LESSON 1, INTRODUCTION:

Let's invest some time in the Old Testament Book of Esther! In all these years of Website Bible studies I have not discussed that enigmatic little Book at all, not as a series anyway!

One of the first things said about Esther, the Book, is that God's Name does not appear in it. While that's grammatically true, one must admit that the "Presence" of God is surely there!

According to Second Timothy 3:16 God even wrote the Book! Through the Person of the Holy Spirit. Yes, Esther is God-breathed! That means "without mistake" too!

That's enough information to make characters like King Ahasuerus, Queen Vashti, Mordecai and Esther sound quite interesting!

Additionally, the Book is filled, I think, with typology. That means symbolism, patterns of Truth illustrated more fully later in the Bible! Let's discover some of these and delight in the beauty of God's Word!

We shall, Lord willing, talk about some of these things as the daily lessons are composed and posted here for your enjoyment.

Anyone excited?

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 2, CHAPTER 1 OF ESTHER:

The Book of Esther has a total of ten chapters. It's first one contains twenty-two verses. It's quite a story too, full of practical thoughts.

A man who is King of the Persians and the Medes is entertaining certain guests at a social event, at a "party." The event lasted 180 days, according to Esther 1:4, a long time indeed!

The decorations were extremely lavish, the food and drinks abundant. In other words, the King was "showing off!" Even to the point, likely intoxicated by now, Ahasuerus called for his lovely Queen Vashti. He wanted to put her on public display too! Here's the text: "Bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him."

Now what could have been a small, contained, relatively quiet family "disagreement" blossoms into a national crisis!

A "cabinet" meeting is then held. What do do with the situation, a disobedient wife? Goodness, his inebriated counselors thought, if she is allowed to do this, rebuff the King, no telling what might happen. All the wives of the kingdom might follow her example. "Let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she." The Queen is gone, deposed!

The Holy Spirit is here of course laying the foundation for the Jewish girl Esther to become the next Queen! So even this early in the Book God is on the scene, clearly at work!

The lesson for today? Settle family issues privately, not publicly!

Also the Narrator here is painting the King as a spoiled brat! An ostentatious monarch who wants to vainly display his wealth, possessions, his ego! That's a second lesson really. Be humble, not proud! Be meek, not angry!

Tomorrow in chapter 2 we shall see the Lord further at work. The whole Book of Esther focuses on the fact that God can preserve His people. That "Israel" is a special nation.

This Book is certainly housed in the right place, the Holy Bible, the Word of God. We all, me included, need to know this story better. And the exciting spiritual and practical trusts it will reveal.

                    --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 3, ESTHER CHAPTER 2:

There's a verse in Proverbs which says, "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." Proverbs 21:1

In other words, God is so great that He can rule in the affairs of men. Even in matters of state.

Esther chapter 2 illustrates this principle. There the Persian King Ahasuerus is looking for a wife, a Queen. He has his emissaries scour the Nation, looking for appropriate candidates. "Virgins" we are told, using the Hebrew noun "bethulah."

Knowing the "plot" of the Book, that one of its major themes is anti-Semitism or hatred of the Jewish people, God has in place a certain young Jewish maiden. Raised by her cousin Mordecai, Esther was a lovely young lady, and a likely entree for the "contest."

After a year of "preparation," Esther was introduced to the King. And Ahasuerus was overwhelmed! Here's the Text, Esther 2:16-17. "So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti."

They say God's Name as Such is not mentioned in Esther. That's true. At least in any plain way. But we have just seen God at work! He has clearly placed the right lady as Queen! A fact that will be extremely critical to the rest of the story! A Jewess as Queen of Persia! And so far, no one knows her nationality except Mordecai and Esther and ... God!

Back to Proverbs, this time 20:24. "Man's goings are of the Lord." Surely Esther chapter 2 is proof that the Real King sits in Heaven today.

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Here's one  more thing. If God is that omnipotent and that omniscient, can't He control and arrange the situations in my life, in yours? Yes, of course He can, without a doubt!

LESSON 4, ESTHER CHAPTER 2, ITS LAST PARAGRAPH:

The Book of Esther records a kind deed done by a Jewish man, Mordecai. This act went virtually unnoticed, unrewarded. The man saved the life of his King, Ahasuerus of Persia.

