The Book of Esther - Excerpts - The Golden Sceptre

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Chapter One...Bookends

Chapter One

Bookends

There are sixty-six flawless volumes, which are seated majestically on the bookshelf of God’s Holy Writ. As we peruse these volumes, which are said to be eternally “settled” (Psalms 119:89), we stumble across an interesting phenomenon. Of the many books that grace that blessed shelf, we discover that only TWO bear the names of women! Looking more carefully at these two volumes, we learn; one woman was a GENTILE by the name of Ruth, and the other, a JEW, whose name was Esther. As The Holy Spirit begins feeding us tidbits of spiritual information, we learn; BOTH volumes (named after women) are part of Israel’s historical literature contained in the Old Testament writings. Upon closer examination, we find that The Book of Ruth comes BEFORE The Book of Esther-which is listed LAST. If the Book of Ruth and the Book of Esther are set at the dawn[1] and the sunset of Israel’s historical books; then we have found GOD’S HISTORICAL BOOKENDS!

If these things are not significant to the reader, they certainly are to this author. I had just finished writing my first book called, At His Feet. It was written all about the Book of Ruth. Thinking I was done, and could lay down my pen and paper for a while, imagine my surprise when I learned that Ruth had a bookend whose name was Esther?!

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[1] Even though chronologically, The Book of Ruth doesn’t exactly begin the historical books (of the twelve, it is the third book that bears her name), we will not dismiss this unrefined treasure as something less than significant.

Chapter Two...All The World A Stage

Chapter Two

All The World A Stage

Esther 1:1

Someone has aptly said that, “all the world is a stage.” In the recorded history of mankind, anything that has happened, or that will happen, is performed on the stage of the world. And so it is with Esther. We will see her story unfold right before our eyes.

As we begin this account, we are at once reminded that there is an ongoing battle for the dominion of this world.

“Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)” Esther 1:1

If you read the above verse again, you’ll see, after writing only ten short words in her book, Esther’s Author felt compelled to break the story line to include and interpolate (add to the text) biographical information regarding Ahasuerus that He believed we needed to know. The first verse now had an addition; a parenthetical accessory, if you please. This accessory was almost twice as big as the introduction that preceded it.

At this point, we would expect to hear a disparaging comment from the critics, who are forever “…making the word of God of none effect…” (Mark 7:13), by their insistent unfounded judgments against God. Sitting “…in the seat of the scornful…” (Psalms 1:1), these Bible correctors would be quick to point out that our addition is only parenthetical, and thus insignificant rhetoric-nothing more than an afterthought, written by the author.

We Bible Believers see something else. The Author’s compulsion to include this tidbit of history as part of His account was NOT accidental, but decidedly INTENTIONAL! He was also fully persuaded as to its location. This accessory is not only part of, but essentially parcel to, the very first sentence written in The Book of Esther. Accordingly, it demands our full attention, and without reserve, we will gladly give it!

As we study and examine this accessory, we read, “...(this is Ahasuerus which reigned....)” Since Ahasuerus was already reigning, we may safely conclude that even before our story begins, either he or someone before him won some battles that established a Kingdom with “an hundred and seven and twenty provinces” in it. We, who are citizens of God’s Kingdom and seeking victory over our enemies, should take note of the addition between those sacred brackets. The Author added those words to the text, to teach us a lesson, early on. He wanted us to grasp the idea, that VICTORY from a BATTLE produces a REIGN. This miniature morsel of delight will be our main course for the rest of this chapter. Though it be small, it will be sufficient enough to carry us through, and satisfy all who partake.

In the previous chapter, I pointed out that Ahasuerus[1] is a type of God, The Father. Twenty-five hundred years ago, this Ahasuerus had lordship and dominion over the known world of that time. One day the same will hold true for The King of Glory. He will receive the Kingdom that is rightfully His! (Please see, I Corinthians 15:27-28) King Ahasuerus reigned from India to Ethiopia (Africa). This King shall reign over ALL. Celestial and terrestrial, visible and invisible, the title deed is His! Yea, He, whose Throne is in "The Heaven" and whose Footstool is the Earth, will soon reign again over that which His might hands once had created!

