and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money that Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury in order to destroy the Jews. and Mordecai told him all that had happened to himMordecai, a Jew living in Susa, the Persian capital, is a central figure in the Book of Esther. His actions and experiences are pivotal to the narrative. Mordecai's communication here is crucial as it sets the stage for Esther's intervention. The phrase indicates Mordecai's role as a witness and informant, highlighting his awareness of the political machinations against the Jews. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's people being aware and proactive in the face of adversity, as seen in the stories of Joseph and Daniel. including the exact amount of money that Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury
Haman, an Agagite and high-ranking official, harbors deep animosity towards the Jews, particularly Mordecai. His willingness to pay a substantial sum to the royal treasury underscores the depth of his hatred and the seriousness of the threat. This financial transaction is a bribe to secure royal approval for his genocidal plan. The mention of money highlights the corrupting influence of wealth and power, a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen in the betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. in order to destroy the Jews
The intent to destroy the Jews is a recurring threat throughout biblical history, reflecting the spiritual warfare against God's chosen people. This phrase connects to the broader narrative of anti-Semitism and the survival of the Jewish people against overwhelming odds. It echoes earlier biblical events, such as Pharaoh's decree in Exodus, and foreshadows future persecutions. Theologically, it points to the enduring covenant between God and Israel, and the ultimate protection and deliverance promised to His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. MordecaiA Jew living in Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire, and the cousin and guardian of Esther. He is a key figure in the Jewish community and plays a crucial role in the events of the Book of Esther. 2. HamanThe antagonist of the account, an Agagite and high-ranking official in the Persian Empire. He harbors a deep hatred for the Jews and plots their destruction. 3. EstherThe Jewish queen of Persia, who is initially unaware of Haman's plot. She is Mordecai's cousin and becomes a pivotal figure in saving her people. 4. SusaThe capital city of the Persian Empire, where the events of the Book of Esther take place. 5. The Royal TreasuryThe financial repository of the Persian Empire, which Haman intends to enrich as part of his plot against the Jews. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and ProvidenceDespite the absence of direct mention of God in the Book of Esther, His hand is evident in the orchestration of events. Trust in God's unseen work in our lives. Courage in the Face of InjusticeMordecai's actions demonstrate the importance of standing up against evil, even when it is risky. We are called to be courageous in confronting injustice. The Power of InfluenceMordecai's influence on Esther highlights the impact one person can have in God's plan. Consider how God might use your position or influence for His purposes. The Cost of HatredHaman's willingness to pay for the destruction of the Jews shows the destructive nature of hatred. Reflect on the importance of love and forgiveness in our relationships. Intercession and AdvocacyMordecai's communication with Esther is a form of intercession for his people. We are encouraged to advocate and intercede for others in prayer and action. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Mordecai's response to Haman's plot demonstrate faith and courage, and how can we apply this in our own lives when facing challenges? 2. In what ways does the account of Esther illustrate the concept of divine providence, and how can this understanding impact our trust in God's plan? 3. How can we use our positions or influence, like Mordecai and Esther, to advocate for justice and righteousness in our communities? 4. Reflect on a time when you faced a situation where you needed to stand up against wrongdoing. How did your faith guide your actions, and what was the outcome? 5. Considering the destructive nature of Haman's hatred, how can we cultivate a heart of forgiveness and love, even towards those who may oppose us? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12:3God's promise to Abraham that He will bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him. This connects to the overarching theme of divine protection over the Jewish people. Proverbs 21:1The heart of a king is in the hand of the Lord, illustrating God's sovereignty over the events in Esther, including the king's decisions. Romans 8:28The assurance that God works all things together for good for those who love Him, which is evident in how the events unfold in Esther. People Esther, Haman, Hatach, MordecaiPlaces SusaTopics Account, Amount, Declareth, Destroy, Destruction, Exact, Explanation, Haman, Including, Jews, King's, Met, Money, Mordecai, Mor'decai, Pay, Promised, Royal, Store, Sum, Treasuries, Treasury, WeighDictionary of Bible Themes Esther 4:4-11 5309 eunuchs Library Mordecai and Esther
'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 knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?'--ESTHER iv. 14. All Christians are agreed in holding the principles which underlie our missionary operations. They all believe that the world is a fallen world, that without Christ the fallen world is a lost world, that the preaching …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureWatkinson -- the Transfigured Sackcloth
William L. Watkinson, Wesleyan minister, was born at Hull, 1838, was educated privately and rose to eminence as a preacher and writer. The Rev. William Durban calls him "The classic preacher of British Methodism." "He ranks," says Dr. Durban, "with Dr. Dallinger and the Rev. Thomas Gunn Selby as the three most learned and refined of living preachers in the English Methodist pulpit. Dr. Watkinson is famous for the glittering illustrations which adorn his style. These are for the most part gathered …
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 8 Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
BY A.E. GRIMKE. "Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not within thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house more than all the Jews. 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 knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this. And Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer:--and so will I go in unto the king, …
Angelina Emily Grimke—An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South Meditations for Household Piety.
