Courses of Affairs
The book of Esther takes place during the Persian Empire at the time of Xerxes (485-465 BCE). It is one of the most neglected books in the bible and very few people have ever heard a sermon on it. In fact, Ray C. Stedman reports that "Esther is a different kind of literature" and "because it is a different kind of literature, I think perhaps we are a bit frightened by it" (np). The book never mentions the name of God, the prophecy of Christ, and the words heaven or hell never even appear in it. It is a parable, so that God may illustrate a point (Stedman np). The Layman's Bible Commentary states that "there is no doubt that it is God's hand that determines the course of affairs" (Kelly et al. 43). God's does this by allowing a Jewish girl, Esther, to become queen of the Persian Empire, using her influence to destroy their enemies in order to save his people and allowing his people to rejoice in their glory (NJB Esther 1:1-10:3). Esther rises to power when King Ahasuerus, another name for Xerxes, calls upon Queen Vashti to show the people, at Ahasuerus's feast, her beauty. She refused and Ahasuerus divorced her. Soon after Ahasuerus calls all the fa
Haman knows this will be his death. He sends for Haman and asks Haman what he should do for the man that showed the king favor. Ahasuerus liked Haman's ideas and sent Haman to retrieve Mordeai, for he is the man the king wishes to honor. Mordecai informs Esther of their plot, who in return, informs Ahasuerus. Haman is hung on the same gallows that he built for Mordecai (NIV Esther 7:1-7:10). At this time Mordecai learns of their plot to assassinate Ahasuerus. Mordecai soon comes to know two officers, Bightan and Teresh, in the king's service. Ahasuerus accepts and he and Haman go to the banquet. The documents contain the orders of Ahasuerus to annihilate the Jews, no matter the age or gender, and then take their possessions. Mordecai takes Haman's position as the king's favorite and wishes to celebrate the triumph of the Jewish people. (NIV Esther 2:19-23) Haman comes into the story as one of Ahasuerus's favorites.
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Acceptance Essays
