Esther becomes queen

Esther goes through the selection process and becomes the Queen of the Medo-Persian empire.

Esther 2: Esther Chosen Queen

1     After these things, when the anger of King Ahasuerus had abated, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her.

2     Then the king's young men who attended him said, "Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king.

3     And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in Susa the capital, under custody of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women. Let their cosmetics be given them.

4     And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti." This pleased the king, and he did so.

5     Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite,

6     who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away.

7     He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

8     So when the king's order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king's palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women.

9     And the young woman pleased him and won his favour. And he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her portion of food, and with seven chosen young women from the king's palace, and advanced her and her young women to the best place in the harem.

10   Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known.

11   And every day Mordecai walked in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her.

12   Now when the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Ahasuerus, after being twelve months under the regulations for the women, since this was the regular period of their beautifying, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and ointments for women---

13   when the young woman went in to the king in this way, she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the harem to the king's palace.

14   In the evening she would go in, and in the morning she would return to the second harem in custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch, who was in charge of the concubines. She would not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.

15   When the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king's eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was winning favour in the eyes of all who saw her.

16   And when Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign,

17   the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

18   Then the king gave a great feast for all his officials and servants; it was Esther's feast. He also granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts with royal generosity.

Mordecai Discovers a Plot

19   Now when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate.

20   Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had commanded her, for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him.

21   In those days, as Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.

22   And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai.

23            When the affair was investigated and found to be so, the men were both hanged on the gallows. And it was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.

 

Things to think about…

 

1.    Esther 2:1-18 is the story of tragedy to triumph. Esther, whose parents had died is exalted to a place of honour and considered as the replacement queen. The word ‘favour’ is mentioned a number of times in the book of Esther, especially in this chapter. Why do you think Mordecai had commanded Esther not to reveal her true identity as a Jew, Est 2: 10, 20? This would later be a potential point of contention between Mordecai and Esther. Sometimes Christians are fearful of telling others about their relationship with Christ. The Lord says, “those who honour Me, I will honour”, 1Sam 2:30.

 

2.    Note in Esther 2:16 that it is now the seventh year of King Ahasuerus. Four years have passed since queen Vashti was disgraced. The king was not in a hurry to replace his queen. I am sure he was phyiscally satisfied by his immense harem of concubines. Esther was in a group specifically kept as virgins. From this group the king’s next wife would be chosen.

 

3.    Esther was a queen now and yet what do we see in this faithful woman. She does not forget who Mordecai was to her and she still honours him as the man who had treated her as he would a loved daughter. In return it says “for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him”. When our children are loved, even when they are older and have lives and responsibilities of their own, they desire to honour their parents because they know the heart of the parent is always for their benefit. Christ should be the centre of these relationships.

 

4.    Esther is chosen as queen, Est 2:17 and the provinces are delivered of some taxes and given gifts from the royal treasury Est 2:18. This was a wise move by the king and would have helped instil favour in the provinces for the new queen.

 

5.    We see the story building with a plot to assassinate the king exposed in Esth 2:21-23. Mordecai would have been well looked after as being the guardian of Esther. Do you think his heart is upright in exposing this plot, or is he protecting his own interests? Does this have anything to do with him not allowing Esther to reveal that she is a Jew? In any case these events would play a crucial role and the unfolding story of Jewish deliverance and blessing in the book of Esther.

 

Vision Point for cell groups

CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.

Title was “Christ in the Community” from Numbers 35

1.      The 12 tribes of Israel were about to inherit the Land of Canaan. The land was divided up among the tribes. One tribe did not receive a land portion. Which one and why not?

2.      48 cities were dispersed among the land of Canaan for the Levites. 6 of those cites were called the Cities of Refuge. What was a City of Refuge and why were they important?

3.      Describe how the Cities of Refuge reflect Christ in their position, function and role. What relevance did the death of the High Priest have?

4.      Levites were to give the Law of the Lord and be a witness for Him among the tribes of Israel. How is this the case for us as Christians in the community. Why is just being a good person not enough?

 

Prayer Points

1.        Pray for the 2 families we will be giving money to this week to help with flood relief in Queensborough parade in Karalee.

2.        Our new Albanese government. That the Lord would be merciful. We need it with the spiritual change that has been happening in Australia.

3.        Peace to rest over Ukraine.

4.        Folk sick with Flu A and Covid – relief and healing.

5.        Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.

6.        Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.

       Praise Points

1.    New tarp over the café area – Thankyou Steve Hawkins and Richard Gauntlett for helping out.

2.    Worship on Sunday – thankyou Fiona, Josh, Ben, Doug.

3.    Café helpers for Fiona on Sunday – thanks Kayla

4.    All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe

5.    Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord

 

       Announcements

1.        Remember to check your duty rosters.

2.        Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1

3.        Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.

 

Catechism question for June...

Q. 4. What becomes of men when they die?
A.        The body returns to dust, and the soul goes back to God to be judged.

Bible Reference – Gen.3:19; Eccl.12:7; 2Cor.5:8-10.

 

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3

Pastor Jay

 

 

Jay Beatty