ESTHER (7)

Press, 23 April 1979, Page 9

ESTHER (7)

The book of Esther is the unfolding of God's providence in history. The Psalmist reminds us, “For the kingdom is the Lord's: end He is the Governor emong the nations." A study of history will reveal an unseen power controlling, raising up one nation and putting down another. Though God's name is not mentioned in Esther yet He is seen Actively working on behalf of His people, the Jews; overuling the wickedness of man and bringing His own purpose to pass. The date had been set for the extermination of all the Jews in the Persian Empire. It was unknown to King Ahasuerus that his Queen, Esther, was a Jewess and

the statement from her came as one of the greatest surprises in his life. The second shock was to learn that Hamman his trusted prime-minister was the crafty instigator of the plot. The King retired to the palace garden to think the matter over by himself. For he had been proved a fool to have trusted such a man. Knowing evil was determined upon him, Hamman stood up to request from the Queen that his life be spared. He was so desperate that by the time the King returned he had fallen upon the bed where Queen Esther was. "Will he even force the Queen right here in the palace, before my very eyes?" the King roared. At the knowledge of this indignity Hamman was seized and his face

covered, a sign of condemnation and death, and that he was no longer worthy to look upon the face of the King. One of the Chamberlains told the King of the gallows Hamman had made to hang Mordecai on. So they hanged Hamman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the King's wrath pacified. On that same day Ahasuerus gave the estate of Hamman, the Jew's enemy, to Queen Esther. Then Mordecai was brought before the King, for Esther had told the King that he was her cousin and foster father. The King took off his ring — which he had taken from Hamman — and gave it to Mordecai making him Prime-minister. Thus the Jews triumphed at last

over the ancient enemy of Israel as God had predicted. — "For I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven." (Ex.17:14). So the decree to destroy the Jews was cancelled on the 23rd June and sent to all the 127 provinces of the Empire. So Mordecai became great in the King's house so that his fame went throughout all countries; and the Jews gained the victory over all their enemies. The next act of Mordecai was that of writing letters to all the Jews in ail the provinces of the empire to establish among them a new feast on the 15th day of March,

the same to be observed yearly. These were the days when the Jews rested from their enemies, when their bitterness and sorrow were turned into joy, and when they were brought from mourning to a good day. They were to make this ai time of feasting and gladness, when they would send gifts one to another. These days were called, "Purim," a word which came from Pur meaning, "The lot" and referring to the casting of lots to destroy the Jews. Esther was a great lady for she influenced her people to wait on God in prayer and fasting. Monday's Message from