Oct 1 2023 Esther - Living as Foreigners in a Wealthy Culture

Esther 1: Now it took place in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, 2 in those days as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne which was at the citadel in Susa, 3 in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his princes and attendants, the army officers of Persia and Media, the nobles and the princes of his provinces being in his presence. 4 And he displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his great majesty for many days, 180 days.

5 When these days were completed, the king gave a banquet lasting seven days for all the people who were present at the citadel in Susa, from the greatest to the least, in the court of the garden of the king's palace. 6 There were hangings of fine white and violet linen held by cords of fine purple linen on silver rings and marble columns, and couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and precious stones. 7 Drinks were served in golden vessels of various kinds, and the royal wine was plentiful according to the king's bounty.

10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown in order to display her beauty to the people and the princes, for she was beautiful. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command delivered by the eunuchs. Then the king became very angry and his wrath burned within him.

13 Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times-- for it was the custom of the king so to speak before all who knew law and justice 14 and were close to him: Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had access to the king's presence and sat in the first place in the kingdom-- 15 "According to law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?"

16 In the presence of the king and the princes, Memucan said, "Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also all the princes and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 "For the queen's conduct will become known to all the women causing them to look with contempt on their husbands by saying, 'King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in to his presence, but she did not come.' 18 "This day the ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen's conduct will speak in the same way to all the king's princes, and there will be plenty of contempt and anger.

19 "If it pleases the king, let a royal edict be issued by him and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti may no longer come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to another who is more worthy than she. 20 "When the king's edict which he will make is heard throughout all his kingdom, great as it is, then all women will give honor to their husbands, great and small."

After these things when the anger of King Ahasuerus had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her. 2 Then the king's attendants, who served him, said, "Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king. 3 "Let the king appoint overseers in all the provinces of his kingdom that they may gather every beautiful young virgin to the citadel of Susa, to the harem, into the custody of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let their cosmetics be given them. 4 "Then let the young lady who pleases the king be queen in place of Vashti." And the matter pleased the king, and he did accordingly.

5 Now there was at the citadel in Susa a Jew whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite, 6 who had been taken into exile from Jerusalem with the captives who had been exiled with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had exiled. 7 He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle's daughter, for she had no father or mother. Now the young lady was beautiful of form and face, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

8 So it came about when the command and decree of the king were heard and many young ladies were gathered to the citadel of Susa into the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken to the king's palace into the custody of Hegai, who was in charge of the women. 9 Now the young lady pleased him and found favor with him. So he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and food, gave her seven choice maids from the king's palace and transferred her and her maids to the best place in the harem. 10 Esther did not make known her people or her kindred, for Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make them known.

11 Every day Mordecai walked back and forth in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and how she fared. 12 Now when the turn of each young lady came to go in to King Ahasuerus, after the end of her twelve months under the regulations for the women-- for the days of their beautification were completed as follows: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and the cosmetics for women-- 13 the young lady would go in to the king in this way: anything that she desired was given her to take with her from the harem to the king's palace.

14 In the evening she would go in and in the morning she would return to the second harem, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not again go in to the king unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai who had taken her as his daughter, came to go in to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the women, advised. And Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her.

16 So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus to his royal palace in the tenth month which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king gave a great banquet, Esther's banquet, for all his princes and his servants; he also made a holiday for the provinces and gave gifts according to the king's bounty.

19 When the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate. 20 Esther had not yet made known her kindred or her people, even as Mordecai had commanded her; for Esther did what Mordecai told her as she had done when under his care. 21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's officials from those who guarded the door, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.

22 But the plot became known to Mordecai and he told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai's name. 23 Now when the plot was investigated and found to be so, they were both hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the Book of the Chronicles in the king's presence.

Esther 2: 5 Now there was at the citadel in Susa a Jew whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite, 6 who had been taken into exile from Jerusalem with the captives who had been exiled with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had exiled. 7 He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle's daughter, for she had no father or mother. Now the young lady was beautiful of form and face, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

Esther was teaching the Jews – How to live as an oppressed people as the people of God.

