The Story of Esther Part 2: Deliverance of the Jews

Shared on July 21, 2024

Do you believe the Lord will make a way? This week’s lesson takes another look at Esther and how she moved to intercede for the Jews. So, join Pastor McCrary as he teaches about how with the Lord, there is always a way to victory.

Introduction

In our lesson last week, we began to learn about Queen Esther, her cousin Mordecai, and a wicked man named Haman.  Haman sought to destroy all Jews because Mordecai did not pay homage to him (Esth. 3:5-6).  As Queen, Esther had a unique position of being able to influence the king of Persia to end Haman’s desires.  

In our lesson this week, we are going to see the Lord deliver the Jews from the hate of Haman.  Through this lesson, we will continue to see that God will use anybody for His will to be done.  A point I want to make as well is this:  you never know who’s help you will need in defeating your enemies.  Whether it is a man, woman, boy, or girl, never overlook the help that God sends your way!

The Fall of Haman and the Jews’ Enemies

Now, let’s remember from our lesson last week, when Haman desired to kill all of the Jews, he went to Ahasuerus for the king’s permission to destroy the Jews.  Ahasuerus gave Haman his signet to seal the decree, inadvertently, of all of Esther’s people (Esth. 3:8-10).

Esther’s intercession for the Jews

Our lesson this week skips ahead a few chapters and we pick up with Esther before the king, in tears, imploring him to counteract Haman’s evil (Esth. 8:3).  Ahasuerus took his golden scepter and held it out toward Esther which allowed her to come forth (Esth. 8:4).  She further expressed to the king her desire to have Haman’s decree revoked (Esth. 8:5).

So, Esther is carrying out what she had promised to Mordecai. Let’s make a note that she’s being an intercessor for her people!  This, to me, is a very fascinating revelation!  You see, any time we see intercession in scripture, we should not think lightly of it.  Why is that?  

We must remember the role that Christ plays in our everyday life.  Do you realize that as our High Priest, Christ intercedes for us on a daily basis?  You see, we are saved by God’s grace and not by anything else that we have done (John 3:16; Eph. 2:18).  The Lord is going to one day judge and completely do away with sin.  However, for those of faith, Christ intercedes for us which permits us to continue forward to glory rather than be destroyed to sin.

I point out Christ as an intercessor because the role of an intercessor is truly important.  I truly believe that many people are in need of believers interceding on their behalf today.  Our parents and grandparents were great prayer warriors who used to intercede on our behalf.  I truly believe that many of us would not be where we are today had it not been for their intercession!

So, I want you to understand that Esther is serving in a very important role as an intercessor for the Jews.  From what we saw in our lesson last week, the decision to do this could have cost Esther her life (Esth. 4:15-16).  

The death of Haman

Now, before we move any further in the designated scripture of our lesson this week, let’s go back a few chapters.  You see, it is important for us to see what had happened during the period of time leading up to this point.

After committing herself to being an intercessor for the Jews, Esther began to move to turn things around.  The first thing Esther did was charm the king.  Scripture shows us that she threw a couple of “banquets” for both the king and Haman (Esth. 5:1-8).  This was a move where Esther, who already found favor in the king’s eyes, gained even more favor.

In Esther 6, Ahasuerus had the book of records read and heard about how Mordecai had recently saved his life (Esth. 2:21-23).  Though Mordecai had saved the king’s life, nothing had been done for him.  In fact, all Mordecai had received was the anger and hate from Haman!

So, the king had a big parade and celebration for Mordecai thrown throughout the city.  The funny part about all of this is that the king made Haman take Mordecai throughout the city as the people celebrated him!  Imagine that:  you hate a man so much so that you desire to kill him and his people only to see him celebrated by the king!

So, Haman, like a small and petulant child, ran home crying to his wife about what had happened (Esth. 6:12-14).  Now, he couldn’t cry too long because he still had to go to the banquet that Esther was throwing for him and the king. 

Haman’s bad day was about to become his worst nightmare ever!  Since Esther had the favor of the king, she spoke about the threat against her and her people’s life (Esth. 7:3-4). Up until this point, neither Ahasuerus nor Haman knew Esther’s heritage as a Jew.  Mordecai had told her not to reveal her heritage to anybody (Esth. 2:10).

So, this news startled Ahasuerus.  As you can imagine, Ahasuerus took the threat against his queen’s life very seriously.  When he asked who it was that threatened her and her people, Esther pointed to Haman (Esth. 7:5-6).  Imagine the fright and terror that fell over Haman in this moment! Scripture shows us that this revelation really angered Ahasuerus as he ran out the room in a rage (Esth. 7:7).

With his life flashing before his eyes, Haman began to pleaded with Esther for his life!  Scripture tells us that he fell across a couch begging Esther for his life. Unfortunately for him, that was the moment when the king entered back into the room.  Ahasuerus thought that Haman was lunging to kill his queen!  So, the king immediately had Haman hung and killed (Esth. 7:8-10).   

Talk about a turn of events! Haman went from being elevated to a high position and celebrated to being hung!

The death of Haman’s decree

So, when we take a look back at our lesson, we should understand that much had already happened in favor of the Jews.  In fact, you could say that Esther had already been successful in her intercession.  However, though Haman was dead, his decree was still active.  What this meant is that someone in the land could still kill Jews and it would have been legal to do.

What this also meant was that there was still work for Ether to do in order for the Jews to truly be delivered. This is why the selected scripture of our lesson this week opens with Esther speaking about Haman’s decree. Haman was dead but his decree was still looming as a large threat.

So, Ahasuerus commanded Esther and Mordecai to write their own decree concerning the Jews (Esth. 8:8).  Now, when Haman had come to him about destroying the Jews, I don’t think he cared all that much. This time around, I do think Ahasuerus cared because I do think he loved Esther. So, the king told them to write their decree in his name and he even gave them his signet to seal their decree.    

After Babylon had conquered the Jews, their victories had been few. This was a major victory for Esther and the Jews, esecially coming off the heels of their exile from Judea.  Let’s also make this very clear that this victory would not have been possible withtout God’s work.  As we saw Mordecai point out to Esther, her being queen was not by luck or coincidence but by the work of the Lord (Esth. 4:14).

Victory and celebration

With the decree of Esther and Mordecai, the Jews had the king’s people on their side.  When those that sought to destroy the Jews thought the day had come, it was the Jews that reigned victorious.  Scripture speaks about how, during that day, the Jews defeated all of those that hated them, including the sons of Haman (Esth. 9:5-15).

The time then came when the Jews rested defeating their enemies.  Scripture tells us that they gathered together for a day of feasting and gladness (Esth. 9:18).  This was a day that was celebrated on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar (February – March).  On that day of celebration there was both feasting and the giving of gifts.  

Mordecai wrote letters to the Jews near and far designating that time period being celebrated annually (Esth. 9:20-23).  The name of this feast is known as “Purim”.  This is a holiday that many practicing Jews still celebrate to this day in Jerusalem.  

The big takeaways from both of these lessons about Esther is, again, God does use women to carry out His will.  Women have certainly played a major role in the will of God being done.  I want to be clear that the role they play have not simply been child bearing, birth, and raising children.  No, the women we have studied about in recent weeks have all been shown to be strong and courageous leaders.

So, I want to repeat to all of you:  never overlook those who the Lord use.  We must take off our worldly glasses and see the world through a spiritual lens.  If you ever think that the Lord will not use you to be a part of His plan, I encourage you to also think again.  God certainly will use you.