Unit: Esther
Theme: A Hero’s Portrait
Lesson Text: Esther 7:1—8:8
Supplemental Texts: Esther 5–6; Psalm 63:2-3; Proverbs 21:21; 24:11-12; John 15:11-13; 1 John 3:16-18
Aim: Pursue life-giving love.
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By Mark Scott
Proverbs 24:11 says, “Rescue those being led away to death.” That is what Queen Esther did. Her rescue attempt required courage and love. There may, however, be some dissonance between the lesson title and the lesson text. The title, “She Displayed Love,” sounds soft and gentle. In the text, Esther strongly accused wicked Haman and opted for another edict so that the Jews could at least defend themselves. But love sometimes takes different paths to accomplish its end.
Esther took the bold step of going to the king uninvited. She knew she could perish for doing this. But the king extended the scepter of grace. She invited the king and Haman to the first banquet (which actually is the fifth banquet in the book). At this banquet, she did not reveal her request to the king (Esther 5:1-8). Haman was no doubt on cloud nine as he left the queen’s quarters. But that “high” quickly turned to a “low” when he saw Mordecai and immediately felt disrespected (5:9-14).
While Haman plotted to kill Mordecai, the king’s insomnia prompted him to have his memoirs read (Esther 6:1-3). The memoirs indicated Mordecai had thwarted an assassination attempt and never been honored for his loyalty to the king. In a significant turn of events, Haman was directed to lead Mordecai through the streets so that the Jew, Haman’s enemy, might be honored (6:4-11). Even Haman’s wife knew this to be a bad omen (6:12-14).
The Gig Is Up
Esther 7:1-10
Haman was fetched for the second banquet. King Xerxes pleaded with Esther to make her request; he lavishly promised to grant to her up to half the kingdom. Queen Esther finally made her request: Grant me my life and spare my people. Esther made her petition (demand or wish) by saying the Jews would be destroyed, killed and annihilated—the very same language used in the edict (see Esther 3:13). She confessed she would not have bothered the king had the matter been less significant.
Xerxes blew his stack. Perhaps he thought back to the edict. That Haman was the villain must not have occurred to him before then, because he evidently had not thought about Esther being a Jewess. Esther did not hesitate; she said, “It is this vile Haman!” Haman was terrified (overwhelmingly frightened), and the king was so mad he had to step outside to gain his composure (or to take a moment to decide how to make Haman pay). Haman begged Queen Esther for his life and became animated by falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king returned at that moment and assumed Haman was molesting (assaulting or subduing) the queen. The king ordered that Haman’s face be covered (i.e., that the death cloth be placed on him).
Harbona, one of the king’s eunuchs, suggested that the gallows built for Mordecai might be available. The king said, “Impale him on it.” The king’s fury subsided as Haman’s body dangled on the pole.
The New Edict Is Composed
Esther 8:1-8
Esther’s courageous love brought about several consequences. Queen Esther received the estate (house) of Haman. This probably meant Haman was now viewed as a criminal. Mordecai was enlisted in the king’s service with a signet ring to prove the appointment. Esther set Mordecai over Haman’s estate.
To eliminate legislative vacillation, a law of the Medes and Persia could not be revoked. So, even though Esther’s cause had been vindicated and wicked Haman had been executed, the original edict about destroying the Jews still was in effect. Esther displayed her love for her people a second time by going to the king. She pleaded, fell at the king’s feet, wept, and begged the king to do something to reverse the dilemma in which the Jews found themselves. The king again extended his gold scepter. The queen wanted the edict overruled (revoked, returned, or turned back).
This could not be done, but Xerxes did the next best thing. He had another decree written with the king’s authority and on behalf of the Jews. This document was also sealed with the king’s signet ring, just like the initial edict. The text guaranteed that the Jews could kill, destroy, and annihilate anyone by defending themselves against any aggression. Beyond that, the Jews were even given the privilege of taking the initiative and going on offense to plunder the people who meant them harm.
Esther demonstrated love by advocating for her people.
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