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128  THE CONVENTION TEACHER

INTRODUCTION

Ahasuerus one of the kings of Persia, had an over-grown kingdom, with power in his hand when he found himself fixed on his throne. The pride in his heart rose with the grandeur of his kingdom and he made a most extravagant feast. Later he made two other feasts, one for the nobles and another for the people. On this occasion there was no forcing of the guests to be present nor urging of them. The drinking was according to the law there was no mixed dancing while mirth prevailed, but it ended in heaviness. In his drunken revelry he relegated all laws and decency and commanded queen Vashti to appear so that he could show her beauty. She refused, and by vote of his council, she was to be divorced for her disobedience. When the king became appeased he accepted the advice of his servants to have a fair young virgin sought for him.

EXPOSITION

I. ESTHER USES PRAYER FOR HER PEOPLE'S DELIVERANCE. (VV. 10-17.) (10.) Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; A general sorrow had spread among the Jews upon the publishing of Haman's bloody edict against them. Mordecai proclaimed his grudge and was not ashamed to acknowledge himself to be a friend to the Jews and a fellow-sufferer and to say that Haman was planning their destruction. Queen Esther became grieved as she received the sad news awaiting her people. Word was brought to Esther who told Hatach to give her words to Mordecai.

(11) All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall continue unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. The law was oppressive. All knew it, that whosoever came to the king, uncalled, should be put to death unless he was pleased to hold out the golden sceptre to them. This law was made not much in prudence; the king himself, being seldom seen, and then not without great difficulty. It was a foolish law, for, it made the kings themselves unhappy as well as the subjects, for they never had liberty to bring their grievances to him, and appeal from unjust and improper judges. Esther's case was discouraging. God so ordered it that her faith and courage may be the more tried, and that God's goodness might shine the brighter. It is probable that Haman tried, by women and wine, to divert the king from thinking of what he had done, and then Esther was neglected, from whom, no doubt he did what he could to alienate the king, knowing her to be averse to him. 

(12) And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. The king's servants and subjects told Mordecai what Esther said. For the people knew that Mordecai wanted Esther's testimony with the king observed.

(13) Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther. Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. Upon learning the words of Esther. Mordecai longed to make explanations to Esther. He is telling Esther that Haman knew something of the relationships between Mordecai and Esther, and therefore he gives her to understand that although in the king's palace she should no more escape than the other Jews. Clearly does Mordecai inform Queen Esther that whatever is to fall upon her countrymen and women would fall upon her. For all the Jews were considered Jews under all circumstances. 

(14) For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knowest whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Mordecai insists that if Esther is silent at this time, then shall enlargements and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place. He had confidence that deliverance would come by some means, and he thought that Esther would be the most likely: and that, if she did not use the influence which her providential station gave her she would be highly culpable-and who knowest-whether thou art come to the kingdom at such a time as this?-it is likely that Divine providence would have so distinguished thee and raised thee from a state of abject obscurity, merely for thine own sake? Must it not have been on some public account? Did not God see what was coming,  and has He not put thee in places where thou mayest counteract one of the 

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most ruinous purposes ever formed? "If thou shouldest decline the service, enlargement and deliverance will arise to the Jews from another place. This was a language from a strong faith which staggered not at the promise when the danger was most threatening, but against hope believed in hope. Instruments may fail, but God's covenant will not. If Esther deserted her friends now through cowardice and unbelief, she would have reason to fear that some judgment from heaven would be the ruin of her and her family. Thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed-when the rest of the families of the Jews shall be preserved. Remember the Divine providence had an eye on this, in this; so thou art bound in gratitude to do this service for God and His church, else thou dost not answer the end of thine elevation. Thou needest not fear miscarrying in the enterprise: If God designed thee for it He will bear thee out and give thee success.

(15) Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,-Esther told the servants of the king to report to Mordecai her sayings. Esther was truly anxious about her people's safety.

(16) Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law:' and if I perish, I perish.-Her command is to have Mordecai gather together all the Jews who are in Shushan and give directions to sanctify a fast and call a solemn assembly to meet in the respective synagogues to which they belonged. They are commanded to pray for her and to keep a solemn fast, abstaining from all food for three days, as a token of their humiliation for sin, and showing their unworthiness of God's mercy. Those know not how to value the divine favors, who grudge this much labor and self-denial in the pursuit of it. Esther promised that she and her family would sanctify this fast in her apartment of the palace for she might not come to their assemblies; her maids were either Jews of proselytes. They joined with her in her fasting and praying. Here is a good example of a mistress praying with her maids and it is worthy to be imitated. And so will I go in unto the king-with courage and determination, that becomes a queen, when we have sought God in this matter, I will go in unto the king-to intercede for my people I know it is not according to king's law, but it is according to God's law, and therefore, whatsoever comes of it, I will return and not count my life dear to me, so that I may serve God and His people, and if I perish, I perish. I cannot lose my life in a better cause. Better do my duty, and die for my people, than shrink from my duty and die with them. She said this is not in despair, or passion, but in holy resolution to do her duty and trust God with the result. 

(17) So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. Esther, with cheerfulness gave orders to Mordecai that she wanted him to know that she intended to make intercession for her people at the peril of whatever would happen. After she had sought God and received the highest and holiest instruction what to do, she would act. And willingly, with great faith Esther would do that which would enable her people to be free to worship the God of their father. 

II. THE PRAYER ANSWERED. (VV. 20-22) (20) And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far-And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters to all Jews that could be reached throughout the empire. They knew something of the story being deeply concerned in it. They sent these reports everywhere. The first edict make them sensible of their danger and the second, of their deliverance. But how this amazing term was given they could not tell. Thus Mordecai wrote these things. It had been supposed that thus far that part of the book of Esther which was written by Mordecai, extends, what follows to the end. It was probably added either by Ezra or the men of the great synagogues; though what is said here may refer only to the letters sent by Mordecai to the Jews of the provinces. One can imagine how Mordecai was affected and also Esther with the triumphs of the Jews over their enemies, and how they saw the issues of that decisive day with a satisfaction proportionate to the care and concern with which they expected it. Here we are told how they spreaded the knowledge of it among their people, for the honour of God and the encouragement of His people to trust in Him at all times. 

(21) To establish among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of