Esther - Chapter 10

Mort’s the Man

Esther – Chapter 10

Review

1. History Review
1. When : Time – Some say 486-465 B.C or 464-415 B.C.  Few say 135-104 B.C., during Maccabean period, but that disclaims/discredits the historical value of the story and assumes it’s an allegorical story.
2. When : Relative to Daniel – After.  Daniel was Babylonian to the start of Persian Empires. Esther is entirely within Persian Empire.
3. Who : about – Esther.  A Jewish girl.
4. Who: wrote it – Unknown.  A palace slave?  Mordacai?  Nehemiah?  Jew or Gentile?  Probably Jewish.  Probably Nehemiah.
2. Chapter 1
1. Potential sympathy for Vashti
2. No deep OBVIOUS theological message in Chapter 1 (yet).
3. Chapter 2
1. More character traits of King X.  See Esther move into the scene.
2. No deep OBVIOUS theological message in Chapter 2 (yet).  But maybe there’s a lesson about God works even when it’s not obvious to us that He’s working – like in Esther.
4. Chapter 3
1. Mort rebels against bowing to Haman and the other gate-visitors turn Mort in.
2. Death sentence for Jews
3. King X still a dope.
5. Chapter 4
1. Mort mourning is a concern for Esther.
2. Mort scolds Esther.
3. Esther is reluctant, but agrees with Mort’s request.
6. Chapter 5
1. Haman’s pride will be his downfall
2. Friends and family can be a powerful influence.
7. Chapter 6
1. God controls, even Haman.
2. Haman’s friends turn out not to be too friendly
8. Chapter 7
1. God gets His justice against Haman…but Jews aren’t safe yet.
9. Chapter 8
1. Jews saved again
2. Mort gets his (earthly) reward
3. King Xerxes still a dope.
10. Chapter 9
1. The actual day of the edicts
2. Jews have been delivered.
3. Feast of Purim commanded.

Introduction

1. How did you all do this week reading Esther?
2. What’s your opinion of Esther (thus far)?  Easy, hard, straightforward, confusing, basic, advanced, etc?  Compare it to Daniel or Romans, etc as well as your impression of it on its own.
3. What is your opinion of this chapter?  Easy or lots of questions, difficult and convoluted?
4. Can you group any of these chapters together?

Lesson

1. vv. 1-3 [READ – Est 10:1-3] The wrap-up
1. V 1 – King Xerxes taxed the Jews.  So?  Why is this in here?  I think it says two things:

                                                               i.      Jews MAY not have been considered slaves any longer.  Generally, only citizens pay taxes.  Slaves are considered property, and property (be it oxen or slave) don’t pay taxes (although they could become payment for them)

                                                             ii.      It conveys a sense that everything was getting back to normal (whatever that is for Jews in these days)

2. V 2-3 – The accomplishments of King Xerxes (whatever they are) and Mort (justifiably) are noted in the Persian records. (v 2)  Of particular mention is that Mort becomes an activist, of sorts, for Jews while being second in command.

                                                               i.      Is anything seemingly missing here?  Where is Esther?  In Ch 9, we get the impression that she has more respect, authority, etc.  Yet are her accomplishments noted?

                                                             ii.      In fact, they are.  We’re reading them.  However, it is interesting that she’s not stated as being noted in the Persian records like King Xerxes and Mort.

Summary

1. What’s your key verse? V 3
2. Try keeping a list of where God is acting in this story.  What can you add to that list?  Where do you see God in Ch. 10?
3. What is the relevance of this chapter?  Does it matter?  Should it be in here?
1. Sure.  If God put it in, it’s worthy of inclusion.  So, what should we get out of it?
2. I think this is tying up the story with a “happily ever after”, of sorts.  The King taxed his people, Mort was in power, and the Jews were still happy (despite being taxed, if not still slaves).  The end.  (So to speak…)

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