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[1] An appellative (title/name), given to two or three Media-Persian Monarchs-meaning, “the Mighty”. (See; Genesis 49:24, Psalms 50:1; 132:2 and 5)

Chapter Three...First Lady

Even though Lucifer today has been granted a temporary rule as “the god of this world” (II Corinthians 4:4), and “...the prince of the power of the air...” (Ephesians 2:2), the Lord ultimately continues to rule from “...the throne of the Majesty in the heavens....” (Hebrews 8:1) The Psalmist confirmed this truth; when he said, “THE LORD reigneth, he is clothed with MAJESTY....” (Psalms 93:1) In other words, His Majesty is ruling from the third Heaven (coined, in Evangelical circles: “God is still on The Throne!”). And when the thing we call time unwinds itself completely, “...The MIGHTY GOD, The EVERLASTING FATHER, The PRINCE OF PEACE...” (Isaiah 9:6), will then assuredly be triumphant at last! (Please read Ephesians 1:9-12 to see His final plan!)

A Real Show-off

His Majesty Ahasuerus is on the throne (Please read verse 3 and 4), and his grandeur and magnificence are at optimum. Now that two full years (as king) have passed, pomp and circumstance was well in order. It was time to show off “...the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty....” (Esther 1:4)

Let me ask you a question. If it took this earthly King “...an hundred and fourscore days...” to show off his bank account, how long do you suppose it will take The King of the Universe to show off His? Truly, our God is an AWESOME God!! This story reminds me of King Solomon “...in all his glory...” (Matthew 6:29), right down to the golden vessels! (Esther 1:7; see I Kings 10:21)

Let me ask you a second question. If you went down to the bank today, to check on your personal holdings, how long do you think it would take you to find out your worth? [Mine, might take a while, NOT for what I have, but for what I owe!] Since most of us are (let’s just say) poor; most of us would be embarrassed to see how quickly they could count it. These days, it can be done over the phone, in seconds! Now...

Chapter Four...Down Will Come Baby

Chapter Four

Down Will Come Baby

Esther 1:19

We’ve all heard the nursery rhyme:

“Rock-a-bye baby in the tree top;

When the wind blows the cradle will rock;

When the bough breaks the cradle will fall;

And DOWN WILL COME BABY cradle and all.”

Some homespun poetry may be in order here:

Weakened by the serpent way up in the tree;

Adam’s lovely Vessel unable to see;

The winds of temptation howling near by;

Had uttered feigned words: “Just give it a try.”

Cradled in creation and secure what she thought;

Took a small taste, ensnared, she got caught.

Seeking her husband to give him a bite;

Was the next to get caught in sin’s awful blight.

Cursed by the Creator, found tainted with sin;

No longer were sinless and pure within.

Not Adam only, The creation did fall;

Bringing swift judgment on him and on all.

Thorns and thistles, THE FALL it did yield;

Graceful blossoms, now marred in every field.

Yesterday this happened, but tomorrow we’ll see;

What was lost for them, will be renewed for me.

If today, God considers the most lovely flower in His field, marred (Genesis 3:18); can you imagine the condition of Paradise before the fall? Does that picture tantalize your eye gate? What about your nose? I wonder what kind of scent awaits us in Heaven? Will “...the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys...” whisper the fragrant hush of God’s pure and perfect holiness? Or, might its aroma flourish like freshly opened “...mandrakes...”, when they “...give a smell...”? (Song of Solomon 2:1 and 7:13)

Won’t that be a day! Not only will we see Glory, we will SMELL it too!!

The thought of all this reminds me of one of the sweetest smells on earth. A smell I’ve been privileged to experience five times. Four individually, and two at once-twins! If you haven’t already guessed; I’m speaking of the birth of my children. Now I’m not referring to diaper changing time. That will be another sermon, in another book. This wonderful experience happened when they were very young, around the time they were newborn babies. I remember snuggling real close to them. Then I’d open my nostrils, and breathe that newborn smell right in. There is nothing like it! Yet, EIGHT days after he’s born, God commands that sweet smellin’ little baby boy’s flesh to be cut away, like there is something terribly WRONG with it.

