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Review of Esther by Bereansearching: Difference between revisions
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Review of Esther by Bereansearching (view source)
Revision as of 19:18, 25 November 2024
, Yesterday at 19:18→Esther is a Book of Concealment and Hidden Truth
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The very name ‘Esther’ underscores this point. ‘Esther’ in Hebrew is אֶסְתֵּר (’es·têr)H635, which happens to be, phonetically, very similar to the Hebrew word אֶסָּתֵ֑ר (’es·sā·ṯêr)H5641. That version of that Hebrew word, means “to hide” or “to conceal”, or “to close-up”, and is found twice in this form in the Bible in Genesis 4:14 (translated in English as “shall I be hid;“) and in Job 13:20; as well as this version of the same Hebrew word אַסְתִּיר (’as·tîr)H5641, which is used only once in this particular form in the Bible, in Deuteronomy 31:18, where we read, “And I will surely H5641 hide H5641 my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.” (Note also that the word “hide” was doubled, and hence was translated as “surely hide”). In this later usage, God was specifically telling Moses in Deuteronomy 31:16-22 that in the future the people of Israel would commit spiritual adultery, by worshipping other gods, at which point God would “hide/conceal” Himself from National Israel as a result. (It is therefore all the more ironic that, derived from this forewarned concealment of God’s Face, a Jewish tradition has arisen, such that hiding one’s face (wearing a mask) is considered proper when the Jews celebrate the day of Esther/The Feast Purim.) | The very name ‘Esther’ underscores this point. ‘Esther’ in Hebrew is אֶסְתֵּר (’es·têr)H635, which happens to be, phonetically, very similar to the Hebrew word אֶסָּתֵ֑ר (’es·sā·ṯêr)H5641. That version of that Hebrew word, means “to hide” or “to conceal”, or “to close-up”, and is found twice in this form in the Bible in Genesis 4:14 (translated in English as “shall I be hid;“) and in Job 13:20; as well as this version of the same Hebrew word אַסְתִּיר (’as·tîr)H5641, which is used only once in this particular form in the Bible, in Deuteronomy 31:18, where we read, “And I will surely H5641 hide H5641 my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.” (Note also that the word “hide” was doubled, and hence was translated as “surely hide”). In this later usage, God was specifically telling Moses in Deuteronomy 31:16-22 that in the future the people of Israel would commit spiritual adultery, by worshipping other gods, at which point God would “hide/conceal” Himself from National Israel as a result. (It is therefore all the more ironic that, derived from this forewarned concealment of God’s Face, a Jewish tradition has arisen, such that hiding one’s face (wearing a mask) is considered proper when the Jews celebrate the day of Esther/The Feast Purim.) | ||
So then, we can see that the name Esther is actually a cross-cultural “homophone”, in that in Persian Esther means “Star“, but in Hebrew, Esther means “Concealed“. At a minimum, one could say that, by changing her name from Hadassah (Jewish) to Esther (Persian), it would have certainly helped her to “hide” or “conceal” her Jewish identity from potential enemies like Haman. While providing an interesting play on words (“pun”), we will learn from this study that there is far more hidden in the Book of Esther (by God) than just Esther’s Jewish identity. | So then, we can see that the name Esther is actually a cross-cultural “homophone”, in that in Persian Esther means “Star“, but in Hebrew, Esther means “Concealed“. At a minimum, one could say that, by changing her name from Hadassah (Jewish) '''[she ה who quells ה()ס the command ד]''' or '''[the command ד finished by the son ס in concealment ה()ה]''' to Esther (Persian), it would have certainly helped her to “hide” or “conceal” her Jewish identity from potential enemies like Haman. While providing an interesting play on words (“pun”), we will learn from this study that there is far more hidden in the Book of Esther (by God) than just Esther’s Jewish identity. '''[ In fact, Christ working behind the scenes ]''' | ||
And we should all remember what God tells us in Proverbs 25:2 (KJV). There we find this extraordinary verse, “[It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.” If we look carefully at the text as it reads in the original Hebrew using an Interlinear Bible or Online cross-reference like this: http://biblehub.com/text/proverbs/25-2.htm, we find that it can also read like this… ”[It is] the glory of God to conceal a “word” (because it is from the Hebrew דָּבָר (dāḇār)H1697, a masculine noun): but the honour of kings [is] to search out a “word” (because the word that was translated into English as “matter” is also the same word found in the original Hebrew to be דָּבָר (dāḇār)H1697 H1697, which is translated more than eight hundred times in the Old Testament as “word.”). It appears, therefore, that God is telling us that He is glorified by the concealing of The Word (Jesus Christ) in the Bible, and the believers are “honored” by being made able to search out The Word (Who is Jesus Christ) when reading the Bible. And as we will see, God has not only “concealed” Jesus Christ within the Book of Esther, but, in our day, God has graciously also allowed the believers to “search out” Jesus Christ from the Book of Esther. More on this here, and