Ester 8

Ester 8

Morris has an interesting thought on "the Book" noting that "Although this book and its records have not been found (perhaps destroyed by later emperors or conquerors), the essential historicity of the events is confirmed by the long-continued observance of the feast-days of Purim--an observance which could never have been initiated and sustained otherwise." Esther 10:3 For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews and in favor with his many kinsmen, one who sought the good of his people and one who spoke for the welfare of his whole nation.: Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus - Mordecai joins other renowned Jewish statesmen like Joseph, who ranked second in the Egyptian dynasty (Ge 41:37–45), and Daniel, who succeeded in both the Babylonian (Da 2:46–49; 5:29) and Medo-Persian Empires (Da 6:28). Spurgeon exhorts us... let each child of God rejoice that we have a guardian so near the throne. Every Jew in Shushan must have felt hope when he remembered that the queen was a Jewess. Today let us be glad that Jesus is exalted. HCSB Study Bible writes that "The book of Esther ends with a picture of peace and tranquility, with Jewish people "living in harmony and mutual goodwill with the Gentile majority, under Jewish leaders who are respected and admired by the rulers, yet who are openly identified with the Jewish community and unashamed to advance its interests and to speak out in its defense" (J. Levenson, Esther, p. 234). Ryrie has a historical note "Mordecai held the office of first minister no longer than eight years, for secular history records that another man was in that office in 465 B.C." Here is David Guzik's summary of God's providential hand in Esther and what He arranged to transpire... · God arranged for the noble Queen Vashti to lose her place. · God arranged for a competition to replace Queen Vashti. · God arranged for Esther to enter the competition. · God arranged special favor for Esther among the other women. · God arranged for Mordecai to have access to both Esther and the affairs of the kingdom. · God arranged the lot that was cast to give 11 months warning before the evil event (Esther 3:12-13). · God arranged that the decree command that the Jews be killed by private hands, instead of by the army of Persia - which would have been much more difficult to stop. · God arranged that Haman restrain his anger and not kill Mordecai immediately (Esther 5:10). · God arranged for Esther to delay her request; first asking for a banquet with the king and then another banquet. · God arranged for Haman’s anger to come to a peak on one particular day. · God arranged for Ahasuerus to have a sleepless night. · God arranged for Ahasuerus to pick up a certain book in his sleepless night. · God arranged for Ahasuerus to read the passage about Mordecai in that particular book. Spurgeon sums up the book of Esther... There it is; man is a free agent in what he does, responsible for his actions, and verily guilty when he does wrong, and he will be justly punished too, and if he be lost the blame will rest with himself alone: but yet there is One who ruleth over all, who, without complicity in their sin, makes even the actions of wicked men to subserve his holy and righteous purposes. Believe these two truths and you will see them in practical agreement in daily life, though you will not be able to devise a theory for harmonizing them on paper.