Eight, in Scripture, means, new beginnings. Noah’s new world started with eight. “...In the days of Noah...few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” (I Peter 3:20) Saint Peter calls him “...the eighth person...”, in his second Epistle. (2:5) In Genesis chapter eight; Noah’s ark rested on dry ground. In verse sixteen (two times eight); God tells him to “Go forth...” from the ark, to begin AGAIN. God sums this up in eight words, when He tells Noah and his family to “...Be fruitful, and multiply, and REplenish the earth.” (Genesis 9:1)

After seven full days; Creation week ENDS. The next day begins a new week. The new week starts with the eighth day. One day soon, the curse will be lifted. For a thousand years, The Lord Jesus Christ will sit on His Throne. Once...

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“For in that he himself HATH SUFFERED BEING TEMPTED, he is ABLE TO SUCCOUR…” [help-HALLELUJAH!] “…them that ARE tempted.” Hebrews 2:18

We look to Jesus for help, for GOOD reason. HE WAS SUCCESSFUL EVERY TIME!!! (You wouldn’t want help from someone who was successful only 94% of the time-would you?!!!) Put your faith in Jesus. He won every battle! Like the “good ground” of Mark 4:20, Jesus overcame temptation, and brought forth fruit A HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE TIME!

When temptation comes (and it will), faithfully quoting The word of God will enlist our Saviour’s help and strength. Remember; quoting Scripture was His ONLY defense against Satan! This plan made Jesus successful, and it will also work for us.

There is no quick fix to victory. If Jesus “suffered being tempted,” then we will suffer, when we are tempted. Saint Peter said that we will “...suffer as a Christian...” at the hand of our enemies. (I Peter 4:16) Please never forget; all three of these enemies are savagely fierce.

Jesus not only suffered through those temptations; He TRIUMPHED “...OVER them....” (Colossians 2:15) Remember; we serve a RISEN Saviour! Elated by all this, the Apostle Paul writes, “Now thanks be unto God, which ALWAYS causeth us to triumph IN Christ....” (II Corinthians 2:14a) To those who care to avail themselves of Christ’s VICTORY; study, in The Book of Esther, is imperative. That victory, by the way, is offered only to those who seek it.

Enemy #2 Please Step Forward

Before we begin this topic, I would like to repeat something I said earlier, concerning our first enemy. “Early on, we must conclude that there is an enemy all around us. Every place our foot treads, in every quarter of the globe; we are confronted with this enemy.” I repeated those sentences, in order to say the next...

Chapter Five...Queen For A Day

...question as something irrelevant or absurd, may I bring a few things to your attention? When Queen Vashti was deposed from her royal place beside the King and banished from the kingdom; do you suppose she took her royal wardrobe with her? What about her royal crown? Did she pack it in her luggage, when the seven chamberlains weren’t looking? What are your thoughts about all this? Did she even have luggage to take? When Vashti was BANISHED from the kingdom, I believe she was lucky to get out with the very clothes on her back! Job’s words are very fitting here. He said, “...I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.” (Job 19:20)

Vashti was gone. “...Her royal ESTATE...” was left for “...another that is better than she.” (Esther 1:19b) Would the consequence of that become the Cinderella story all over again?! Would a NEW Queen have to FIT into Vashti’s OLD clothes? Didn’t Cinderella get the original garments back?

With all the existing “...royal apparel...” (Esther 5:1); should a new wardrobe be ordered for a different Queen? What if the royal crown didn’t fit? Would someone have to stretch it; to make it fit her royal head? The obvious and practical answer to all this is NO!

Do you remember me saying, King Ahasuerus thought Vashti’s flesh was “exquisite”? That makes me wonder what kind of flesh he would want the new Queen to have. Surely, it wouldn’t be inferior to Vashti’s. Don’t forget; there was a time when even Vashti was chosen over other women. Since Vashti was chosen for her outer beauty and perfection, it’s safe to say the next Queen’s beauty would certainly have to fill the former Queen’s “glass slipper.”

Losing Vashti gave this King a painful experience, but it also made him a little wiser. It certainly prompted him to look harder and closer at a prospective candidate for Queen. Without question, the next incumbent had to possess a beauty not found in Vashti. Inner beauty! The search was on. (Esther 2:2 to 15) This time around, he required a virgin that was both beautiful in body and in soul.

