The Providence of God as Seen Through Esther


  1. Esther: A History
    1. Although following the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, Esther's history precedes them.
      1. King Ahasuerus (A-has-u-e'-rus), a.k.a. Xerxes, of Esther ruled from 485-465 B.C.
      2. King Artaxerxes of Ezra & Nehemiah ruled from 465-424 B.C. and was the son of Xerxes


  2. Esther: A Study of Providence versus Miracles
    1. Miracles
      1. Webster: An extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.
      2. Alan Highers: "A miracle is that which is above (transcends) natural law."
    2. Providence
      1. Webster: Divine guidance or care -- "God working in the lives of people within the realm of natural law."
    3. God's name never mentioned, nor any reference made thereto, but God's presence could not be any more clearly seen than in Esther.


  3. Esther 1:1 - 3:1 -- A Study of the Characters
    1. Xerxes
      1. Kingdom stretched from India to Ethiopia
      2. Proclaimed a 180-day celebration for all princes followed by a seven day feast for all.
      3. In his drunkenness, he calls for Queen Vashti to show her beauty before the king and the 7 princes for Mede and Persia
      4. She refuses, and is banished from the throne at the bidding of the princes, who fear their wives will also be disobedient after the manner of Vashti.
    2. Esther: One of many virgins summoned from the kingdom to prepare to be chosen as Queen (2:2) Period of preparation = 1 year
    3. Mordecai
      1. Esther's cousin who adopted her after her parents' death - v 7
      2. Daily stood at the gate of the women's quarters to inquire of Esther's progress.
      3. Overheard a conspiracy by to assassinate the king, told Esther, who informed the king on behalf of Mordecai.
    4. Hegai - favored Esther and showed much consideration - vv 8-9
    5. Haman: a wicked man, 1st among the princes; all bowed to him by order of the king.
  4. Chapters 3-9 -- A Study of the Story
    1. Chapter 3: the plot thickens
      1. Mordecai would not bow, so Haman plots and secures the destruction of all the Jews (vv 4-15).
      2. He will pay 10,000 talents of silver to the executioners to kill the Jews, with all plundered goods to be given to the king.
      3. December 13 is the day of destruction.
    2. Chapter 4: Mordecai calls for Esther's intervention
      1. vv 4-9 -- Mordecai tells Esther of Haman's plot
      2. vv 10-12 -- Esther is hesitant to go to the king
      3. v 13 -- Mordecai tells Esther she will not escape the law of destruction (cf Daniel & King Darius -- Daniel 6:7-17)
      4. v 14 -- ability + opportunity = responsibility (Luke 12:47-48)
      5. vv 15-17 -- Esther steps out of her comfort zone, saying, "I will go before the king, and if I perish, I perish!"
    3. Chapter 5: Esther goes before the king, is given permission to speak.
        1. Asks a banquet to be prepared for Xerxes, Esther, & Haman.
        2. There, she requests a second gathering with those same three present to make her petition before the king.
        3. Haman goes home, and calls his friends together- all I have is of no avail so long as Mordecai lives.
    4. Chapter 6: The King's insomnia, Mordecai's recognition, Haman's pride and fall.
      1. vv 1-2 -- the King cannot sleep, so the book of his life's deeds is read to him.
      2. v 3 -- the King decided to reward Mordecai
      3. vv 4-9 -- Haman's pride
      4. vv 10-11 -- Mordecai is honored
      5. vv 12-13 -- Haman is shamed (cf Proverbs 16:18)
    5. Chapter 7: Haman's plot is avenged
      1. vv 1-6 -- Haman and his plot are revealed
      2. v 7 -- the king "counts to ten"
      3. v 8 -- Haman makes a bad move
      4. vv 9-10 -- Haman is hanged on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai
    6. Chapter 8: the Jews are granted the right of self-preservation (v 8)
    7. Chapter 9: the Jews destroy their enemies
    8. Chapter 10: Mordecai is greatest in the kingdom next to the king