"In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king." Esther 2:21-23

The term "lay hands on" interpretively means "to harm, to kill" the Monarch. And, as with every other detail of political life, the deed of Mordecai was properly recorded in the national archives.

But several years later, this same King, on a sleepless night, called his servants and asked that a "slice" of the history books be read to him! What a strange request!

Here's what the Esther narrator tells us next: "On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him." Esther 6:1-3

The King NOW is going to reward the forgotten deed! And his "reward" ultimately equates to the sparing of Mordecai and his whole race, the Israelites!

The heart of Lesson is this, "Little things done in the right spirit today ... just might lead to further "blessings" tomorrow!

God rewards kindness!

And just "why" should we Christians be so kind? Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:32. "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Amen!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 5, ESTHER CHAPTER 3:

The Book of Esther, of perennial interest to multitudes, has a "plot." A life and death one! It's built on the theme of hatred of a particular race of people too, anti-Semitism it's now called.

A man named Haman rose to prominence in the Persian government, in the sixth century before Christ. Haman was an Agagite, his people historically being fierce enemies of the Jews.

And if you remember a man named Mordecai, a practicing Jew, was a less esteemed member of that same court as well. Just a low ranking assistant to King Ahasuerus.

Well, Haman lied to the King, telling him falsehoods about the Jewish population. Without specifically naming them though! Listen to his horrible plot: "And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed ...." Esther 3:8-9

And the King, foolishly so, agreed!

And to "lure" the people of Persia into helping with this genocide, any properties the Jews owned would become possessions of the killers! Here's Esther 3:13, the Royal "Order of Execution" so to speak: "And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, and to take the spoil of them for a prey."

Hatred!

So after this death edict is issued: "The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed." Esther 3:15, where "perplexed" means "confused." Yes confused, but greedy enough to kill for reward!

Esther chapter 3, an illustration of how some people hate, or can be incited to hate, God's Chosen Nation Israel!

Folks, each Country in world history, so far anyway, that has risen to destroy the Jews ... has been severely chastened of God!

Let me go on record today. I'll be a friend to Israel! After all, Jesus my Saviour is a Jew!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 6, ESTHER CHAPTER 4, AN UNAPPROACHABLE KING:

An edict has been signed authorizing the slaughter of a whole race of people! The Jews will be slain in less than a year, all of them living in the ancient land of Persia.

One man has learned of this nefarious plan. His name is Mordecai, a godly Israelite living in Persia's capital city, Shushan.

Mordecai informs Esther, also a Jew and now the Queen of Persia, of the plot. She didn't even know! Surely, Mordecai thinks, Esther will be able to persuade the King to "change" the now validated law. About the upcoming genocide!

But there's a custom in place, no one can "approach" the King without an invitation. Esther 4:11 explains the cultural ramifications. "All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days." Wow!

Kill anyone who approaches the Leader, no questions asked! Now that's a high and mighty monarch, despotic apparently!

Therefore Esther, even though she is the King's Wife, naturally hesitates at pleading the Jewish Cause before the King!

More of Esther chapter 4, its truths and applications, tomorrow. Concerning the decision Queen Esther finally makes.

But for today this needs to be pondered. A King who cannot be approached! Who kills any of his people who need to consult him! Who is so self-centered that "others" are non-entities!

I want to thank God that He is not that way! That Jesus Christ is not an exclusivist! That the way of salvation is open!

That Jesus often preached, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37

That John 3:16 is still in the Bible! "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Jesus, unlike Persian King Ahasuerus, actually invites people to come before Him! "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

What a difference!

The door to the Old Testament Tabernacle, the outer court entrance, was 30 feet wide, twenty cubits!

Anyone could come!

Praise the Lord.

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 7, ESTHER CHAPTER 4, TWO GREAT QUOTES:

There are two statements in the latter half of Esther chapter four that have been quoted and applied countless times in the lives of God's children. One is made by Mordecai, a godly Jew. And the other by Esther, also Jewish but additionally the Queen of Persia!

All these words are spoken in an atmosphere of dread, fear really. The Race to which Mordecai and Esther belong, the Israelites, are on the verge of being decimated, slain, to the last individual!

A plot devised by the arch-enemy Haman is about to reach fruition. The Devil has always hated the Jews. Because they are God's "chosen" people, this little Nation.

Esther has been a little hesitant about approaching the King, Ahasuerus her Husband! She needs to ask him to halt the coming mass execution!

