By Dr. Jacquelyn Simmons
The book of Esther is an excellent example of God’s use of an evil person’s plot to destroy His beloved people and reverse its owners’ intentions as his destruction.
Mordecai is the hero of the book. He was a resident of Susa (Shushan), the Persian capital during the reign of Xerxes I, the King of Persia. He took his orphaned cousin, Esther (Hadassah), into his home as her adoptive father. Later he uncovered a plot to murder the King and saved his life. This good deed was recorded in the Royal Chronicles of Persia.
Haman was the Prime Minister of Persia under Xerxes I. His pride was wounded when Mordecai, a minor government official, refused to bow to him when he walked by. Furious, Haman decided not only to murder Mordecai but his entire race, the Jews. Mordecai’s Jewish upbringing had taught him as we Christians of today were taught and to teach our children, “Not to bow to any human being! We only bow to GOD!”
When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow, nor did he reverence him, he became very angry. After he noticed Mordecai’s people, he devised a plan to destroy all the Jews throughout the kingdom. To execute his dastardly plan, he took his case to the King. He said, “There are certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among all the people in the provinces of the 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. If it pleases the King, let it be written that they be destroyed.” The King took his ring and gave it to Haman to do whatever he wanted to do with the Jews.
When Mordecai learned all that Haman had done, he notified Esther to do whatever she could, to not only save their lives, but the lives of their people. At first, she hesitated, but Mordecai reminded her that they both were Jews. She confessed to him that she had not been summoned to the King in 30 days and it is well known that no one could approach the King unless he sent for them or if they were not summoned, he had to extend his scepter towards them to be received or they would be killed. She finally desperately answered him, “Go gather all the Jews in Shushan and fast ye for me, and neither, eat nor drink for three days and nights. My maidens and I will fast likewise; and I will go unto the King, which is not according to the law: and If I perish, I perish!”
She prayerfully approached the King who extended his scepter for her to approach him which was the custom of the times. He lovingly asked her what was troubling her, and he would give her whatever she asked including half of his kingdom… (Esther 2:7 – 5:3)
