Page 64 - Old Testament Survey Student Textbook

Haman writes an edict to destroy, kill, annihilate Jews in all of Persian empire- promise inside palace;
Haman and king celebrate, while outside, Susa is in confusion! Mordecai’s Appeal (4) Mordecai and all
Jews respond with mourning. Mordecai informs Esther, instructs her to go to the king. When Esther is
reticent, since appearing w/o request risks one’s life- no scepter=death, Mordecai urges her to use her
position- for such a time as this, to save her people from certain death. Accepting her responsibility- if I
perish, I perish; Esther agrees to go the king, asking Jews of Susa to fast for 3 days- prayer not
mentioned? Esther’s 1st Banquet (5) As Esther approaches Xerxes, she wins favor scepter. When he
offers to grant nearly any request, Esther invites king and Haman to a banquet. At banquet, king repeats
his offer, and Esther invites them to a 2nd banquet the next day.

Chapter’s 5-6 focuses on Haman’s fall and Mordecai’s rise. Between banquets, Haman’s downfall is
directly contrasted with Mordecai’s rise. (1) As Haman recounts his glory, fixated on Mordecai’s shame,
his wife and friends urge him to build gallows, ask for his hanging. (2) At the same time, as Xerxes can’t
sleep, he is reminded of Mordecai’s heroic deed. When Haman arrives, king asks how to honor one- 7x.
While Haman came to king to request Mordecai’s hanging, thinking he himself will be the honored one,
king commands him honor Mordecai. (3) After honoring his enemy, Haman goes home in shame and
mourning. His wife and friends foretell ruin. Esther’s 2nd Banquet (7) With warning in the air, officials
arrive to bring Haman to the 2 nd banquet. When Xerxes repeats offer, Esther requests her life and
reveals Haman’s plot to destroy, kill, annihilate her people- this wicked Haman! As Haman begs for his
life, he appears to be assaulting Queen Esther. Informed of his plot against Mordecai- honor Xerxes
orders that Haman be hanged on his own gallows. Mordecai’s Appeal (8) King gives his seal to Mordecai,
in Haman’s place. They appeal to king to avert genocide. Since law cannot be revoked, 2nd law issued
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Jews can destroy, kill, annihilate those seeking their harm reversal, 3:13. The initial confusion at 1
decree is turned to celebration at 2nd decree. Out of fear, many declared themselves Jews! Jews
Victorious (9) On the very day that their enemies had hoped to gain mastery over them, reverse
occurred: Jews gained mastery over their enemies, none could stand against them: sons of Haman
killed, 800 are killed in Susa, and 75K in other provinces they took no plunder- 3x. Jews gather to
celebrate the victory over their enemies.

Chapter’s 9-10 focus on Mordecai’s exaltation. A national 2-day holiday, is instituted by Mordecai,
Purim-lots, to remember days Jews got relief from their enemies why passive? Mordecai is honored, as
nd
2 in rank to Xerxes and great among the Jews!

The Book of Esther

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