INTRODUCTION:

 The name “Esther” comes from a Persian word meaning “star”; her Hebrew name was “Hadassah” 
 which means “myrtle.”
 The theme of the book of Esther is the providence of God; He rules in the kingdoms of men so that 
 His people may be preserved and His will carried out.
 The setting of the book is in Persia following the return of the Jews under Cyrus and Darius; the Jews 
 involved were those who chose not to return to Judah.
 King Ahasuerus is Xerxes I who reigned over 60 nations from Africa to India; he was defeated by the
  Greeks in the famous battle at Salamis.
 Xerxes was assassinated in 465 B.C.; thus the date of the events in the book would have been a few 
 years earlier.
 The author of the book of Esther is unknown; some have thought that Mordecai wrote it; others Ezra 
 or Nehemiah.
G. An interesting fact about the book is that God’s name does not appear in it.
 A. Neither does God’s name appear in The Song of Solomon.
 B. Even though the name of God is not mentioned, the hand of God can be seen in every event 
  in the book.

DISCUSSION:

I. KING AHASUERUS MAKES A FEAST (Chapter One).

 A. All the most powerful nobles from his 127 provinces were invited to this feast which 
  lasted 180 days (six months).
 B. A second feast of seven days was held.
  1. Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women in the royal house.
  2. When the King was “merry with wine,” he sent for Vashti to show off her beauty.
  3. Vashti refused; the king consulted with his advisors as to what should be done.
  4. They suggested that Vashti be deposed lest her example cause other wives to rebel
   against their husbands.
II. ESTHER BECOMES QUEEN (Chapter Two).

 A. A replacement for Vashti was sought.
  1. All the fair young virgins were brought to Shushan.
  2. Among them was a Jewish maiden, Esther, an orphan who had  been raised by her 
   relative, Mordecai.
  3. Esther was chosen as queen, but she did not make known her nationality.
 B. Later, Mordecai learned of a plot to kill the king.
  1. He reported this to Esther who reported it to the king.
  2. The conspirators were caught and executed.
  3. Mordecai’s name was recorded in the king’s chronicles.

III. HAMAN HATES MORDECAI (Chapter Three).

 A. The king elevated Haman above the other rulers.
  1. All the kings’ servants bowed before Haman except Mordecai.
  2. Mordecai reverenced only God and would not show honor to such a man as Haman.
 B. Haman plotted revenge on Mordecai by a plan to exterminate the Jews.
  1. He accused the Jews of disloyalty to the king.
  2. He offered 10,000 talents (about $10,000,000) to the king in exchange for    permission to carry out his plan.
  3. A day was appointed for the slaughter, and the decree went throughout the 
   Persian Empire.
  4. If the Jews were wiped out, God’s plan to bring Christ into the world would be 
   thwarted (Genesis 3:15; Revelation 12:1-6).
 
IV. MORDECAI PLEADS WITH ESTHER TO INTERCEDE (Chapter Four).
 A. He put on sackcloth and sat at the palace gate.
  1. Esther sent clothes for Mordecai, but he refused them.
  2. He related to her Haman’s plan.
 B. Mordecai begged Esther to intercede for the Jews.
  1. Esther was reluctant for the king had not sent for her for a month.
  2. It was the custom that if anyone approached his throne uninvited, he was killed 
   unless the king extended his scepter.
  3. Mordecai could see God’s providence in Esther’s becoming queen:
   “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement 
   and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s 
   house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art  come to the kingdom 
   for such a time as this?”
  4. Esther’s courage is shown in her response:  “...and so will  I go in unto the king, 
   which is not according to law: and if I perish, I perish.”  
  5. The fate of a nation and the plan of redemption depended upon the decision of a 
   young woman!

V. ESTHER APPROACHES THE KING AND HAMAN BUILDS A GALLOWS (Chapter  Five).

 A. When Esther approached the king, he extended his scepter.
  1. He asked for her petition.
  2. She requested he and Haman come to a banquet the next day.
 B. Haman went home happy and proud.
  1. Mordecai did not bow before him as he left he palace.
  2. Haman boasted to his family of the honor the queen had shown him.
  3. Mordecai’s attitude gnawed at him and ruined his pleasure.
  4. His wife and friends suggested that he build a gallows 50 cubits high and hang 
   Mordecai on it.

VI. HAMAN IS HUMILIATED AND MORDECAI IS HONORED (Chapter Six).

 A. That night the king could not sleep (Was this providence?).
  1. He asked the chronicles be read to him and found Mordecai had not been honored 
   for saving his life.
  2. The king decided he would correct this oversight.
 B. Haman arrived at the palace early the next day.
  1. When the king asked him, “What shall be done to the man whom the king delighteth 
   to honor?,” Haman thought the king wished to honor him.
  2. Haman suggested that the king’s robe and crown be put on him, that he ride the 
   king’s horse, and one of the king’s trusted servants proclaim him throughout the city.
  3. Haman was humiliated when he was required to thus honor Mordecai.

VII. HAMAN IS HANGED (Chapter Seven).

 A. Haman was summoned to the banquet with Esther and the king.
 B. Esther related Haman’s plot to have the Jews annihilated.
 C. The king had Haman hanged on his own gallows.
VIII. THE JEWS ARE GIVEN PERMISSION TO RESIST THEIR ENEMIES (Chapter Eight).

 A. Since the laws of the Medes and Persians were irrevocable, the decree against the Jews still 
  had to be carried out (cf. Daniel 6:8).
 B. The king gave the Jews permission to defend themselves.
  1. Many feared the Jews and joined them.
  2. God gave the Jews great victory over their enemies.

IX. THE FEAST OF PURIM WAS INSTITUTED TO COMMEMORATE THE DAY OF DELIVERANCE
  (Chapter Nine).

X. MORDECAI IS ELEVATED (Chapter Ten).

 A. The king made Mordecai second to him in authority.
 B. He was in a position to do much good for his people.

CONCLUSION:

A. The book of Esther illustrates God's care and concern for His people.
B. God's chosen people were saved by the intervention of a courageous young woman.
 Esther's humility, courage, and willingness to serve provide a great example for both men and women 
 today.

         
Rod Rutherford