Esther 2:1-20

SPOTIFY

Audio

Manuscript

How did a Jewish girl become the queen of Persia? This is a fascinating story that involves divine providence. 

Have you ever found yourself contemplating the vastness of the cosmos or the existence of a supreme being who orchestrates our lives? Perhaps you've encountered the term' Hand of God'? The Hand of God is not a mere symbol but a testament to His boundless might, a power that surpasses human understanding and stands as the zenith of His creative energy.

The 'Hand of God' is not a mere concept but a profound truth that echoes through the Bible, nature, and history. In the book of Isaiah 41:10, God extends a comforting reassurance to His people, 'Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.' This is not just a promise of His protection and restoration but a wellspring of solace for all who place their trust in Him. His right hand, a symbol of His power, will always uphold and deliver his people. 

Isaiah 48:13 unveils the awe-inspiring truth that His hand laid the very foundation of the earth, and His right hand unfurled the vast expanse of the heavens; when He beckons, they stand forth in unison. This verse resounds with the magnificence and might of His powerful hand. It proclaims His sovereignty as the God of all creation. In this context, the 'Hand of God' is not just a symbol but a vivid representation of His creative power and perpetual role in maintaining the harmony and equilibrium of the universe. 

The Book of Daniel recounts the story of King Nebuchadnezzar, a man consumed by arrogance. He believed himself to be a god due to his immense power. This narrative echoes King Ahasuerus, another powerful figure who held himself in high regard. However, the Bible reminds us that God is the true sovereign, even over mighty rulers like them. This serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how significant someone may seem, they are still subject to the will of God, invoking a sense of humility and reverence in us.

Tonight, I will delve into Esther's narrative, which vividly illustrates the role of God's hands in her becoming Queen. 

Let's anticipate three ways in which God's fingerprints will manifest themselves in shaping the fate of the Israelite Exiles and our lives.

Consider the profound truth that even the mightiest earthly Kings, with all their power, are ultimately cradled in the palm of God’s hands. 

"Beauty that echoes the touch of God" refers to a profound, awe-inspiring beauty that transcends human understanding. It can be seen in the natural world, from mountains to people, and evokes a sense of wonder and harmony. It reminds us of the divine nature of the universe and fills us with a deep sense of joy.

God’s providential care, His loving handiwork, is not just a mere presence but a steadfast and unwavering one in our lives, offering solace and assurance in times of uncertainty.

I will summarize Chapter 1, which will lead us into Chapter 2.

King Ahasuerus of the Persian Empire ruled from 486 to 465 BC. He hosted a six-month-long party to display his wealth and power, followed by a week-long private party in Susa. When he summoned Queen Vashti to present herself to him and his guests, she refused, causing his anger. After consulting with wise men, they decided that Vashti should never appear before the king again, and her position would be given to someone else.

The decree is established, the letters are sent, and now let me begin this sermon by reading Esther 2:1-4 

After these things, when the anger of King Ahasuerus had abated, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her. 

 Then the king's young men who attended him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king. 

 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in Susa the citadel, under custody of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women. Let their cosmetics be given them. 

And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This pleased the king, and he did so. 

The text begins with the transitional phrase “After these things.”

"Understanding the events between Chapters One and Two is useful to the story. So, Let's delve deeper into what occurred during this period." 

The eighth chapter of the Book of Daniel predicts that three more kings would come to power after Cyrus, the Persian ruler, followed by a fourth king called Ahasuerus. He sought revenge against Greece, suffered humiliation at the battle of Thermopylae and naval defeat at the battle of Salamis, and was finally defeated by the Greeks at the battle of Plataea.

The hand of God is seen prophetically in the gap between chapters 1 and 2. King Ahasuerus is left with failure, rebellions, and no Queen, leading us into our text in search of a new Queen.

“The anger of King Ahasuerus had abated; he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what had been decreed against her.”

King Ahasuerus was not a righteous man. His response to trials and tribulations was wrath, murder, and foolish counsel. As Christians, our King, King Jesus, is righteous, and his response to trials and sufferings was Anti Ahasuerus. 

The world of unbelievers has Ahasaures to learn from and imitate. We have Yeshua to learn from and imitate. Jesus understood that suffering was part of His necessary destiny. 

Silent Endurance: When Jesus suffered, He didn’t retaliate or answer back. Instead, He committed Himself to God, who judges justly. His example encourages us to follow His steps, bearing our sufferings with trust and faith.

