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Covenant Warning

Covenant Warning. Esther. The Plot of Esther in Summary. Persian King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) throws a kingdom-wide party. During the drunken carousing he demands that Queen Vashti appear to be ogled. Vashti refuses, is deposed, and a replacement “Miss Universe” beauty pageant begins.

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Covenant Warning

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  1. Covenant Warning Esther

  2. The Plot of Esther in Summary • Persian King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) throws a kingdom-wide party. • During the drunken carousing he demands that Queen Vashti appear to be ogled. • Vashti refuses, is deposed, and a replacement “Miss Universe” beauty pageant begins. • Esther, a Jew, wins. • Her cousin & guardian Mordecai discovers a plot to kill the king and passes it along through Esther. • Haman is made vice-ruler of the realm and grows angry with Mordecai, who will not bow to him. • Haman maneuvers to get the king to sign an edict which will destroy the Jews. • Mordecai brings the matter to Esther, asking her to act on behalf of her people. • Esther reluctantly begins the process of petition by holding a special banquet for Ahasuerus & Haman. • Haman’s antagonism with Mordecai grows, leading him to build a gallows on which to hang Mordecai.

  3. The Plot of Esther in Summary • In an ingenious plot twist, Ahasuerus finds out that Mordecai has never been rewarded for discovering and revealing the assassination plot, so he gets Haman to publicly honor Mordecai on his behalf. • When Haman & Ahasuerus gather for Esther’s second banquet she reveals Haman’s plot. • In desperation Haman pleads physically with Esther for his life, is accused by Ahasuerus of attacking the queen, and is sentenced to die on his own gallows which were meant for Mordecai. • Haman’s family is destroyed, his property given to Esther, and Mordecai is honored. • Ahasuerus cannot revoke his previous edict, but he signs a new one allowing Jews to fight back and take the property of any who are their enemies. • The Jews killed many of their enemies (75,800) on Adar 13-14, and celebrated on Adar 14-15. • The festivities were call “Purim” because Haman cast a “Pur” (“lot”) to kill them. • Mordecai became chief officer of the realm and did much good for his people

  4. Great Story! Big Question: Should the Book of Esther be in the Bible?

  5. Why the Book of Esther shouldnot be in the Bible: • There is no mention of God in it. • It’s “Heroes” are really “Villains”: • Xerxes (Ahasuerus) (484-465 B.C.): • Temperamental, unstable, cruel, childish • Massive unsuccessful campaign against the Greeks (480) • Celebrated the loss by throwing this half-year long “victory” party • Mordecai (name means “Marduk’s Man”) • Esther (name seems related to “Ishtar,” eastern fertility goddess) • The book has been disputed by devout scholars: • Rabbis at Javneh who nearly excluded it from the Hebrew Bible • Martin Luther, who thought it did not belong in the Bible • It is obviously a work of fiction • It has no worthy theological purpose: • It glorifies the slaughter of thousands, genocide • It affirms the rightness of revenge • It establishes a yearly feast which is little more than a drunken party

  6. Why the Book of Esther should be in the Bible: • God’s Providential Presence is constantly evident • Its characters show how God can use anyone: • Xerxes: God guides international politics • Mordecai: A faithful man brings peace & justice • Esther: A woman who prefigures Jesus (typology) • “Esther” actually is closer to “Ister” (“Star”), and her Hebrew name “Hadasseh” means “myrtle,” which was used in cleansing rituals • The book was received by Jews & Christians alike into the canon of Scripture • The historical details and use of language make it clearly accurate and believable • It has great theological value

  7. What Might Be the Purpose of Esther as a Biblical Book? • Focus attention on God’s providential care? • Motivate others to develop similar wonderful character values to those of Esther and Mordecai? • Typologically prefigure Jesus as deliverer? • Restate the eternal struggle of Good vs. Evil and reaffirm the victory of the Good? • Give the historical background to the Feast of Purim? • Portray an allegory on Divine-Human love?

  8. Might There Be Another Purpose? (Remember the Chronology of Ezra & Nehemiah?)

  9. Chronology of Ezra & Nehemiah • 539 – Capture of Babylon by Medo-Persia (Daniel 5:30) • 538 – Cyrus’ first year, “Homelands” edict (Ezra 1:1-4) • 537 – Return under Sheshbazzar & Zerubbabel (Altar rebuilt) (Ezra 2:1-3:7) • 536 – Work on Temple begun (Ezra 3:8) • 536-530 – Opposition during Cyrus’ reign (Ezra 4:1-5) • 530-520 – Work on Temple ceased (Ezra 4:24) • 520 – Work on Temple renewed under Darius (Ezra 5:2; Haggai 1:14) • 516 – Temple completed (Ezra 6:15) • 515-458 – Huge gap: no records!

  10. Chronology of Ezra & Nehemiah • 515-458 – Huge gap: no records! • 458 (April 8-August 4) – Ezra travels to Jerusalem (Ezra 7:8-9) • 458 (December) – 457 (March) – Ezra calls an assembly and organizes a community assessment (Ezra 10:9-17) • 457-445 – Big gap again: no records! • 445 – Nehemiah travels to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1-2) • 445 – City wall completed (52 days! Nehemiah 6), Assemblies (Nehemiah 7), Feast of Tabernacles celebrated (Nehemiah 8), Fast (Nehemiah 9) • 432 – Nehemiah goes back to Persia & returns (Nehemiah 13:6)

  11. When does the story of Esther take place? In the “Big Gap” between 515 and 458 B.C.!

  12. In Light of the Sinai Covenant: • During the times of Esther God’s people were in the wrong place: • The decree to return to Palestine had been issued half a century before! • Many Jews remained in Babylon & Persia because life was easier there • Even Mordecai’s name indicates he may have capitulated to Babylonian & Persian culture • Esther & Mordecai are in the wrong place at the wrong time: • What is Mordecai doing, putting his cousin in a beauty pageant for a cruel & despotic ruler? • Through Mordecai’s irritations of Haman, all Jews (including those who have returned to Palestine) are in danger of being destroyed • The returns of Ezra & Nehemiah to rebuild the failing community in Jerusalem happen within a few years of the events of Esther

  13. Perhaps the Theological Meaning of the Book of Esther includes: • A word of warning to God’s people who forget who they are and live in the wrong place at the wrong time for the wrong reasons • A word of comfort to God’s people that the God of the Covenant is still in control, and still cares • A word of encouragement that no matter where we find ourselves in life, we can make a difference

  14. Bible “Big Picture” • Covenant Making – God establishes a covenant relationship with a missional community by way of a redemptive act • Covenant Living – God guides the covenant relationship with the missional community by way of authorized spokespersons • Joshua – Possessing the Land/Rest/Promise • Judges – Nearly losing the Land/Rest/Promise • Ruth – Recovering Covenant Land/Rest/Promise through obedience • 1 & 2 Samuel – Transitioning to the Theocratic Monarchy of David • 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles – The Great Reign of Solomon (Temple & Covenant Reach), along with the awful unraveling of the Covenant Community • Ezra & Nehemiah – Restoring the Covenant Community • Esther – The shocking story that restarted the Covenant Community • Covenant Questions – God nurtures the covenant relationship with a missional community by way of spiritual wisdom and insight

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