The book of Esther takes place during the Persian Empire at the time of Xerxes
(485-465 BCE). It is one of the most neglected books in the bible and very few people have ever heard a sermon on it. In fact, Ray C. Stedman reports that
“Esther is a different kind of literature” and “because it is a different kind of literature, I think perhaps we are a bit frightened by it” (np). The book never mentions the name of God, the prophecy of Christ, and the words heaven or hell never even appear in it. It is a parable, so that God may illustrate a point (Stedman np). The Layman’s Bible Commentary states that
“there is no doubt that it is God’s hand that determines the course of affairs” (Kelly et al. 43). God’s does this by allowing a Jewish girl,
Esther,
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At the same time of Haman’s plotting,
Ahasuerus wishes to reward the man who showed favor for the king. He sends for
Haman and asks Haman what he should do for the man that showed the king favor.
Haman thinking it was he gave his ideas. Ahasuerus liked Haman’s ideas and sent Haman to retrieve Mordeai, for he is the man the king wishes to honor.
Haman became even more angered as he did as he was told. Haman is so angered that he gives the exact specifications of the gallows to be built for Mordecai public execution (NIV Esther 6:3-14). The saving of the Jews begins when Esther approaches Ahasuerus and invites him and Haman to banquet she has prepared the next day. Ahasuerus accepts and he and Haman go to the banquet. At the banquet
Ahasuerus asks Esther “What is your request, Queen Esther? It shall be granted to you. And what is your petition? Ask for half the kingdom, and it shall be done!” Esther asks for Mordecai and her people, the Jews, to be saved from destruction, slaughter and annihilation. Ahasuerus states “Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing”(Esther 7:5)? Esther tells Ahasuerus that it is man sitting beside you, the evil Haman. Ahasuerus is terribly