Jesus responded to trials with humility, silence, and a steadfast commitment to fulfilling His mission. When tested in the wilderness, He also responded by quoting Scripture, emphasizing the importance of relying on God’s Word during challenging times. His example encourages us to trust God and remain faithful even in difficult circumstances.

King Ahasuerus regrets banishing Vashti out of anger and insecurity. Over time, his perspective changed, but he couldn't revoke his initial decree due to Persian laws. So, a new decree was established.

Wicked men with their wicked plans (Esther 2:2–4)

 “Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king” (Esther 2:2). "The king is to choose a new queen from young, beautiful virgins, 

 “Let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom … to gather together all the fair young virgins unto Susa the palace” (Esther 2:3). This resulted in a large group of women, as there were 127 provinces and nearly 400 young women were taken, according to some theologians.

 “Let the things for purification be given them” (Esther 2:3). “Let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti” (Esther 2:4). 

“And the thing pleased the king” (Esther 2:4). It was customary for the Persian king to choose his wife from one of the seven noble families rather than taking a wife from elsewhere. Once again, King Ahasaures accepts and agrees with his attendants' advice without questioning it.

Again, King Ahasaures is showing himself to be a perfect King for the unbelieving world. Why? In modern terms, he was angry with his wife, which was grounds for divorce. Vashti had to go, and there would be no spousal support either. This type of sinful behavior is still practiced today in our beloved America. The divorce rate in the U.S. increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, it went from 24% to 34%, with newer couples filing for annulments. MSN.com wrote an article titled “Gray Divorce.” This article said that “The famous statistic that “half of all marriages end in divorce” applies mainly to first marriages. Second and third marriages actually fail at a far higher rate. 

I know this subject is sensitive, but I want to encourage those who have been divorced and remarried. Or considering it.

Understand that divorce was not God’s original plan for marriage. The Bible teaches that marriage is a lifelong commitment, and divorce should only be considered as a last resort in cases of infidelity or abandonment.

Here’s the good news. Divorce is not an unforgivable sin. Jesus died for all sins, including divorce; again, yall, it is not excluded from the list of sins He paid for on the cross. God's forgiveness is available to those who genuinely repent and seek it.

How can God utilize a wrathful king, a rebellious queen, and an evil scheme to carry out His divine purposes? How does the King's actions align with God's plans? In simpler terms, can God use evil to accomplish His goals?

It's important to distinguish between God controlling evil and God creating it. God is not the author of sin but can use sinful people or their evil schemes to accomplish His goal.

 “The wrath of man shall praise thee” (Psalm 76:10) is the principle seen in God's providence in allowing a wrathful King, a fallen queen, and a wicked scheme to set the stage for a Jewish Queen. 

God can use struggles, heartbreaks, and tragedies to bring about His glory and our good. His sovereignty demands that He is in control of everything; if God is not in control of everything, then he is not God. 

RC Sproul, presbyterian minister, well known for his book, the Holiness of God, said, “If there is one maverick molecule in all the universe, then God is not sovereign. And if God is not sovereign, He is not God.”

Ahasuerus believed he was electing a young woman to safeguard his reputation. However, unbeknownst to him, Yahweh employed the King's moral decay as a means of safeguarding Israel.

 Again, God palmed the heart of the king in His hands by allowing the king to establish a plan that God would use to pave the way for Haddasah.

So now we find ourselves somewhere in Susa, verses 5-7

5. Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite, 

6. who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah, king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had carried away. 

7. He was bringing up Hadassah, that is, Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

These verses are essential to the plot, as they introduce Esther through Mordecai.

The story introduces a Jewish man named Mordecai. His name is not a common Jewish name, and it's possible that he was given a Persian or Babylonian name like most exiles. The name Mordecai is derived from the Hebrew word “Marduk,” which means “servant of Marduk.” Marduk was a Babylonian god.

Mordecai, ‘son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjamite, ' helps us set this story in the broader context of Jewish history. It associates Mordecai with King Saul, for Shimei was a member of Saul’s clan, Kish was Saul’s father, and Saul belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. 

Since the events in ch 2 happened after 483 BC and King Jehoiachin was exiled in 597 BC, it is very unlikely that Mordecai was part of the group taken into Babylonian captivity—he would have been about 120 years old at this time. Therefore, the text must refer to the exile of Mordecai’s father or grandfather, who was among the nobility in Judah. It may be that he wants to say that Mordecai was of the Jairite family, which had been carried away into captivity with Jehoiachin—another way of saying that Mordecai belonged to the best of families, to what Jeremiah called the “basket of good figs” (Jer. 24)

They were part of the large Jewish community forced to leave Judah and didn’t decide to return with Ezra. 

