A daily Bible study A daily Bible study
God blessed America when she feared Him, now, it appears, she may face His wrath
All Scripture is quoted, in both sermons and daily thoughts, except when done by a guest, is from the authorized 1611 King James Version. The words in red are those quotes of God the Son, the Lord Jesus and the words in purple are those qoutes spoken directly by God the Father and the words in this sickly greyish color are of satan and his ilk. But all of the Bible is spoken by God and should be viewed as God's handbook for us to run our lives by.
What I am attempting to do is introduce new and old Christians to the King James Version of the Bible, the only Authorized version, the version of 1611. What you will find is that the words of Jesus are in red, the word quoted by God the Father are in purple and those spoken by satan are in a sickly greenish grey. In every instance where the words he and him appear and are referring to one of the three within the trinity, the H is capitalized. When confusion arises over who the Bible is referring too, such as in the writings of Paul, after the he or him, He or Him, in smaller letters within two commas will appear the name of the individual the writer is referring to.
EstherNow, without further commentary, let us turn to the Book of Esther.
Chapter one:
1 ¶ 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:)
Ahasuerus is also known as Xerxes.
2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
Shushan is also known as the citadel of Susa.
In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
180 days, one half year.
5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.
9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
10 ¶ On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains (Eunuchs) that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew 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 by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
King Ahasuerus had in essence order to queen to come to his drunken party, dressed in nothing more than her crown. This is important, the king had ordered the queen to appear nude to entertain his friends. And she refused.
13 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment: And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;) What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
King Ahasuerus called together his chief of staff and cabinet to help him decide what to do with this disobedient queen.
16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and 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.
When the king replaced the queen, it wasn't like today's divorces, queen Vashti is never heard from again and history is very silent about her, but it can be assumed that the queen was killed, sold or given away as a gift to some very minor dignitary in the furthest corner of the kingdom. For you'll notice that the councilors of the king show no concern about the queen, only their own power over their belongings, their wives, concubines and slave girls. They seem to think about the same of their women then as government today thinks of it's subjects.
20 And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.
Look, this was a local matter, yet the king sent his decree getting rid of Vashti throughout his entire kingdom, he wanted to make sure that were ever she showed up, if she were still alive, that she would not be treated as royalty. I tend to think she was sold as a prostitute to a roving band of harlots, but that is only speculation on my part. The important thing is that there is no authorized, by God, action of armed rebellion by Vashti or her family.
Chapter two:
1 ¶ After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: even with a harem of huge proportions, the king missed Vashti, must have been some woman.
So as the king pined away, his servants, who probably caught the brunt of his misery, came up with a way to pre occupy the king and relive his frustrations.
3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
Kish? Does that name sound familiar to you?
1Samuel 9:1 ¶ Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.
1Samuel 9:3 ¶ And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses. Yes, Kish was the father of Saul, the first king of Israel, the great great grandfather of Mordecai.
7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
Wow, look here, the king has taken Esther, the virgin adopted daughter of Mordecai, yet, watch, still no authorization to use force.
9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. Hegai wasn't going to keep the king waiting for Esther, he was sending her to the front of the line. He immediately started her on the year of preparation for her night with the king.
10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.
Mordecai and Esther obviously had a very close daughter father relationship, for even though Esther had been taken to serve the king, Mordecai checked on her well being every day, and she, kept her religion quiet, not telling the king she was a jew, because Mordecai had told her not to. As you will see, God has his own timing here.
12 Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;) Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house. In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.
15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. 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.
18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king. And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate. Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
This obedience to Mordecai will prove itself later.
21 ¶ 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.
Notice that Mordecia has just saved the kings life, this is the same king who has taken his beloved little girl for his own personal sexual gratification. Notice also that Mordecai didn't go to the king himself, but relayed though Esther the warning to the king. And that while, Esther, a young girl who had been raised to cherish her virginity and was without a doubt betrothed to one of the higher ranking jews in the community, a girl whose virginity was taken, not by her betrothed, but by this heathen king, still obeyed her ‘father' Mordecai and warned the king and saved his life. Leaving us with no doubt that God did not authorized rebellion over the lose of a daughters virginity.
Esther, chapter three,
1 ¶ 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. 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.
