2 CHRONICLES 3 1 -17 On a hilltop

2 CHRONICLES 3: 1 -17 On a hilltop overlooking Jerusalem, King Solomon builds the first of only three temples the Jews ever had. He assembles a workforce of 150, 000. Seven years later, the job is done. Israel has one of the most beautiful temples in the ancient world. Only priests are allowed inside. In the back room, where only the high priest can go one day a year, sits the Ten Commandments inside a gold-covered chest – the ark of the covenant. In this temple, Jews will offer sacrifices to God for 400 years – until Babylon invaders destroy the building.

2 CHRONICLES 10: 1 -19 • By the time Solomon dies, the people of Israel are tired of paying heavy taxes to support the king’s administration and his enormous household (including his 1000 wives). • They ask King Rehoboam, Solomon’s son and successor, for relief. The rookie monarch responds harshly, “My father made you work hard, but I’ll make you work even harder. He punished you with whips, But I’ll use whips with pieces of sharp metal!” • The northern tribes secede, start their own nation that they call Israel, and appoint their own king. Only the tribe of Judah, in the south remains loyal to the descendant of David.

2 CHRONICLES 32: 1 -23 • The northern nation suffers under godless kings for about 200 years. • In 722 B. C. , Assyria invades and annihilates the kingdom, taking the survivors away as captives. • Like other countries in the region, Judah had been paying taxes to Assyria. But when the Assyrian king dies, Judah decided to rebel. • The army of Sennacherib, the new Assyrian king, captures one Judean city after another before laying siege in Jerusalem. Standing near the city walls, the Assyrian commander yells, “No god of any nation has ever been able to stand up to Assyria. Believe me, your God cannot keep you safe!” • The Lord sent an angel to the camp of the Assyrians and the next morning the camp was full of dead bodies. Sennacherib returned to Assyria, disgraced.

2 CHRONICLES 36: 9 -21 • The southern nation of Judah outlasted its northern brother for about 150 years. This is because Judah had many godly rulers. But some kings led the people astray. • The Lord God sent prophets who warned the people over and over about their sins. But the people only laughed and insulted these prophets. God decided to punish Judah (36: 15 -16). • Judah’s capital city of Jerusalem suffered a siege that lasted a year and a half, starving many Nebuchadnezzar finally to death. destroyed Jerusalem and • When soldiers of Babylonian King the Temple in 586 BC. and Nebuchadnezzar broke through the city walls, took slaves including Daniel they tore the city to the ground. Solomon’s to Babylon. glorious temple was looted and destroyed. Slaves were taken in three • Jewish citizens who survived the assault were groups, Daniel was in the deported to Babylon as captives. first of these groups.

2 CHRONICLES 36: 22 -23 King Cyrus About 50 years later, the Persian empire, under the rule of King Cyrus, swallowed up Babylon, just as Babylon had earlier overpowered Assyria.

At the completion of the 70 years in Babylon, God faithfully fulfilled His promise to bring His people back into their land, as prophesized and recorded in Jeremiah 25. Ezra records the return of the remnant to their homeland their struggles to rebuild the Temple and re-establish the nation’s religion.

Authorship of Ezra The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah were one book in the original Hebrew Old Testament, Ezra-Nehemiah. The evidence would indicate that Ezra the priest, leader of the second group of the remnant returning from Babylon, is the author of Ezra-Nehemiah. • Most of the Book of Ezra is written in the first person (from the “I” point of view). • Ezra 1: 1 connects the book with the last verse of 2 Chronicles, which was also written by Ezra. • Both Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah are the work of a priestly chronicler, manifesting a priestly interest, emphasis, and point of view. • The vividness and continuity of the accounts favor an eyewitness author like Ezra. • Ezra had access to the library of Nehemiah from which he could have compiled material for the events of which he was not an eyewitness. • The Jewish Babylonian Talmud attributes the book to Ezra.