Mordecai uses these words to encourage her: "Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14

Esther, God may have given you the kingdom to deliver your own people! This is the time to act!

Each of us lives in a "time" God has allowed for our existence. He knows our birthday and our death day too.

We are all to make our day "count" for the Lord!

Then later in the chapter, after Esther has resolved to approach the King, no matter what, she says: "Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 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." Esther 4:16

"If I perish, I perish!"

I will do what is right.

And trust God to handle the consequences!

What faith!

What determination!

May we all adopt such patterns of obedience into our lives. Following our great God, wherever He leads.

                    --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 8, ESTHER CHAPTER 5, A BOLD MOVE:

The fifth chapter of Esther continues to develop the plot of the Book. With "death" literally hanging over the Jewish people, genocide in the worst degree, Queen Esther must do something.

She will, despite laws forbidding so, approach the King. Asking for mercy on her people. "Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house." Esther 5:1

If the King does not favorably greet her, or anyone else for that matter, she will be immediately executed! That really was the law of that ancient despotic land! Here's what happened: "And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom." Esther 5:2-3, where things went rather well!

This outcome, no doubt being a sign of God's Hand at work, allows the Book of Esther to continue with one of the most ironic story lines in all the Bible! Esther prepares a banquet and invites only two people! Then at that banquet she surprisingly asks for another banquet the following day, still with those same two attendees!

Esther, cunningly, is planning the demise of the enemy of the Jews, Haman himself being one of the guests!

This Haman, of course, is unsuspecting in all this! He went home and "bragged" to his wife and friends about his new "favor" with the Queen! Apparently he had no earthly idea that she too was a Jew, part of the very race he hated so vehemently and sought to annihilate!

What's the point of all this? Many have asked that in studying the Book of Esther. A whole Book with such intrigue and mystery!

First, God is determined to protect His people, the Israelites.

Second, God is able to work in the lives of men and women in some intricate and amazing ways!

Third, even in the "chance" situations of life, God is able to "overrule" circumstances to accomplish His Will!

Folks, I am so thankful that when we approach our King, spiritually speaking now, the scepter is always extended on our behalf! We never have to fear the Lord's Presence. In fact, we are invited to His Throne anytime! "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Praise the Lord!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 9, ESTHER CHAPTER 5, BITTERNESS:

In Esther chapter three a man named Haman has been highly promoted as an administrator in the government of ancient Persia. "After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him." Esther 3:1

As a result of his success, many in the Land bowed as he passed by! "And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him." Esther 3:2

By Esther chapter 5 Haman has learned that the Queen, of all people, has invited him to a royal banquet! Then one day later to another one! This Haman character, a rebellious anti-Semitic Agagite, was so "secure" in his job that he bragged to his wife and friends. "Haman ... came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king." Esther 5:10-12

Old Haman seems to have all the success a man could ever need!

Yet one thing, since he knows not yet of the fact that Esther is plotting against him, spoils Haman's joy!

One "blot" darkens all his bright tomorrows!

One "fly" in his ointment!

What was that?

A Jew named Mordecai!

This godly man would NOT bow to Haman! "Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence." Esther 3:2

This act of Mordecai's filled Haman with blatant hatred! Not only for one single individual, much less powerful than Haman, but for the whole race of people from which he sprang, from the Jews.

Even after learning of two more banquets planned in his "honor," Esther 5:9 discerningly relates Haman's response: "Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai."

Rehearsing all the "benefits" he had accrued, Haman still quips: "Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate." Esther 5:13

Haman was that very bitter!

A hundred things going "for" him.

Yet the one thing "against" him spoiled it all!

Again: "Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."

Yes, that's the way anger and bitterness and envy work!

They "eat" a man alive!

One ounce of bitterness and unforgiveness can spoil a ton of blessings and rewards!

That's why Hebrews 12:15 thunders: "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." Yes, bitterness defiles! And the verb "defiled" in Greek is "miaino," meaning "stained, polluted, sullied, contaminated."

Wow!

Ask the Lord to help you conquer any tinge of bitterness that appears in your life. If not, it will ruin many a blessing from your Heavenly Father above. It will rob you of a lot of joy and love and peace!

It did in Haman's case anyway.

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Let me close with Ephesians 4:31-32. "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

LESSON 10, ESTHER CHAPTERS 5 AND 7, DIVINE IRONY:

The word I want is "irony," at least I think so. And irony is "incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs."