But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
Why didn't Mordecai bow down to Haman? Because he understodd God's word, he understood and abided by God's word. Mordecai didn't look at Holy Scriptrue as something for the last generation, he looked at as something for him to abide by;
Exodus chapter 20, verses 1-6
1 ¶ And God spake all these words, saying,
2 I am the LORD thy God! It is I which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage! Thou shalt have no other gods before Me! Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth! Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them! For I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me!
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep my commandments. Mordecai wanted to make sure that he was in and remained in verse 6, not one of those in verse 5. He wanted to make sure that God showed mercy to him and loved him, not despised him and cursed his children to the third and fourth generation. What about you?
3 Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?
4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
7 ¶ 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. 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: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.
You think clinton and his flunky playing at being attorney general,janet reno, is bad, read again what Haman wanted to do. And then read verses ten and eleven.
10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
King Ahasuerus tells Haman to keep his money and go kill the people, he batted no more of an eyelash in ordering the slaughter of all the jews than did clinton in his edict to kill the Christians at mount Carmel outside of Waco.
12 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. 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, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. 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.
The majority of the people of Shushan it seems were just as confused by the kings order to kill the jews as most Americans were by clintons order to kill David Koresh and his congregation. But unlike clinton and his order to destroy the federal building in Oklahoma city,Ahasuerus doesn't look for an escape goat, he takes credit for his evil deeds himself. But still no order from God to act, to rebel. Why? What is God waiting for? Why was God allowing the jews to be persecuted the way they were? Why is God allowing Christians around the world and throughout the USA to be persecuted and even killed? What is He waiting for? Read chapter four and learn!
Chapter four,
1 ¶ When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; and came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. They ripped their clothes, put on sackcloth and wailed and cried out?
Who do you think they were crying out to? What do you think they were crying and wailing about? Could it have been that they saw the helplessness of their plight and were crying out to God, asking His forgiveness and begging for His help?
4 So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.
Like Washington and the local and state governments today, the government then was so out of touch with the people that they didn't even know that folks were upset. Remember back at the very end of chapter three, "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. " Haman and the king sit down to a few beers while the folks outside are saying "What, what's going on here? What did these jews do to deserve death?" Yet, note, no uprising
5 ¶ Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate. And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.
8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
Notice the confidence that Mordecai has that he raised Esther to be dutiful and obedient to him, regardless of her position, wealth, political power etc. He tells her eunuch to tell her to go to the king, use her influence and save her people.
10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; 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. And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.
Bottom line, Esther said "But dad, if I go to the king without his having called me, he'll kill me, you know the laws." Natural for a daughter to be scared, but notice, she didn't say no. she is only trying to get him to change his order to her.
13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Mordecai didn't yell at Esther, he knew he didn't have to, he knew that all he had to do, was reinforce his original order to her and she would obey, for he had raised her both with love and with the understanding of the ten commandments of God. Exodus 20: verse 12;
¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Mordecai knew that Esther was scared, he knew that she feared for her life, he knew that what he was asking her to do was hard. He knew that he was asking this young girl, his daughter, to put her life on the line, but he also knew that she would obey. So, he reinforced her by giving her reason to go forth to the king by asking her if she thought she would be exempt and if she escaped the kings edict, would she escape God.
15 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.
"Dad, I'll go and if I die, well so be it, but will you and the jews join me and my maids in fasting and praying to God for the next three days, so the Lord God will be with me." That's what she has responded, what would your daughter do? Obey or watch you die? And who do you think she was fasting for and prying to?
17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
Can you not just see Mordecai going into the synagogues and homes of the jews, telling them that his daughter will go to the king and ask his help, but that we all must pray to God with fasting for the next three days, asking God to be with her and to touch the heart of the king. But will God listen? We will see.
May the God whom Esther and Mordecai cried out to be with and bless you all, amen.
Wednesday and Thursday, October 4th & 5th, 2000 AD
Till this point in time, we have seen the king fire his queen, have the best looking virgins rounded up for his pleasure under the guise of having a ‘let's replace the queen contest'. We have seen the forces of satan working in the body of Haman in an all out attempt to destroy the Jews. We have seen the remarkable obedience of a young Jewish virgin named Esther. As she obeys her uncle with scarce more than a feeble attempt to get him to change his mind, even though what he wanted her to do would almost surely cost her her life. We have seen the Jews of all Persia join together in crying out to the Lord God above in sackcloth with fasting and prayer. Now we will see God move.
Esther chapters five and six.
1 ¶ 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.
