the King’s house and waited. The king sat on the royal throne. The king looked up and saw her. This must have been a very tense time for Esther. This could have caused severe punishment, even death. However, when the king saw her, he held out to her the golden scepter, which was an invitation to come in. In chapter 5 verse 3, the king said to Esther,
“What will you, Queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be given thee to the half of the kingdom.”
How good Esther must have felt! She had found favour with the king, and now she had the opportunity to serve the Lord in helping the Jewish people. Esther was wise in the way she handled the situation. She didn’t just come out with accusations against Haman. Instead, she respectfully spoke to the king in verse 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.”
Haman didn’t know the God of Israel was leading Esther. He went home bragging about being the only person that Esther had invited to the King’s banquet. He felt so elated and important that now his plan to get rid of the Jews, and especially Mordecai, could be carried out. He even built a gallows to hang Mordecai.
“So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther, the queen. And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet, 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.”
With much respect and honor to the king, her husband, Esther told him her request. In verses 3 and 4 she said, “…let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish.”
King Ahasuerus was very angry and asked who would dare do such a thing! Esther answered that the adversary and enemy was the wicked Haman! When the king learned of all that Haman was doing, he had him hung on the very gallows that Haman had prepared for Mordecai.
After much prayer by herself and others, Esther had the courage and strength to go forward to help the Jewish people. She had realized that perhaps this was the very reason that God had put her in this position. She also was willing to perish in trying to serve the Lord by helping to save the Jews.
Esther had told the king about Mordecai being her “father”. King Ahasuerus gave Esther and Mordecai many riches, and Mordecai was promoted. Things had worked out so well for Esther and Mordecai. But what about all the Jews scattered over the 127 provinces? The decree had gone out that they should be killed!
Esther once again decided to try to help the Jewish people. She again went to the king. Verse 3 of chapter 8 reads,
“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.”
We should especially notice, in verse 5, how respectful and humble Esther was when she asked these things of the King. She used such expressions as, “If it please the king,” “if this thing seem right to you,” and “if it be pleasing in your eyes.” Esther didn’t use the fact that he loved her, nor demand anything. She did however, get over to the king that she and Mordecai were not only safe, but better off; but the remainder of the Jews were still in trouble.
King Ahasuerus gave Esther and Mordecai the power to send out the word that the Jews were not to be slain, and that they could take up arms to protect themselves. He gave Mordecai his ring for a seal to the proclamation.
There were many battles, but the Jewish people were saved. Remember that Mordecai had told Esther, (4:13-14) that if she didn’t act, the God of Israel could raise up someone else to save the nation of Israel. Mordecai was reminding Esther that the God of Israel had always preserved the nation, and would again. But perhaps this time was her opportunity to serve.
And so it was that the Lord used Esther to help to save the Jewish people from being destroyed.
As we study such women as Ruth and Esther, and the other women we have considered, we can get many lessons for ourselves. Yes, the Lord can use us. Just as we see these women in all their humility, and good judgment, and willingness to yield to whatever the Lord brings, we, too, can be used. We will never be ask to do what Ruth or Esther did, but we do have the privilege and responsibility to yield to the guidance of the Lord and His Word to fulfill what He has for us to do today. Let us be like Esther and not just rest when things are going so well for us. But rather see the need of others. Sometimes, we are content that we and our children all have the Lord as Saviour. But what about the many boys and girls who do not know Him? Many children are in homes where they never hear of the Lord, and that He loved them and gave Himself to die for them.
Many wives and mothers don’t have the peace that passes all understanding. We must share the Word with them. We should be alert to every door that is open to serve our Wonderful Lord.
