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ESTHER

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah record the Israelite exiles being freed from captivity by King Cyrus of Persia. While many Israelites returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, many remained in Susa, the capital city of Persia.

The story of Esther takes place about 100 years after the end of the Israelite captivity during the reign of King Xerxes. Esther, an Israelite woman, finds herself in the unique position of becoming Queen of Persia. With the help of her cousin Mordecai, Esther is able to reverse the awful schemes plotted against the Israelites by Haman, a corrupt leader in Persia.

God’s name is never mentioned throughout the book of Esther, but His divine intervention and provision for the Israelites is woven throughout the exciting story. The many ironic turns of events in this story show how God is moving behind the scenes, despite appearing absent from the story.

There are many circumstances throughout the book of Esther that seem sinful or immoral. It is important to note that God does not condone all of the actions mentioned in Esther, specifically King Xerxes’s method of choosing a wife or the many references to drunkenness. God is not encouraging or justifying these activities, but is still able to establish His purposes and plans despite sinful people and challenging circumstances.

    • Esther hides her Jewish identity and becomes the queen of Persia

    • Haman, a court official, convinces the king to authorize a massacre of the Jewish people

    • Mordecai informs Esther of these plans and Esther risks her life to save her people

    • Esther

    • Mordecai

    • King of Persia

    • Haman

    • Author: Mordecai

    • Date Written: 4th century B.C.

    • Location: Persia

    • Timeline of Events: 483 - 473 B.C.

    • Intended Audience: Jewish people

ESTHER 1

KING XERXES BANISHES THE QUEEN + OPPRESSES WOMEN 

King Ahasuerus of Persia, more commonly known as King Xerxes I, threw an elaborate celebration lasting over 180 days to display his greatness and splendor. During the time of his lavish celebration King Xerxes hosted a grand feast, lasting seven days long in order to showcase his wealth and power.

Once the King is filled with wine, he sends his guards to bring his wife, Vashti, wanting her to make an appearance at the feast and flaunt her beauty. Vashti, unhappy with this request, refuses. Infuriated with her response, King Xerxes banishes Queen Vashti from the throne, choosing to replace her with a more dutiful, submissive wife.

The Persian officials are afraid that other women would hear of the Vashti’s boldness and stand up against their husbands, so the King makes a decree that all men would be masters of their households.

ESTHER 2

ESTHER CHOSEN AS QUEEN + MORDECAI SAVES THE KING

An Israelite man named Mordecai, who was previously taken from Jerusalem under Babylonian captivity, makes his home in Persia. After the death of both her parents, Mordecai took on the role of guardian and caregiver for his younger cousin Esther.

In efforts to find a new queen, the King Xerxes summons the beautiful virgins of Persia to be considered for the role. The young women are taken into custody and given beauty treatments before being presented for a night with the king.

Esther, being a beautiful young woman, is considered for the role of Queen, but Mordecai instructs Esther to hide her identity as an Israelite.

Out of all the young women in Persia, King Xerxes loves Esther the most and she is given favor in his sight. He places the royal crown on her head, making her Queen over Persia.

After Esther is appointed, Mordecai overhears two royal guards plotting to murder the king. Mordecai tells Esther of their schemes, and Esther informs the King. After confirming their claims are true, the two guards are killed, and it is recorded that Mordecai saved the king by giving the news to Esther.

ESTHER 3

HAMAN PLOTS TO ERADICATE THE ISRAELITES

King Xerxes elevates a man named Haman to a high position of power within the Persian kingdom. Haman is an Agagite, a descendent of the Canaanites, one of Israel’s greatest enemies.

All of the king’s servants bow down and kneel before Haman, but Mordecai refuses. Haman is furious that Mordecai, an Israelite, resists to honor his official role. Highlighting the racial tension in Persia, Haman makes a decree to kill all of the Israelites in Persia. Haman is not content with hurting Mordecai alone, he wants to wipe out the entire people group.

Haman chooses the date of the Israelite execution by casting lots or rolling dice, referred to as Pur, the Hebrew word for dice. The day before the annual Passover celebration, the Israelite people received the terrible news that they would face mass execution.

ESTHER 4

ESTHER BOLDLY CHOOSES TO CONFRONT KING XERXES

When Mordecai hears of Haman’s plot against the Israelites, he weeps and tears his clothing in a sign of mourning. The Israelite people lament as they receive the horrible news of Haman’s corrupt decree.

