CROWNING A QUEEN

ESTHER CHAPTER TWO

3. To teach that actions caused by sin always bring remorse -- 1:11, 12, 19; 2:1.

5. To teach the things of importance for our entrance into God's presence.

INTRODUCTION: In the previous lesson we saw Vashti removed as the queen of the Medes and Persian Empire. Between Chapters 1& 2, Ahasuerus or Xerxes was actively engaged in the tremendous overland and sea expeditions against the hated Greeks who had burned Sardis and otherwise defied the power of Persia. After the disastrous outcome of the entire enterprise at Platea, in 479 B.C., the defeated monarch returned to his capital humiliated and dishonored in the eyes of his realm. In this lesson we see the King seeking a queen and he chooses one of God's people and crowns her his queen.

Vs. 2 - There is no question but that these servants proposed this action to satisfy the King's sensual desires and to thereby gain the King's favour. Some people will do anything in order to be of benefit to themselves, regardless of its effect upon others.

Vs. 3 - By "the house of the women" we are to understand what we would call a harem, that part of an Oriental Palace reserved for the residence of women. Hege was probably the chief Eunuch who was usually a repulsive old man, on whom the court ladies are very dependent and whose favour they are always desirous of securing. The fact that things were given them for purification indicates the King must have been considered almost divine.

Vss. 5 & 6 - Mordecai was providentially placed in the king's palace. God had a job for him just as God has a job for all of His children. Ephesians 2:10. It was probably "Kish" who was brought out of Jerusalem at the captivity of Jeconiah which occurred in 597 B.C. If Mordecai had himself been brought out, he would have been at this time (479 B.C.) 118 years old. He was probably an old man but not this old. CF. II Chronicles 36 and especially

Vs. 7 - Mordecai's uncle and his wife had died and Mordecai had taken Esther, whose real name was Hadassah, into his home and reared her. In this he did more than the law demanded. Exodus 22:22. The name "Esther" was probably derived from Ishtar, the chief goddess of the Babylonians and Assyrians. Ishtar was the Persian name for the Star Venus. Esther means star, and this name was probably given her by Hege when she came to the Palace.

Vs. 8 - These maidens were evidently taken even, in some cases against their will, and this was probably so in Esther's case for it was wrong for a Jewess to marry a Gentile. Exodus 34:16; Neh. 13:23-27. Hegai is the same as Hege of vs. 3.

1. Beauty -- She was beautiful and certainly everyone should strive to be attractive.

2. Modesty -- Her beauty did not make her vain and foolish. She refused to try to exalt herself by using extra and excessive things that would attract the King. Vs. 13 & 15.

3. Discretion -- In her new and trying position she never failed to act wisely and cautiously. Proverbs 11:22. The very simplicity and artlessness of her conduct won her the favour of all.

4. Dutifulness -- She was obedient to Mordecai before and after her election to the throne. Vs. 20.

5. Integrity -- Her elevation to the throne made no change in her actions in respect to Mordecai. She was a girl of integrity and honesty.

6 Principle -- Later we see that she could not stand idly by and see her people destroyed without doing all she could to save them. Chapters 4 & 5. Women of convictions and principle have traits of beauty that excel the trait of physical beauty.

Vs. 10 - If we understand all of the situation we could better understand why Mordecai did not want her to tell that she was a Jewess and one of God's people. To do so, no doubt, meant persecution and perhaps Mordecai wanted her (as a father would) to escape. Though it is wrong for God's people to not let others know (Psalm 107:2) we see God in this book allowing events to occur which cause Esther to take a stand for him.

Vs. 11 - Mordecai was greatly concerned for Esther's welfare and he kept in close touch with how she was doing. In this he was like our heavenly father who is constantly keeping watch over us. (Psalm 121).

Vs. 12 -- The purifications here necessary for entrance into the King's presence are suggestive of those things of importance for our entrance into God's presence in heaven. Oil of myrrh speaks of purification for it was the holy anointing oil used in the anointing of priests in Israel (Exodus 30:22,33). We must be purified by the Blood of Christ       (I John1:7) and receive His righteousness (Romans 3:21,22) before we can enter His presence.

Myrrh was mingled with the wine and offered to the Saviour on the cross but "He received it not". Mark 15:23. Wine representing evil teaches us that our sacrifices are not accepted if they're offered with evil. "Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." Matthew 6:23; Romans 12:2; II Timothy 2:20-26.

Myrrh was fragrant and teaches us that to enter God's presence we should be "a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God," (Phillipians 4:15-18) which will be the case if we have offered ourselves as clean vessels and as a living sacrifice dedicated to Him.

Vs. 13 & 14 -- Every maiden could dress up, perfume up and do many things that would present her in an alluring manner before the King. This reminds us that works are not sufficient for acceptance by the King. Ephesians 2:8,9.

Vs. 15 & 16 -- Esther simply presented herself (just as I am) in simple trust and she obtained favour.

Vs. 17 -- The King loved her and crowned her queen. Christ loves those of us who have trusted Him and will receive us as His bride on the Resurrection Day. John 17:23-26; I John 4:19; Revelation 19:7-9; 21:1-4.

Vs. 18-20 -- Esther's coronation feast is described here as well as the fact that Mordecai had been promoted and "sat in the King's gate" -- a position of honor. Ruth 4:1,2; Genesis 9:1.