Let's talk about genealogies a bit more. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been defeated by long genealogies in the Bible and decided to skim them and move on. And this one is actually welcoming because it’s short. 

The genealogical records in the Bible serve as a significant means of verifying its historical accuracy. These lists provide evidence of the actual existence of the people mentioned in the Bible. By understanding family histories, we can affirm that the Bible is not just a fictional story or a parable intended to guide us in our lives. It is a genuine historical account of events. 

The Bible's genealogies show how much God cares about every single person. Instead of seeing them as a large group, God pays attention to each individual. The genealogies in the Bible reveal how much God is involved in the lives of His people. By mentioning people by name, the Bible shows that each person has a real story and a unique future. 

The Bible's genealogies confirm that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Isaiah 11:1 prophesied that the Messiah would come from the family line of King David. Tracing Jesus' family tree in the Bible shows that he was indeed a descendant of David, fulfilling the prophecies about the Messiah in the Old Testament.

Genealogies are important in Scripture as they support its historicity, confirm prophecy, and provide insight into God's character and the lives of His people.

Finally, we are introduced to Her Highness Haddasah.

Esther, also known as Hadassah in Hebrew, means "myrtle," a plant with star-like flowers. In the Bible, myrtle symbolizes God's forgiveness and acceptance of his people. It replaced the briars and thorns, depicting man’s sins and transgressions. The second name either came from the Persian word for "star" or from ‘Ishtar,’ the Babylonian goddess of love. 

Mordecai brought up Esther as his own daughter after she lost both her parents at a young age. Mordecai lovingly took her in and raised her as if she were his own.

Esther possessed natural beauty and charm (2:7). The Hebrew says literally that she was ‘beautiful in form and lovely to look at.’ That was all part of God’s gracious providence. 

Esther’s exceptional beauty was meticulously crafted by God's divine hand for His sovereign purposes. She might have been born into a situation where there was no kind relative to care for her when she was orphaned, but in God’s providence, she was well looked after.

Her beauty resulted in her being chosen as one of the women from whom the king would select a queen. However, we do not witness her true beauty until later in this story. 

In essence, Esther's beauty symbolizes God's benevolent providence. The magnificence of her beauty is a reflection of His sovereignty, wisdom, and intricate plans. 

 Finally, Let's take a moment to appreciate God's providential care in Esther's ascension to Glory.

8 So when the king's order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king's palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women. 9 And the young woman pleased him and won his favor. And he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her portion of food, and with seven chosen young women from the king's palace, and advanced her and her young women to the best place in the harem. 10 Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known. 11 And every day Mordecai walked in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her.

12 Now when the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Ahasuerus, after being twelve months under the regulations for the women, since this was the regular period of their beautifying, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and ointments for women— 13 when the young woman went in to the king in this way, she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the harem to the king's palace. 14 In the evening she would go in, and in the morning she would return to the second harem in custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch, who was in charge of the concubines. She would not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.

15 When the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king's eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her. 16 And when Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign, 17 the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown[b] on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king gave a great feast for all his officials and servants; it was Esther's feast. He also granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts with royal generosity.

After Esther was taken to the harem, she quickly won favor with Hegai. He grew to like her and cared for her like Mordecai did. Esther was given special treatment and privileges that set her apart from the other women in the group. This favoritism was a part of divine providence and compromise on Esther's part.

Esther received benefits for beauty treatments, food, maids and the best place in the harem. The focus was on swift access rather than the exceptional nature of the gifts.

Mordecai told Esther to keep her identity a secret when Esther was taken into the harem. Some interpreters have tried to guess what Esther and Mordecai thought during this time and whether she stayed true to her faith. However, we cannot know for sure because the story doesn't tell us. Later on, we see that Esther didn't completely abandon her faith, but we don't know how she made sense of her compromising choices in a non-Jewish culture. Explain Daniel

Mordecai and Esther teach us an important lesson about being true to our identity and values. In the story, Mordecai and Esther are afraid to reveal their Jewish identity, as it might put them in danger. So, they choose to hide it, thus unable to practice God's laws. 