Mordecai brings the decree to Esther, hoping she will be able to address the king and plead for favor for the Israelites. Mordecai trusts that the Israelites will find deliverance and encourages Esther to approach King Xerxes. By entering the king’s inner courts without being called, Esther could be put to death, but Mordecai empowers Esther to speak up on behalf of the Israelite people. Mordecai believes that Esther has been placed in this position for this exact moment! Esther requests that Mordecai and the Israelites fast from eating and drinking for three days.

Esther responds with bravery and decides to go before the king, boldly declaring “If I perish, I perish.”

Esther 4:14 - 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 5

ESTHER STANDS BEFORE THE KING, HAMAN PLOTS MORDECAI’S DEATH

After three days of fasting, Esther stands in the inner courts before the king’s throne. Instead of having her killed for her interruption, King Xerxes favors Esther. Esther invites King Xerxes and Haman to a feast that she has prepared for both that night and the following night.

After the first night of feasting, Haman sees Mordecai within the courtyard and is filled with drunken rage. Remembering his hatred towards Mordecai, Haman orders for gallows to be made for Mordecai’s death, to either hang or impale him the following day.

ESTHER 6

KING XERXES IS REMINDED OF MORDECAI’S LOYALTY + PUBLICLY PRAISES HIM

After the feast, King Xerxes is unable to sleep and summons an attendant to read the book that chronicled memorable deeds within the nation. During the reading, King Xerxes is reminded of Mordecai’s honesty and loyalty when hearing that Mordecai prevented two royal guards from murdering him. King Xerxes asks what was done to honor or praise Mordecai for his bravery, but nothing had been done to distinguish Mordecai.

Haman enters the king’s palace to discuss the gallows made for Mordecai’s death, but before he has the chance, the king asks him how to best honor someone. Thinking that this honor would be bestowed upon himself, Haman offers lavish suggestions including royal robes, a royal crown, and the horse of King Xerxes.

To Haman’s surprise, King Xerxes orders him to honor Mordecai with the grand gestures Haman suggested. Instead of indulging in the honors himself, Haman is humbled and humiliated as he leads Mordecai on the royal horse. Mordecai wears the royal crown and robes as he is praised for his protection of the king.

ESTHER 7

ESTHER REVEALS HER IDENTITY + ADVOCATES FOR HER PEOPLE

After Mordecai’s public celebration, Haman is brought to the second night of feasts with Ester and King Xerxes. During the feast, King Xerxes asks Esther what she desires and promises to give her as much as half of the kingdom. Esther reveals her Israelite heritage and boldly asks for the lives of her people to be spared. Esther exposes Haman’s corrupt plan to annihilate the Israelites and King Xerxes is enraged.

Removing himself from the situation momentarily, King Xerxes steps out to the palace garden. Haman pleads for mercy with Queen Esther, begging for his life. Just as King Xerxes walks back into the palace, Haman drunkenly falls upon Esther, which King Xerxes sees as an attack or assault.

Because of his wicked schemes against the Israelites and disrespect towards Esther, Haman is sentenced to be killed by King Xerxes. In an ironic turn of events, Haman is impaled on the very gallows he built with the intention to have Mordecai killed.

ESTHER 8

ESTHER DEVISES A PLAN TO SAVE THE ISRAELITE PEOPLE

After his execution, Haman’s house and royal signet is given to Mordecai and Esther.

Esther pleaded with King Xerxes to find a way to save the Israelite people. Despite Haman’s death, his decree is still valid and could not be revoked. Instead, Esther proposes that a second decree be made that allows the Israelites to defend themselves against their enemies. Esther’s new decree reduces the threat of the first decree and grants the Israelites the right to protect themselves from harm and fight back against their opposition.

With the new decree, Mordecai is elevated to a royal position of power and clothed in fine linen robes. When the Israelites hear the good news, they celebrate and rejoice with gladness!

ESTHER 9

THE ISRAELITES ARE VICTORIOUS + CELEBRATE BY ESTABLISHING PURIM

In addition to deterring many attacks against the Israelites, the new decree also allows the Israelites to retaliate against those who want them killed. The Israelites are triumphant against their enemies, including the execution of the ten sons of Haman.

Because of their bravery and creativity, Esther and Mordecai save the Israelite people! To commemorate their victory and deliverance, Mordecai establishes a two-day feast. The feast is given the title “Purim,” named after the term “Pur,” which was the method used for choosing the date of the Israelite execution. Continuing the theme of irony and reversed consequences, the date that once caused terror and sadness is now time of celebration and prosperity.

ESTHER 10

MORDECAI HONORED THROUGHOUT THE NATION

Mordecai continues to rise in power and honor, becoming popular among the Israelites. Mordecai is known for speaking peace and providing welfare to his people.