We can say that the King was looking for a match for HIMSELF, or, we can also say, the King was looking for a match for VASHTI. He was looking for someone that matched her size, her shape, and her outward beauty. If the woman he picked the SECOND time looked worse than Vashti-his first pick; what would all the people in the kingdom say about this King? He would never live that down! The SECOND pick had to be better than the FIRST!

Did you ever stop to think how Adam and Eve looked just after they sinned? I believe they looked very similar to the way they looked before the fall, yet dastardly different somehow. If you had opportunity to view them before and after they ate off that terrible tree, perhaps outwardly they would have looked the SAME!

If you’ve ever read Romans chapter five, you know that Saint Paul compares Adam to Christ and Christ to Adam many times. He does this again in First Corinthians fifteen.

“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam…” [Christ] “…was made a quickening spirit.” I Corinthians 15:45

In the next verse he goes on to say: “...that is NOT first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and AFTERWARD that which is spiritual.” In other words, Adam was a natural man, but Christ, the SECOND man, is spiritual. Verse forty-seven says, “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the SECOND man is the Lord from heaven.” Even though, in one respect, Christ looked like Adam, in another respect, He was very different! What Adam lacked; Christ achieved. Where Adam failed; Christ was victorious. What Adam lost; Christ regained. Truly, the SECOND MAN is BETTER than the first. Isn’t that what the King was looking to accomplish in the beauty contest? Doesn’t he want to marry someone that is “...better than...” Vashti?! (Esther 1:19)

In Genesis 22, Abraham offers up “...his only begotten son...”, Isaac. (Hebrews 11:17) When Abraham receives him...

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So Abraham “...offered him up for a burnt-offering INSTEAD OF his son.” (Genesis 22:13) Yes, Abraham learned a very important lesson that day. He learned; blood is needed, to produce a resurrection. [Notice, even though Abraham set up many altars for the Lord (Genesis 12:7-8; 13:4 and 18), this is the FIRST time Scripture records him offering blood on one. (Genesis 22:9 and 13)]

God picks an innocent animal instead of Isaac. Is that why we are allowed to eat the sacrificial animal, but commanded NOT to drink its BLOOD[1]? Could sacrificial blood be reserved for GOD ALONE?!

If man’s sinful blood is not acceptable to produce a resurrection, what is? SINLESS blood! Since none was available from Adam to Jesus, God does the next best thing. He accepted blood from innocent, unblemished animals! These animals were also sinless! No animal purposely sins against its Creator, but we do. This animal pictured the future work of redemption that “The Lamb of God” would complete one day, on Calvary.

Abraham learned another valuable lesson that day. He learned; shedding blood produces a better covenant. (Genesis 22:15 to 18) This covenant was better than the one he previously held with The Lord. He knew this was serious business, because it produced BETTER results. He received two right away: The resurrection of his son, and possession a bigger blessing.

Do you know what happens when you circumcise the flesh? Blood FLOWS! Do you know what happened when Jesus was crucified? BLOOD FLOWED! He bled and died; that a TRANSFORMATION might happen. His death and shed blood PRODUCED a resurrected body.

Do you know why we have both an OLD Testament and a NEW Testament? The Old is no good without the DEATH of the Testator! (Hebrews 9:16) That’s why Christ had to die on a cross. It was necessary that His BLOOD be shed. The Author...

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[1] Before, during, and after the law-Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 3:17, Acts 15:20 and 29.

Chapter Six...Fantasy World?

...faded away, a new one seemed to emerge simultaneously. “Now that I’m grown; what should I do with my life?” Suddenly a stunning thought gripped Esther’s soul. “No longer are my playmates asking me that question, God is!”

A feeling of helplessness overcame Esther as she gripped her threadbare shawl. This was her favorite. “Grandma passed it to Mom, and Mom gave it to me,” she thought. “I want to feel close to Momma right now, but Momma isn’t here.” Esther’s heart sank, as her delicate frame slumped onto the floor. Tears began to flow, as her spirit broke within. She was now ready to let God have His way. A final sigh gave her strength to pray. “Lord, I want your will. Help me understand. I’ll...I’ll do what You want...Lord. Please, show me. I’ll obey.”

