Men s Inductive Study For Such a Time as This Studies in the Book of Esther

Transcription

1 Introduction Men s Inductive Study For Such a Time as This Studies in the Book of Esther The Old Testament is a generational record of God s people from Genesis to Malachi. When the Bible was canonized or assembled in the order that we see it today Genesis is the first book recorded. Many books of the Old Testament are not necessarily in chronological order. Some overlap time periods and some are even written before the one preceding it in its assembled order. Many scholars believe that the book of Job pre-dates Genesis. In the same way Esther pre-dates Nehemiah but comes after Nehemiah in the canonized state we see it in today. For this reason the student of Scripture must be aware of the chronological order of these books to interpret God s Word in context. As mentioned earlier, the Old Testament is a record of how God and man have worked together and apart through the history of mankind here on earth. When we search our own genealogy we never start from the beginning but we start from the present and look back through the family tree to discover who our ancestors were. In this same way we have studied Nehemiah and his moment in time doing God s will. Now we will begin to study Esther, who came before Nehemiah. Esther is Artexerxes stepmother and no doubt played a very influential role in shaping his early life. We will see in this study that she was instrumental in the history of the Jewish nation of Israel. Each generation is vital to the following generation in influence. This probably is the main reason for King Artexerxes favor towards Nehemiah and the Jews in general. The book of Esther covers a very interesting time period of the Persian Empire, from B.C. King Ahasuerus reigned at this time of Persian history from B.C. No one knows for sure the author of the book of Esther, but many scholars believe that Mordecai, Nehemiah and Ezra are possibilities. Whoever the author was knew the Persian culture and was intimate with the temple and the traditions at Shushan. As in many of the books of the Bible, this story is about good overcoming evil at the highest level. This is a book about the threat of genocide of the Jewish race and how God in His providence used two people to thwart this tragedy so that His word would remain true to His people. First the people were at risk to the unconditional promise of God to Abraham. 1

2 1When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him,"i am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly." 3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: 4 "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. 8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." (Genesis 17:1-8 NKJV) God also made a promise to Samuel concerning David. 8 Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. 9 And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. 10 Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, 11 since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the LORD tells you that He will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever. (2 Samuel 7:8-16 NKJV) Also God said in His Word, Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:4). As mentioned earlier, the book of Esther is a historical book and is the last of the Old Testament history books in the literary chronology of the Old Testament. Although Ezra, Nehemiah and Malachi are written after Esther they too contain some historical facts. As you read this book, you get the feeling that you are reading a script to a Broadway play. This book contains great drama that originates from a historical past, reaching back about a thousand years prior to the time of Esther. When the Jews left Egypt around 1445 B.C., they were attacked by the Amalekites. God s judgment of the Amalekites is found in Exodus 17:14 and Deuteronomy 25:17-19, which called for the total elimination of the Amalekites. Disobedience on the part of God s people to His request regarding the Amalekites repeated itself through the Old Testament and on into Saul s reign in 1 Samuel. Saul ignored God in His instructions to eliminate all of the Amalekites, ultimately falling out of favor with God, by not killing the Amalekite king, Agag. Samuel finally took charge of obeying the order from God and killed Agag himself. As you study this book of Esther, three characters emerge: Haman, representing the enemy; and Mordecai and Esther working together, representing the providence of God. 2

3 As you will undoubtedly note God is not mentioned in this book but unquestionably He is faithfully working through His providence to maintain the trust of His people through His covenant. Very often as men we tend to shy away from Esther and Ruth in our study of God s Word simply because of the feminine titles. You will soon discover that this piece of Bible history is for men and women alike. This book is as timely today as it was over 2,300 years ago. As a student of God s Word, continue to seek God in your study time by asking Him for clarity and wisdom to see the big picture. In this study be mindful to look at the three parts of the study: observation, interpretation and application. God will speak to you as He spoke to these people of the past, making His presence alive and real to you. May God bless you as He ministers to you while studying this jewel tucked away in His Word. 3

4 Notes: 4

5 2004 Harvest Christian Fellowship; All rights reserved Written by D. Vance & C. Thomas for Men s Bible Fellowship. 5