To Whom was Ezra-Nehemiah Written? • Ezra-Nehemiah was composed for the remnant returning from the Babylonian captivity. • Zerubbabel had returned with the original remnant of nearly 50, 000 who rebuilt the Temple by 516 B. C. • Later (458 B. C. ), Ezra returned with another 2, 000 people. • It was to this latter group as they struggled to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and defend themselves against surrounding enemies that Ezra wrote these books.

• Zerubbabel was the grandson of Jehoiachin, the captive king of Judah (1 Chr. 3: 17). A descendant of David, he was in the direct line of the ancestry of Jesus (Luke 3: 27; Matt. 1: 12). • He was a governor (head) of the Persian province (tribe) of Judah during the time of the Babylon exile. • Under the rule and blessing of King Cyrus of Persia (Ezra 1: 1 -2), he led the first group of Jews, about 50, 000, from the Babylonian captivity back to Jerusalem. • Jeshua (Joshua) was the high priest that returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel was the prime builder of the second Temple. For some 20 years he was closely associated with prophets, priests, and kings until the new Temple was dedicated and the Jewish sacrificial system was reestablished.

The Historical Purpose The apparent historical aim of Ezra-Nehemiah is recording the rebuilding of the Temple and city of Jerusalem by the returned remnant of Babylonian exiles. The Doctrinal Purpose One of the main teachings of these books is the faithfulness of God to His covenantal promises to Judah. God had promised them a land religious center in Jerusalem as well as the return after 70 years of captivity (Jer. 25), and He kept His promises. Also, as in Chronicles, Ezra the priest reflects here the centrality of the Temple worship to the whole life of the Jewish nation. Another obvious lesson in these books is the power of prayer (Ezra 9; Neh. 9) and of the Word of God (Neh. 8).

The Christological Purpose God had promised David to keep his line of descendants alive, for one of them, the Messiah, the Son of David, would one day reign on his throne in Jerusalem. Ezra-Nehemiah shows how God kept this hope alive by repatriating (sending back home) His people. The main messages are: THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD TO THE DAVIDIC COVENANT, ONE FAITH UNDER TESTING, and RETURN, REBUILD, RESTORE, REPENT, and REVIVAL

I. Basic Outline of Ezra The Return Under Zerubbabel; The Restoration of the Nation’s Religious Center: Chapters 1 -6 A. The Remnant’s Emancipation from Babylon (1 -2) 1. The Decree of Cyrus (1) 2. The Return to Palestine (2) B. The Remnant’s Occupation of Jerusalem (3 -4) 1. Rebuilding the Temple (3) 2. The Opposition to Rebuilding (4) C. The Remnant’s Completion of the Temple (5 -6) 1. The Return to Rebuilding (5) 2. The Temple Completed (6) The entire Book of Ezra covers a period of about 80 years. There is a large gap between chapters 6 and 7, where there is no recorded history. II. The Return Under Ezra; The Reformation of the Nation’s Religious Life: Chapters 7 -10 A. B. C. D. The Declaration/Decree of Artaxerxes (7) The Repatriation of the Remnant (8) The Intercession of Ezra; The Return to Palestine (9) The Reformation of the Jews (10)

I. The Return Under Zerubbabel; The Restoration of the Nation’s Religious Center: Chapters 1 -6 A. The Remnant’s Emancipation from Babylon (1 -2) 1. The Decree of Cyrus (1) 2. The Return to Palestine (2) EZRA 1 -2 • In the 1 st year of his reign Cyrus, king of Persia, made a • • proclamation that allowed Jews of the Babylonian captivity to return to their homeland. The tribes of Benjamin and Judah, along with priests from the tribe of Levi, began to make preparations to return to Jerusalem in accordance with the decree. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the people packed to leave Babylon. Ezra recorded that about 50, 000 (46, 900) departed for Jerusalem.

King Cyrus’ Decree, Ezra 1: 1 -4 Also recorded in 2 Chronicles 36: 22 -23 1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, 2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. 3 Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. 4 And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.

King Cyrus in Prophesy: Isaiah 44: 28 -45: 1, 13 44: 28 Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, “You shall be built, ” And to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid. ”’ 45: 1 “Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held— To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut: 13 I have raised him up in righteousness, And I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city And let My exiles go free, Not for price nor reward, ” Says the LORD of hosts.