Sometimes, we might feel like we need to keep our Christian identity hidden in certain situations, not because we want to hide it forever, but because we want to wait for the right moment to reveal it. For example, in some situations, you might initially act as if you know nothing when approached by a Jehovah’s Witness or a Mormon, and do it not to deny Jesus but to seize a strategic opportunity. 

This is similar to many people who claim to be Christians but do not live like one. We cannot use the excuse of culture or fear to justify disobeying God's laws. Even though Mordecai and Esther are being molded for God’s purposes, their failure to obey God's laws cannot be overlooked. If God can use our failures, imagine what could be achieved through a life lived in obedience to Him.

1 Samuel 15:22, to obey is better than sacrifice. Obedience to God is better than making sacrifices or offerings to Him: 1) disobedience is an act of rebellion, 2) disobedience is sinful, 3) disobedience is a form of idolatry, 4) disobedience disrespects God’s Word, and 5) disobedience is based on looking good to other people rather than to God.

Verses 12-14 In ancient Persia, brides underwent lengthy preparations, which included ceremonial baths, eyebrow plucking, henna painting, makeup, and a beautifying paste to lighten skin tone and remove blemishes. The preparation time also ensured that no woman was pregnant upon entering the harem so the king wouldn't be falsely accused of fathering a child that wasn't his.

The night with the king was basically a sexual encounter with the king. After having sex with these women, the king would then choose one of them for a queen. This was a terrible way of choosing a queen, but today, many men and women are proud of their body count, explain. 

 "The woman was imprisoned in a separate harem after having a sexual encounter with the king unless he specifically requested her presence. It is cruel how the ungodly treat women, disregarding the sanctity of marriage and the respect and honor that women deserve."

Again, yall, Ahasaures is the ungodly king of this ungodly world.

In a day when women were considered second-class, Jesus shattered prejudices and elevated the status of women to unprecedented heights. That value equalization continued with His apostles. Peter warned husbands that, unless they treated their wives with respect, recognizing that women are co-heirs with them in all God promised, their prayers would be hindered (1 Peter 3:7). Paul wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). The apostles did not learn the value of women from their culture. They learned it from their Master, Jesus. And Jesus treated women with the same love and respect with which He treated men. In all His interactions with women, Jesus treated them with dignity, compassion, and respect. In so doing, He countered the prevailing notions of the day concerning women and their place in society.

The month of Tebeth fell on the seventh year of the king's reign, corresponding to either December 479 or early January 478. It was now Esther's turn to spend a night with the king. The king's eunuch, Hegai, advised Esther on how to conduct herself, and she followed his instructions diligently. When Esther finally met the king, she only requested what Hegai had advised her to ask for. 

Now, before we move on and witness the crowning of a new Queen, we have to discuss the obvious sin here. Did Esther have a choice regarding whether to sleep with the king? Is there a Jewish law she would be breaking by marrying Ahasaures? And besides God’s providence, how is Esther winning favor with everyone? Even though God is Sovereign, we still have our free will. However, our free will is corrupted by sin. In what way is Esther compromising in this entire situation? 

Esther chose to compromise her Jewish identity to win everyone's favor by acting, dressing, and eating like a Persian. Esther also engaged in immoral sex and has no excuse. Though God used her, it does not exonerate her. Sexual immorality is a sin, but the blood of Jesus can cleanse us when we repent and put our old nature to death."

Esther is Made Queen v17-20

The king didn't just like Esther; he fell deeply in love with her. The Hebrew word for 'love' suggests a strong emotional connection. The king loved Esther more than any other woman, and she stood out among all the other virgins, finding grace and favor in his sight.

The king enjoyed hosting feasts, and it's safe to say that there will be a lot of drinking at the upcoming one. The king is hosting this feast to honor his new queen. He wants to regain his honor in front of the same princes and officials who witnessed his embarrassment over Vashti's actions. The king stopped taxes and gave gifts to ensure they associated the new queen with good times.

Verse 19, “When virgins were gathered the second time.” The Hebrew text does not contain the definite article "the," In fact, The three verses, 19, 20, and 21, hang together and form a single sentence: "When virgins were gathered together a second time, and Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate - now Esther had not showed her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had charged her; for Esther did the command of Mordecai like as when she was brought up with him - in those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, the point is this Esther is Queen and Mordecai is seated at the King’s gate, why is this important well come back next week to find out.

