Paraphrased from the Old Testament book of Esther

  During the time of Ezra, another part of God’s perfect timing is being experienced by the Jews in Persia. King Ahasuerus has a beautiful queen, Vashti, who refuses to attend a magnificent banquet.  The king was furious.  He was advised to replace her, never to see her any more. 

  A Jew named Mordecai lived in Susa (Persia) because he was exiled from Jerusalem many years before.  He was a father to his niece, Esther and arranged for Esther to be among the young, beautiful virgins who were considered for the king’s new queen.  Mordecai told Esther not to reveal that she was a Jew and  kept as close an eye on her as he could from a distance.  The young virgins were in training for a year before they would be summoned to the king, one by one.  The time came for Esther to go to the king.  The king loved Esther more than all the women and became his queen.

  Mordecai kept a place at the king’s gate and one day heard of a plot to kill the king.  He told Queen Esther who in turn told the king, mentioning her uncle’s name.  All this was written down, the plot was thwarted and the two men responsible hanged. 

  Haman, a man with position and power, was close to the king.  People bowed down to him and gave him homage.  However, Mordecai did not bow, infuriating Haman.  Haman discovered Mordecai was a Jew.  Haman’s hatred was so intense that he asked the king for an edict that all Jews in the kingdom be destroyed on  the same day. The king agreed to the request and set his seal which could not be rescinded. 

  When Mordecai learned of this edict, he mourned; tore his garments, put on sackcloth and ashes, weeping loudly as he walked the streets of Susa. Esther heard how her uncle was acting and sent a servant to ask her uncle what was going on.  Mordecai sent word back to her about the edict asking her to go before the king to ask his favor.  Esther sent her reply: everyone knows that if the king did not summon a person, even a queen, into his presence, the king could have that person killed.  But it the person came to the king, without a summons, and the king held out his golden scepter to them, that person would live. 

  Esther was warned by her uncle that she too would die because she was a Jew.  He also said, “And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”  Esther 4:14

  Esther told her uncle to join her in fasting and prayer for three days and three nights.  Then she would go to the king.  “If I perish, I perish.” 
Esther 4:16
  On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and went into the king’s presence as he sat on the royal throne.  When the king saw Esther, she found favor in his sight and he held out to her the golden scepter.  The king asked Esther what was troubling her who replied, “It if pleases the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.” Esther 5:4
  The king summoned Haman to come quickly and join his queen at this special banquet.  As they were eating and drinking, the king asked Esther her petition.  Again, Esther did not reveal her motivation but asked that the king and Haman come again tomorrow to another banquet.

  Self-satisfied, Haman went out, puffed up with pride to be the only one besides the king to enjoy a banquet given by Queen Esther.  As he passed Mordecai at the gate, he became angry because Mordecai did not acknowledge him.  When Haman got home he called his family and wife and told them of the banquet.  He bragged about how he was the only one to be asked to the banquet with the Queen and the king and that he would be promoted above all.  Haman remembered the disrespect of Mordecai and became angry, again.  His wife advised him to build a tall gallows and ask the king to hang Mordecai the following morning. 

  That night when the king could not sleep, he asked for the book of the records to be brought to him.  He read of Mordecai’s warning of the plot against the king’s life.  The king asked what honor or dignity was given to this man – nothing had been done for him.  Just at that time Haman came to the king to ask him to hang Mordecai on the gallows.  The king asked Haman what should be done to a man he wished to honor?  Haman thinking of himself, said, give him a royal robe which the king has worn, a horse the king has ridden, and place a royal crown on his head; let the horse be led by a noble prince leading the horse through the city.  The king was pleased and told Haman to do as he said and give Mordecai this honor.  Haman did so and he went home with his head covered, greatly disappointed.  A courier from the king came to escort Haman to the final banquet prepared by Queen Esther.

  As the king and Haman sat eating and drinking, the king again asked Esther what she desired.  Queen Esther then revealed that she was about to die from the edict against all the Jews.  The king wondered who would presume to do such a deed?  Esther pointedly said, “A foe and an enemy is this wicked Haman!”  Terrified Haman watched the king go angrily into the garden. While Haman went to his knees to beg for his life before the queen, the king returned and saw Haman.  “Will he even assault the queen with me in the house?”  A servant standing nearby said that the tall gallows at Haman’s house was built to hang Mordecai.  The king ordered Haman to be hanged on the gallows meant for Mordecai.

   The king honored Mordecai and set him over the house of Haman.  Then Esther pleaded for her people not to be killed throughout the kingdom.  The king granted that the Jews could defend themselves.  Purim, a holiday of a celebration of joy, was instituted from this time forward. 

Think about this!

God uses circumstances and people to advance His plan and purpose.
Are you available for “such a time as this”?

Categories: Think about this!