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 offical 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 about them was naturally a story about God, for even the name "Jew" carried with it the connotation of one who worshiped Yahweh.
1. Indirect references
a) Text reference: Esther 2:17
@1. 17 The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. (Esther 2:17 NKJV)
@2. Esther who worshiped God, became queen.
b) Text reference: Esther 4:14
@1. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 NKJV)
@2. God's existence and his power over the affairs of people are assumed.
c) Text reference: Esther 4:16
@1. 16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” (Esther 4:16 NKJV)
@2. Fasting was a distinct spiritual activity usually connected with prayer.
2. Divine incidents. The book of Esther is filled with divine interventions.
a) Text reference: Esther 2:21-23
@1. 21 In those days, while Mordecai sat within the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, doorkeepers, became furious and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 22 So the matter became known to Mordecai, who told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name. 23 And when an inquiry was made into the matter, it was confirmed, and both were hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king. (Esther 2:21-23 NKJV)
@2. Mordecai overhears a death plot and saves the king's life.
b) Text reference: Esther 6:1
@1. That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. (Esther 6:1 NKJV)
@2. Ahasuerus can't sleep and decides to read a history book.
c) Text reference: Esther 6:2
@1. 2 And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. (Esther 6:2 NKJV)
@2. Ahasuerus reads the exact page needed for the moment, reminding him of an upaid reward to Mordecai.
d) Text reference: Esther 7:9-10
@1. 9 Now Harbonah, one of the eunuchs, said to the king, “Look! The gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke good on the king’s behalf, is standing at the house of Haman.” Then the king said, “Hang him on it!” 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath subsided. (Esther 7:9-10 NKJV)
@2. Haman's plan is exactly reversed - the intended vicims are the victors.
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 offical 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 about them was naturally a story about God, for even the name "Jew" carried with it the connotation of one who worshiped Yahweh.
1. Indirect references
a) Text reference: Esther 2:17
@1. 17 The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. (Esther 2:17 NKJV)
@2. Esther who worshiped God, became queen.
b) Text reference: Esther 4:14
@1. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 NKJV)
@2. God's existence and his power over the affairs of people are assumed.
c) Text reference: Esther 4:16
@1. 16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” (Esther 4:16 NKJV)
@2. Fasting was a distinct spiritual activity usually connected with prayer.
2. Divine incidents. The book of Esther is filled with divine interventions.
a) Text reference: Esther 2:21-23
@1. 21 In those days, while Mordecai sat within the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, doorkeepers, became furious and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 22 So the matter became known to Mordecai, who told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name. 23 And when an inquiry was made into the matter, it was confirmed, and both were hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king. (Esther 2:21-23 NKJV)
@2. Mordecai overhears a death plot and saves the king's life.
b) Text reference: Esther 6:1
@1. That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. (Esther 6:1 NKJV)
@2. Ahasuerus can't sleep and decides to read a history book.
c) Text reference: Esther 6:2
@1. 2 And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. (Esther 6:2 NKJV)
@2. Ahasuerus reads the exact page needed for the moment, reminding him of an upaid reward to Mordecai.
d) Text reference: Esther 7:9-10
@1. 9 Now Harbonah, one of the eunuchs, said to the king, “Look! The gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke good on the king’s behalf, is standing at the house of Haman.” Then the king said, “Hang him on it!” 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath subsided. (Esther 7:9-10 NKJV)
@2. Haman's plan is exactly reversed - the intended vicims are the victors.
The End ...
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