Persian King Cyrus issues a formal decree inviting Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Persian King Darius brushes aside non. Jewish opposition to the rebuilding project and tells the Jews to finish their work. He even returns the temple furnishings from Solomon’s temple before they leveled it. EZRA 1 -2 Persian King Artaxerxes encourages remaining Jews to return home and gives money and supplies to any who wish to go. Out of the ashes and rock piles of the annihilated Jewish nation emerges a restored Israel. It’s a miracle, reminiscent of the Exodus. But instead of confronting a resistant stubborn pharaoh who refuses to let the Jews go as happened in the day of Moses – we read of three Persian kings who encourage the exiled Jews to return home – and give them gifts and tax breaks as added incentive. So, nearly a thousand years after the great Exodus, the Jewish nation begins a second exodus. It takes place over several decades, as wave after wave of exiles pack up their families and begin the long, nearly thousand-mile walk northward along the fertile Euphrates River valley in what is now Iraq, then south along the Mediterranean coast, through Lebanon and into Israel.

The Chronology of the Restoration Persian King Dates Biblical Scripture Characters Event Cyrus 1 st return; 539 -530 Zerubbabel, Ezra 1 -4 Temple begun 535: Work on Temple begun 536: The altar for sacrificing 537: Return of 50, 000 Jews 538: Edict of Cyrus permitting Joshua, Haggai, then stopped Zechariah under leadership of Zerubbabel then stopped rebuilt Jews to return to homeland Pseudo Smerdis reigns for ½ year No work on 530 -521 --Cambyses 535 -520: No further work on after Cambyses year laying ruin Temple the Temple to temples within the empire Temple work 521 -486 Haggai, Ezra 4 -6 Darius I completed Zechariah 520: Decree of Cyrus confirmed 516: The completion and 486 -465 Esther, Esther 1 -10 Story of Jews’ Xerxes by Darius I; he aids in Temple dedication of the Temple preservation Mordecai (Ahasuerus) construction; prophet Haggai begins ministry 2 nd return 465 -423 Ezra, Nehemiah, Ezra 7 -10; Artaxerxes 458: Second return to Judah, led by Ezra Malachi Nehemiah under Ezra; 3 rd return Nehemiah Ministry of Malachi

I. The Return Under Zerubbabel; The Restoration of the Nation’s Religious Center: Chapters 1 -6 B. The Remnant’s Occupation of Jerusalem (3 -4) 1. Rebuilding the Temple (3) 2. The Opposition to Rebuilding (4) EZRA 3 -4 • Upon reaching Jerusalem the remnant manifested their • • observation of the law by building an altar, offering sacrifices, and keeping the feast of the tabernacles (538 B. C. ). The foundation of the Temple was laid soon after they became established in the land (535 B. C. ) Opposition from their enemies hampered their work, for these enemies convinced the king of Persia to stop the reconstruction (chapter 4).

I. The Return Under Zerubbabel; The Restoration of the Nation’s Religious Center: Chapters 1 -6 C. The Remnant’s Completion of the Temple (5 -6) 1. The Return to Rebuilding (5) 2. The Temple Completed (6) • • • EZRA 5 -6 Under the powerful ministries of Haggai and Zechariah the prophets, the remnants were exhorted to overcome their opposition and complete the Temple. An investigation into the work by the king of Persia proved to be favorable to the Jewish cause and the work on the Temple commenced again (chapter 5). The decree for the building of the Temple was reissued and the consummation of the work occurred in 516 B. C. (chapter 6). There is an interval of some 100 years between Ezra 6 and 7. It is during this period that the events recorded in the Book of Esther occur (486 -464 B. C. ).

II. The Return Under Ezra; The Reformation of the Nation’s Religious Life: Chapters 7 -10 A. The Declaration/Decree of Artaxerxes (7) B. The Repatriation of the Remnant (8) • • EZRA 7 and 8 Ezra, the scribe of the law, and some 2, 000 others whose hearts God had touched carried both written authority and gifts from the king to Jerusalem for the House of the Lord there. Ezra records the scene firsthand: “I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go with me” (7: 28). More than 1750 men are numbered (males only numbered) among those who returned with Ezra. This was about 80 years later in 456 B. C. , after the return under Zerubbabel. Prayer and the providential protection of God brought them safely to the House of God in Jerusalem. They offered their sacrifices to God in thanksgiving for His gracious hand upon them.

