Today we will begin a new series on The Story of Esther. We will take a six-week journey through the book, concluding on Easter Sunday.
As we get started, let’s understand the context of the book of Esther. It was written most likely by a Jew very familiar with the royal Persian court, but the author is unknown. The detailed descriptions of court life and traditions and the events in the book point to an eyewitness author.
Because his perspective was pro-Jewish, scholars believe he was a Jew writing for the remnant that had returned to Judah under Zerubbabel. Some have suggested Mordecai himself was the author, though the accolades for him in the text indicate that another person, perhaps one of his younger contemporaries, was the author.
The book is named for the “star” of the story, a young Jewish girl named Hadassah, who was taken from her guardian, Mordecai, and forced to compete for the king's affection. This unlikely contestant for a beauty pageant was crowned queen of Persia and renamed Esther, meaning “star.”
So as we go through the book, we are going to look at how God, who is never mentioned in the book, uses Esther to save His people. While God is not explicitly mentioned, His presence permeates much of the story, as though He were behind the scenes coordinating “coincidences” and circumstances to make His will happen.
Let’s jump into the text and start by reading Esther 1:1-4 (ESV)
The King’s Banquet
This kingdom covers a vast amount of land. Today there are about 20 individual countries occupying that land. And the text says this land was divided up into 127 provinces. The mention of all these things is supposed to impress us.
The story in the book of Esther occurs between Ezra 6 and Ezra 7 – after the Temple was constructed but before Ezra himself came to Jerusalem and stopped the mixed marriages. That is important to the storyline of this book.
So, back to Ahasuerus (also known as Xerses.) He’s actually in his early 30s when he throws this lavish party. And how long does it go on? Half a year! Now, we’re not told why he’s throwing this party. We know whom he invited – his advisers and those in charge of those 127 provinces.
But the reason isn’t explicitly stated. All we’re told are the facts of how prosperous the kingdom of Persia was and how lavish their banquet was. Not why he’s throwing the party, but the fact that it’s happening and all the over-the-top details that are given concerning it. Well, I suppose everyone goes home after a six-month party, right? Well, they do. But king Ahasuerus isn’t done displaying his wealth and power just yet!
So the king has another feast! This time it’s only seven days long. And the company there is a bit different. Now anyone who is in Susa can come and dine. And what a spectacle they meet when they arrive! Did you see all the glorious details in verse 6?
Beautiful hangings, rings, marble, beds, and pavement. All these colors and textures. These people came from very ordinary places to attend this banquet. To see this splendor would have been breathtaking. And if the ornaments didn’t take your breath away, maybe the alcohol would.
The king had the drinking “according to the law” or according to an edict that he issued. Usually, at such feasts, someone would tell all the guests when they could drink and when they needed to stop. But not at this party! The wine was flowing by the king’s command.
And then we’re told that the king had a queen. Her name is Vashti. She’s holding a separate party for Ahasuerus’ concubines in another location. This is not to say that Vashti and Ahasuerus were apart for the half year before this 7-day feast.
It’s just that when Ahasuerus was holding his shorter 7-day feast, Vashti was with the ladies – well, particularly Ahasuerus’ ladies/concubines – in Susa.
So we’ve been shown all of the king’s riches, glory, and splendor. He’s on top of the world. He has everything. What more could he show his guests? Ah, he’s been saving his most valued possession, if you will, for last. Let’s read Easther 1:10-22..
Queen Vashti's Refusal
The king has partaken of some spirits, and so he is in high spirits. I think that the king was probably not inebriated. But I imagine he was at least a little buzzed – his heart was merry with wine. So he’s at least happy.
And he wants to display the rarest jewel of his kingdom in his eyes – his beautiful queen. So the king, never lacking pomp, sends not one messenger. Not two. But seven messengers are sent to the queen. This is a high occasion. And now, Ahasuerus wants to showcase his wife as the grand finale.
The attendants are waiting. King Ahasuerus sits back and waits for everyone to see his beautiful queen. There’s anticipation in the air. What happens?
What would this have looked like? I imagine it’s like one of those scenes in a drama or a movie where there’s a room full of people; everyone relaxed, and some soft music playing in the background, maybe on an old-fashioned record player. Then someone stands up and says something completely inappropriate. And everyone gasps. The record player screeches to a halt. And all in attendance are looking shocked.
The king was unhappy when the message was delivered that she wasn’t coming. True to his nature, he gets angry. And he doesn’t just get a little angry. He gets really angry.
What does Vashti’s mysterious unexplained action teach us about Ahasuerus? We learn this: Ahasuerus seems to have everything and seems to be nearly god-like, yet he’s just a man. He has everything he needs, except things aren’t well at home, and his wife just made him look like a fool.
So Ahasuerus calls together his 7 counselors to figure out how to handle his marriage issues. Maybe he’s weak in this area and wants others to tell him what he ought to do. Or perhaps he is so dense that he needs seven people to help him figure out the next step.
That then leads us to Chapter 2
So what happens when the king's temper cools off?
It’s almost as if Ahasuerus was having second thoughts. It seems like he almost regrets what he decreed in his burning anger. And yet he did issue a decree. So Vashti could not come into his presence again.
When a law of the Medes and Persians cannot be revoked. Where have we seen this before? Daniel in the Lions Den! Ahasuerus is better known in history by his Greek name, Xerxes, is the son of Darius, who was tricked into putting Daniel into the Lion's Den.
So while the king hesitates, his attendants encourage him to follow through on his decree. So the king had officers throughout the kingdom collect all the beautiful young women and bring them to the royal harem in Susa.