Can't you just hear Esther praying, "Oh please Lord God above, protect Your handmaid, please God, please Father, please let the king let me live....."
2. 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.
Can you hear Esther now praising and thanking the Lord God? For not only was she still alive, the king had greeted her with a smile.
4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed. Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is; If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.
But why has Esther brought this Jew hating Haman? Well as we learn from Isaiah 55:8 and 9,
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
God has His own way of doing things, in His time and in His way. It is not for us to understand, it is but for us to obey. And if we perish in doing the Lord's work and ways, then so be it. For it is better to perish doing God's work than to live in the darkness and following the orders of satan. For to die doing the Lord's work is to find paradise and life eternal in heaven. To follow satan is to spend eternity in the horrors and torture of hell.
9 ¶ 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. Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he 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. Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
Man has satan poisoned this guy or what? Does not Haman remind you of Stalin and his 100 million murdered Jews and Born Again Christians? Hitler and his 6 million executed Born Again Christians and Jews? Doesn't Haman remind you of Clinton and his assault on the Born Again Christians, his out and out war against the baby in the womb resulting in millions upon millions of babies worldwide, trapped in the supposed safety of their mothers wombs, being executed and offered up as a blood sacrifice to their god satan? Clinton's hatred towards Israel that is so intense that he has forced Israel to all but surrender to the heathen arabs? Yet the liberal Jews and Laodicean Christians still bow to clinton, they still refuse to see him for what he is, how much more before they wrap themselves in sackcloth and cry out the Lord God Creator?
14 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.
Chapter six;
1 ¶ 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.
Watch God work, keep in mind, the Jews have been praying and fasting, they have been asking the Lord God to help them, they have turned back to God.
4 ¶ And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in. So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.
See the hand of God? Does this not prove beyond a doubt that God is always in control? You, if you are His, a Born Again Believer, go to the Father in the name of the Son in prayer and He will hear you, He will answer you, He will rescue you.
11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
Haman was the number two man in the kingdom, yet even he was not in a position to argue with the king. This is a perfect picture of Christ, satan and the church. Visualize Christ as the King and satan as Haman. You and I, the church of Philadelphia, the Born Again Christian community, the bride of the Lord, are Mordecai. For as Jesus has told us in
Revelation chapter three, verses 7-9;
7 ¶ And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
As Haman worshiped and payed homage to Mordecai, so will satan, his minion, his ilk and those who serve him, pay homage to us.
12 ¶ And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.
Notice how the minions of satan are giving in to the fear of God? Do you see how Haman's wife and friends are telling him that he doesn't stand a chance against the seed of the Jews, "Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.". Satan, his minions, his ilk, his demons and his earthly human followers, know deep down inside that they can't win the war, oh, they can win a skirmish here and there, but the war belongs to the Lord as does victory.
14 And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.
Keep in mind, the Lord has yet to authorize the use of rebellion to His people.
Chapter five
1 ¶ 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.
3 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. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. God is telling us through Esther that if God's people were only bing sold as slaves, that would be ok, but to enslave is not the enemies goal, it is to destroy. Satan's goal hasn't changed one bit, he has no desire to only enslave the Born Again Christian, he wants to destroy us, to kill us. Not because that would hurt us, but in an effort to silence our witness for Christ. But even satan misses the point of Scripture at times. He tends to read it to much like the liberal theologist, the one trying to tell us what God really meant. For he missed this:
Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
If satan wiped out ever Believer to day, God could and would raise up new Born Again Believers seconds later. But satan and his minions won't accept that.
5 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. 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. 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.
10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.
Chapter eight;
1 ¶ On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her. And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
3 ¶ And 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?
Now keep in mind, the law once signed by the king was not suppose to be able to be changed by anyone. Remember how Daniel was cast into the lions den because the king could not change his own decree? Daniel chapter six and in the next verse, but when God wants it done, a way will be found.
7 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. Notice the king has used his onwn rule to change his own rule so to speak. for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse. Yet, while he writing to destroy the Jews, now he was writing to save the Jews.
9 Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; 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, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
10 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. The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.
15 ¶ And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. 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.
God has proven once again that HE is in control and in the next study we will see even more proof of both God's power and His love for those who are His.