Ezra, receiving the decree written by Artaxerxes during his 7 th year of reign, in 457 B. C. • The decree gives further help in establishing the Temple, but it also gives Israel the right to self government. • Up until 457 B. C. , the leaders in Judea were no more than county commissioners. They could look after local problems but they did not have judicial or executive authority. Now they did. • They could set up their own magistrates and judges to carry out their laws. Now, they were recognized as a nation. • This is why this decree was so important to the reestablishment of Jerusalem.

EZRA 9 -10 • Priest Ezra begins teaching the people from the laws of Moses. • Ezra discovers that many of the Jewish men have ignored the law against marrying non-Jewish women. Even some of the priests and temple workers have broken this law.

II. The Return Under Ezra; The Reformation of the Nation’s Religious Life: Chapters 7 -10 C. The Intercession of Ezra; The Return to Palestine (9) D. The Reformation of the Jews (10) • • • EZRA 9 and 10 Like Daniel 9 and Nehemiah 9, this chapter is one of the great intercessory prayers of the Bible. Ezra identifies with the sins of his people as he prays (9: 7) Following this great prayer of confession and intercession, a great revival took place. The people made a covenant with God, reordered their lives to conform to God’s law, and offered sacrifices for their sin.

• Ezra goes to the temple courtyard and begins praying and weeping on behalf of the people. He knows that it was Israel’s association with non-Jews that led to idolatry, which brought on the exile. He fears that God will punish the new nation, just as he had punished Judah. • One by one, a crowd of whisperers gathers around him. When they hear his prayers, they begin weeping too. Within three days a vast assembly has gathered there. As rain pours onto the courtyard, Ezra stands to speak.

Deuteronomy 7: 3 -4 and 6 (The Message) 3 -4 Don't marry them: Don't give your daughters to their sons and don't take their daughters for your sons—before you know it they'd involve you in worshiping their gods, and God would explode in anger, putting a quick end to you. 6 Do this because you are a people set apart as holy to God, your God, your God, chose you out of all the people on Earth for himself as a cherished, personal treasure. “You have broken God’s Law by marrying foreign women, ” he said. “Now you must confess your sins to the Lord God of your ancestors and obey Him. Divorce your foreign wives and don’t have anything to do with the rest of the foreigners who live around here. ” The assembly agrees.

Ezra confessed the sins of Israel, even though he had not participated in them. Ezra 9: 4 -7 (The Message) 4 -6 Many were in fear and trembling because of what God was saying about the betrayal by the exiles. They gathered around me as I sat there in despair, waiting for the evening sacrifice. At the evening sacrifice I picked myself up from my utter devastation, and in my ripped clothes and cape fell to my knees and stretched out my hands to God, my God. And I prayed: 6 -7 "My dear God, I'm so totally ashamed, I can't bear to face you. O my God— our iniquities are piled up so high that we can't see out; our guilt touches the skies. We've been stuck in a muck of guilt since the time of our ancestors until right now; we and our kings and priests, because of our sins, have been turned over to foreign kings, to killing, to captivity, to looting, and to public shame— just as you see us now. As priest of the people, Ezra assumed a posture of deep sorrow and humility, tearing his clothes, falling on his knees, and spreading out his hands before God as he prepared to offer confession on behalf of the people.

