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The Book of Esther, Chapter Three 2. The Jews are threatened <>< <>< ><> ><> 1. Who did King Xerxes honor after these events, what did all the royal officials at the king's gate do, why did the royal officials do this, what wouldn't Mordecai do, what did the royal officials at the king's gate ask Mordecai, what did the royal officials do day after day, what did the royal officials do, and what had Mordecai told the royal officials?
______________________________________________________________________________ Mordecai's determination came from his faith in God. He did not
take a poll first to determine the safest or most popular course of action; he
had the courage to stand alone. Doing what is right will not always make you
popular. Those who do right will be in the minority, but to obey God is more
important than to obey people (Acts 5:29). 2. What was Haman when he saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, what did Haman scorn the idea of having learned who Mordecai's people were, and what did Haman do instead?
______________________________________________________________________________ Why did Haman want to destroy all Jews just because of one man's
action? (1) Haman was an Agagite (3:1), a descendant of Agag, king of the
Amalekites (1st Samuel 15:20). The Amalekites were ancient enemies of the
Israelites (see Exodus 17:16; Deuteronomy 25:17-19). Haman's hatred was directed
not just at Mordecai, but at all the Jews. (2) As second-in-command in the
Persian empire (3:1), Haman loved his power and authority and the reverence
shown him. The Jews, however, looked to God as their final authority, not to any
man. Haman realized that the only way to fulfill his self-centered desires was
to kill all those who disregarded his authority. His quest for personal power
and his hatred of the Jewish race consumed him. 3. In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, what did they do in the presence of Haman in the twelfth year of King Xerxes, why did they do this, and what did it fall on?
______________________________________________________________________________ Haman cast lots to determine the best day to carry out his decree. Little did he know that he was playing into the hands of God, for the day of death was set for almost a year away, giving Esther time to make her plea to the king. The Persian word for lots was purim, which became the name for the holiday celebrated by the Jews when they were delivered, not killed, on the day appointed by Haman. 4. Whom did Haman tell King Xerxes there were dispersed and scattered among the people in all the provinces of his kingdom whose customs were different from those of all other people and who do not obey the king's laws, what did Haman tell King Xerxes it was the king's best interest to do, what did Haman tell King Xerxes he wanted to do if it pleases the king, and what did Haman say he would do for the men who carry out this business?
______________________________________________________________________________ Haman must have hoped to acquire this tremendous sum of money by plundering the homes and businesses of the Jews who would be killed through his decree. A large number of Jews were living in the kingdom at this time. Little did Haman know that his treachery would backfire. 5. What did King Xerxes do with his signet ring, what did King Xerxes say to Haman, and what did the royal secretaries do when they were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month?
______________________________________________________________________________ Officials in the ancient world used signet rings as personal signatures. The ring's surface had a raised imprint made of metal, wood, or bone; Xerxes' was probably made of silver or gold. Each individual had his own imprint. Letters were sealed by pressing the ring into soft wax, and official documents were certified by using the royal signet. By giving Haman his signet ring, Xerxes gave him his personal signature and with it the authority to do whatever he wished. Little did the king realize that his own ring would sign the death warrant for his queen, Esther. 6. What was sent by couriers to all the king's provinces, when was this to be done, and what were they to do as well?
______________________________________________________________________________ Dispatches were sent by "couriers" to all the provinces with orders to annihilate all the Jews, young and old, and to plunder their goods on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (Adar). No reason is given for the lapse of almost a year from the time of the decree till its implementation. With so much advance notice, the Jews would have had time to escape. The piling up of verbs - "destroy, kill and annihilate" - expresses the idea of thoroughness. (NIV Commentary - Zondervan) 7. What was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality, why was this done, what did the courier do as they were spurred on by the king's command, what did the king and Haman do, and what was the city of Susa?
______________________________________________________________________________ The decree was to be made law in every province, and all were to know about it so they would be ready for the day. The couriers departed in haste for the provinces at the king's command. The edict was also circulated in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, unconcerned about the tragedy soon to be inflicted on the Jews. The people of Susa were bewildered by what was happening. Apparently they did not share Haman's passionate anti-Semitism.
<>< <>< ><> ><> 1. Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and
giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles...knelt down
and paid honor to Haman...the king had commanded this concerning Haman...kneel
down or pay Haman honor..."Why do you disobey the king's command?"...they spoke
to Mordecai but he refused to comply...they told Haman about it to see whether
Mordecai's behavior would be tolerated...he was a Jew
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