The Lot is Cast

Esther 3:1-15

Welcome! Today we continue in the book of Esther, chapter 3. Let me start by giving a quick synopsis of where we have been. Beginning in Esther chapter 1, we learn about the powerful king Xerxes, who rules over a vast empire that includes portions of Europe, Asia, Africa, and much of the Middle East, including the land of Israel. The nation of Israel has long ago fallen, a fulfillment of the warnings God gave at the time of Moses, that if the people abandoned their God, He would ultimately abandon them. The Jews have been scattered and live as a people who have been under foreign rule and amongst foreign cultures for generations.   

Beauty Pageant/God Save the King

Esther 2:1-23

 Today we continue our study of Esther in Chapter 2, the point at which Esther herself is introduced to the story, and we begin to see how God will use this young woman in an amazing way. Last week John took us through the “Battle of the Sexes,” in Chapter 1 where Queen Vashti refuses the order of King Xerxes to appear before his party of drunken noblemen, and in retaliation the king issues a royal decree that could never be repealed that she could never enter his presence again. She would need to be replaced by someone better. The king makes this decision in the heat of anger. What will he do to follow through? We will find out now in Chapter 2. Once again, we’ll make a comparison with the parallel passage in the Honor Shame Paraphrase, as Carl has proposed, to supplement the NIV which we normally use.

Battle of the Sexes

Esther 1:1-22

Battle of the Sexes!  Wow, what a title!?  I feel like I’m already in trouble and I haven’t even said anything.  Half of you are looking at me from one side, half from the other.  May God definitely give us His Word for us from today’s message.

As you see, today’s passage is the first chapter of the book of Esther.

Last week, Carl gave us an introduction to the people and events leading up to the time of Esther.  The events of the book are happening around 480 BC.  The earliest date for the book’s writing would be several years after this time, because the annual celebration of Purim appears to have happened more than once at the time chapter 10 was written.

Introduction: Amalek, Agag, and Kish

Welcome and Happy New Year! Today I am excited to begin an exciting journey into the profound, fascinating, and humorous book of Esther! My focus today is to provide some background to the book so that we can get into the worldview, culture, and historical context of the events described in this book.

Let’s start with a super-high-speed review of the history of Israel and then slow down in the places where it is relevant to Esther. I am particularly interested in the origin of the enmity between the people of Israel and a group of people that is the main source of conflict in Esther, a people group that includes the antagonist Haman.