INTRODUCTION TO ESTHEREsther 4:14 (Key Verse) 'For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?' The book of Esther is about a beautiful Jewish woman who became the queen of the Persian Empire. In this way, God used her to save her people. The Feast of Purim, which is still celebrated by the Jewish people of today, commemorates what Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai did. Although God is not mentioned in this book, His guiding hand as the sovereign ruler of all the world is clear. The period of Babylonian exile had ended with the Persian conquest of Babylon under King Cyrus. While many Jews had returned to rebuild Jerusalem, the vast majority were scattered throughout Persia. Persia under Xerxes ruled the world from India to Egypt. The writer tells of how Esther saved the Jews from the plot of Haman, who was an Amalekite, who planned the genocide of all the Jewish people throughout the Persian Empire. Esther's cousin Mordecai maintained his Jewish identity while living in exile. He is the behind-the-scenes hero of this story. Esther herself is an example of a godly woman. She accepted the mission God gave her. Mordecai's words to Queen Esther is the key verse: '...if you remain silent at this time, relief...for the Jews will arise from another place...And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a me as this?' (4:14)
QUEEN VASHTI DEPOSED
1. Two banquets (1-12)
King Xerxes ruled the Persian Empire from Egypt to India. He was a very powerful man. But he was an insecure man. That led him to invite the leaders of the empire to a six-month log exposition to show off his military might and his own glory and majesty. He topped it off with a lavish week-long banquet. That same day, Queen Vashti also gave a lavish banquet for the women of the palace. At one point, Xerxes wanted to show Vashti off to his guests. He sent for her but she refused to come! She did not respect her husband and king. This made Xerxes furious.
2. The consequences (13-22)
The king consulted his closest advisors to see what should be done about Queen Vashti. His advisors told him Vashti must be severely punished lest other women become influenced by her. So, they urged Xerxes to depose Vashti. Queen Vashti lost her position because of foolish stubborn pride on both sides. Pride is ruinous of relationships- both with other people and with God.
Application: Lord, my heart is full of pride. Help me repent and cleanse me of my pride.
One Word: Pride goes before a fall