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For Such A Time As This – The Story of Esther and Mordecai, Part II

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For Such A Time As This – The Story of Esther & Mordecai

Part II – A Tale of Two Queens

In this lesson we find the King of the Persian Empire who is called by Ahasuerus (a transliteration of his Persian name Khshayarsha) or by his Greek name Xerxes and he is reigning over the 127 provinces of Persia which includes the land of Judah/Palestine. Xerxes was a very powerful King and the empire that he ruled over was equally powerful, so much so, it rivalled that of the Greek Empire of his time.

The first chapter of the Book of Esther introduces us to a lavish party that Xerxes put together for his military leaders and nobility to celebrate their accomplishments as an empire. The timing of this party fits into the historical record in which Xerxes was “poking the bear” and preparing to take on the Greek Empire in battle. It was common for Kings to throw lavish parties both to celebrate past victories and to prepare the military leaders for upcoming battles. Although we are not specifically told this was the purpose of the party mentioned in Esther 1 – it is certainly a strong possibility.

At this banquet we are introduced to Queen Vashti who was the reigning Queen over the Persian Empire along with Xerxes. Unfortunately for her she refuses to comply with the Kings request, and this results in her being deposed/removed as queen. This creates an interesting opportunity for the other women of the Persian Empire and as the chapter unfolds, we will see this opens the door for Esther (a young Jewish woman) to become Queen and thus replaces Vashti.

 This was no coincidence and clearly is the providential hand of The Lord God who places Esther in the right place at the right time or better defined as “Such a Time as This”. Esther will win the favor of King Xerxes and her beauty (both inside and outside) captivated Xerxes so much she was given “most favored status” even though she was a Jew. Esther’s heritage will play a roll in the events that unfold through the Book of Esther but for this moment she was the talk of the town.

In each of these opportunities we can see the providence of God at work. The way in which He orchestrates His will to be accomplished despite what may seem (to some) as unimportant at the time or a mere coincidence but, is divine intervention for His purposes and our good. The Apostle Paul writes it this way; “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)

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For Such A Time As This – The Story of Esther and Mordecai, Part I

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For Such A Time As This – The Story of Esther & Mordecai

Part I – Introduction/Overview

By way of introduction, there are a few interesting items to consider about the Old Testament Book of Esther. First and foremost, the book appears in the Old Testament as the 17th book of the Bible, but the historic/chronological context would place the events of Esther as one of the last 4 Books of the Old Testament.

The events of the Book of Esther take place over a period of 10 years (483 – 473 BC) during the reign of the Persian King Ahasuerus (aka Xerxes) who ruled over the 127 provinces of the Persian Empire from 485-465 BC. Prior to this time, the Jews (of the Southern Kingdom of Judah) were taken from their lands of Judah and relocated to the land of Babylon. This was known as the “Exile” and something that was prophesied to happen by Jeremiah the prophet. Eventually the Babylonian Empire was conquered by the Persians in 539 BC, and they ruled over the people of Judah until a later date when the Greeks conquer the Persian Empire.  It was Cyrus the Great (great grandfather to King Ahasuerus) who will decree that the Jews would be permitted to return to their homeland and rebuild their temple. Many Jews will return to Jerusalem as they were instructed to do, and you can read about that in the books of Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah.

The story of Esther is about those Jews who remained behind in Persia and did not return to Jerusalem as thy were commanded to do. Esther and Mordecai’s grandparents were part of the group that remained behind in Persia and set the stage for the events recorded in the book of Esther. The story that unfolds in the Book of Esther is a powerful testimony to the sovereign protection of God as He purposes to fulfill the promises made to Abraham and his descendants. We will be introduced to two wonderful people, Esther, and Mordecai, who God will use to spare the people of promise (the Jews) from complete annihilation by an evil man named Haman. It will be Esther and Mordecai, who stand in the gap and assists their people in protecting themselves and ultimately securing the lineage of King David that would one day bring about the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

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The First Family of Faith – The Story of Abraham and Sarah Part 2

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Our story picks up with Abraham, Sarah and Lot facing some growing pains. Both Lot and Abrahams herds have grown and so had their possessions which created a need for them to go their separate ways. Lot had a passion toward wickedness which was evident by his choice to go in the direction of Sodom. Abraham and Sarah’s passion was to worship God and follow Him which was evident in the choices they made.

This decision by Abraham and Sarah will bring about a covenant (a promise) that God makes with Abraham in which he not only promises him a male heir who will receive the same covenant promise that God makes to Abraham but also future offspring too numerous to count. In addition, he would be blessed with a land that was so vast and large it too could not be fully grasped as to its size.

There will be a several important developments involving Lot, Abraham, and Sarah along with the consequences of a bad decision. In the end God’s promise of a son that would be the offspring of Abraham and Sarah will come true. From that child (Isaac) will come future generations of descendants (too numerous to count) that will call out to God and worship Him. Abraham and Sarah’s faith will be tested, and God will honor their faith with a legacy that spans the entire Bible and continues even to our modern day. “Consider Abraham: He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Understand then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and announce the gospel in advance to Abraham: All nations will be blessed through you. So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith” (Galatians 3:6-9)

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Part 3 – Why The Church 3.1

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Both the Gospels of Mattew and Luke provide a small glimpse (recorded in the first 3 chapters) into the birth and early years of the Life of Jesus and subsequently write about the miracles and teachings of Jesus until his death and resurrection takes place. The other 2 Gospel accounts of Mark (probably dictated by Peter) and John almost immediately begin with the public ministry of Jesus, and they also continue their writings up until the death and resurrection of Jesus.

I mention this to show that the majority of the Gospel accounts are written to lay the foundation that Jesus is the Son of God and by His authority the church was established. Jesus called twelve ordinary men from different backgrounds, occupations, and religious upbringings and began to teach them The Way. It was the Apostle John who wrote; “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” (I John 1:1-3)

In a teaching moment; Jesus asked his disciples, Who do the people say the Son of Man is? He received several different replies; some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Then Jesus asked the disciples; “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am? Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

This (Matthew 16:18) was the first mention of the word church and its basic meaning is the “called ones” which best defines what Jesus declared to Peter. The church in its purest sense is an organism and not an organization or a building. Over time, and even in the early days of the church as recorded in Acts, the need for structure and organization was necessary to help the church accomplish the mission or as some call it, “The Great Commission“. (Matthew 28:18-20). However, the church is and always will be “the called ones” for wherever two or three are gathered together in His name, He is in their midst. (Matthew 18:19-20).

This Lesson: “Why the Church – Part 1” is designed to show who the head of the church is which is Jesus Christ, how the church started and how that authority which was passed to the 12 Apostles to start the “Beginning of an Unfinished Work” made its splash on the world and continues until Jesus returns. (Acts 1:8)

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