ESTHER 1 ESTHER STRUCTURE 1 1 AHASVERUS REIGN

ESTHER 1

• ESTHER - STRUCTURE 1 1 AHASVERUS REIGN – Extent of Kingdom 1: 1 2 AHASVERUS – On his throne 3 MORDECHAI – Discovery of plot 4 HAMAN – His plot 3 MORDECHAI – Discovery of plot 5 ESTHER – Her intercession 1: 2 – 2: 20 2: 21 – 2: 23 3: 1 -15 4: 1 -3 4: 4 – 5: 14 2 AHASVERUS – On his bed 3 MORDECHAI – King’s Inquiry 4 HAMAN – King’s Inquiry 3 MORDECHAI – King’s Command 5 ESTHER – Her banquet 6: 1 6: 2 -3 6: 4 -9 6: 10 -14 7: 1 2 AHASVERUS – At Esther’s table 3 KING – Inquiry and Promise 4 ESTHER – Plea for life 3 KING – Inquiry and wrath 5 ESTHER – Her royal gift. 7: 2 7: 3 -4 7: 5 -10 8: 1 2 AHASVERUS – On his throne 3 ESTHER - Plea for her people 4 KING - Decree 3 ESTHER - Plea for her people 5 ESTHER – Her royal authority 8: 1 -2 8: 3 -6 8: 7 -17 9: 1 -28 9: 29 -32 AHASVERUS REIGN – Extent of Kingdom 10: 1 -3

THE CHARACTERS NAME ROLE VERSE Ahasverus God the Father 1: 1 Mordechai Jesus the Son / Word 2: 5 Hegai God the Holy Spirit 2: 3 Vashti Israel - The First Bride 1: 9 Esther The Church - The New Bride 2: 7 Haman Satan / Anti-Christ 3: 1 7 Chamberlains 7 Princes 7 Maidens 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The Spirit of : His Presence Wisdom Understanding Counsel Might Knowledge Fear of the Lord 1: 10 1: 14 2: 9 3

THE BOOK OF ESTHER – 10 CHAPTERS CHAPTER 1. ) 2. ) 3. ) 4. ) 5. ) 6. ) 7. ) 8. ) 9. ) 10. ) CONTENTS The King wants his bride, but she rejects him. Esther was chosen, Mordechai saves the King. Haman conspires to kill the Jews. Mordechai stirs up Esther to go to the King. Esther goes to the King. The king cannot sleep and honors Mordechai. Esther reveals Haman as a danger to her people. Mordechai is promoted and counters the plot. The Jews defeat their enemy. There is peace for the Jews. 4

CHAPTER 1 The King wants his bride, but she rejects him. 5

Esther 1: 2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace… GOD our King, sits on his throne in heaven 6

Esther 1: 10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, The Spirit of His presence The Spirit of Wisdom The Spirit of Understanding The Spirit of Counsel The Spirit of Might Were sent to 7 The Spirit of Knowledge The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord Israel his Bride to bring her into the presence of God 7

Esther 1: 11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. , God had only 1 desire, to bring his chosen bride, Israel, his queen, into his presence. I want to see my bride, my beloved, at my banqueting table… 8

Esther 1: 12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. She (Israel) the beautiful wife of the King of the Universe was to reflect all that HE was in splendor and majesty to the world. But she refused to hear His voice and be the vehicle to display his Glory. The Kings primary expectation was obedience. Both Vashti and Israel was lax in exhibiting this quality. “But Israel refused and turned to other Gods” 9

Esther 1: 14 -15 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the 7 princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom; ) What shall we do…? The Spirit of His presence The Spirit of Wisdom The Spirit of Understanding The Spirit of Counsel What shall we do? The Spirit of Might The Spirit of Knowledge The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord 10

Esther 1: 19 … and let the king give her royal estate Unto another that is better than she. The Jews were no longer the prime Bride of God, Another Bride was sought for… 11

CHAPTER 2 Esther was chosen, Mordechai saves the King. 12

Esther 2: 5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; Mordecai is introduced here as a picture of : the Word, the living Word, Jesus, who by his wisdom will find a new bride for the King. 13

Esther 2: 6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. Mordecai carried away from his homeland, because of the sin of his parents. Put on a Babylonian garment. Jesus, left heaven not because of his sin but because of the sin of others. Put on a human garment. 14

Esther 2: 7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. Mordechai’s relationship with Esther was through a pure ancestral bloodline. Jesus, born of the Spirit, is related to the Church which is born of the same Holy Spirit. Mordechai “KEPT” Esther… John 17: 12 … those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost… 15

Esther 2: 8 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. The Church, the Bride of Christ is under the custody of (Hegai) the Holy Spirit. 16

Esther 2: 9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. Seven helpers… And they are… Wait for it… 17

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Esther 2: 9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. The Church, even though she is chosen is not quite ready to meet the King. She must go through an extensive purification process… These seven spirits help her prepare : The spirit of His Presence, Wisdom, Understanding, 19 Counsel, Might, Knowledge and the Fear of the Lord

Eph 5: 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Rev 19: 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. How are you making yourself ready ? 20