An event occurs in Esther chapter five that surely depicts irony in a distinct manner. A man named Haman, a descendent of incessant Jew haters, has targeted an Israelite named Mordecai for execution. Well, Haman truly wants all Jewish people slain! Yes, he is planning to bring that little Nation to an end, clear-cut genocide!

This Haman has recently been promoted again and again in the Kingdom of Persia. For example, on the very "morrow" after our Text, Esther 5:14, he has been invited to an exclusive, lavish banquet with only two other guests, King Ahasuerus himself and his Wife Queen Esther! How "high" can a man get?

Well, Haman's wife and a few friends have an idea. One that will ensure a quicker death for Mordecai the Jew than anyone could have imagined. One that will remove the only dark "spot" in Haman's life! One that will make future banquets all the more delightful.

Now today's Verse: "Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made." Again, Esther 5:14

That advice sure sounded good to Haman!

But in an unexpected turn of events, due to a "trap" Esther had laid for Haman, Mordecai did not die on that gallows!

As matters transpired, the banquet on the "morrow" was Haman's last! He was there identified as the man who so hated the Jews that he planned and was ready to both finance and facilitate their upcoming mass murder. Here's the Bible narration: "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 of wine, 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. Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, 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. Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen." Esther 7:1-6

This wicked Haman!

And guess what. The King's response was so volatile that ... "And one of the chamberlains said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified." Esther 7:9-10

They hanged Haman!

On the very platform he had built for the execution of Mordecai the Jew!

Now, folks, that is "irony!"

It is also an illustration of Galatians 6:7. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

Wow!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Seems like the Jews have won the victory! They certainly will in the distant future, without a doubt. According to God's Word. But the Book of Esther is far from over! A "death machine" has been put in motion by the now deceased Haman. And it must be stopped! More tomorrow, Lord willing.

LESSON 11, ESTHER CHAPTER 7, AN APPEARANCE OF EVIL:

Most Christians are familiar with Paul's great command to the Thessalonians, "Abstain from all appearance of evil."

Today in the Book of Esther we study a classic example of a danger of not abstaining from such appearances.

Our characters are a Queen named Esther, a King named Ahasuerus, and a villain named Haman. I call him a wicked man because he had hatched a plot to kill every Jew in the Kingdom of Persia.

One day at a banquet in the royal palace, a lavish meal was served. It was enjoyed by the three above-mentioned attendees, them only. There Queen Esther "revealed" to the King the deadly plan Haman was soon to execute, genocide! By the way, Esther ... the King's beautiful wife, was a Jew herself!

This upset the King no doubt. "Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, 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. Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king." Esther 7:3-7, where the King just "took a walk" to cool down a bit! To abate his anger!

Haman is in trouble now!

He might be killed, then again, with this rather weak King of Persia, he might not! Haman has a way of slipping out of risky situations. Of making things turn his way, to his advantage!

Now to today's verse. Watch the grave "mistake" Haman made. He failed, in a moment of great emotion no doubt, to abstain from an appearance of evil!

"Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face." Esther 7:8

Haman had laid down by the Queen ... on her royal bed! He had invaded her privacy ... to the point it looked like impropriety! In fact, it looked downright "sexual" to the King!

Big mistake!

Especially under current circumstances!

The King now is furious!

Don't ever make your Judge mad at you!

Here's what happened next, immediately!

"Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified." Esther 7:8-10

Haman, the promoted one, now is the dead one!

Hung on a gallows Haman himself had constructed for the Jew named Mordecai! Hung until dead ... perhaps not so much for trying to exterminate the Jews, as for a wrong decision about being on the Queen's bed!

Don't misunderstand, he would have eventually been punished for his evil plot, Haman. But not immediately!

Again Paul's verse, "Abstain from all appearance of evil." First Thessalonians 5:22

Let's remember this, folks.

"Little things," how consequential they can be.

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 12, ESTHER CHAPTER 8, INTERCESSORY PRAYER:

There's a beautiful little slice of what I'd call Bible "typology" in Esther chapter eight. Haman, the arch-enemy of the Jews is dead now, hanged on a gallows of his own making!

But a law devised by that wicked man is still in place, one that orders the annihilation of all the Jews in the Kingdom of Persia!

Queen Esther, herself a Jew, must beseech the King to dissolve that law! She will intercede for her people, for their very lives.

