Where is God?
Wk 9 Understanding Violence in the Bible?
Esther 9:1-19
February 4, 2024
Darin Elquist
Message Notes
It’s at the last-minute God steps into history once again to protect His people
What are We Supposed to Think About all the Violence in The Bible?
There is no way of making this story politically or socially correct by today’s standards. In this story, the enemy of the Jews were totally wiped out.
Esther 9:5-6
So the Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying; and they did as they pleased to those who hated them. At the citadel in Susa the Jews killed and eliminated five hundred men,
Esther 9:10
…but they did not lay their hands on the plunder.
Esther 9:11-12
On that day the number of those who were killed at the citadel in Susa was reported to the king. And the king said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have killed and eliminated five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman at the citadel in Susa. What have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces! Now what is your request? It shall also be granted you. And what is your further wish? It shall also be done.”
Esther 9:13
“If it pleases the king, let tomorrow also be granted to the Jews who are in Susa to do according to the edict of today; and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged on the wooden gallows.”
- Context- What’s going on at this point in history?
- In these ancient times , people were put to death for things that today we wouldn’t even put someone in jail for.
- When the Story isn’t a clear or detailed
Historical Considerations– What do we know from history?
Some Examples of Historical Considerations… (not everything is as it seems.)
The Amalekites attacked the Jews right after the escape from Egypt. They were not at all equipped to defend themselves.
In this story of Esther, the Jews were attacked years before these events take place. They were in their homeland, invaded and killed. many of those who were not killed were taken captive and have been stuck there for a long time.
Understanding the historical context helps us understand why Esther asked for a second day of fighting.
Spiritual Perspective- What Role does Sin and Wickedness Play?
Matthew 25:46
These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Genesis 6:12
And God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for humanity had corrupted its way upon the earth.
Romans 3:9-10
What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written:
“THERE IS NO RIGHTEOUS PERSON, NOT EVEN ONE;
Messianic Implications- Does any of this have anything to do with Jesus?
Why did God continue to show the Jews favor?
Why was God willing to see other people groups destroyed in order to save the Jews?
How many thousands, maybe millions of people lost their lives fighting the Jews?
We’ll never ever know that number, there also another number we’ll never know.
How many people were saved from an eternity in Hell by the salvation of Jesus?
Evangelistic Overtones-
2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
God’s graced saved the Jews from Haman’s edict, and It’s that same grace that saves us today.
1. Give a summary of the following people in the story and what stands out to you the most for each of them:
Mordecai
Haman
King Xerxes/Ahasuerus
Esther
2. Read Esther 9:1-3
a. What happened before this chapter that led to these events that verse 1 says are “contrary” to what was originally planned? What is the “dread of Mordecai” (verse 3)?
3. Read Esther 9:4-10
a. The Bible often will depict death and conquering of lands where God tells his people to wipe out the inhabitants of the lands (often including women, children, animals, etc.).
b. For people who may critique the Bible because they don’t understand how a God of love could direct people to kill so many other people, how would you help them with their understanding?
4. How do you think it would feel to be living in a foreign land as a second-class citizen? How do you think it would feel if a law came out that in 11 months you, your entire family, and all of your relatives would be killed?
5. Is King Ahasuerus an all powerful king? Why or why not?
6. Would you consider Haman as a bully? Why or why not?
a. What are some attributes of a bully?
7. Read Esther 9:11-16
a.Do you think it was justified that Haman’s children were also killed for his sins?
b. Where is “Susa” and what is special about the city?
8. Read 2 Peter 3:9
a. Is there anyone excluded from coming to Jesus? Do we tend to exclude people from inviting them to know about Jesus?
Please pray for the new church board and their continued connection to God to do his will. Pray that God would put someone in your life this week to tell about Jesus.
Announcements
***TODAY***
Church Business Meeting-
We’re voting on the 2024 Budget
2 New Board Members, (Dan Hall, Sean Collins)
February 24- Bunco Night Fundraiser
Volunteers Needed-
Kid’s Ministry
A/V- Tech, Live Streaming
Worship Team, Musicians and Singers