And verse 4 states the main objective – “let the maiden who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” So the search is on. Who will be the lucky one to take Vashti’s place? I’m glad you asked. Because in the next section, we’re introduced to a good candidate.
First, we are introduced to Mordecai the Jew. Mordecai is from the tribe of Benjamin. In this story, we are supposed to love Mordecai. He’s a selfless father figure. He’s raising his deceased uncle’s daughter – his cousin – whose name is Hadassah. Well, that’s her Jewish name. But that’s a secret to everyone.
She goes by Esther, a nice Persian name. And this girl is beautiful. So, with this royal decree to collect beautiful young women, Esther was chosen to go to the harem for a chance to be the new queen of Persia. So she’s placed in the custody of Hegai. What happens to her while she’s there?
Esther finds favor with Hegai. He treats her very well. And all the while, she’s managing to keep her identity hidden. Is that OK? Sometimes you read through a biblical story and wonder if whatever’s being described is good or bad.
In this case, does the rest of the Bible commend identifying with God’s people? Or does it seem OK to deny your association with them?
Daniel was commended for not eating the king’s un-kosher food because he was Jewish.
His three friends wouldn’t bow to the idol because they were Jewish.
Moses forsook his Egyptian upbringing to experience suffering with God’s people.
So I think we’re supposed to look at Esther’s conduct and be a little uneasy about it. How does a godly girl fit in so well with the godless culture around her? How is it that her Jewish identity, which would undoubtedly include moral norms as well as several ceremonial practices, how can that go unidentified for very long?
Now, we’re not supposed to get too upset with Esther. The text states that she was just doing what she was told. And I think a little contrast to Vashti is intended here. But Esther’s just obeying her adopted father, Mordecai.
OK, so let’s get angry at him. I think verse 11 is meant to soften us even further to him. He was so concerned with Esther. He walked by the harem daily to see how his adopted daughter was doing. He loved her. He wanted the best for her.
Was his love a little misguided? Should he have told her to reveal her identity? It’s easy for me to say yes. And yet, this is what happened – Esther obeyed Mordecai and concealed her identity.
So there was a pretty involved vetting process in this beauty pageant.
These girls all underwent a full year of purification with oils and perfumes. There are probably some health benefits to these practices, and we could explain them, but I think the point is again that this is over-the-top and very much in keeping with Ahasuerus’ character. So when the 12 months were done, the girl would take whatever she needed to the king’s room for her one night with him. So it’s nice that the Bible doesn’t say much more about that.
It kinda feels like an episode of the Bachelor or Bachelorette in the Bible.
And then, in the morning, the girl would go into the harem for the concubines. So she didn’t go home. She was an unofficial wife of the king. Unless, of course, he chose her to be queen.
And one day, Esther had her turn with the king.
Esther was so beautiful she didn’t need to bring anything with her. But she did take the advice of Hegai – again; we see her submissive spirit in opposition to Vashti. The text says Esther found favor with everyone who looked at her. And that included the king. He loved her and made her his queen. Now, what would you expect Ahasuerus to do in response to the crowning of his new queen? Yep, he had a feast! I’m not sure how long it lasted this time, but it was lavish, as usual.
So, Esther is queen. Esther, the lowly Jewish girl. The former orphan. She was placed by God, unusually silent throughout this book, to be the queen of the most powerful empires in the world.
But we aren’t entirely done this morning because I will leave this cliffhanger…
Mordecai Discovers a Plot
We won’t read the details, but in verses 19-23, we see Mordecai in the gate. Yes, he was in the gate – where official business was conducted, and judicial verdicts were rendered. How did he get there? I think that Esther appointed him. At any rate, he’s there, and it puts him in the position to overhear two of the king’s servants plotting to assassinate the king. And Mordecai, the law-abiding Jew, reports this plot against his new in-law, the king, to his adopted daughter, Esther. Then Esther reports it to her new husband, Ahasuerus. And Ahasuerus investigates and discovers that Mordecai is right. The king hangs the perpetrators. And Mordecai’s heroic deed is written in a book… and promptly forgotten… for now.
So what are our takeaways from this setup to Esther?
Two Kings & Their Kingdoms
Is God absent from this book? Absolutely not. Here’s what God would have us do as we make our way through this book without his name: God is relentlessly inviting us to compare two kings and their kingdoms as we read this story.
So before we leave this first two chapters of Esther’s story this morning, let’s take that invitation. First, let’s look at two kings and then end with two words of application.
Read the Bible, and you will find that history itself is always a struggle of kings. However, the true King, Jesus, is greater than all other kings.
In this story, with the knowledge we have of Jesus, it is King Jesus vs. King Ahasuerus. How do the two compare?
Where Ahasuerus’s kingdom enslaves, extorts, degrades, and shames, Christ’s Kingdom frees, enriches, cleanses, and exalts. It is pure religion, and it is glorious.
Where Ahasuerus throws a party in a desperate attempt to win respect and bolster the glory of his throne, Jesus sets the table, a wedding feast for those whose worship he has already rightly secured.
Where Ahasuerus abuses and uses and strips, and degrades his bride, Christ washes, clothes cleanses, adorns, nourishes, and cherishes his Bride.
Ahasuerus’s Bride is reduced to an object to be used and jeered at, a sexual trophy to impress the king’s friends. Jesus’ Bride is brought forth in smiling splendor, her dignity clothed in restored and resurrected glory.
Where Ahasuerus’s word goes out in silliness and returns utterly void, Christ’s Word goes out in power, and not one syllable returns void, returns without accomplishing its intent.
In this book, where God isn’t named, God invites us to compare him with his rivals. Take the invitation.
Want to study this passage in further depth? Watch the full sermon here on YouTube!