when we remember Jesus’ own testimony along the Road to Emmaus. | And we should all remember what God tells us in Proverbs 25:2 (KJV). There we find this extraordinary verse, “[It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.” If we look carefully at the text as it reads in the original Hebrew using an Interlinear Bible or Online cross-reference like this: http://biblehub.com/text/proverbs/25-2.htm, we find that it can also read like this… ”[It is] the glory of God to conceal a “word” (because it is from the Hebrew דָּבָר (dāḇār)H1697, a masculine noun): but the honour of kings [is] to search out a “word” (because the word that was translated into English as “matter” is also the same word found in the original Hebrew to be דָּבָר (dāḇār)H1697 H1697, which is translated more than eight hundred times in the Old Testament as “word.”). It appears, therefore, that God is telling us that He is glorified by the concealing of The Word (Jesus Christ) in the Bible, and the believers are “honored” by being made able to search out The Word (Who is Jesus Christ) when reading the Bible. And as we will see, God has not only “concealed” Jesus Christ within the Book of Esther, but, in our day, God has graciously also allowed the believers to “search out” Jesus Christ from the Book of Esther. More on this here, and when we remember Jesus’ own testimony along the Road to Emmaus. | ||
'''Exactly! 'dabar' דבר is 'declaration/command ד of the Son of God בר. OR the white/holy ד()ר revelation to man ב.''' It IS Christ. | |||
The Book of Esther is About Deliverance and Salvation Through The LORD Jesus Christ | The Book of Esther is About Deliverance and Salvation Through The LORD Jesus Christ | ||
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The Message of the Book of Esther is the same Gospel Message that can be found everywhere else in the Bible as it focuses on the Person and Work of the LORD Jesus Christ. The only difference is that, each time Jesus is found in the Bible, we can learn more about Him and God’s Gospel plan through Him (which glorifies God in the process). However, to truly “see” Jesus (to believe with our hearts and not just our minds), we must have our “spiritual eyes” opened by God. Given that this can be the case, then another purpose for God having provided us with the Book of Esther is that it will edify and strengthen the faith of the saints (the elect of God, the believers). | The Message of the Book of Esther is the same Gospel Message that can be found everywhere else in the Bible as it focuses on the Person and Work of the LORD Jesus Christ. The only difference is that, each time Jesus is found in the Bible, we can learn more about Him and God’s Gospel plan through Him (which glorifies God in the process). However, to truly “see” Jesus (to believe with our hearts and not just our minds), we must have our “spiritual eyes” opened by God. Given that this can be the case, then another purpose for God having provided us with the Book of Esther is that it will edify and strengthen the faith of the saints (the elect of God, the believers). | ||
Just as significantly, the Book of Esther is also a book of “Prophecy“! It points to the Person and Work of Jesus establishing the New Covenant to offer a way of escape from the demands of God’s Law under the Old Covenant, and the New Testament era that followed. It also culminates with a picture of Judgment Day at the end of creation, and the transition into eternity in Heaven that will follow for all who are counted among the people of Jesus… and the eternal death and destruction in hell for all those who are not. | Just as significantly, the Book of Esther is also a book of “Prophecy“! It points to the Person and Work of Jesus establishing the New Covenant to offer a way of escape from the demands of God’s Law under the Old Covenant, and the New Testament era that followed. ***It also culminates with a picture of Judgment Day at the end of creation, and the transition into eternity in Heaven that will follow for all who are counted among the people of Jesus… and the eternal death and destruction in hell for all those who are not.*** '''This is an imposition of a conclusion. What if it can be shown to speak of the cross?''' | ||
So where do we see Jesus in the Book of Esther? | So where do we see Jesus in the Book of Esther? | ||
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If we compare this historical account with the rest of the Bible, we can find some amazing and unequivocal parallels/typologies between the following: | If we compare this historical account with the rest of the Bible, we can find some amazing and unequivocal parallels/typologies between the following: | ||
1) King Ahasuerus with Heavenly Father (or more generically, Almighty God) | 1) King Ahasuerus with Heavenly Father (or more generically, Almighty God) ✓ | ||
2) Queen Vashti with National Israel of the Old Testament | 2) Queen Vashti with National Israel of the Old Testament ✓ | ||
Vashti was a beautiful first queen, but she rebelled against the King and refused to come to his feast, but rather held her own feast for the women in the royal palace that belonged to the King. Deuteronomy 31:16-18 explains how this can be so, as does Jesus’ parable of the “Great Supper” in Luke 14:16-24, particularly the last verse Luke 14:24, “For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. | Vashti was a beautiful first queen, but she rebelled against the King and refused to come to his feast, but rather held her own feast for the women in the royal palace that belonged to the King. Deuteronomy 31:16-18 explains how this can be so, as does Jesus’ parable of the “Great Supper” in Luke 14:16-24, particularly the last verse Luke 14:24, “For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. | ||
