GOD BEHIND THE SCENES IN ESTHER
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) Why was God's name hidden in the book of Esther? There were many gods in the Middle East and Persian empire. Usually, their names were mentioned in official documents in order to control the peoples who worshiped those particular gods. The Jews were unique in being the people of one God. A story of about them was naturally a story about God, for even the name "Jew" carried with it the connotation of one who worshiped Yahweh.
b) The book of Esther is filled with divine interventions.
c) Although God's name is not mentioned in the Hebrew text of Esther, he makes himself known in these ways.
1. Esther, who worshiped God, became queen
i) 7 Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died. (Esther 2:7 NIV)
2. God's existence and his power over the affairs of people are assumed
i) 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
3. Fasting was a distinct spiritual activity usually connected with prayer
i) 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:15-16 NIV)
4. Mordecai overhears a death plot and saves the king's life
i) 21 During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22 But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23 And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king. (Esther 2:21-23 NIV)
5. Ahasuerus can't sleep and decides to read a history book
i) 1That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. (Esther 6:1 NIV)
6. Ahasuerus read the exact page needed for the moment, reminding him of an unpaid reward to Mordecai.
i) 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. (Esther 6:2 NIV)
7. Haman's plan is exactly reversed - the intended victims are the victors.
i) 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”
The king said, “Impale him on it!” 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided. (Esther 7:9-10 NIV)
The End ...
0. Introductiona) Why was God's name hidden in the book of Esther? There were many gods in the Middle East and Persian empire. Usually, their names were mentioned in official documents in order to control the peoples who worshiped those particular gods. The Jews were unique in being the people of one God. A story of about them was naturally a story about God, for even the name "Jew" carried with it the connotation of one who worshiped Yahweh.
b) The book of Esther is filled with divine interventions.
c) Although God's name is not mentioned in the Hebrew text of Esther, he makes himself known in these ways.
1. Esther, who worshiped God, became queen
i) 7 Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died. (Esther 2:7 NIV)
2. God's existence and his power over the affairs of people are assumed
i) 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
3. Fasting was a distinct spiritual activity usually connected with prayer
i) 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:15-16 NIV)
4. Mordecai overhears a death plot and saves the king's life
i) 21 During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22 But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23 And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king. (Esther 2:21-23 NIV)
5. Ahasuerus can't sleep and decides to read a history book
i) 1That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. (Esther 6:1 NIV)
6. Ahasuerus read the exact page needed for the moment, reminding him of an unpaid reward to Mordecai.
i) 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. (Esther 6:2 NIV)
7. Haman's plan is exactly reversed - the intended victims are the victors.
i) 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”
The king said, “Impale him on it!” 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided. (Esther 7:9-10 NIV)
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