Here is her "prayer" to the Monarch. "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. Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king. And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces. For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?" Esther 8:3-6

What a huge request!

Note first that Esther humbles herself!

She also wept, burdened with heart-felt love for the Jews.

The she presents her need, voices her petition.

Soon the King's "sceptre" is raised and extended to the prostrate Queen. She has gained his favor!

Now she expresses her desire even more vehemently more in detail too. "If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman ...."

She is specific in what she wants.

And did she receive a positive answer, a pleasing verdict?

Yes! "Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse." Esther 8:7-8

This amounts to a "blank check!"

Whatever you like, do it!

Wow!

The Jews will be spared!

Readers here today, I've written this whole lesson to show us that Esther's approach to her Husband, also King, was a pattern for our approach to our Heavenly Husband, King! To God through Jesus Christ His Son!

This chapter in Esther is a classic instruction booklet on prayer!

Intercessory prayer!

Praying for others!

And we who are saved have greater privileges than Esther ever did in a mere human kingdom. We can approach the very Throne of Grace, the Throne of Almighty God!

And we will always be welcomed there!

James 4:2 is correct as it thunders, "Ye have not because ye ask not." What an incentive to pray!

Hebrews 4:16 also illustrates Esther 8 quite well. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

What more can I say?

Pray!

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 13, ESTHER CHAPTER 8, THE SOLUTION, A TOUCH OF GENIUS:

The battle is over, or is it? Haman the Jew killer is dead. Mordecai the Jew lover is now in good favor with the King. And Esther has brilliantly orchestrated the whole scene!

But there still remains one problem! Any law of the Persians, once signed by the King, is unalterable. It cannot be rescinded. Then there still hangs over the Jewish nation, every Israelite living in Persia, all 127 provinces, a "death sentence!"

Just within a few months now ... a dark day has been selected when any non-Jewish citizen, any member of the military too, truthfully anyone who so desired ... could kill a Jewish family and confiscate their property! Could kill a dozen Jewish families, for that matter!

And this is written in concrete, so to speak!

How can such an edict be overcome? What can be done to spare the poor Jews? Is there an answer?

Based on Esther chapter 8 the King had no ideas! In fact he seems to have resigned himself to the impending genocide. He had done "all he could." Here are his words: "King Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse." Esther 8:7-8

Virtually the King admits, "I have no solution." Maybe "You Jews can figure out a solution!"

"Do whatever you think best," Ahasuerus quips.

Then Mordecai goes into action! God undoubtedly gifted him with great wisdom for this momentous occasion!

Watch this, please. "Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia. And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring ... and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries. Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. Then the Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them." Esther 8:9-17, which is merely a "self-defense" pact which the Jews could now legally enforce against any people who came against them to kill them! Haman's "murder order" was still in effect, but now the Israelites could at least destroy any potential "slayers!"

This is fair.

Plus, this is now legal, with the King's "seal" being attached to the law!

And this is also, if I might say, "brilliant!"

A touch of genius.

What understanding and prudence God gave Mordecai!

This reminds me of one verse in Proverbs. "I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions." Proverbs 8:12

The wise man, the godly woman, will always be endowed with "creativity," really "depth of thought," maybe even "originality," as they confront the issues of life!

Mordecai, one reason Jews still live on earth today! Let's thank God for him and his kind everywhere.

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 14, ESTHER 9, THE FIRST FIVE VERSES:

The ninth chapter of Esther begins with a summary of the Book. It's quite interesting. "Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them. The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people. And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater. Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them." Esther 9:1-5

Instead of the Jews being massacred, God has so intervened and protected His People that not an Israelite was killed!

By the way, it's quite amazing that though Haman the Jew-hater first thought of this genocide in the first month of the year, the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus' reign over Persia ... the plan was not to be enacted until the last month of that year! Plenty of time for the Jews to devise a counter plan! Time enough to at least try to defend themselves! I certainly see God's Hand even in this scheduling fiasco. Haman decided on his date of infamy by "casting lots!" Esther 3:7 says they "cast pur," a term meaning they "gambled" over the appropriate date! Rolled the dice! Reminds one of Proverbs 16:33, "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD." Yes, God appears in Esther frequently!

