LESSON XI.—SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 1893.
[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.] 10. Then Esther spake unto Hathach, and gave him a message unto Mordecai, saying: 11. All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king in the inner court, who is not called, there is one law for him, that he be put to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter, that he may live; but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. 12. And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. 13. Then Mordecai bade them return answer unto Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. 14. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father's house shall perish; and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? 15. Then Esther bade them return answer unto Mordecai. 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 in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish. 17. So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. 5: 1. Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house; and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the entrance of the house. 2. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter. 3. Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, Queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be given to thee even to the half of the kingdom. Golden Text.—"Judge righteously, and minister judgment to the poor and needy." Prov. 31: 9. INTRODUCTORY NOTE.—Ahasuerus, the ruler mentioned in our lesson, is supposed to be the Xerxes of history, who ruled from B.C. 486 to 465. The book of Esther opens in the third year (B.C. 483) of the king (1:3), at which time Vashti was deposed. Esther was made queen in B.C. 479 (2:16), while Haman's plot against the people of God culminated in the decree of their destruction B.C. 474-3 (3:7). Mordecai and Esther were among the Jews who remained in Persia after the return to Babylon. Our lesson of to-day bears date about thirty years before Nehemiah's first visit to Jerusalem. The place of the lesson was Shushan, or Susa, the winter capital of the Persian Empire, 200 miles east of Babylon. The book of Esther comes in between the sixth and seventh chapters of Ezra. 1. What king ruled in Persia during the years B.C. 486-465? See introductory note. 2. What was his character? Ans. — While remarkable for physical beauty, "he was proud, self-willed, amorous, careless of contravening Persian customs, reckless of human life, yet not actually bloodthirsty, impetuous, facile, changeable." "His arrogance was unbounded." 3. What noted Jew and adopted daughter lived at the Persian capital at this time? Ans.—Mordecai and his adopted daughter, Esther. 4. What decree did the wicked Haman induce Xerxes to make? See Esther 3: 5-15. Note 1. 5. When Mordecai heard of the decree, what did he do?
"Now when Mordecai knew all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry." Esther 4: 1. 6. What did Mordecai charge Esther to do? Note 2. 7. What answer did Esther return Mordecai? Verses 10, 11. 8. What made it seem more presumptuous for her to approach the king? Verse 11, last part. 9. What reason did Mordecai give why Esther should do as he commanded? Verses 12, 13. Note 3. 10. What did he say would arise to the Jews if she held her peace? Verse 14. 11. What would be the fate of herself and her father's house? Ib. 12. What did he question as regards her mission? Verse 14, last part. Note 4. 13. What request did Esther make of the Jews? Verse 15 and first part of verse 16. Note 5. 14. How did she say she would join with them? Verse 16, second part. 15. What did she determine to do at the end of that period, at whatever risk? Verse 16, last two parts. 16. Was her request acceded to? Verse 17. 17. What did Esther do on the third day of this fast? 5: 1. 18. How was the king affected toward her when he saw her? Verse 2. 19. What assurance was given her that her prayer had been heard? Verse 3. 20. What was the ultimate effect of all these faithful efforts? Note 6. 21. What lessons may we learn from this brief history? Note 7. 1. That they be destroyed.—While Mordecai had saved the life of the king (Esther 2: 21-23), yet he was hated by Haman because he would not do the ambitious prince homage. Haman therefore sought the life of Mordecai, and that of all the people of the Jews, and through his influence over the king obtained a decree that all should be destroyed upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month. 2. Go in unto the king.—Mordecai fasted and prayed before God; Esther sent to comfort him, but he would not be comforted; he knew what was at stake. The Jews united in this fasting and pleading with God. Mordecai sent word to Esther, upon her request to know the matter, and with it instruction that she should go before the king and plead for the life of her people. 3. Think not, etc.—Here Mordecai's insight and faith are shown. He knew that Haman's mad ambition would not stop short of the life of the queen herself; and his faith is shown in God that he would in some way deliver his people. 4. Who knoweth?—Esther was not in her exalted position because she was beautiful or accomplished. She was there because God had a mission for her to perform. It is so with every Christian. God does not put them in responsible positions for their own sake, but for the sake of Christ and his cause, and the salvation of precious souls. Let every Christian ask himself in every place, Why am I here? How can I advance the cause of my Master? 5. Fast ye for me.—More than fasting is implied here. The book of Esther is noted for the peculiarity that it does not once mention God, though the Septuagint version does. It is supposed by some that it is thus written that it might be more readily be read by those who were not Jews, without prejudice against the people of God. The fasting implies earnest seeking of God. Esther must have had believing maidens to wait upon her, as they joined with her in this seeking of God. 6. THE EFFECT.—That very night, as the king could not sleep, he had read before him the chronicles of the kingdom. He then heard of Mordecai's faithfulness in saving his life. Haman, supposing that the king desired to honor him, was the means of promoting Mordecai to great honor. A counter decree was issued for the Jews to destroy their enemies, and the wicked Haman was hung on the gallows he had erected upon which to hang Mordecai. Thus it was that God worked for his people, and answered the faith of the believing ones. 7. THE LESSONS.—(1) The retributive justice of God in the case of Haman. "Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small." And thus it will be in all cases, if not in this world in the world to come. (2) God's warning, and the faith of Mordecai. (3) That every Christian in every place has a mission for God. (4) That God never forgets his people. His love, his care, his providence are ever the same.