ESTHER

God’s Providential Queen

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Esther 5 & 6 Summary

• Esther’s Banquets set God’s “Checkmate” in motion
• Esther uses court knowledge & Xerxes’ vices
• Haman & Xerxes buttered up
• Haman deceived by his own hubris
• Haman gets impulsive after bad advice, builds the gallows that he winds up dying on later

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• Xerxes’ insomnia leads to learning of Mordecai
• Unintentionally deceives Haman into honoring Mordecai
• Zeresh now worried, might be the end for them

Haman’s No Good Very Bad Day

V. 6-8

• Esther’s plan works
• “This adversary, enemy, vile Haman!”
• Xerxes leaves in a rage, stunned
• Haman now sees the trap, his fate

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• Haman begs Esther for his life
• From Vizier to beggar
• Esther’s final move – theology of place

Haman’s No Good Very Bad Day

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V. 8-10

• Xerxes returns just as Haman begs at Esther’s feet
• Esther ensures she is reclining at that moment
• Royals could recline, guests sat
• Now it is Esther’s turn to invoke Persian customs

Esther ch. 1

King’s Banquet

Esther ch. 7

Queen’s Banquet

Queen’s Banquet – the Sofreh

Sofreh term for banquets hosted by Persian women

• Esther ch. 1- Vashti’s banquet for the women
• Sofreh Aghd – wedding feast/spousal affection
• Queen’s way of using protocol, in that moment, to be the host, the master of the feast

• In this moment, this place, Esther’s royal privilege could be wielded
• Reclining Royal of the Feast– Esther
• Haman invades her space, uninvited

Haman’s No Good Very Bad Day

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V. 8-10

• Xerxes returns just as Haman begs at Esther’s feet
• Esther ensures she is reclining at that moment
• Royals could recline, guests sat
• Haman falls on the couch, onto Esther
• Xerxes, v. 8
• “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?!”

Haman’s End: God Has His Vengeance

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V. 8-10

• Notice Harbona the eunuch is quick to tell Xerxes about the 75 ft. impaling pole at Haman’s estate
• Adds that Haman intended it for Mordecai, “who spoke up to help the King.” V. 9

Xerxes immediately orders Haman’s execution on the poles/gallows….then Xerxes’ fury subsided

Esther 8

Esther 8:1-8

• Haman’s dead…now what?
• Esther, Mordecai, & Xerxes
• Esther’s heritage revealed
• Mordecai has Haman’s position of power
• Dealing with the “edict of the King”
• Esther’s appeal for a chance

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Properties of Traitors Go to the King

Esther 8:1 – estate of Haman goes to Esther

• Behistun inscription gives details about the property of “Liar Kings” and traitors
• Seize assets
• Redistribute favor

Esther has won Xerxes’

favor & attention

Signet Rings

Esther 8:2 – “The king took off his signet ring…”

• Genesis 41:42 –

“Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen, and put the gold necklace around his neck.”

• Jeremiah 22:24 –
• “...signet ring on my right hand, I would pull you off"
• Song of Solomon –
• “Set me as a seal upon your heart”

Signet Rings

Esther 8:2 – “The king took off his signet ring…”

• Symbol of authority, voice of the King
• If something bore the signet of Xerxes, legit

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Xerxes’ Counsel: Esther & Mordecai

Esther 8:3-6

• Not the first time a Persian King married a “non-Persian”; Esther reveals her ancestry
• Herodotus records the fluid nature the Persians Kings held regarding who was “Persian”
• Esther as “Jewess” is problematic only if she is the “Mother of Heirs”

Xerxes’ Counsel: Esther & Mordecai

Esther 8:3-6

• Esther’s emotions pour out
• Humble, but still leaning on protocol
• V.5 –
• “If it pleases the King”
• “If he is pleased with me…”
• Xerxes’ response
• Reciprocity given (Haman’s estate for his plans)
• V. 7 – “write another decree…”

Xerxes’ Counsel: Esther & Mordecai

Esther 8:8

• Persian King, but subject to protocol
• Ezra 5 & 6 –
• Governor questions temple project, official word to Darius, Darius finds archived Cyrus decree in Ectabana
• Illustrates protocol
• Pressures on Jews continue

(Jehuda coin)

Xerxes’ Counsel: Esther & Mordecai

Esther 8:8 –”...cannot be revoked”

• Persian King, but subject to protocol
• Recalling a decree outright meant the King wasn’t always right and perfect
• Quick way to get rebel Persian families to overthrow you as a “false” king
• Xerxes already had dubious claim
• Xerxes needed a solution within the law
• Esther has proven to him she is clever

Xerxes’ Counsel: Esther & Mordecai

Esther 8:8 –”...cannot be revoked”

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1. Herodotus estimated travel time…possible?

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1. Haman’s edict about 2 months ago, too late to stop?

