As I sat and read Esther today, reading it slowly taking notes along the way just couldn't help how wonderfully Esther is literary. I mean seriously if we pay attention to what's going on its not hard to appreciate the incredibly beautiful Irony of this book. The Lord had me laughing as the plot of Chapters 5,6 and 7 unfold as the "bad guy" got what was coming to him. I haven't gone into to much detail on application of everyday life on this book other than God is sovereign in what He does.

I mean seriously the same night Haman plots to kill Mordecai, King Xerxes can't sleep and starts reading some History books to just "stumble upon" a record of Mordecai's loyalty to him and after 5 years after that event wishes to honor Mordecai.

AND THEN Haman in his pride tells the king how one should honor one who deserves honor thinking the King is talking about himself only to have to honor and parade around with Mordecai giving him honor. AND THEN Haman gets hung on the gallows he planned killing Mordecai on.

UGH NO Where can you find such wonderful story telling. And people say the bible is BORING! FAT CHANCE!

Does anyone else enjoy Esther and what have you drawn from Esther that you have applied to your everyday life. I am still working at it perhaps others input would help me.

_________________
Matthew Guldner

I also see a lesson to how God answers the prayers of His people when they get dead serious about seeking Him. Why does the king find that history about Mordecai? We're not told directly, but is it not fair to conclude that the Jews' in Shushan's fasting & praying (4:16) is what moved God to bring the king to not sleep and find the history about Mordecai which was so important in bringing Haman's downfall and the Jew's' deliverance? The story was written by God, but the faithfulness of His people moved Him to write it.

And it's cool how Mordecai mourned in sackcloth and cried over the Jews' destruction and was instrumental in gathering God's people to fast and pray, and also in exhorting Esther to do what she could as queen to save the Jews. He was simply seeking God's glory and to save men's lives from destruction, not personal advancement, yet at the end of the book he is the number #2 man in the entire empire! Had he just sought to save himself from Haman's device he would have never been exalted. And then look how Haman was seeking personal advancement and to get honor for himself, and he was destroyed in an awful way. Certainly many lessons in that which could be elaborated on much. Mordecai is also a wonderful picture of Christ unselfishly humbling himself to save people as a servant and being miraculously raised up by God to a place of power/royalty. I think of Phillipians 2:5-11 here.

And there's also the issue that Mordecai's refusal to bow to Haman was why Haman hated the Jews so much to begin with and sought to destroy them. Human logic would reason that Mordecai should just bow to Haman. Carnal reasoning could say, Isn't it better to not put all the Jews in danger, even if he has to break one commandment? Yet since Mordecai trusted God, the situation ended up working out so that the Jews were honored and many heathen were converted to the true God (8:16), though things looked really bad for a time. A great lesson about faith and a great illustration of Proverbs 3:5-8: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in their own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones."

Awesome remarks, I would say that the Proverbs hits the nail on the head when we read this book I believe it could very well be the theme of the entire book. Proverbs 3:34 "He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed."

I enjoyed greatly seeing the Roles of Haman and Mordecai switched Mordecai went from wearing Sackclothe to Wearing Royal Robes while Haman well the exact opposite. If I hadn't already read the story it would have been a nail biting experience seeing the peril of the Jews with no hope of Salvation.

_________________
Matthew Guldner

_________________
Sandra Miller

Perhaps I should enlarge a bit on Agag.

I know this is speculation, I have no Biblical proof of it, yet history seems to verify it.

I would guess Agag harbored a lot of resentment for the Jews when Saul killed his people and destroyed all they had. Many times when this happens, this resentment is passed unto succeeding generations which is why you have feuds between tribes of people. Many times the actual act will have become distorted, or it even may have been forgotten but the anger remains and a way to get revenge is always present. In any case, Haman, who was a descendant of Agag now believed he had the opportunity to rid the world of the Jewish people.

There are more lessons here if one wants to think about it, but I must run. It all has to do with how God will use events that are traumatic to people for his honor and glory. NO EVENTS ARE WASTED IN GOD'S ECONOMY. He will use it all somewhere, much like a quilter who will use even the smallest scrap of fabric to fashion a beautiful quilt.

Blessings.

_________________
Sandra Miller

Here are some of my favorite parts of Esther!

Esther 6:1 "That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the book of the history of his reign so it could be read to him."

From this verse I can see the king wanting some good sleeping material and I found that he either wanted something to pacify worries about his kingdom OR he just wanted something boring to listen to so he could go back to sleep.

Esther 7: 5-7 “Who would do such a thing?” King Xerxes demanded. “Who would be so presumptuous as to touch you?”

6 Esther replied, “This wicked Haman is our adversary and our enemy.” Haman grew pale with fright before the king and queen. 7 Then the king jumped to his feet in a rage and went out into the palace garden..."

When I read this I actually said OHHHHHHH BUSTED!!!! And then kept reading to

Esther 7:7-8 ...Haman, however, stayed behind to plead for his life with Queen Esther, for he knew that the king intended to kill him. 8 In despair he fell on the couch where Queen Esther was reclining, just as the king was returning from the palace garden.

The king exclaimed, “Will he even assault the queen right here in the palace, before my very eyes?” And as soon as the king spoke, his attendants covered Haman’s face, signaling his doom.

Haman's attempts to beg for mercy to Esther gets interpreted as Haman attacking Esther and makes his execution all that more speedy.

I have greatly enjoyed reading this book slowly and encourage others to do that same if the Lord leads, take notes and really try to absorb the scene that is unfolding!

_________________
Matthew Guldner

Matt,

I hope you are taking notes and will share them here on SI..I love reading your insights.

ginnyrose

_________________
Sandra Miller

I intend to but would really enjoy reading others notes on this book :) I think its one of those that people vaguely know the story but like walking over a field you really don't know if there's buried treasure unless you dig a bit. I am glad to know what the Lord has blessed me with is a blessing to others as well.

_________________
Matthew Guldner

Matthew, perhaps you need to do what I did to Jeremiah: post a scripture (starting at the beginning), share an insight and leave it for others to comment before proceeding on in the book. This is a blessing. I would love to see you do it - go for it!

_________________
Sandra Miller

Sounds like a great idea, I definitely enjoyed the Study of Jeremiah that was done. But what I really enjoyed about the Jeremiah study was how many people would give insight on what they read, very cool. I honestly didn't think I would like Esther all that much but its deep if your willing to go deep with it.

I started trying to make an effort to be more observational in my reading, and it has definitely paid off and exactly what my dry bones needed to be refreshed. The more I study Esther the more I fall in love with its content. I mean its got everything a great story ought to have! :) I will prayerfully consider your suggestion, thank you.

_________________
Matthew Guldner