This was the moment of complete surrender. That was the day Esther relinquished everything to God. From that time on, His will became her will.

Attempting to rise from her prayers; Esther sensed a feeling of trepidation. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t help these feelings from coming through. It seemed like everything got easier and more complicated, all at the same time. This unexpected turmoil prompted Esther to examine her plight. Something that seemed to be obscure moments earlier was suddenly becoming very clear. God wanted her to stay. One by one, she enumerated the reasons. “Great grandfather was taken captive to this land.” (Esther 2:5) “My parents are dead.” (Vs.7) “I live ‘...in Shushan the palace....’” (Vs. 5) “The King called for a virgin to be Queen.” (Vs.8) “Cousin Mordecai encouraged me to see this through.” (Vs.11) “Oh yeah, I remember now. Mordecai said I would make a GOOD QUEEN!! I guess I HAD MY ANSWER ALL ALONG!”

She again began to pray, “Lord, You know my heart. Zion is Your Great City. One day, I long to live with You there...but as long as You are with me HERE and NOW, I will stay!”

Immediately, Esther understood God’s will. She was to stay in Shushan; to be “gathered...unto...the palace, to the custody of Hegai....” (Esther 2:8) Esther was now ready to face the...

Chapter Seven...The Man From Uncle

...Devil; suffering outside the gate to save his people; a close relative to the King’s second wife, who, by the way, got that position by taking heed to him; and, after the battle is ended, gets exalted as the second ruler of the Kingdom.

How could anyone who read the New Testament miss this Old Testament picture of Christ?!!!

While we’re on the subject of types, please don’t let the differences throw you. In other words, in The Book of Ruth, Ruth-the Gentile, marries Boaz-the Jew, but, in The Book of Esther, Esther-the Jew, marries King Ahasuerus-the Gentile. Keep in mind-till later, Mordecai the Jew, doesn’t marry ANYONE! The simple answer to all this is, God gave us two different pictures of the SAME person. The first picture; centers on Christ’s First Coming, and the second, around His Second Coming! [That bears repeating; please read that last sentence AGAIN.] The first Book-The Book of Ruth, is a picture of The Kingdom of God. The second Book-The Book of Esther, is a picture of The Kingdom of Heaven. Christians can make DIRECT application to the first picture, but not to the second. Here, the JEW is the SUBJECT, and the focus (of this Book) is on The King’s SECOND wife.

Mix-O, Change-O!

The Kingdom of God and The Kingdom of Heaven are two different Kingdoms. Though they appear similar at times, these two Kingdoms ARE NOT THE SAME! Could that be why The Book of Ruth is similar to The Book of Esther, but NOT at all the same?!!

The pictures of The Kingdom of God should never be MIXED in with the pictures relating to The Kingdom of Heaven. Permit me to show you what I’m saying. As a young boy, I remember swapping baseball and football cards with the other children on my block. (Frankly, I think I bought them for the slab of gum that accompanied each package, as much as I did for the neat cards inside.) All those cards were kept in a shoebox, bundled by two rubber bands. The Baseball cards were bound with one rubber band, and the (smaller package of) Football cards were bound with the other.

One day, I accidentally dropped the shoebox and the rubber bands gave way. Scattered before me, were hundreds of cards lying pell-mell. Like most children, I was irresponsible, and-what’s worse, in a hurry. With only an hour remaining until dinner, I was forced to make a decision. Do I invest the time and effort it would take to properly reorganize these cards, or do I run to play? Since the only nature I possessed back then was the old nature, this decision required no struggle. My flesh won out! In fact, shirking that responsibility even made me feel good. I reached down, recovered my rubber bands, and rebundled my cards. This time though, I did it without looking at THE PICTURES. Now my shoebox contained two equal stacks of MIXED cards. I put my box away, and went skipping out to play.

Let me ask you a few questions. If you created pictures that TOLD A STORY, how would you feel if someone mixed them up, or mixed them up with a DIFFERENT SET of pictures? Wouldn’t that new set (of pictures) tell a DIFFERENT story? What if the pictures in the same set were told OUT OF SEQUENCE? Wouldn’t that tell a MIXED-UP story?