Well, that day has finally arrived, the thirteenth of Adar. But Mordecai the Jew had been so promoted and empowered by the King that no one much wanted to attack the Jews, not anymore! Yes, a few did, the subject of tomorrow's lesson, Lord willing. But not many comparatively speaking. The "fear" of the Jews had fallen on the population! Yes, according to Moses' prayer in Numbers 10:35, God can "scatter" the enemies!

Do note here that the Jews did not attack anyone! This is not going to be unprovoked warfare. Verse two above says they only harmed people who "sought their hurt." Who tried to kill them or their wives or children! This is self-defense, and is acceptable to the Lord.

And when Adar 13 finally came ... the Jews were ready. And they did gain the victory over the rabid foes who came against them! "Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them."

Also note from the text above that some leaders who were formally against the Jews ... are now for the Jews! "And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews." The same crowd that once planned to help Haman, with the added mention of the "officers of the king." God has completely "turned the tables" in this conflict! Makes me think of another lovely Proverbs verse, "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will." Proverbs 21:1 is the reference.

And just like God once gave Daniel a new "friend," the "prince" of Nebuchadnezzar's eunuchs, so did He here give Israel some new supporters, some very important ones! "God brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs." Daniel 1:9, proof God can give us "friends" when needed!

Today's Text shows a God Who can make everything issue to His Glory, to His perfect Will, doing so even "behind the scenes!"

How great our Lord really is!

The Book of Esther ought to increase our faith! Remember Romans 10:17, a promise indeed. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Amen!

And the Book of Esther is the Word of God!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 15, ESTHER CHAPTER 9, REBELLION AGAINST GOD:

Esther chapter nine is filled with numbers. A day had been appointed, ordained, legalized in ancient Persia when anyone could kill a Jew! The hopes of some were that all that little Nation would be destroyed!

But God, through a man named Mordecai and a girl named Esther, really intervened! The massacre was still to occur, the laws of the Persians being unchangeable, but an additional law was added. Mordecai and Esther jointly influenced the King to at least allow this update!

The new law? That the Jews could at least defend themselves on the coming day of infamy! Esther 8:11 summarizes well: "The king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them."

What happened then, on Adar 13, the scheduled day of genocide?

The Jews did defend themselves!

Esther chapter nine reports they killed over seventy-five thousand enemies who tried to harm them! Plus the ten sons of Haman, Israel's arch-enemy and the now dead leader of the uprising!

After nearly a year of waiting ... that many people hated God's people with vehement passion. Wow!

It seems to me that always wickedness can arise, almost spontaneously, from the hearts of lost mankind!

It's the same way in the millennium, the coming thousand-year rule of Jesus Christ here upon earth. After Satan has been "bound" for a thousand years ... he leads a rebellion against Jesus! John the Disciple from the little isle of Patmos tells us ... "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season."

Then ... "When the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them." Revelation 20:7-9, countless soldier to fight our Saviour!

Yes indeed, hatred of God is inherent in the sinful human heart!

It was in Esther's day.

It will be in the future kingdom rule of Christ.

And it still is today!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 16, ESTHER CHAPTER 9, ONE MORE DAY:

In Esther chapter 9 the Jews finally achieve victory over their enemies. In the Persian capital of Shushan, that city alone, at least five hundred attackers came against the Israelites living there, seeking to kill them all! And this event happened on one single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar.

Still, I say, the Jews were victorious in that they killed those wicked men. In reality their action was nothing but self-defense. God's Word allows this, of course.

But then an unusual thing happened. A conversation between the King and His Queen, between Ahasuerus and Esther. "And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done." Esther 9:12

Now listen to her response. "Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan." Esther 9:13-14

One more day of "killing?" That's what she asked! But again "killing" in the sense of protecting her Nation from annihilation!

Watch. "For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan." Esther 9:15

Wow! An additional three hundred dead potential murderers! Each of whom had planned to slaughter a Jew or a two! Or maybe a Jewish family or two!

Of course Bible criticism, the theological liberals of today, attack these verses and Esther's actions ... mercilessly so! They accuse the Jews of harshness, over-reacting, brutality and a whole lot more. Ever reverse genocide, some say. But they are wrong!

Esther is merely, wisely, thoroughly exterminating those who not only wanted the Jews gone, but who were actively planning to bring their wicked plot to fruition!

One more day, please, O King!