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Xerxes’ Counsel: Esther & Mordecai

Esther 8:9-14

• Decree from Xerxes with the royal signet must carry same weight as prior edict to “balance” it
• Couldn’t rescind outright
• V. 7 tells us he replied to both Esther & Mordecai
• Together they proposed a decree to give them a chance to fight back

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• Adar & Nisan
• 12th/13th/1st month
• Lunisolar calendar
• months/dates fluid by

days/weeks for holidays

• Haman’s plot
• Issued month prior to

Passover; Adar

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• Esther’s Fast/Feasts
• Purim
• 3 day feast
• Destruction→Redemption

Haman’s Pur cast

Esther’s Fast, Date of Destruction

Persian Courier System

• Little under 3,000 miles east to west (2.1 million sq. miles)
• Royal Road from Susa to Sardis about 1,500 miles long
• Claim traversal in 9-10 days via courier system
• Every 15 mi. trade off to new horse/rider
• About 3 months travel otherwise

Persian Courier System

• Herodotus, Xenophon, Ctesias, confirm the claims
• King’s “express” horses used in highest priority affairs
• Herodotus’ account of Thermopylae, then Marathon

Xerxes wins either way here

Esther 8:9-14

• New decree turns a “revolt” into what is effectively state-sanctioned civil war, with the Crown granting legitimacy to both sides
• “Purge” situation of sanctioned violence
• Why sanction a civil war?

Compare Haman & Mordecai’s Edicts

Esther 3:13

“Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods.”

Esther 8:11

“The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children,[b] and to plunder the property of their enemies. 12 The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.”

Precedent for Such Decrees?

Ezra 4

• V. 6 & 7 – complaints about the Jews uprising during Xerxes’ reign, then his son’s
• Constant pressure from the Jewish enemies
• Darius vs. Oroetes, The Three Letters
• Herodotus
• Darius used the signet ring to officially condone one force to attack another
• State-sanctioned “mini-wars”

Precedent for Such Decrees?

• Conflict between satraps was forbidden unless sanctioned by the Crown
• Rebellion vs. sanctioned, but unaffiliated, Kingly decrees
• Checks and balances system established

Haman’s Decree: Mass Genocide

Haman’s Decree: Mass Genocide

• Satrap of Yehud
• Sub-administrative unit of Eber-Nari
• “Other side of the river”
• Maybe 40,000 or so inhabitants, about 1,500 in Jerusalem proper
• Persian Empire:
• about 50 million
• Jews scattered?

Persian Royal Gifts

Esther 1:15 – Mordecai is clothed in royalty

“...wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen.”

• Tyrian purple over the blue and white signaled the King’s highest favor

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Triumph of the Jews is Possible

Esther 8:15-16

“And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. 16 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor.”

• Haman was not popular

Persian Jews Grow in Number

Esther 8:17 –

“...many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.

• Many converted/adopted Jewish identity
• Sides being chosen; unclear what the “Crown” supported
• Enforce the first or second edict?
• Take our chances with the Jews or the Loyalists?

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Questions/Comments?

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Esther 9

Esther 9

• Esther & Mordecai’s plan is executed
• Allegiances divided– Loyalists to which decree?
• Chance for enemies of the Jews to act
• Jewish redemption: God’s providence in play
• Mordecai orchestrates the Jewish defense; Esther lands the final blow herself on the Agagite legacy
• Legacy of Fasts & Feasts

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Esther 9

Esther 9:1-10

• Jews triumphant; noone could stand against them
• 500 killed in Susa, all 10 of Haman’s sons
• Did not loot, although had permission

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• Esther asks for an extension
• She’s not finished yet

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Esther 9

Esther 9:3-4

• Mordecai’s new position was known
• “All nobles, satraps, administrators helped the Jews, fear of Mordecai had seized them.”
• Haman is gone, no profit in following his decree
• Could they even rally to defeat around 1 million Jews?
• Mordecai, as Vizier, commanded royal bodyguard
• Ear of the King, who knows Mordecai & Esther are Jews

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Esther 9

Esther 9:11-19

• Esther’s final request is granted by Xerxes
• 300 more in Susa; 75,000 across the Empire
• Haman’s sons on display
• Jewish enemies of Persia:
• Those who hated them for their

identity, not patriotism

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Fast of Esther, Feast of Purim

• Esther 9:20-31
• Festival of Purim established
• 12th to 14th of Adar recognized
• 15th added as celebration day later
• V. 32 – “Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, and it was written down in the records.”
• A Queen of Persia wields the voice of the throne
• Divine Passive form is heavy in chapters 8 & 9
• “Because God”, “by God”

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Fast of Esther, Feast of Purim

• “Purim” – casting lots
• Memory of Haman’s means of destruction
• Esther’s 3 day fast & wine feast afterward
• Esther 9:26-28
• Made official Jewish custom by Mordecai & Esther
• Rabbinical traditions later added
• Stomping, clapping, hissing when “Haman” is spoken
• יִמַּח שְׁמוֹ וְזִכְרוֹ (yimakh shemo baitzikhro)
• “Let his name and memory be erased/perish”

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Fast of Esther, Feast of Purim

• Read the “Megillah” twice (evening & morning) in a synagogue
• Noisemakers to drown out Haman’s name
• Send gifts to friends and family of food and drink
• Give to the poor
• Meal often with wine
• Wear carnival-like masks (hidden nature of book)
• Effigies of Haman (older tradition)

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Fast of Esther, Feast of Purim

• חג פורים שמח (chag Purim samach)
• Happy Purim!
• Hamantasch or ozni Haman
• Haman cakes or “Haman’s ears”
• Filled with hidden treats
• Bribes offered/secrets hidden
• 3 Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob

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Esther 10 & 9:32

• A celebration of Mordecai’s influence
• A confirmation of Esther’s power & role in preserving the story
• Xerxes demands tribute throughout the land in celebration
• 10:2 – “written in the book of the annals”
• Who kept those?

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