I wonder how God feels, when we’re in a hurry and mix up HIS PICTURES? Could The Kingdom of God, really be the SAME as The Kingdom of Heaven? If not, shouldn’t we take the time to examine them, and distinguish the differences?

Even though The Kingdom of God is NOT The Kingdom of Heaven, nothing should stop the Christian from making spiritual application to The Book of Esther. For example, didn’t Mordecai adopt Esther? Aren’t Christians also adopted? When we were saved, didn’t we receive “...the Spirit of adoption...” making us “...joint heirs with Christ...”? (Romans 8:15 to 17)

Chapter Eight...She Required Nothing

The desire to meet and marry a purified bride doesn’t end at Shushan. King Jesus demands one, too. Even before the wedding plans begin, we who are “...espoused...to one husband...”, will be presented “...as a chaste virgin to Christ.” (II Corinthians 11:3)

Esther’s purification has two time periods, and so does ours. Any impurity not removed down here (on earth) will be removed AFTER the Rapture, and BEFORE the Marriage Supper of The Lamb. Any Christian refusing purification now (I Corinthians 11:31 and 32), will have it done for Him later on! Therefore, the Christian who examines himself, and judges his sin today (I Corinthians 11: 28), will fare far better than he who waits (for Christ to do it) tomorrow. Roman Catholics-believing their sins will be purged by fire-mistakenly call this process, purgatory-[thus, PURGatory]. True Believers-on the other hand-know Calvary is where their sins were judged and purged. Could that be why Bible Believing Christians are so CONFIDENT about being SAVED?!

Scripture calls the Believer’s purification process “...the judgment seat of Christ....” (Romans 14:10b) Its goal is to make us CLEAN after we are saved, and before we go to wed our King (Jesus). At this judgment, no one’s ETERNAL STATE is jeopardized. The fire will burn a man’s work, NOT the man! (See, how close our work is related to who we are?! This judgment might seem confusing to an unseasoned student of Scripture, but a quick study of

I Corinthians 3:11 to 15, for someone who sincerely wants the truth on this subject, should straighten it right out for them.)

Doin’ Hard Time in the Tub

(Three Points and a Prayer)

The reason for her purification:

Purification brings us on the same level as the King. (Hebrews 2:11 and Romans 8:29) What king in his right mind would want a Queen who was not clean and pure?! Wouldn’t a “...comely...” king (Song of Solomon 2:14; 6:4) desire a comely queen? (Vss. 1:5 and 10) Didn’t the King recently rid himself of a Queen who was found with “...some uncleanness...”? (Deuteronomy 24:1) [Here’s a thought: Could the opposite of purifying be putrifying? (Isaiah 1:6)]

The reality of her purification:

Properly pursued, the purification process produces purity. The King didn’t require results above purity; he required purity. “...True holiness...” (Ephesians 4:24) can be a reality for every believer that wants it. You say, “That can’t be done.” God says, “...Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (I Peter 1:15) Holiness may be accomplished when we become “...partakers of his holiness.” (Hebrews 12:10) Then, like our King, we are made “...holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners....” (Hebrews 7:26) Let me add; True holiness is not Phariseeism. We are holy when we are purged from sin and washed “...whiter than snow.” (Psalms 51:7) Following Hegai’s plan made Esther pure, clean, undefiled, and unpolluted. This leads to my last point…

The result of her purification:

The result of Esther’s purification is found in verse fifteen of chapter two. “...She required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed.” In other words, SHE PASSED THE TEST!!! NOTHING MORE was required. Undefiled, this young contestant was now ready to meet the King.

The prayer:

Thank You Lord for saving us, and gently washing us from our sins, so that we may enter your presence and live in Thy Kingdom ever more. Amen.

If an Earthly king required this much to purify his queen, wouldn’t a Heavenly King ask MORE? Wouldn’t God require MORE than just purifying the flesh? To answer that, let’s read Hebrews 9:13 again. This time we will include verse 14...

Chapter Nine...First Chronicles

“Saving the King, t’was easy for me!

My word stopped death replete.

Reward? you ask. Read on, you’ll see,

My name, ‘...in...chronicles...’, you’ll meet.”