Esther 2: 10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. Just as Esther kept her identity secret. So the true identity of the Church, the Bride of Christ, is still hidden from Israel. 21

Est 2: 11 (KJV) And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. Jesus comes by your house every day… What does he see you do? He watches over his Church daily… Philippians 1: 6 - Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 22

Esther 2: 12 Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women; ) BIRTH = Mat 2: 11 - And when the wise manhad opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. DEATH = Mark 15: 23 - And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. BURIAL = John 19: 39 -40 - And there came also Nicodemus, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes. Then took they the body of Jesus to bury. The same substances that Jesus took to prepare for his sacrifice, Esther took to hers! Esther Disclosed her Birth, took a chance at Death, and secured the Resurrection of all her people. 23

Esther 2: 13 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house. You can prepare any way you want to, How you approach the King, is up to you. What is “beautiful” to you? Who are you making yourself beautiful for? What is “beautiful” to God? 24

Esther 2: 15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. ESTHER ONLY TOOK WHAT HEGAI APPOINTED! Don’t you EVER think, Church, that you can approach God with worldly beauty. You can ONLY approach HIM, if you take ONLY what the Holy Spirit recommends. 25

Esther spent much time in preparation… You need to spend much time in preparation. You might have to let go of. . . You will have to take hold of… The blood, the word, the spirit… 26

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Esther 2: 17 -18 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Only the Church will do as the bride of Christ… Only the Church can dwell in His presence… Only the Church eats at His table. Only the Church can KNOW Him. Only the Blood Washed Church ! 28

Esther 2: 21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. Bigthan = Rich - Teresh = Revered. Jesus had a very strong message for two groups: The rich - The religious They were the doorkeepers and were angry, looking for a way to annihilate him. Crucify Him! 29

Matthew 23: 13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. The doorkeepers kept the door shut for themselves and anybody else. ! Luke 6: 24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 30

CHAPTER 3 Haman conspires to kill the Jews 31

Esther 3: 1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. Haman = Splendid ( satan appears as an angel of light ) Isaiah 14: 13 -14 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the 32 clouds; I will be like the most High.

Esther 3: 2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. Mordecai was IN Sushan but he was not OF Sushan John 17: 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Jesus was IN the world, but he was not OF the world. 33

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Esther 3: 6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. Jesus was given the guardianship of the Church, and he now stands as the sole antagonist of satan. He is an obstacle to satan and his strategies for achieving his personal desires, just as Mordechai was Haman’s sole antagonist. 35

Esther 3: 9 Haman said: If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. Satan is: Anti-God Anti-Christ Anti-Semetic Anti-Christian Anti-Bible 36

Esther 3: 13 And the letters were sent by POSTS into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, WE INTERRUPT THIS TEACHING FOR A COMMERCIAL BREAK : Not FEDEX Not UPS But United Persian Postal Service 37

CHAPTER 4 Mordechai stirs up Esther to go to the King. (The st 1 Whisleblower) 39

Esther 4: 14 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? Mark 16: 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 2 Timothy 4: 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 40

CHAPTER 5 Esther goes to the King. 41

Esther 5: 2 -3 …when the king saw Esther the queen, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near… Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given … Hebrews 4: 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Matthew 7: 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Instructed by the Living Word our approach is granted! 42

Esther 5: 14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made. Mark 15: 13 And they cried out again, Crucify him. 43

CHAPTER 6 The king cannot sleep and honors Mordechai. Sleepless in Sushan 44

Esther 6: 11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour. The death that satan had planned for Jesus became his own destruction! The honor that satan wanted will be given to Jesus! Revelation 5: 8 Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 45

CHAPTER 7 Esther reveals Haman as a danger to her people. 46

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Esther 7: 1 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. Esther 7: 4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. Esther 7: 6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. Esther 7: 7 and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. Just as satan tempted Jesus in the beginning of his appearance, but realized he could make no headway. Now he is turning his attention to the Church tempting it with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life. God will eventually cast him into the lake of fire. 48

Esther 7: 9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. Colossians 2: 14 -15 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. That which satan planned as Jesus' end became his own end. 49

CHAPTER 8 Mordechai is promoted and counters the plot. 50

Esther 8: 2 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. Matthew 28: 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 51

Esther 8: 3 -4 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king, Romans 8: 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 52

Esther 8: 11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, Matthew 10: 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. You have the ring of the King and his Authority, make sure you use it ! To Gather - To stand - To destroy, slay, cause to perish - To take the spoil. 53

CHAPTER 9 The Jews defeat their enemy. 54

Esther 9: 10 The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; and they hanged Haman's ten sons. But on the spoil laid they not their hand. Satan’s defeat it complete. He is defeated. 10 stands for Completeness of order, marking the entire round of anything, is, therefore, the ever-present signification of the number ten. It implies that nothing is wanting; that the number and order are perfect; that the whole cycle is complete. 55

Esther 9: 27 -28 The Jews ordained, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year; And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed. This is still celebrated TODAY by the Jews. 56

CHAPTER 10 There is peace for the Jews 57

Esther 10: 3 (KJV) For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed. Rom 14: 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. John 14: 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 58

PEACE Psalms 37: 37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. THE END 59