Esther

In this first chapter of Esther, we see a self absorbed king putting on a 6 months party for his officials. The secret sinister purpose of this opulent party, was to butter up his princes, and get them on board with his plans to invade Greece. No one had ever said no to Xerxes, till he makes an unreasonable request of his queen, and Vashti understandably refuses his request. Xerxes biblical title is Ahasuerus (which meant Lion King). Sydney based, verse by verse study of the book of Esther. Part 1 of 10. The series will be presented from a dispensational, premillennial perspective.

In between chapters 1 & 2 of Esther, Xerxes assembled a massive army & invaded Greece. But this invasion was unsuccessful, and he retreats back to his own lands, after losing most of his army on this failed European expedition. Perhaps in an attempt to lift his spirits, his advisors suggest that he put on a kingdom wide beauty contest, with the winner to be crowned his new queen in place of Vashti. A Hebrew girl name Esther (adopted daughter of Mordecai) is taken and put into this contest. Mordecai wisely advises her to hide her Jewish heritage. Esther wins the contest. The hidden hand of God is overseeing the events. He is placing his key people in prominent places, to be revealed at the God ordained moment. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the book of Esther. Part 2 of 10. The series will be presented from a dispensational, premillennial perspective.

Haman the hideous, the old testament Hitler, the descendant of King Agag, rises to a position of power (second only to Xerxes). With this rise, he encounters Mordecai a Jew, the descendant of King Saul. And Mordecai refuses to pay respect & bow down in front of Haman. Centuries old generational hatred comes to the forefront. Haman doesn't want to just kill Mordecai for his disrespect, he wants every last Jew on the planet killed. Haman convinces the king, to sign a decree, condemning the Jewish people. And by the end of this chapter the Jews are doomed. There's no earthly hope, for the people of God. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the book of Esther. Part 3 of 10. The series will be presented from a dispensational, premillennial perspective.

Israel is facing extermination as a people. And in this terrible moment, all the Jews of Susa pray and fast for 3 days, as Esther prepares to risk her life, & intercede for her people. She was placed in her position of power, with her heritage hidden, for such a time as this. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the book of Esther. Part 1 of 10. The series will be presented from a dispensational, premillennial perspective.

Brave Queen Esther risks her life, by going uninvited to the king. 3 days of pray & fasting were dedicated to God in preparation for this risky move. Xerxes ultimately extends his golden sceptre to Esther and spares her life. Then Esther is given an incredible offer by the king. But instead of taking the king up on his offer, she simply invites the King and his chief official to a second feast. Haman, bursting with pride, has his day ruined when he sees hated Mordecai the Jew. So he calls together his own private brains trust, to advise him what he should do about Mordecai. They come up with an evil plan to impale Mordecai on a 75 foot spike. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the book of Esther. Part 1 of 10. The series will be presented from a dispensational, premillennial perspective.

Haman's incredible pride is on full display. His hatred of Mordecai & the Jewish people, are also clear for all to see. Xerxes experiences a God ordained, sleepless night. Where the unrewarded exploits of Mordecai were revealed, just hours before Haman planned the execution of Mordecai. Haman's plotting for the throne are clearly glimpsed, right before he's humiliated before Mordecai. But at least he has that lovely dinner with the king and queen to look forward to. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the book of Esther. Part 1 of 10. The series will be presented from a dispensational, premillennial perspective.

We finally see in the chapter, Haman receiving his just punishment for his evil deeds. Esther reveals who the enemy of her people is. And Xerxes in his fury, has Haman impaled on the spike he prepared for Mordecai. Many would assume the story was now complete. But there's still a critical element within the storyline (that has great implications for us) that hasn't been brought to a conclusion. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the book of Esther. Part 7 of 10. The series will be presented from a dispensational, premillennial perspective.

Haman the hideous is dead. But the royal decree of condemnation for the Jews still stood, & could not be revoked. Xerxes gives Esther the vast wealth of Haman, & gives Mordecai the kings signet ring of power. A second more powerful decree had to be issued to overcome the doom of the first decree. Swift steeds were required to hastily send the message of the second decree out into the 127 provinces of Persia. True history, which happens to prefigure symbolically, the 2 heavenly decrees. The first decree condemns all men. The wages of sin is death, but there is a second more power decree, the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Praise be to Jesus! And saints of God are required to urgently share both these decrees, with a lost, dying and sick world. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the book of Esther. Part 8 of 10. The series will be presented from a dispensational, premillennial perspective.

As we close in on the end of this book, we see the dramatic outplaying of the clash of the 2 decrees. The decree of condemnation is overpowered by the decree of life. The fear of the Jews, fall upon many in the great Kingdom. A great destruction of tens of thousands of enemies of the Jews occurs throughout the known world. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the book of Esther. Part 9 of 10. The series will be presented from a dispensational, premillennial perspective.

This is our final study in the book of Esther. A wonderful story that tells of the events that established the Jewish Feast of Purim. We see in this account, the unseen hand of God moving, to bring about His will. The name of God is never mentioned throughout this account, but His presence is surely felt. Sydney based, verse by verse study of the book of Esther. Part 10 of 10. The series will be presented from a dispensational, premillennial perspective.