Ezra 9: 8 -9 (The Message) 8 -9 "Now for a brief time God, our God, has allowed us, this battered band [remnant – KJV and NIV], to get a firm foothold [nail – KJV and NIV] in his holy place so that our God may brighten our eyes and lighten our burdens as we serve out this hard sentence. We were slaves; yet even as slaves, our God didn't abandon us. He has put us in the good graces of the kings of Persia and given us the heart to build The Temple of our God, restore its ruins, and construct a defensive wall in Judah and Jerusalem. • While Israel had been faithless, God remained faithful and preserved a remnant for His people. • God, in His mercy was bringing rest to this remnant from the years they spent in exile. That they even existed was a testimony to God’s mercy toward His people. The Persian Kings had a history of showing favor to the Jewish people. Isaiah had prophesied that the walls of Jerusalem would be rebuilt, and God used the power of the Persian kings to accomplish His purposes. The wall of protection Ezra speaks of is likely a metaphorical reference to the type of wall a shepherd used to keep his sheep safe at night. The shepherd himself would lay across the opening in the wall as a human gate, keeping the sheep in and the predators and thieves out.

Ezra 9: 10 -15 (The Message) 10 -12 "And now, our God, after all this what can we say for ourselves? For we have thrown your commands to the wind, the commands you gave us through your servants the prophets. They told us, 'The land you're taking over is a polluted land, polluted with the obscene vulgarities of the people who live there; they've filled it with their moral rot from one end to the other. Whatever you do, don't give your daughters in marriage to their sons nor marry your sons to their daughters. Don't cultivate their good opinion; don't make over them and get them to like you so you can make a lot of money and build up a tidy estate to hand down to your children. ' 13 -15 "And now this, on top of all we've already suffered because of our evil ways and accumulated guilt, even though you, dear God, punished us far less than we deserved and even went ahead and gave us this present escape. Yet here we are, at it again, breaking your commandments by intermarrying with the people who practice all these obscenities! Are you angry to the point of wiping us out completely, without even a few stragglers, with no way out at all? You are the righteous God of Israel. We are, right now, a small band of escapees. Look at us, openly standing here, guilty before you. No one can last long like this. " Ezra returned to his original theme of confession of sin, acknowledging that as God’s people they had all violated God’s commands. The “pollution” Ezra referred to had to do with the corruption associated with Canaanite idolatry.

The Jewish Queen of Persia who saves the Jews from slaughter

Esther’s cousin, Persian official who prods her to risk helping the Jews Persian high official who plots to kill the Jews King of Persia

The Book of Esther • The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah deal with the • • • return of the “remnant” which returned to Jerusalem. The Book of Esther deals with those who stayed on in the land of their captivity. This is also the group to whom the Book was written, the Jews who did not return. This story takes place in “Shushan, ” the palace, which is in Susa, the ancient capital of Persia. The number who stayed in the land was far greater than the number who returned to Jerusalem.

Authorship of Esther • The author of Esther is unknown; , it appears to have been written by an unknown Persian Jew. • Some have suggested that Ezra or Nehemiah wrote Esther, but the vocabulary and style do not bear a close resemblance to either one. • Others have suggested that Mordecai wrote Esther since he is said to have kept records (9: 20). But, it has been pointed out that Esther 10: 2, 3 seems to refer to his career as already finished. • It seems best to leave the author unnamed. The best guesses available seem to be Mordecai or, better, a younger contemporary of Mordecai who used his records. The fact that Mordecai is referred to in the 3 rd person and is very highly regarded would support the position that someone else compiled the book. • The name of God is NEVER mentioned in this Book, but Matthew Henry says, “If the name of God is not here, His finger is. • Esther is never quoted in the New Testament.

The Historical Purpose The manifest intention of the Book of Esther is to give the historical foundation for the origin and celebration of the feast of Purim (see Esther 7). The Book of Esther compliments the Book of Ezra. It describes a fascinating story of God’s providence that transpired back in Persia while many of God’s people were resettling Palestine. The Doctrinal Purpose The primary doctrinal lesson concerns the providential care of God for His own. A subsidiary, but important theme, is the truth stated later in Luke 14: 11: “Every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. ”

The Christological Purpose • • Esther shows that God has not forgotten the Jews who did not return. Predictions of a second return (Isaiah 11: 11), which has in fact been in process of fulfillment since before 1947 (when the modern state of Israel was re-established), indicated that indeed the nation was to be reborn some day in the future. According to Revelation 7 and 14, there will be in Palestine in the end time thousands from every tribe. Esther, whose name means “star, ” is a beautiful picture of Christ. Both put themselves in the place of death for their people but received the scepter of the King’s approval. The main messages/themes are: THE PROVIDENTIAL PROTECTION AND BLESSING OF GOD FOR HIS PEOPLE (BECAUSE OF THE ABRAHIMIC COVENANT), THE HAND OF GOD CHANGES THE SITUATION, and GOD BLESSES THOSE WHO BLESS ISRAEL AND CURSES THOSE WHO CURSE ISRAEL.