This is the story of Israel – how they did so well and didn’t do so well at times living under the oppression of a wealthy nation.

This theme is found in the New Testament as well:

Exiles and Aliens
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. (1Peter 2:11 NASB)

Alien = immigrant or foreigner. Stranger – refugee/exile. Hebrews uses the same word and translates it as exiles.

We Christians are immigrants in this world and we are exiles – migrants – on the earth.

Then Paul – very similarly, says -

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; (Phi 3:20 NASB)

Where is our citizenship? Heaven!

Esther is a brilliantly written piece of literature – but it is incredibly practical – there is so much for us living in 2023 – it is just like watching the news. From a practical standpoint – how to live as aliens and strangers – citizens of another nation – living in the wealthiest nation that doesn’t always share our values and faith.

I don’t say oppressed – for those who are really oppressed as Christians in the world – we should not say we are oppressed, as there are those who are dying for their faith.

Aliens and strangers – ALWAYS – AT ALL TIMES – is what it means to be a Christian and it never does not look like this – it is the only way it can look – to be an alien and stranger – an exile in this world.

I have never lived as a foreigner in a foreign land. I hear it is really hard. Cindy and I spent 10 days in Europe and it was really hard!

I can’t imagine or pretend to know.

But for us as Christians, it is hard to live as an immigrant/exile in the land of our birth. We want to fight against that! Living as a foreigner in the land of our birth! That is exactly what the NT asks us to do and tells us we must do. There is no way around this. If we find it hard to embrace this – maybe we need to examine our discipleship.

So, now – I’m going to point out some highlights.

The story begins by introducing us to the king and his oppressive kingdom – Persia/Babylon – the Jewish people there and there is one word to describe Persia – EXCESS!

Esther 1:1 Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces,

This is an ENORMOUS kingdom – from India to Ethiopia! In the times of camels and feet, not cars and planes! And the king throws a banquet -

2 in those days as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne which was at the citadel in Susa, 3 in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his princes and attendants, the army officers of Persia and Media, the nobles and the princes of his provinces being in his presence.

In Susa – think of ALL the people! But wait – there is more – the army – you’ll notice ‘officers’ is in italics – that means it is not there – the translators must have thought they couldn’t possibly mean ALL the army – but why not? It is the EXCESS!

Why?

4 And he displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his great majesty for many days, 180 days.

SO the king could show off his wealth and power – and this party lasted for 6 months! That is one long banquet.

The pride and arrogance of wealth and power are on display – and it is accomplished by exploitation and immorality.

7 Drinks were served in golden vessels of various kinds, and the royal wine was plentiful according to the king's bounty.

It is a giant frat party – (laughter) – and even worse – it is a bachelor party – and just a little more to highlight the excess:

2:3 "Let the king appoint overseers in all the provinces of his kingdom that they may gather every beautiful young virgin to the citadel of Susa,

How many? Think about it! EXCESS TO ThE EXCESS!

Once the 180 day party is over – he has a 7 day party in his garden and invites only, say, the most wealthy…

At the end of the garden party – we are introduced to a different hero – the antagonist of antagonists – and the king says he is going to show off the most prized piece of real estate that he owns – and that is his view of her.

Vashti was a double beauty – extraordinarily beautiful – and he wants to parade her as his prized possession

1:11 bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown in order to display her beauty to the people and the princes, for she was beautiful. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command delivered by the eunuchs. Then the king became very angry and his wrath burned within him.

What should she have done? Here is the deal – you have to understand the party – at the same times the garden party – Vashti was throwing her own party – for the women – at the garden party- there were dancers – but they weren’t doing ballroom dancing, if you know what I mean. To bring the queen into this situation is disgraceful, even by Persian standards – so she refuses to obey. She practices Civil disobedience. She refused to compromise her morals – that is who she was – and Vashti parallels Mordecai – we will see it as we go on – they are two peas in a pod.

So the King is going to be shown as a buffoon – throughout the story – he never makes the right decision – always regrets the decisions he makes – and asks others to make decisions for him. It is possible that the queen is trying to save his honor. But the result of her conviction/decision – does not work out well for her – she is banished.