As Israel stands at war with it's Arab neighbors, it would be time for Israel to once again rent their clothes, dress in sack cloth, sit in ashes and wail to the Lord. It is time for Israel to look up to heaven and ask the Lord's forgiveness. It is time for Israel to awaken and see that Jesus is the Christ, for they are once again in a terrible position. But they won't. For if one work in the Bible is true then all of it is true and in truth, Israel's heart stays hard and cold as a nation till the very end.
But, we as Born Again Believers can pray for the peace of Jerusalem, we can pray and ask the Lord to spare the Jews, we can pray and individuals Jews in Israel and around the world can have their eyes opened and once Saved, they can join our cry to the Lord for the sake of His holy land.
For as we see in Psalm 122; we are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Now let us get back to Esther and see how the Lord thy God does come to the aid of them that love Him and call on His name.
Chapter seven
1 ¶ 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.
Can't you just see the condescending smirk on Haman's face? As he prepares to shake his head in agreement with this petty request of the Queen's. But.
3 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. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.
Notice the word's of the queen, if we, my people and I had only been sold as slaves, I would not bother the king, but we are to be destroyed, each and every one of us, including me, your queen.
5 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.
Remember that smirk on Haman's face? Well, it's gone! God is working and satan's little satrap is about to take it on the chin. Or better yet around the neck. And he is about to find out that hell is very real and for all eternity.
7 ¶ 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. 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. 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.
Isn't God great? Talk about poetic justice, Haman gets hung on the very gallows that he built to hang Mordecai. Have you noticed the way the Lord has worked very slowly but very surely to save His people? Have you noticed that work did not start till His people got on their knees and prayed? No difference today. If we want God's help, we need to get on our knees and ask for it. Now watch what happens when God's people pray for his help, not just the rescue, but the revival and countless numbers coming to know the Lord as well. Let us continue.
Chapter eight:
1 ¶ On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her. And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. And 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?
7 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.
As God had hardened the heart of Pharaoh, He has softened the heart of Ahasuerus. Praise GOD!
9 Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; 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, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. 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.
The king has now given the Jews his permission to defend themselves. But in those kingdoms, in those days, like today under Clinton, most were unarmed. For only the kings guards, army and police were suppose to be armed. But all it took was that small remnant of what we would call right wing militia members, with God's help and blessings, to turn the tide of battle.
13 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace. And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. 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.
Read that last sentence again, "And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.". When God's hand is shown, people come to the Lord. It happened in Egypt when the Hebrews left and here it is happening again. Do we want revival? Do we want to see more come to Christ? Then let's pray. Let us get on our knees and ask God to rescue us, Judea and Israel.
Chapter nine:
1 ¶ 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.
God strengthened the few who were armed and He put the fear of Himself and His people in those who would stand in their way. There is those right wing militia members again. Today they are referred to as the Right Wing Christian Fundamentalist Patriots. And as the kings in times past hated them so do the so called and self anointed kings today.
3 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. And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha, The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.
Is God telling us that the anti Christ will have ten sons? I don't know. But you will notice that Haman, in this instance is the anti Christ, satan. And in Daniel the Anti Christ has ten horns. Now many find the horns to be nations, and I do not disagree with nor argue against that, but, don't rule out the idea that it could be ten sons as well.
11 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king. 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.
13 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.
Esther knew that there were still more of Haman's allies out there and asked for one more day to rid the world of them, she also realized that Haman and his evil deeds needed to be brought dramatically before the people so, she asked that the dead bodies of Haman's ten sons, not be buried, but hung on the gallows that haman had built for Mordecai and had instead been used to hang Haman. Why did she do this? To continue to put the fear of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the hearts of all those who would think to harm God's people. Imagine what these bodies must have looked like after a few days. After the birds or the air and the heat of the desert day had been at work on them for a few days, imagine the horrible stench. These were no longer the good looking pampered sons of Haman, they were now ugly have eaten sun baked stinking corpses. Kind of like Darwin and his theory.
14 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons. 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; but on the prey they laid not their hand. But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey.
We can learn much from this. There will come a time when God gives His blessings to the Christian to fight horrible government(s), when He does, we must remember to fight for freedom and our lives, but not for money, booty or greed. There are times when the Lord instructs His people to take the land and the houses and the gold and the silver, but not when He is moving to rid the land in which His people are dwelling from the evil that would kill His people. God authorizes plunder when He is giving a new land into the hands of his people, but not when they are simply fighting to save their lives within the borders of the country they live.
17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
20 ¶ 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.
23 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;
25 But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
The ‘his' is not the king and his s