Basic Outline of Esther I. Royal Crisis for God’s People; The Grave Danger to the Jews: Chapters 1 -4 A. B. C. D. II. The Vices of Ahasuerus/Xerxes; Queen Vashti Deposed (1) The Virtues of Esther; Esther Becomes Queen (2) The Vilification of the Jews; Haman’s Murderous Plot (3) The Vision of Mordecai; Mordecai’s Intercession (4) The Great Deliverance of the Jews; Divine Protection for God’s People: Chapters 5 -10 A. The Venture of Esther; Esther Becomes Queen (5) B. The Vengeance and Execution of Haman; Mordecai Receives Honor (6 -7) C. The Vindication of the Jews; The Jews Avenged (8) D. The Victory of the Jews (9 -10) A. Purim Instituted (9) B. Mordecai Becomes Premier (10)

I. Royal Crisis for God’s People; The Grave Danger to the Jews: Chapters 1 -4 A. The Vices of Ahasuerus/Xerxes; Queen Vashti Deposed (1) • One night with drinks flowing freely the Persian king Ahasuerus (Xerxes) demanded that queen Vashti sacrifice her modesty and dignity before his court. She flatly refused and this threw the king into anger and humiliation, and his court into alarm. • Fearing that the queen’s actions might lead to defiance by women throughout the kingdom, Ahasuerus deposed (ousted) Vashti and sought to replace her.

I. Royal Crisis for God’s People; The Grave Danger to the Jews: Chapters 1 -4 B. The Virtues of Esther; Esther Becomes Queen (2) • (Chapter 2: 3), In order to fill the vacancy of queen, a nationwide beauty contest was held. Young women would join the king’s harem and then he would decide who would be queen (2: 5 -8). • Esther had lost both parents and was raised by Mordecai, her cousin. Mordecai, a gatekeeper for the king, viewed this as an opportunity to recommend Esther. She was not only physically beautiful, she was morally pure. • Esther found favor in the king’s eyes. This enabled her to inform the king about how Mordecai warded off an assassination plot against him.

I. Royal Crisis for God’s People; The Grave Danger to the Jews: Chapters 1 -4 C. The Vilification of the Jews; Haman’s Murderous Plot (3) • (Chapter 3) Haman was elevated in a position of authority; he was the captain of the king’s princes. He hated the Jews and sought to destroy them. Mordecai refused to bow in reverence to him. • Haman became offended by Mordecai. He alleged that the Jews did not keep the laws of the king, he managed to acquire the king’s agreement to a plan to destroy them. • Jewish men, women, and children were to be slain simultaneously on the same day (December 13) throughout the whole kingdom.

I. Royal Crisis for God’s People; The Grave Danger to the Jews: Chapters 1 -4 D. The Vision of Mordecai; Mordecai’s Intercession (4) • (Chapter 4) When Mordecai heard of the proclamation, he immediately consulted with Esther and her maidens. He persuaded Esther to intervene on behalf of the Jews. Esther and her maidens made the situation a matter of urgent fasting and prayer. • The plan was proposed for Esther to make an unscheduled visit before the king to make an appeal for her people. • At the suggestion of Mordecai, Esther bravely concluded that she was called by God to her high position in the kingdom for such as hour as this. In an act of unparalleled courage, she went before the king without an invitation, even if it meant she would perish (v. 16).

II. The Great Deliverance of the Jews; Divine Protection for God’s People: Chapters 5 -10 A. The Venture of Esther; Esther Becomes Queen (5) • (Chapter 5) With great tact and caution, Esther did not blurt out her request to the king. She invited the king to come to a banquet. Haman was to also come. It was at the banquet that she would make her request. • During the banquet, the king volunteered to grant her anything up to half of the kingdom. Her only request was that he attend another banquet.

