E-Free Church - Gaylord Campus
Esther
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E-Free Church - Gaylord Campus
1649 M-32, Gaylord, MI 49735, USA
Sunday 5:00 AM
E-Free Church
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http://www.miefree.org/The Background:
What is the “antilogmena”?
“Antilogmena” means “books spoken against” and speaks of the books of the Bible whose inspiration was questioned such as:
Ecclesiastes (due to its pessimistic nature)
Song of Solomon (due to its content on physical love)
Ezekiel
Proverbs
Esther
Why was the book of Esther part of this “antilogmena?”
Esther is not quoted in the New Testament
No part of Esther was found among the Dead Sea Scrolls
Prayer is never mentioned in the book of Esther
Esther is the only Bible book that never mentions the name of God
The name of God is never mentioned in the book and there is no title or pronoun referring to God in the book
Song of Solomon does not mention the name of God either but does have at least one pronoun referring to Him
Though not mentioning God’s name, the theme of the book is the providential care of God.
God’s name may not be mentioned but his actions, thoughts, plans and fingerprints can be seen on every page
Who wrote the book of Esther?
It may have been Ezra
It may have been Nehemiah
It may have been Mordecai
It may have been a younger contemporary of Mordecai
Who was the book of Esther written to?
The book fits in between Ezra chapters 6 and 7
It was written to Jews who did not return after the exile
What is the “antilogmena”?
“Antilogmena” means “books spoken against” and speaks of the books of the Bible whose inspiration was questioned such as:
Ecclesiastes (due to its pessimistic nature)
Song of Solomon (due to its content on physical love)
Ezekiel
Proverbs
Esther
Why was the book of Esther part of this “antilogmena?”
Esther is not quoted in the New Testament
No part of Esther was found among the Dead Sea Scrolls
Prayer is never mentioned in the book of Esther
Esther is the only Bible book that never mentions the name of God
The name of God is never mentioned in the book and there is no title or pronoun referring to God in the book
Song of Solomon does not mention the name of God either but does have at least one pronoun referring to Him
Though not mentioning God’s name, the theme of the book is the providential care of God.
God’s name may not be mentioned but his actions, thoughts, plans and fingerprints can be seen on every page
Who wrote the book of Esther?
It may have been Ezra
It may have been Nehemiah
It may have been Mordecai
It may have been a younger contemporary of Mordecai
Who was the book of Esther written to?
The book fits in between Ezra chapters 6 and 7
It was written to Jews who did not return after the exile
FEAST of the King (1:1-9)
The Persian King, Ahasuerus (Xerxes), who was in the 3rd year of his 21year reign, put all of his riches on display for 180 days (v3-4)
After 180 days, the king declared a feast lasting for 7 days (v4, v10)
The feast was open to all in his kingdom (v5)
No expense was spared and drinking was abundant (v6-8)
Queen Vashti held a banquet for the women (v9)
Vashti means “the best”; She was beautiful (1:11)
The Persian King, Ahasuerus (Xerxes), who was in the 3rd year of his 21year reign, put all of his riches on display for 180 days (v3-4)
After 180 days, the king declared a feast lasting for 7 days (v4, v10)
The feast was open to all in his kingdom (v5)
No expense was spared and drinking was abundant (v6-8)
Queen Vashti held a banquet for the women (v9)
Vashti means “the best”; She was beautiful (1:11)
The FAILURE of the Queen
On the final day of the feast, the drunken king sends for his queen with her royal crown to show off her beauty (v10-11)
The queen refuses the command, greatly angering the king (v12)
Her motive for refusing the king was probably not pride but fear knowing the drunken state of all of the men
Some commentators suggest the King wanted her to come without clothes (only wearing her royal crown)
On the final day of the feast, the drunken king sends for his queen with her royal crown to show off her beauty (v10-11)
The queen refuses the command, greatly angering the king (v12)
Her motive for refusing the king was probably not pride but fear knowing the drunken state of all of the men
Some commentators suggest the King wanted her to come without clothes (only wearing her royal crown)
The king seeks council as to what to do
The issue in question was what to do with the Queen (v15)
Mermucan, one of the king’s legal advisors, shows the severity of the queen’s actions saying that all women will despise their husbands after learning of her disobedience
The issue in question was what to do with the Queen (v15)
Mermucan, one of the king’s legal advisors, shows the severity of the queen’s actions saying that all women will despise their husbands after learning of her disobedience
The king deposes Vashti of her royal estate
This being written in the law of the Medes and Persians meant that it could not be changed
It is obvious that the intent of the advisors was to enhance their own positions as husbands
The Divine working behind this is seen in the words, “And let the king give her royal position to another…” (v19)
This being written in the law of the Medes and Persians meant that it could not be changed
It is obvious that the intent of the advisors was to enhance their own positions as husbands
The Divine working behind this is seen in the words, “And let the king give her royal position to another…” (v19)
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