I see in all this a spiritual lesson, too. Not just history, but theology, practical Christian living. Paul taught us Believers in Colossians 3:5 to "put to death" certain sins in our lives! Particular tendencies to ungodliness and unrighteousness! "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry." The verb "mortify" here is "nekroo" in Greek, "to kill, to make dead, to slay!"

And like those in Esther's day, the Jewish people, we often on the first effort do not eliminate all our enemies, meaning sins like gossip or hatred or fleshly lusts!

Therefore we, again like Esther, need to "attack again tomorrow" those same sins! Constantly trying to destroy that little old pesky transgression that keeps coming back to harm us again and again!

Don't turn away from a sin, a temptation, an enticement ... until you have conquered it in the Name of Jesus! Romans 8:13 now: "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."

if you had a good day at Church Sunday, if you gave some sin away, confessed it fully, left it at the altar ... don't think all is well just yet! Be on the alert! Another enemy "sin" might be lurking nearby, a relative of the one you slew Sunday ... be ready to fight it too!

Fight today!

Fight tomorrow!

Be ready to fight the devil and the flesh and that old sin nature we all still have ... every day ... until Jesus comes again!

Esther, her persistence in battle, spared the Jews through one of their most dangerous ordeals ever. And our persistence in fighting and conquering and mortifying sin can bring us victory as well!

Don't quit!

                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 17, ESTHER CHAPTER 9, PURIM:

It's a Bible mentioned Feast of the Jews! A National Holiday of sorts. Yet we seldom recognize it as Bible students. Probably because it's not mentioned in the seven great Feast Times of Leviticus chapter twenty-three.

And it's called?

"Purim!"

It's celebrated in memory of the great deliverance of Israel during the dark days of Haman, a wicked descendent of Agag. Therefore an Agagite, Jew haters for centuries!

This is the whole story of the Book of Esther, basically it's major plot line. But by chapter nine ...

Hundreds of the enemies of the Jews lie dead, thousands really! Esther is securely reigning as Queen of Persia. Under the auspices of her Husband King Ahasuerus of course. And Mordecai, another Jew, is second in command of all the Country!

Cause for rejoicing indeed!

Here is how the King James Version of Scripture relates the occasion. "And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, to stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, as the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them." Esther 9:20-23

But why call it "Purim?"

That word in Hebrew, "pur," means "lot, piece," as something that is drawn from a basket to decide certain courses of action! Much like "dice" today! A "chance" outcome!

That's how Haman the enemy of Israel decided what day all the Jews would be slain! But instead, Haman was killed! He and all his cohorts!

Thus yet today the Jews still observe Purim, after all these years. And the next celebration? March 15 and 16 of next year, 2014.

Today's Lesson is simply this. When God brings a great victory to one's life ... he or she should thank Him for His Goodness. And it would not hurt to rejoice in God's deliverance!

To celebrate the occasion!

To worship your great Saviour!

For the Jew, Purim.

But for Bible believing Gentiles ... maybe remember and note the day of your salvation! Commemorate it year after year!

Or the day God did some other great Work in your life. That last answered prayer. That nearly miraculous intervention on your job. That Church you love and attend!

Many other possibilities exist too!

Let's be grateful, joyful, remembering Christians, ever mindful of God's absolutely amazing Grace!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 18, ESTHER CHAPTER 10, CONCLUSION:

I can't remember in the history of our Website, dedicated to Bible Study, a Lesson being on a whole chapter! But Esther 10 is so short it's possible. Here, concluding that great Old Testament Book, is every word: "And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea. And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed." Esther 10:1-3

The issue of import, the purpose of the Book's existence, concerned a plan to annihilate every Jew in the Kingdom of Persia!

That plan has now been thwarted. The account ends with the King, no real hero really, being praised. With Mordecai, the protagonist of the Jews, being greatly honored. And with the Jews prospering!

The only thing missing, it seems, is the Name of God!

After all, He is the One Who really delivered His people the Israelites!

I said it back in the first Lesson, God's Name is absent from Esther ... but His footprints aren't! His fingerprints! His presence!

His is behind every act.

He is overseeing every development.

After all, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Proverbs 15:3

Let's remember this fact today and praise God both when His Power is evident ... and when His Power is not as evident!

Because He is still there! Better yet, He is still here! Best of all, He always will be with us!

Reminds me of Ezekiel 48:35, which gives the name of Jerusalem for all time and eternity, "And the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there."

Amen!

Worship Him today because He is!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell