Preaching on the Book Of Esther
Helps for Preachers by Mike Attwood
The Book of Esther is the most secular of all the writings of the Old Testament. Those who are interested in the great theological subjects of the Scriptures such as Deity, Prophecy, Eschatology or Ecclesiology will search its pages in vain for any help. Esther is never quoted in the New Testament or even alluded to and throughout the book the name of God does not occur. Even prayer is not mentioned when there are times we surely would expect to see it.
The overall theme and therefore value to the Church today, is the covenant faithfulness of God. The covenant in question is the Abrahamic Covenant. God still honors this covenant even to a people who were quite far from Him spiritually at this time. Of course the reason being is that the Abrahamic Covenant is an unconditional covenant. He will bless them that bless thee [Israel] and curse them that curse thee. The events in the book covers a period of approximately 5 years. As Ezra and Nehemiah deal with the captives that returned from exile, Esther deals with those who chose to stay put and remain among the heathen empire of Medo-Persia. The central character is a young woman Esther who marries a divorced unbeliever King Ahasuerus [unequal yoke] and keeps her true identity as a Jew secret upon the advise of her guardian Mordecai. She wins the Kings affection by outward beauty. Hardly a book to teach Christian values! Despite these things God works on behalf of these people and preserves them from a hostile adversary Haman. A type of satan with his vicious hatred of the Jews see Rev. 12 and desires to destroy them.
The author is unknown, but certainly had access to the archives of the public records in Persia. See 2:23, 6:1, 9:32 & 10:2 It has been suggested that perhaps one of the Kings chamberlains was responsible.
Outline: Each section divided up by the prominent characters.
The King and His wives.......................................................................Chp 1-2
The Exaltation of Haman & His decree to destroy the Jews....................Chp 3-5
Mordecai honoured.............................................................................Chp 6
Esther delivers her people...................................................................Chp 7-8
The Jews Victory and Subsequent Celebrations....................................Chp 9-10
Although the name of God is not mentioned His unseen hand is at work in the book.
1. In placing Esther in a position of influence. [Election for service]
2. In delaying the destruction of the Jews for almost a year. [giving time]
3. In keeping the King awake, so to reward Mordecai. [Common them in Scripture]
4. In promoting a despised Jew to Prime Minister.
The Book also contains some amazing ups and downs, people rising to great heights and then falling to great lows. It is a roller coaster ride.
Ahasuerus -exalted and humiliated at the banquet by the refusal of Vashti to obey his commands.
Vashti, from a private banquet of her own, to divorce and shame.
Mordecai, elated at the promotion of Esther to be queen and then humiliated and crying in the street at Haman’s decree.
Haman exalted to lofty heights by the King and then made to escort the man he detested most, and to announce to all that this was the man who the King delighted to honor.
Haman making a lofty scaffold to hang his enemy and hanging on it himself.
The enemies of the Jews who expected to get both the lives and the spoil of their enemies, being humiliated and losing 75,000 of their number in the battles with the Jews.
For Mordecai, Esther and the Jews it ends on a high note. In a coming day, Israel currently despised by the nations will ultimately end on a high note in the coming Kingdom of Messiah.
Like the book of Exodus, the enemies plans to wipe out the people of God failed miserably. Pharaoh tried to drown the Israelites and ended up being drowned n the Red Sea, Haman, tried to hang Mordecai and ended up hanging on the gallows himself. Both enemies reaped what they sowed. In each case deliverance was celebrated with a Feast, kept to this very day Passover and Purim.
The Book also has one other contrast.
Feasting and Fasting. We see several banquets and great extravagance and then we see a time of serious concerted fasting.
Esther is a valuable book for the Church today, God is Sovereignly working out His purposes and will in this world. Sometimes as men we are not fully conscious of this but He still is on the throne and in control.
Helpful Commentaries
The Book Of Esther by William Kelly, Bible Truth Publishers A brief and helpful overview of the themes of the book.
Esther, Triumph of God’s Sovereignty, John C Whitcomb, Moody Press. Helpful in background information and historical data.
Esther by Albert McShane, John Ritchie, short and very suggestive material.
Esther in the Bible Exposition Commentary by Warren W. Wiersbe, Cook publishing. Usually high standard of work from Wiersbe.