✓ | |||
3) Mordecai with Jesus Christ (God as Savior) | 3) Mordecai with Jesus Christ (God as Savior) ✓ | ||
It is Jesus Christ who delivers His people, the “Jews.” He is the one who ascended to the Right Hand of God the Father. Jesus is the One Who we read about in Revelation 19:11-16. Jesus wears the “many crowns”, riding the “white horse”, and Jesus bears the Name that is “Faithful and True“. And note the harmony of Revelation 19:11 with Isaiah 25:1, “¶O LORD, thou [art] my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful [things; thy] counsels of old [are] faithfulness [and] truth.” particularly when we consider Revelation 19:13, “And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.“ | It is Jesus Christ who delivers His people, the “Jews.” He is the one who ascended to the Right Hand of God the Father. Jesus is the One Who we read about in Revelation 19:11-16. Jesus wears the “many crowns”, riding the “white horse”, and Jesus bears the Name that is “Faithful and True“. And note the harmony of Revelation 19:11 with Isaiah 25:1, “¶O LORD, thou [art] my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful [things; thy] counsels of old [are] faithfulness [and] truth.” particularly when we consider Revelation 19:13, “And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.“ ✓ | ||
Jesus Is The One who Satan sought to destroy on the cross, but it was Jesus who instead vanquished Satan at the cross. Jesus (as the God-Man) is the One Who nurtures the believers by serving in the role of their near kinsman. We also know that at the Great Battle at the end of the age, on Judgment Day, all who are in league with Satan (the unbelievers) will be destroyed with him at that time. Then will the “Jews” (the true believers in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, please see Romans 2:28-29) find rest from their enemies. We also know that the believers are referred to throughout the Bible as the Bride of Jesus Christ (and Jesus Christ is also God). That bride is described in the Bible with all the attributes ascribed to Esther. The true believers replaced National Israel (pictured by Vashti), God’s former chosen people, whom He effectively divorced at the cross (please see Jeremiah 3:8 regarding the initial divorce by God of the first ten tribes of Israel, see also Isaiah 50:1) because they would not come when bidden to the final Passover Feast (they rejected Jesus as Messiah, the Perfect Passover Lamb of God and His Wedding Feast and Great Supper…see Matthew 22:1–14 and Luke 14:15-24). | Jesus Is The One who Satan sought to destroy on the cross, but it was Jesus who instead vanquished Satan at the cross. Jesus (as the God-Man) is the One Who nurtures the believers by serving in the role of their near kinsman. We also know that at the Great Battle at the end of the age, on Judgment Day, all who are in league with Satan (the unbelievers) will be destroyed with him at that time. Then will the “Jews” (the true believers in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, please see Romans 2:28-29) find rest from their enemies. We also know that the believers are referred to throughout the Bible as the Bride of Jesus Christ (and Jesus Christ is also God). That bride is described in the Bible with all the attributes ascribed to Esther. The true believers replaced National Israel (pictured by Vashti), God’s former chosen people, whom He effectively divorced at the cross (please see Jeremiah 3:8 regarding the initial divorce by God of the first ten tribes of Israel, see also Isaiah 50:1) because they would not come when bidden to the final Passover Feast (they rejected Jesus as Messiah, the Perfect Passover Lamb of God and His Wedding Feast and Great Supper…see Matthew 22:1–14 and Luke 14:15-24). | ||
4) Queen Esther with the Body of Believers (from both Jews (the remnant) and Gentiles; the true “Jews” or the eternal Israel also known as the Jesus church and spiritual bride) | 4) Queen Esther with the Body of Believers (from both Jews (the remnant) and Gentiles; the true “Jews” or the eternal Israel also known as the Jesus church and spiritual bride) ✓ | ||
5) Hegai (Hege) and Hatach (Two of the King’s Chamberlains), with God, The Holy Spirit | 5) Hegai (Hege) and Hatach (Two of the King’s Chamberlains), with God, The Holy Spirit '''hmm 'the ה proud גא' ''' | ||