1. If thou be called to the government of a family, thou must not hold it sufficient to serve God and live uprightly in thy own person, unless thou cause all under thy charge to do the same with thee. For the performance of this duty God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsel: "For," saith God, "I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety A Case of Conscience Resolved
WHETHER, WHERE A CHURCH OF CHRIST IS SITUATE, IT IS THE DUTY OF THE WOMEN OF THAT CONGREGATION, ORDINARILY, AND BY APPOINTMENT, TO SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THEIR BRETHREN, AND SO TO ASSEMBLE TOGETHER, TO PERFORM SOME PARTS OF DIVINE WORSHIP, AS PRAYER, ETC., WITHOUT THEIR MEN? AND THE ARGUMENTS MADE USE OF FOR THAT PRACTICE, EXAMINED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This exceedingly rare tract was first published in 1683, and was not reprinted, either separately, or in any edition of Bunyan's …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Prevailing Prayer.
Text.--The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.--James v. 16. THE last lecture referred principally to the confession of sin. To-night my remarks will be chiefly confined to the subject of intercession, or prayer. There are two kinds of means requisite to promote a revival; one to influence men, the other to influence God. The truth is employed to influence men, and prayer to move God. When I speak of moving God, I do not mean that God's mind is changed by prayer, or that his …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion Of the Discipline of the Church, and Its Principal Use in Censures and Excommunication.
1. Of the power of the keys, or the common discipline of the Church. Necessity and very great utility of this discipline. 2. Its various degrees. 1. Private admonition. 2. Rebukes before witnesses. 3. Excommunication. 3. Different degrees of delinquency. Modes of procedure in both kinds of chastisement. 4. Delicts to be distinguished from flagitious wickedness. The last to be more severely punished. 5. Ends of this discipline. 1. That the wicked may not, by being admitted to the Lord's Table, put …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Of the Public Fast.
A public fast is when, by the authority of the magistrate (Jonah iii. 7; 2 Chron. xx. 3; Ezra viii. 21), either the whole church within his dominion, or some special congregation, whom it concerneth, assemble themselves together, to perform the fore-mentioned duties of humiliation; either for the removing of some public calamity threatened or already inflicted upon them, as the sword, invasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearful sickness (1 Sam. vii. 5, 6; Joel ii. 15; 2 Chron. xx.; Jonah iii. …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Of a Private Fast.
That we may rightly perform a private fast, four things are to be observed:--First, The author; Secondly, The time and occasion; Thirdly, The manner; Fourthly, The ends of private fasting. 1. Of the Author. The first that ordained fasting was God himself in paradise; and it was the first law that God made, in commanding Adam to abstain from eating the forbidden fruit. God would not pronounce nor write his law without fasting (Lev. xxiii), and in his law commands all his people to fast. So does our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety From his Entrance on the Ministry in 1815, to his Commission to Reside in Germany in 1820
1815.--After the long season of depression through which John Yeardley passed, as described in the last chapter, the new year of 1815 dawned with brightness upon his mind. He now at length saw his spiritual bonds loosed; and the extracts which follow describe his first offerings in the ministry in a simple and affecting manner. 1 mo. 5.--The subject of the prophet's going down to the potter's house opened so clearly on my mind in meeting this morning that I thought I could almost have publicly …
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved.
(Galilee on the Same Day as the Last Section.) ^A Matt. XII. 38-45; ^C Luke XI. 24-36. ^c 29 And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, ^a 38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee. [Having been severely rebuked by Jesus, it is likely that the scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign that they might appear to the multitude more fair-minded and open to conviction than Jesus had represented them to be. Jesus had just wrought …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Esther
The spirit of the book of Esther is anything but attractive. It is never quoted or referred to by Jesus or His apostles, and it is a satisfaction to think that in very early times, and even among Jewish scholars, its right to a place in the canon was hotly contested. Its aggressive fanaticism and fierce hatred of all that lay outside of Judaism were felt by the finer spirits to be false to the more generous instincts that lay at the heart of the Hebrew religion; but by virtue of its very intensity …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Esther 4:7 NIVEsther 4:7 NLTEsther 4:7 ESVEsther 4:7 NASBEsther 4:7 KJV
Esther 4:7 Commentaries
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