Helps for Preachers by Mike Attwood
The Book of Esther is the most secular of all the writings of the Old Testament. Those who are interested in the great theological subjects of the Scriptures such as Deity, Prophecy, Eschatology or Ecclesiology will search its pages in vain for any help. Esther is never quoted in the New Testament or even alluded to and throughout the book the name of God does not occur. Even prayer is not mentioned when there are times we surely would expect to see it.
The overall theme and therefore value to the Church today, is the covenant faithfulness of God. The covenant in question is the Abrahamic Covenant. God still honors this covenant even to a people who were quite far from Him spiritually at this time. Of course the reason being is that the Abrahamic Covenant is an unconditional covenant. He will bless them that bless thee [Israel] and curse them that curse thee. The events in the book covers a period of approximately 5 years. As Ezra and Nehemiah deal with the captives that returned from exile, Esther deals with those who chose to stay put and remain among the heathen empire of Medo-Persia. The central character is a young woman Esther who marries a divorced unbeliever King Ahasuerus [unequal yoke] and keeps her true identity as a Jew secret upon the advise of her guardian Mordecai. She wins the Kings affection by outward beauty. Hardly a book to teach Christian values! Despite these things God works on behalf of these people and preserves them from a hostile adversary Haman. A type of satan with his vicious hatred of the Jews see Rev. 12 and desires to destroy them.
The author is unknown, but certainly had access to the archives of the public records in Persia. See 2:23, 6:1, 9:32 & 10:2 It has been suggested that perhaps one of the Kings chamberlains was responsible.
Outline: Each section divided up by the prominent characters.
The King and His wives.......................................................................Chp 1-2
The Exaltation of Haman & His decree to destroy the Jews....................Chp 3-5
Mordecai honoured.............................................................................Chp 6
Esther delivers her people...................................................................Chp 7-8
The Jews Victory and Subsequent Celebrations....................................Chp 9-10
Although the name of God is not mentioned His unseen hand is at work in the book.
1. In placing Esther in a position of influence. [Election for service]
2. In delaying the destruction of the Jews for almost a year. [giving time]
3. In keeping the King awake, so to reward Mordecai. [Common them in Scripture]
4. In promoting a despised Jew to Prime Minister.
The Book also contains some amazing ups and downs, people rising to great heights and then falling to great lows. It is a roller coaster ride.
Ahasuerus -exalted and humiliated at the banquet by the refusal of Vashti to obey his commands.
Vashti, from a private banquet of her own, to divorce and shame.
Mordecai, elated at the promotion of Esther to be queen and then humiliated and crying in the street at Haman’s decree.
Haman exalted to lofty heights by the King and then made to escort the man he detested most, and to announce to all that this was the man who the King delighted to honor.
Haman making a lofty scaffold to hang his enemy and hanging on it himself.
The enemies of the Jews who expected to get both the lives and the spoil of their enemies, being humiliated and losing 75,000 of their number in the battles with the Jews.
For Mordecai, Esther and the Jews it ends on a high note. In a coming day, Israel currently despised by the nations will ultimately end on a high note in the coming Kingdom of Messiah.
Like the book of Exodus, the enemies plans to wipe out the people of God failed miserably. Pharaoh tried to drown the Israelites and ended up being drowned n the Red Sea, Haman, tried to hang Mordecai and ended up hanging on the gallows himself. Both enemies reaped what they sowed. In each case deliverance was celebrated with a Feast, kept to this very day Passover and Purim.
The Book also has one other contrast.
Feasting and Fasting. We see several banquets and great extravagance and then we see a time of serious concerted fasting.
Esther is a valuable book for the Church today, God is Sovereignly working out His purposes and will in this world. Sometimes as men we are not fully conscious of this but He still is on the throne and in control.
Helpful Commentaries
The Book Of Esther by William Kelly, Bible Truth Publishers A brief and helpful overview of the themes of the book.
Esther, Triumph of God’s Sovereignty, John C Whitcomb, Moody Press. Helpful in background information and historical data.
Esther by Albert McShane, John Ritchie, short and very suggestive material.
Esther in the Bible Exposition Commentary by Warren W. Wiersbe, Cook publishing. Usually high standard of work from Wiersbe.
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