King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Thursday. September 23, 2021
Chapters: Esther 1-4
Message: God Fearing Women
Hello My Friend,
Women often get a bad reputation because after all, they do have a big influence on a man. You take a man and place him with a wicked woman and see how fast she corrupts him into doing what she wants, look at Solomon, Samson, and Ahab. Well, Ahab was wicked to begin with, but his wife Jezebel, just made it worse. In fact, Jezebel was the one who was actually in charge of Israel when he was king, she was not only responsible for having thousands of Jews killed, she passed a law that would order anyone who worshiped God to be executed. However, just as much as a wicked woman will influence a man, so can a Godly woman. In fact, Jesus often used women to lead even men to Him, a great example is the woman at the well.
[John 4:13-15,25-26,28-29 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. 25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. 28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?]
The entire Bible, both Old and New Testament, tells us of Godly women who He used to influenced men to come to Him, including Esther. The Book of Esther contains ten chapters and was written to the Jews who where in Babylon. The author of the book is unknown, but it is most likely Mordecai. The timeline for these events took place approximately 464–434 BC. The purpose of the book is to testify to the secret watch and care that God has over His people no matter where they are. What we are to learn from the book is that God uses all people in some way, but prepares those who fear Him to be great witnesses that lead them to Him, [Esther 8:15-16 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. 16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.]
We first learned of the name Mordecai from the Book of Ezra, he was one of the Jews who went to help rebuild the temple. The temple was built in the sixth year of Darius, which was 516-515 BC so, this took place after Mordecai returned to Babylon. It all began when Xerxes (Ahasuerus), the son of Darius Hystaspis, was king about 483 BC. Xerxes assembled the governors of the provinces at Susa, for a great feast that actually lasted a hundred and eighty days. Esther (Hadassah), was one of the Jewish captives, her parents died so she was raised by Mordecai, who attended this feast.
[Esther 1:3-5 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: 4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. 5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace;]
[And when these days were expired,] It was actually after the feast that this took place, these men were drinking and enjoying themselves for seven more days. Now, at this time, Xerxes, was married to Vashti, and she was a very beautiful woman, she had been attending the women, but for some reason Xerxes was drunk and decided that he wanted to show off his queen. He called for her to put on her royal apparel and show herself to these men, but she actually refused to attend.
[Esther 1:10-13,16-17 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. 12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. 13 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment: 16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. 17 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.]
[so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes,] This man was saying that Vashti is a bad influence on the women, once they learn that she disobeyed the king, then they would disobey their own husbands. He advises the king to remove her from being queen and find a new queen who will obey his every command, and that will also put fear in the women to obey their husbands. Well, Xerxes agreed to this and now the search was on for a new queen and Esther was among them.
[Esther 2:8-9,13 So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. 9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. 13 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.]
[whatsoever she desired was given her] The women were allowed to adorn themselves with whatever they wished to attract the attention of the king. Many would put on costly jewels, the best apparel, and the most valuable fragrances and makeup, in hopes that when they meet the king that he will be delighted in her and call her back. Now, it was Esther’s turn, and it actually took four years before she was brought before the king.
[Esther 2:15-18 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. 16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.]
[she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain,] This means that she was modest and did not put on all these things to try to impress the king, just was merely herself. As Esther adjusts to life as queen little did she know that she would play a part in protecting the Jews herself. It all started when Mordecai discovers a plot by two of the kings men attempting to kill him, and Esther brought the news to the king.
[Esther 2:20-22 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him. 21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name.]
[and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name.] Mordecai was recognized and commended for sharing this information, but someone even worse got promoted, a wicked conspirator named Haman. Now second in command to the king, he thought himself to be a king, expecting all the people to bow down to him the second they saw him, and that is exactly what they did, except for Mordecai.
[Esther 3:1-5 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. 2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. 3 Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment? 4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. 5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.]
[for the king had so commanded concerning him.] Now, the king wanted the people to have respect for Haman, but not like this. Haman hated the Jews enough as it is, and Mordecai refusing to bow down to him was all the fuel he needed to go to the king with some scheme to have a degree set out to have them all killed.
[Esther 3:8-11,15 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them. 9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries. 10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy. 11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. 15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.]
[neither keep they the king’s laws:] This is another example of the wicked and ungodly who twist things around to say that those who follow God’s Word do not obey the laws of the land. Well, as always, they do not know what they are talking about, Jesus Himself even said, [Mark 12:17b Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.]. However, when the law of the land tries to take away our freedom to worship God our way and disobey His Word, that is when He gives us the authority to let His Law supersede the law, [Colossians 2:6-8 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.]
[but the city Shushan was perplexed.] The majority of people did not want this, they did not want to see the Jews killed or even be apart of killing them. Now, after word got out of that a decree, Mordecai had covered himself in sackcloth and ashes and sat at the kings palace in deep mourning, and the other Jews began fasting and praying. Esther did not even know about the decree until she found out that Mordecai had been sitting outside the palace and it was told to her. Mordecai encourages her to go to the king, but she had not even been called to see him for a month, and if she just showed up there it would be to her death.
[Esther 4:11-16 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. 12 And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words. 13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? 15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.]
[thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?] Up until this point, no one knew that Esther was Jew, in fact, Mordecai had encouraged her to keep it quiet. Well, there is always a reason why there is a time to remain silent and then, a time to speak. God has used many Godly women in secular positions to be a Godly influence on men, in fact, to lead them to great positions. We have the power of God within us, and He is just as mighty in us as He is with men. We all know the reason why we are seen as weaker than men, and are told to keep silent in the church as far as being in leadership. That all has to do with Eve and her influencing Adam to eat the forbidden fruit, but never underestimate the power of a woman that fears God, [Proverbs 31:30-31 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.]
Jesus Christ Magnified: [Esther 4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for always keeping watch on me, even working in the midst of the world, Your hand is never too far from catching me. It seems like the more I try to live my life in Your will the more opposition I face. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power to withstand this opposition and strengthen me to be able to keep going for Your glory. I know that whatever I go through as long as I look to You I will see victory. I as this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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