II. The Great Deliverance of the Jews; Divine Protection for God’s People: Chapters 5 -10 B. The Vengeance and Execution of Haman; Mordecai Receives Honor (6 -7) • (Chapter 6) Haman, bristling with vengeance and jealousy, constructed gallows 75 feet high on which to hang Mordecai. • Meanwhile, the king happened to read in the royal records how Mordecai had saved him from an assassination plot. • To show his appreciation to Mordecai, the king honored him by following the unwitting advice of Haman: he dressed Mordecai in rich apparel and paraded him through the streets on a royal horse.

II. The Great Deliverance of the Jews; Divine Protection for God’s People: Chapters 5 -10 C. The Vindication of the Jews; The Jews Avenged (8) • (Chapter 7) At the banquet, Esther pleaded for her own life and pointed to Haman as the villain in the matter. • Esther petitioned that her people be spared and that their adversary be judged. • At the king’s command, Haman was hanged on the very gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai.

II. The Great Deliverance of the Jews; Divine Protection for God’s People: Chapters 5 -10 C. The Vindication of the Jews; The Jews Avenged (8) • (Chapter 8) The king issued a proclamation against killing the Jews and sealed it with his own ring. On March 23 the king’s scribes wrote up the new proclamation. • Out of the king’s palace at Shushan the king’s emissaries carried the message on swift horses to all corners of the empire. As a result, many non. Jews became Jewish proselytes (converts).

II. The Great Deliverance of the Jews; Divine Protection for God’s People: Chapters 5 -10 D. The Victory of the Jews; The Jews Avenged (9 -10) 1. Purim Instituted (9) • (Chapter 9) On December 13, the very day the Jews were originally supposed to be destroyed, their enemies were destroyed. • Haman, and his sons were hanged and the next 2 days were set aside as national Jewish holidays. This was called the feast of Purim (from the word “Pur, ” meaning “lots” – Haman had cast lots to determine the day on which to destroy the Jews.

II. The Great Deliverance of the Jews; Divine Protection for God’s People: Chapters 5 -10 D. The Victory of the Jews; The Jews Avenged (9 -10) 2. Mordecai Becomes Premier (10) (Chapter 10) Mordecai, the Jew and Esther’s cousin, was exalted next to the king and he acquired great favor for his people. Esther’s mission had succeeded: the Jews’ enemies were squelched and the Jewish seed was preserved. God had protected His people.

• Esther’s success in delivering her people from persecution offers several principles we can use to pray for the suffering church: • Identifying with the persecuted – Esther identified with those who were being persecuted because she was one of them. Scripture teaches us that believers in Christ are not just one family but one body.

• Praying Together – Esther responded to the crisis by turning to God in prayer and fasting. She knew her people were in imminent danger, and she recognized that she needed the prayers of her spiritual family to accomplish her appointed task. • Corporate prayer was the key to Esther’s success. • God has not called us to live out our faith independently from other believers. Personal prayer is important, but the Bible teaches us the importance of praying with other believers.

• Willing to Sacrifice – Esther risked her life for the sake of her people. Though it was forbidden to enter the king’s inner court without his invitation, she went before him boldly to plead on behalf of the Jews. “And if I perish, ” she told Mordecai. • Esther could have been bitter about her past, lamenting her life as a prize of war in a foreign land. She also could have lived passively in luxury, indifferent to the suffering of others. • Instead, she choose to get involved and to become a burden bearer, willing to die for her people. • Esther was chosen and granted royalty “for such a time as this. ” • And so are we!

• What seems impossible to change in this world? • What habits in your own life, or trends in society, seem like walls that can never be knocked down? • Remember, God used ONE woman and changed an ENTIRE EMPIRE.

• Ask God to provide you the courage Esther had to be bold for His kingdom. • Ask Him to open your eyes so you will see what you need to do that will better align your actions to what you believe in Him. “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? ” – Esther 4: 14 NIV