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by Samuel E. Ward
September 15, 2013
Introduction:
A. The Importance of the Book of Esther
1. It describes the situation of the majority of Jews who were dispersed throughout Persian Empire which stretched from India on the east to Egypt on the west. These Jews were ones who chose not to accept Cyrus' opportunity to return to their homeland under Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, c. 538 B.C.
2. It gives details of events which took place under the rule of Cyrus' grandson, Xerxes, and fits into the period between Ezra 6 and 7.
3. The fact that any designation for God is not mentioned in the book has given some cause to believe that perhaps the book of Esther does not belong in the canon of scripture. Esther, however, has always had a place of distinction in the Jewish canon. In fact, Jewish philosopher Maimonides from the 12th century A.D. went so far as to say that
"All the books of the Prophets, and all the Hagioprapha shall cease in the days of the Messiah, except the volume of Esther; and too, that shall be as stable as the Pentateuch, and as the constitutions of the oral law which shall never cease."[1]
4. It explains the origin of the Jewish Feast of Purim (Lots) .
5. It shows the sovereignty of God at work over the most powerful ruler at that time and the providence of God at work on behalf of His people even though they had chosen not to return to their homeland. By choice, they maintained their Jewish identity wherever they lived and God apparently honored that choice with His invisible, though undeniable, grace.
B. The Historical Setting of the Book of Esther
The events in the Book of Esther extend over a decade—from 483 b.c. (Xerxes' 3rd year; Es. 1:3) to 473 B. C. (the end of Xerxes' 12th year; 3:7).
I. The Hand of God Prepares for the Future: How Esther Came to Be Queen, Esther 1:1-2:23
A. The Great Banquets of Xerxes and QueenVashti, Esther 1:1-9 (483 B.C.)
These banquets hosted by Xerxes were mainly occasions for drinking. (See Ezra 3:7 for a distinction between "food" and "drink" (Heb. mishteh).
1. One banquet for nobles and officials, Esther 1:1-4.
Esther 1:1-4 (NIV2011) 1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush: 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present. 4 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty.
a. The guests: nobles, officials, military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes and nobles of the provinces.
b. The purposes: to display the king's wealth and glory and possibly to plan the military strategy to invade Greece.
c. The length: 180 days of "drinking" feasts (Heb., mishteh). Perhaps these were after a day of planning and guests were rotated in and out throughout the period.
2. One banquet for nobles and commoners, Esther 1:5-8.
Esther 1:5-8 (NIV2011) 5 When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king's palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa. 6 The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. 7 Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king's liberality. 8 By the king's command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.
a. The guests: all the people in the citadel of Susa.
b. The setting: an opulent garden accessorized by the best of fabrics, precious stones and metal, marble columns, mosaic floors, gold and silver couches and an abundance of wine with no limits on any guest.
c. The purpose: unstated, but the description leads one to believe that it was merely a prideful show of the king's wealth and splendor.
d. The length: seven days
3. One banquet for women in the royal palace, Esther 1:9.
Esther 1:9 (NIV2011) 9 Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.
The description is conspicuous by its brevity and lack of detail. Apparently its purpose was merely to point out that Vashti was not present at the Xerxe's banquet.
B. Vashti's Dethronement, Esther1:10-22
1. Vashti's refusal to obey the king, Esther 1:10-12
Esther 1:10-12 (NIV2011) 10 On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— 11 to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. 12 But when the attendants delivered the king's command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.
Dr. Bruce Bartholomew, author of a study from the University of Missouri College of Arts and Sciences has said:
"It's not as though people do drunken things because they're not aware of their behavior, but rather they seem to be less bothered by the implications or consequences of their behavior than they normally would be. Basically, if you're drunk, you'll still be aware of your mistakes but you just won't care. . . For now, drinking a little too much is essentially creating a version of you who will be more than happy to make stupid choices."
--Dr. Bruce Bartholomew, University of MO
Stupid choice # 1: Xerxes placed Vashti on display before a crowd of drunken men.
How far this display was expected to go we do not know, but consider the purpose for which she was called—"to display" her beauty to the people and nobles within the context of much drinking among the guests. In this instance we add anger to the drunkenness and the situation is ripe for the unintended consequences that often follow that mixture.
We will mention other stupid choices as we continue this study in Esther due mainly to the fact that Xerxes' impulsive character is prone to such, drunk or sober.
2. The wise men's advice, Esther1:13-22
a. Their perception of the problem: Vashti's disregard for the king will encourage the same disrespect from all their wives, Esther 1:13-18.
Esther 1:13-18 (NIV2011) 13 Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times 14 and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom. 15 "According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?" he asked. "She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her." 16 Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, "Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17 For the queen's conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, 'King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.' 18 This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen's conduct will respond to all the king's nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.
b. Their solution to the problem: Remove Vashti as Queen, make a law giving men absolute rule in their own households, Esther 1:19-22.
Esther 1:19-22 (NIV2011) 19 "Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia: and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. 20 Then when the king's edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest." 21 The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed. 22 He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue.
Stupid choice # 2: Xerxes made a law during an emotional upset that once written could not be legally changed.
Men lack the omniscience to see all the possible consequences of the laws they make. It is best to leave the writing of absolute laws to the God of absolute wisdom and knowledge and man to make his laws based on that wisdom. Otherwise, like Xerxes, he may live to regret it as will be noted later in this story.
This mistake had been made before. See Daniel 6. In fact, it had happened to Darius, Xerxes' father when he listened to his court officials. They had suggested a law be written demanding that no person was to pray to any other god except to Darius for thirty days or be placed in the lion's den. Their plan was to rid themselves of one of the king's favorite advisors, Daniel, knowing that he could not yield to such a law.
Since the laws of the Medes and Persians were unalterable once written, when Daniel disobeyed the law he was placed in the lion's and not even the king could overrule the law. Fortunately, God could, and did.
Conclusions
1. God is at work to work His plan even when it appears man is having his own way.
Proverbs 16:9 (NIV2011) In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.
2. Decisions made while angry or under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not likely to lead to anything good.
Proverbs 14:17 (NIV2011) A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.
Titus 1:7 (NIV2011) Since an overseer manages God's household [we assume anyone in a leadership position], he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.
3. Words spoken in haste and anger often leads to regret. Like arrows released from a bow, once shot there is no returning it.
James 1:19-20 (NIV2011) Jas 19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
