A Journey through the Bible with Tiglath
77. The Book of Esther
This book involves a very beautiful Jewish woman and her cousin, who adopted her
as his ward when her parents died. His name was Mordecai. Then there was Haman, a much favoured courtier, and the king, named Ahasuerus.
Chapter 1 describes the extent of the king's kingdom: more than 127 provinces from
India to Ethiopia. In the 3rd year of his reign the king held a great feast for his
princes, nobles and all the common people. On the 7th day of the feast the king, in
his cups, commanded that Vashti, his queen, should be brought before the people to
show them how beautiful she was. She refused to come. The king asked his courtiers
what should be done about the matter. Verses 16 — 22 relate what advice was given
(Vashti appears to be one of the first to extol women's emancipation — Ed).
In chapter 2 we find the king's realm being searched for young virgins to replace
Vashti, among whom was Esther. The king loved Esther above all the other women
and he made her queen. She had not yet told the king she was Jewish. Two of the
king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, sought to kill the king and upon
discovering the plot, Mordecai revealed all to the king's advisers. King Ahasuerus
promptly had the plotters hanged.
In chapter 3 we find Haman being greatly honoured by the king: all were to bow
down before him and revere him. Mordecai proclaimed his Jewish origin and
refused to honour Haman. The refusal made Haman determined to not only kill
Mordecai and all the Jews in the kingdom. He offered to pay 10,000 talents of
silver to pay for the deed. The king agreed to this destruction of the Jews.
Chapter 4 finds Mordecai and all the Jews
mourning because of the decree. Esther is very upset
and Mordecai asked her to entreat the king to show
mercy to her people. She orders the people to fast.
Esther then invites the king and Haman to a banquet.
Haman is delighted but still upset with Mordecai for
his failure to honour him. Zeresh, Haman's wife,
advised that a gallows be prepared and that Haman
should ask the king to have Mordecai put to death.
n chapter 6 we find the king lying awake in bed.
He sends for his diary as a diversion and discovers that
it was Mordecai who revealed the plot against his life.
The king now rewards Mordecai and orders Haman to
do him honour. (Do read verses 8 - 14). In chapter 7 Esther begs the king to spare her life and that of the Jewish people. She tells the king of Haman's plan to kill
her people and that Haman is his enemy. As a result, Haman was hanged on the
very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. The book ends on a happy note: the
Jews are spared to live at peace in the kingdom. The Feast of Purim — a
thanksgiving — was instituted and kept to this day. Mordecai was greatly honoured
by the king.
Do please read the whole story — it is very interesting.