I hope I have convinced yall that the selection of Esther as queen was guided by the hand of God, despite her compromising behavior. She had no control over the events that led to her being chosen. If it were not God’s will that she would be queen, she would not have successfully won everyone’s favor. She did not suggest how the king should find a new queen, nor did she have any say in the development of her natural beauty. She could not guarantee that she would gain favor with Hegai, and it would have been unreasonable for her to expect any special treatment. Most importantly, she could not have made the king choose her. However, God could influence, control, and direct all of these factors, and He did!

However, the benevolent hands of God are currently engaged in a more significant task than the coronation of queens or the defeat of kings. This task holds greater importance and significance that transcends beyond the realms of worldly power.

Consider the hand of God in Salvation.

The 'Hand of God' in salvation is a profound manifestation of His grace and mercy in our lives. It's the outstretched hand of the Almighty, reaching out to rescue us from sin and damnation. Through His hand, we find forgiveness, reconciliation, and the promise of eternal life.

To understand the 'Hand of God' in salvation, read Psalm 99:1-3. 1 He sits enthroned above the cherubim; let the earth quake! 2 Yahweh is great in Zion, And He is exalted above all the peoples. 3 Let them praise Your great and awesome name; Holy is He.

This passage speaks of Yahweh's reign and His greatness in Zion, emphasizing His holiness and urging all peoples to praise His name.

Our God is not just holy, He is the epitome of holiness. In Him, there is not even the faintest trace of evil. He is always fair in His judgments. Our God cannot lie. He cannot make wrong decisions. He is blameless, timeless, and sinless. Let us stand in awe of His greatness and purity.

God’s righteous hand grasps the gavel and slams it down with authority against the condemned because He is God, a God of Justice. Justice and righteousness, which always work hand in hand, are the foundation of God’s throne (Psalm 89:14). When we say that God is just, we mean He is perfectly righteous in His treatment of His creatures.

Psalm 7:11-12 says, 11 God is a righteous judge, And a God who has indignation every day.12 If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword. He has bent His bow and prepared it.

Repent? Repent from what? Listen here, professing believers and you unbelievers. Romans 3:23 tells us all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Psalm 11:7 says Yahweh tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. 

God hates sin because it is the very antithesis of His nature. The psalmist describes God’s hatred of sin this way: “For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil dwells with You” (Psalm 5:4). God hates sin because He is holy; holiness is the most exalted of all His attributes (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).

Even now, the Hand of God is at work, restraining us from being as sinful as we could be. How is He doing this? Through his common grace, a grace extended to all, sin, evil, wrath, and misery are restrained in this fallen world. This is a comforting thought, a reassurance of God's ongoing presence and care.

Well, you ask, If God is Holy, and God hates sin, and God will righteously judge and condemn sinners, and we are all sinners, how then can we be saved from His righteous wrath?

While maintaining His holiness and justice, the Bible also affirms that God is love and that in love, He has responded to the plight of man.

In other words, God the Father has provided the perfect and necessary sacrifice of His beloved son, Jesus Christ, to satisfy His righteous wrath.

Why would He do this? 1 John 4:8-10 tells us, “God is love, by this, the love of God was manifested to us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Romans 4:25 He who was delivered over on account of our transgressions and was raised on account of our justification.

Jesus suffered and died on the cross in our place to receive the penalty of God's wrathful judgment on our sins. The fact that Jesus was raised after He died showed that God's justice had been satisfied. Jesus had paid the full price for our sins and had been released from death. His resurrection also makes it possible for Christ's righteousness to be credited to our account, as well. Only through Christ can we be justified and made right with God.

Sergio, I hear all this, and now I ask what I must do to be saved. 

If the Spirit has softened your heart and has overshadowed you, I plead to you to Repent, confess that what God has said about you is true, that you are a hopeless, wretched worm who deserves God’s wrath.

Psalm 51 King David says, “For I know my transgressions and my sins is ever before you. Against you, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified when you speak and blameless when you judge.

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). God has already done all the work. All you must do is receive, in faith, the salvation God offers (Ephesians 2:8-9). Fully trust in Jesus alone as the payment for your sins. Believe in Him, and you will not perish (John 3:16).

God gives us faith; it is a gift of God; pray that you would receive this gift and place this faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

The Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand" (John 10:28-29b). Eternal life is not just a long life that never ends, but it is a quality of life that is lived in the presence of God, free from sin and death. Both Jesus and the Father have us firmly grasped in their hand. Who could possibly separate us from the grip of both the Father and the Son?

Taught by Sergio Roden

Verse By Verse Fellowship

Esther