Today's lesson is from Esther 3: 1-13. There is a gap of about 44 years from the second year of Darius to the 12th year of king Xerxes. King Xerxes will be a dominant figure in the next three Sunday school lessons. Prior to Esther chapter 3, he made a massive invasion against Greece in an attempt to add to their land to his empire. He behaved very much like a spoiled child when he failed in the attempt. These traits will become evident in the next few studies.
The book of Esther comes between chapters 6 and 7 of the book of Ezra. King Xerxes was known for his pride and lack of wisdom. The story opens as Xerxes throws a lavish feast and makes a selfish request from Vashti, his queen. She rejects his request and Xerxes dismisses her as queen and a new queen must be found. This is how Esther enters the story. Since both her parents had passed away, Mordecai her cousin, took her to raise her. There is a lapse of 4 1/2 years between the selection of Esther and the events of today's lesson.
The first section is "Haman's Anger." vv. 1-6 Haman's ancestors are a matter of different opinions. Some believe he was from Agag the Amalekite king (1 Sam. 15), while others think he was a Persian. Either way, he was full of pride and a hater of the Jews. The king advanced Haman above the other officials in the kingdom. Persian kings were reverenced as deity and Haman was to be treated in the same way. It was not unknown for Jewish people to bow before their king (2 Sam. 14:4; 18:26; and 1 Kings 1:16).
Mordecai refused to bow before Haman. His decision was based on God's commands. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Haman is told that Mordecai was a Jew (v. 4) Mordechai remained true to his convictions and would not bow to the pressure to commit idolatry. Haman became incensed with wrath and sought "to lay hands on Mordecai alone." Haman's pride had taken complete control of him and now he wanted only to destroy Mordecai but all the Jewish people (v. 6).
The summary points of this section:
1. Pride goes before destruction.
2. We are not to worship people.
3. We are to remain true to our convictions regardless of the consequences.
The second section is "Haman's Accusations." vv. 7-9 Haman's pride wanted the Jews destroyed. He wanted to know the best time to carry out his plan. Lots (Hebrew "Pur") were cast to determine the answer. "Pur" was the basis for the word "Purim" which became the Jewish feast celebrating their deliverance from Haman's plot. People in heathen cultures often relied on some medium to obtain direction from the spirit world.
Haman's accusations were fourfold:
1. The Jews were scattered abroad the kingdom so they had the potential to affect the entire population.
2. The Jews laws were different from those of the Ahasuerus and did not fit the norms of their society.
3. The Jews did not keep the king's laws. Mordecai refused to bow and worship Haman as he desired.
4. It was not in the king's best interest to leave the Jews alone. They needed to be destroyed.
The king accepted the allegations and wrote, "Let it be written that they (Jews) may be destroyed. Haman offered to "pay ten thousand talents of silver" into the king's treasuries if he allowed the Jews to be destroyed. This would be worth about 161 million dollars today.
The summary points of this sections:
1. God can take the most adverse circumstances, and change them into a celebration.
2. A life of moral integrity will bring condemnation from members of a sinful society.
3. Because of their love of money, man men will sacrifice moral principles.
The third section is "Haman's Authorization." vv. 10-13 Without any investigation, questioning, or specific charges, the king granted Haman blanket authorization to carry out his plot to destroy God's people. He had access to all the money he needed to bring about the end of the Jews. If he was successful, the Messiah could be prevented from coming because there would be no Jews to which He could be borne. Let that sink in. Satan wanted to prevent the coming of Jesus, and if all the Jews were killed, Satan would have achieved his goal. Haman had the king's ring, the seal of authority. Once the decree had been made and the king's seal attached, under the law of the Medes and Persians, the decree could not be altered or revoked. The decree contained no list of crimes or charges against the Jews, and gave them no means for mercy or consideration. All were to be killed, men, women, and children. Having accomplished his desire, Haman now joined the king in a banquet of wine.
The summary of this section:
1. Satan desires to destroy all the people of God.
2. Christians are thorns in the devil's side.
3. Power can be used for good or evil depending on the character of the person yielding the power.
The Golden Text: "He delivereth me from mine enemies." (Psalm 18: 48) David wrote this psalm after he was delivered from the hand of King Saul. David could have taken things into his own hands for revenge, but he didn't. God was his deliverer not himself. This is a good message for our times. While we are to stand for truth and not compromise, we are not to take revenge. As the psalm says, "He delivereth me...."
Next week, "For Such a Time as This." (Esther 4: 1-17)
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