Nonplussed by this revelation, Mordecai deliberates a course of action. “Word of this treason must reach someone right away”, he reasons, “someone inside the palace!” No sooner had these words crossed his mind, when a secret door opened in the palace wall. Severely startled, he was not prepared for what would happen next. All of a sudden, the Queen appeared!

Knowing she’s caught Mordecai off guard, Esther seizes the moment. “From now on Mordi, you hafta call me- ‘Queen Esther’...ya know!”, she pompously asserts.

“Hadassah, you’ve been my queen since the day I took you in”, he quickly flies back.

“Cousin...I’m so glad we’re still so close. I was teasin’ ya ‘bout callin’ me Queen...but come ta think of it, it’s TRUE! In public, you hafta call me Queen...but when we’re alone-just you and me-it’s fine wit’ me if ya call me yur ‘Little Dassah’. ‘Member when ya yusta do dat?”

“That was quite a few years ago, Dassah.”

“Cousin Mordi, I heard ya been sittin’ in the King’s gate. Oh, I see...even though I’m all grown up, ya still wanna pertek your little Dassah.... Dat’s okay wit me! I like havin’ ya near me anyway. I feel more secure...y’know what I mean.... By the way, ya know what he tole me the other day?”

“Who?”

“You know-the King. Ya know what he tole me? Well, he brought me to this special room in the Palace...a reeeel fancy room-I never been in that room before...and...well-he sat me down and started looking into my eyes. When I looked into his, they were aul watery. Anyway, aul of a sudden, aul emotional like, he started to speak to me reeeel soft. Ya know what he said? He tole me he loves me so much dat he can’t live without me. Ya know...I really love ‘im too. D’ya know how I feel, Cousin Mordi? I feel like I’m in one of dose fairy tale marriages...ya know-like the ones dat say, ‘an they lived happily ever afta’.”

“Dassah, it sounds like you not only won the contest...you won the King’s heart too!”

“He really does love me, I can see it in His eyes.”

“Esther...ahem-I mean-Queen Esther...It was no mistake that you became Xerxes’ new Queen. I believe when God joined you to this Gentile King; He had a special purpose. Don’t forget Jehovah makes nooo mistakes. I’m sure one day we’ll both understand why. Like Isaiah said, ‘...His ways are higher than our’s.’ That reminds me...it’s very important...just a little while ago, I happened to overhear two of the King’s chamberlains talking. They didn’t know I was listening to their chatter. It was hard to hear, but it sounded like they were plotting somehow to rid the kingdom of your new husband. At first, I thought they were just drunk or something, but...around the time I realized they were serious...well...you showed up. Ahem...I thought to advise thee of their intentions...O My Queen!”

“I will report this myself...the sun will not set, till these two are apprehended. I will try to see you soon, Cousin...I love you. Guard, guard-someone call me a guard-quickly!”

The King Needs a Saviour Too!

Without Mordecai’s heroism, Shushan’s King would have literally been out of a job! This realization brings up an important question. Now that we have learned that Ahasuerus needed to be saved, in all honesty, can we continue to typify him as Jehovah? Before you answer this question too quickly, let’s look at the following thought. There is salvation that saves from sin, and there is salvation that saves from situation. Every Born Again Christian is familiar with the first, and...

Outa’ Sight, Outa’ Mind!

The moment Mordecai learned of their rebellion; the fate of these two desperados was sealed. Before they could literally execute their plan, their identity “...was found out...”, and they “...were both hanged on a tree....” (Esther 2:23) In this case, the punishment fit the crime: “...Life for life....”! (Exodus 21:23b)

Obscurity convinced the Editors of The Palace Times to print only a few lines about this incident. Anything that seemed even remotely related was buried deep in the King’s chronicles. Many who read the paper that day were amused that Bigthan and Teresh’s obituaries appeared in the very same issue that carried a glossy, full color commemorative section covering the recent royal wedding. It was called, Has Love Bloomed Once More In The Palace? It had a second smaller article called, Re-thinking Security: How Safe Are YOU in the Kingdom?

