The Providence of God # 3

Book of Esther 

In this new Series we are studying the Providence of God using the Old Testament Book of Esther which describes Haman’s wicked plot to kill all the Jews in Persia and how God saved them 

When the Babylonian Empire conquered Judah and Jerusalem Nebuchadnezzar took the people into exile to Babylon and according to, Jeremiah 52: 28-30 ‘The number of captives taken to Babylon in the seventh year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign was 3,023. Then in Nebuchadnezzar’s eighteenth year he took 832 more. In Nebuchadnezzar’s twenty-third year he sent Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, who took 745 more—a total of 4,600 captives in all.’ 

Many years later when Cyrus defeated the Babylonian Empire, to fulfil the prophecy of Jeremiah God put it into the heart of Cyrus to release the Jews in Persia to return to Judah and Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the temple of the Lord, Ezra 1: 1-4 READ 

Isaiah 44: 28; Jeremiah 29: 10-14 

And at the same time God put it into the heart of Jewish priests, the Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to return and rebuild  

Ezra 1: 5-8 

It may surprise you to know how many Jews returned to Judah and Jerusalem and the number of servants they brought back with them, Ezra 2: 1, 64-65 

Back to the Esther narrative 

Although God brought many thousands more Jews back to Judah and Jerusalem, thousands more remained in Persia 

Haman complained to Xerxes about the Jews that remained in Persia, Esther 3: 8a ‘There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king. So, it is not in the king’s interest to let them live.’ 

So, the BIG question is:  

Why did so many Jews remain in Persia when God had already called them to return to Judah and Jerusalem? 

There are several reasons: 

• Because of God’s promise to bless the exiles for seeking the welfare of the Babylonian and Persian Empires, many of the Jews had prospered and wanted to stay there, Jeremiah 29: 11 ‘I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ 

• Some of the Jews were too old, too young or too disabled to make the 1, 000 km journey back to the Promised Land 

• Some of the Jews may have been concerned for their safety during the long journey back to the Promised Land but as it happened, Ezra 8: 31b-32 ‘the gracious hand of our God protected us and saved us from enemies and bandits along the way. So, we arrived safely in Jerusalem, where we rested for three days.’ 

Next, we see the Providence of God at work in King Xerxes and learn that God ordains the decisions and actions of kings 

Proverbs 21: 1 ‘The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; He guides it wherever He pleases.’ 

King Xerxes (Xerxes was his Greek name, Ahasuerus was his Hebrew name and Khshayarsha was his Persian name) reigned from 485 – 465 BC and is mentioned 24 times in the Book of Esther  

In the 3^rd year of his reign, Xerxes hosted a 180-day long banquet in Susa for all his nobles, officials, military officers and princes which was probably a long-drawn-out meeting for his upcoming plan to invade the Greek Empire 

Esther 1: 1-4 

Following that banquet Xerxes hosted another banquet for all the people who were living in Susa and at the same time his wife Vashti hosted a banquet for all the women in the royal palace 

Esther 1: 5-9 

On the 7^th day of his banquet Xerxes sent for his wife Vashti to come so that he could show off his beautiful wife to all the people, but she refused to come. So, Xerxes consulted with his advisors and guided by the Providence of God Xerxes deposed his queen – “you’re fired!” 

Esther 1: 10-22

Then following his advisor's recommendations Xerxes issued a new rule for marriages throughout the Persian Empire, Esther 1: 22b ‘that every man should be the ruler of his own home and should say whatever he pleases.’ 

This time, I don’t think Xerxes was being guided by the Providence of God!  

(Ephesians 5: 21-33 the Apostle Paul gives us God’s guidance of a Godly marriage) 

Then at the suggestion of his personal attendants and guided by the Providence of God Xerxes began a search for Vashti’s replacement who would be a more worthy Queen  

Esther 2: 1-4

Among others, a beautiful young Jewish woman named Haddasah who is better known to as Esther, by the Providence of God was chosen as a candidate to be Xerxes new Queen 

Esther 2: 5-10 

And guided by the Providence of God Xerxes fell in love with Esther and made her his new Queen  

Esther 2: 16-18

Later and again by the Providence of God, Esther’s uncle Mordecai heard about a plot to kill Xerxes. Mordecai told Esther about it and then giving the credit to Mordecai Esther told Xerxes about the plot 

Xerxes then ordered the assassins to be executed by impalement  

Esther 2: 21-23

Later, this terrible form of execution was learned by the Romans and modified into crucifixion 

Following the assassination attempt on Xerxes life, the King failed to reward Mordecai for saving his life but one night when the King couldn’t sleep, by the Providence of God he remembered Mordecai and sent Haman to reward him 

Esther 6: 1-11 

Haman was a wicked man and because of his hatred towards Mordecai Haman bribed Xerxes into issuing a decree to have all the Jews in Persia exterminated 

Esther 3: 1-15

Later, Esther told the King she was a Jew and revealed to Xerxes the plot to kill all the Jews and by the Providence of God Xerxes had Haman executed 

Esther 7: 1-10 

Then by the Providence of God Xerxes gave Haman’s property to Esther and promoted Mordecai to the vacant position left by Haman and also made Mordecai the manager of the Esther’s property  

Xerxes also reversed his order to exterminate all the Jews in Persia and decreed that the Jews could make a pre-emptive strike against all those who intended to harm them 

Esther 8: 1-17 

Then by the Providence of God Xerxes called in Esther and offered to grant her anything she wanted 

Esther 9: 11-12

And finally, guided by the Providence of God Xerxes promoted Mordecai again and made him the prime minister of the Persian Empire ‘with authority next to that of King Xerxes himself’ 

Esther 10: 1-3

Isn’t the Providence of God wonderful; let’s be reminded that upon their return from exile to Judah and Jerusalem the Jewish Community gave praise to God for His Providence at work in their lives saying, Ezra 9: 9a ‘in His unfailing love our God did not abandon us in our slavery. Instead, He caused the kings of Persia to treat us favorably.’ 

And let’s be reminded that, Proverbs 21: 1 ‘The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; He guides it wherever He pleases.’ 

Application: 

Let’s honor the Lord and give Him all the praise for His Providence at work in our lives today for He is, Hebrews 13: 8b ‘the same yesterday, today, and forever.’