The king brings in his wise men – and what do they say?

16 "Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also all the princes and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 "For the queen's conduct will become known to all the women causing them to look with contempt on their husbands by saying, 'King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in to his presence, but she did not come.'

Theologically, what is going on – it will reveal who holds ultimate power – and it is not the king – it is the unseen hand.

The advisors are concerned for one thing – to maintain control of their power, privilege, and dominance. She is to be made an example of so that everyone else will be afraid – that is how empires work – the rulers of this world, Jesus said – what do they do? Exercise authority over people – they focus on gaining and keeping power – but God has power, not them. To the human eye – it seems like they have power – and it can seem that way today.

Esther – the Babylonian name – but her Hebrew name is Hadassah – Myrtle – Humble Hebrew flower, but Esther is the powerful mythical queen of Persia

Mordecai has two names as well – and has to live in the tension of living in the world yet not of the world.

We will see – how to live in the world and not be of the world from Mordecai and Esther.

Esther will represent the entire nation of Israel throughout the book.

Esther 2: Esther was taken to the king's palace into the custody of Hegai, who was in charge of the women. 9 Now the young lady pleased him and found favor with him. So he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and food, gave her seven choice maids from the king's palace and transferred her and her maids to the best place in the harem

Esther is also a double beauty – like Vashti…

Favor = grace. Esther finds grace in this situation – this is the Hidden Operator (God) favoring Esther – and using the oppressor to favor her.

She makes the most of a horrible situation – she is a trafficked woman in every way. This is not a Disney story. She will spend the next period of her life – with only one purpose – one night with the king. Everything about her life will be geared toward that – and she has no choice. .

10 Esther did not make known her people or her kindred, for Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make them known.

Is this wrong? Esther is a rule follower –

Vashti and Mordecai are activists – Esther is a rule follower. And this shows that tehre are different ways. Not all are like Mordecai and Vashti – there are Esthers who take a different approach to living as an alien in the world.

Esther 2: 12 Now when the turn of each young lady came to go in to King Ahasuerus, after the end of her twelve months under the regulations for the women-- for the days of their beautification were completed as follows: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and the cosmetics for women—

Every woman who spends a night with the king had to do this.

This is not a beauty contest going on – it is not a spa vacation – this is something horrible.

Once that night was over, they were just sent to be part of the Harem.

15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai who had taken her as his daughter,

(This is a PERSON – they give her whole name)

came to go in to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the women, advised.

This is Esther’s first action – the first she speaks – (it doesn’t give us her words, but obviously she asks) – she knows exactly what to do at this point in her story – and when she speaks, it is with incredible wisdom – she knows exactly what to say – what to ask – and then it says:

And Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her.

There are two other people whom Esther is like: Daniel and Joseph – people in exile who are so wise they are known for their wisdom. She knew how to live as a person of God in a foreign nation.

When it comes to living in the world and not of it – there are two extremes –

First – isolation

Second – to conform –

Both are equally wrong. We are not to do either. There is a lot in between that we can do.

It would look very different for us, living in the free world, than it would for those in the Islamic world. Things would look very different. There is not one way to do this – Esther did it completely different from Mordecai.

There are many possibilities between the two extremes, but only one solution – and that is wisdom. Learning to discern our context and situation – and to discern – in this situation – how do I act like Jesus?

Critical Compromise
“In as much as possible, she adapts to the prevalent culture. Yet she prepares to die if and when that stance no longer becomes possible.” (Carol Becthel)

16 So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus to his royal palace in the tenth month which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king gave a great banquet, Esther's banquet, for all his princes and his servants; he also made a holiday for the provinces and gave gifts according to the king's bounty.

Favor – Grace

Kindness – Chesed –

Because God is working through the king. He does not have the power to NOT in this situation – because God is at work

Sometimes God reveals his grace and love in unexpected ways – sometimes even through the oppressor.

God made them objects of compassion in the eyes of the oppressor.

We can know that God can love and grace us with incredible love.