For saving the King’s life, Mordecai’s name was “...written in the book of the chronicles before the king....” (Esther 2:23) If this story had not been recorded in those chronicles, it is highly unlikely we’d be enjoying it today. Think of it like this; had no one bothered to write it down, Mordecai’s deed would have been forgotten forever! This point can be easily proven. Anyone familiar with The Book of Esther knows Mordecai’s deed (buried in the King’s chronicles) was forgotten, possibly for years! That’s why three whole chapters lay between someone writing, and someone reading about it. Listening to the chronicles late one night reminded our beloved King that he once needed a saviour by the name of Mordecai. (Esther 6:1 and 2)

Shortly after his name is recorded, Mordecai is out of sight and out of mind! Outside of Esther and possibly the King (Esther 2:22), no one knew of his heroism. That makes me wonder how many people viewed this man as a failure, especially the time he was seen wearing “...sackcloth and...

Chapter Eleven...With This Ring

Once I heard how much silver Haman had offered me in place of these troublesome people (or so he said. Why would Haman lie-especially since I advanced him to such a high seat in the kingdom?), I figured it was enough to make up for all the tax revenue I would lose. To be honest about it, this wasn’t the first time I got rid of an enemy in my kingdom...or should I say enemies!-enemies, right under my nose-like Bigthan and Teresh. What would I lose; if I got rid of these people? Not much...I’m sure! It’s not like I’m related to any of them....[1] At any rate, Haman swore to me-they’re just a bunch of lawbreakers. Anyone who knows me, knows I won’t suffer ‘that kind,’ or anyone like them, to live in MY kingdom!

Anyway...to make a long story short...after he told me his plan, I offered him his money back. That’s when I removed my signet, and reached for his hand...”

“...The king took HIS RING from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy....” Esther 3:10

Evidently, immense loyalty existed between Ahasuerus and his newly appointed Prime Minister. Entrusting him with his signet (Daniel 6:17) only made it public knowledge.

With all the emphasis Haman’s loyalty required extraneously, there was one thing this King didn’t plan for intrinsically. “...Iniquity...”!!!!! (Ezekiel 28:15) The very hour Ahasuerus set Haman “...above all the princes that were with him...” (Esther 3:1); the worst possible thing happened. The bond of loyality he had so counted on, was broken, and of all things, on coronation day! Unbeknownst to the King, Haman had become a monster through PRIDE! The words that changed his heart continue still to echo…

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[1] The Jews of the captivity had so blended into society, that even the King didn’t know Esther was a Jewess. See, Esther 2:5-6, 10, 20; and especially 7:3-4.

Chapter Twelve...The Jews' Enemy

“And...that old serpent, called...SATAN...persecuted THE WOMAN [Israel]...and was wroth...and went to make WAR with the remnant of HER SEED....” Revelation 12:9, 13, 17

Throughout his career, Satan has only attacked three individuals and one nation directly. APPARENTLY, TO HIM, NO ONE ELSE EVEN MATTERS!!!

Hatred for God also places Satan at enmity with God’s people. This was never more evident than the day The Jews’ Enemy handed “...the king’s lieutenants...the governors...the rulers ...and...every people after their language...” the decree to “...destroy...kill[1]...” and “...cause to perish, ALL Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day....” (Esther 3:12 and 13)

The Twelfth Year, Twelfth Month

“In the first month, that is the month Nisan, in the TWELFTH YEAR OF KING AHASUERUS, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the TWELFTH MONTH, that is, the month Adar.” Esther 3:7

Do you see it?! In the TWELFTH YEAR of his reign; Haman places King Ahasuerus in the precarious position of dealing with every Jew in his kingdom, ALL at the same time. Isn’t that amazing?! Remember all the Jews were originally from Israel’s TWELVE tribes. Even more amazing, the lot fell “upon the thirteenth day of the TWELFTH MONTH”! (Esther 3:13)

Twelve, as any Bible Believer can tell you, is the number of Israel. The two are inseparable! Not only are there twelve tribes-beginning with Abraham (Genesis twelve), Isaac, and Jacob (later called Israel), from “...twelve patriarchs...” (Acts 7:8)...

[1] Satan doesn’t always care how or when he kills you, only that he DOES! Personally, I believe he favors the SLOW kill.

Boaz Baptist Church

Bible Believing, KJV, Independent Baptist, Soulwinning, Premillenial, Family and Homeschool Friendly Church