Hegai (Hege) (הֵגֵא (hēḡē’) H1896 was a chamberlain eunuch appointed by king Ahasuerus to attend Queen Esther whose name means either “eunuch” or “Meditation“; “Word“; “Groaning“; “Separation”, and he prepared Esther to come into the presence of the king by purifications “with nothing but what Hegai appointed“, and that was “six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with [other] things for the purifying of the women.” 1 John 2:20, “¶But ye have an unction (χρῖσμα (chrisma))G5545 from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” (“unction” means “anointing”) and in 1 John 2:27, “But the anointing (χρῖσμα (chrisma))G5545which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing (χρῖσμα (chrisma))G5545 teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.“ The anointing is of the Holy Spirit Who God the Father sent to the believers to lead them into all truth, and that Truth Is Jesus. Remembering also that in Romans 8:26 we read, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.“ | Hegai (Hege) (הֵגֵא (hēḡē’) H1896 was a chamberlain eunuch appointed by king Ahasuerus to attend Queen Esther whose name means either “eunuch” or “Meditation“; “Word“; “Groaning“; “Separation”, and he prepared Esther to come into the presence of the king by purifications “with nothing but what Hegai appointed“, and that was “six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with [other] things for the purifying of the women.” 1 John 2:20, “¶But ye have an unction (χρῖσμα (chrisma))G5545 from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” (“unction” means “anointing”) and in 1 John 2:27, “But the anointing (χρῖσμα (chrisma))G5545which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing (χρῖσμα (chrisma))G5545 teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.“ The anointing is of the Holy Spirit Who God the Father sent to the believers to lead them into all truth, and that Truth Is Jesus. Remembering also that in Romans 8:26 we read, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.“ | ||
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* A third Chamberlain (likely another eunuch) is also mentioned, named Shaashgaz, שַׁעַשְׁגַּז (šaʿašgaz)H8190, meaning “servant of the beautiful“. Shaashgaz was in charge of the concubines in the “second house“, after each had her year of purifications and after having come into the presence of the King the first time. It is not clear to this teacher what specific role Shaashgaz has, but he coould serve as a ministering angel from Heaven (Hebrews 1:13&14) and/or an earthly minister of the church (Matthew 19:12). We do know that Esther was described as beautiful in Esther 2:7, “And he (Mordecai) brought up Hadassah, that [is], Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid [was] fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.” | * A third Chamberlain (likely another eunuch) is also mentioned, named Shaashgaz, שַׁעַשְׁגַּז (šaʿašgaz)H8190, meaning “servant of the beautiful“. Shaashgaz was in charge of the concubines in the “second house“, after each had her year of purifications and after having come into the presence of the King the first time. It is not clear to this teacher what specific role Shaashgaz has, but he coould serve as a ministering angel from Heaven (Hebrews 1:13&14) and/or an earthly minister of the church (Matthew 19:12). We do know that Esther was described as beautiful in Esther 2:7, “And he (Mordecai) brought up Hadassah, that [is], Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid [was] fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.” | ||
6) Haman with Satan | 6) Haman with Satan '''Haman also Christ. As Cain and Abel together, same as Isaac and the ram, so are mordecai and Haman.''' | ||
Regarding Haman’s role, from Isaiah 14:12-15, we clearly see that Satan, the chief prince of all the angels that became devils, in his great pride sought to “be like the most High,” but was subsequently consigned to Hell. Satan wanted to exalt his throne above the “stars” of God; as we read in Isaiah 14:13, “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:“ | Regarding Haman’s role, from Isaiah 14:12-15, we clearly see that Satan '''[actually Lucifer. details matter]''', the chief prince of all the angels that became devils, in his great pride sought to “be like the most High,” but was subsequently consigned to Hell. Satan wanted to exalt his throne above the “stars” of God; as we read in Isaiah 14:13, “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:“ | ||
It is particularly noteworthy that in Esther 7:6, we read, “And Esther said, The adversary and enemy [is] this wicked Haman.“ In the original Hebrew, the word frequently translated into English for “adversary” is שָׂטָן (śāṭān)H7854. So it should be abundantly clear that Haman is being used as a “Type” of the devil (Satan), who is most certainly both wicked and the enemy of God, God’s Word, and God’s people. This is also entirely consistent with 1 Peter 5:8, where we read, “¶Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:“ | It is particularly noteworthy that in Esther 7:6, we read, “And Esther said, The adversary and enemy [is] this wicked Haman.“ In the original Hebrew, the word frequently translated into English for “adversary” is שָׂטָן (śāṭān)H7854. So it should be abundantly clear that Haman is being used as a “Type” of the devil (Satan), who is most certainly both wicked and the enemy of God, God’s Word, and God’s people. This is also entirely consistent with 1 Peter 5:8, where we read, “¶Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:“ '''[James says we are not tempted by Satan, but by our own hearts]''' | ||
We also see this is God’s condemnation of Edom, hence Esau, hence Haman (and therefore: the devil) in Obadiah 1:4, “Though thou exalt [thyself] as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD. | We also see this is God’s condemnation of Edom, hence Esau, hence Haman (and therefore: the devil) in Obadiah 1:4, “Though thou exalt [thyself] as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD. '''[THe eagle means 'forgot the revelation and represents Adam in the parable of the sower as one of the birds. Eve is the other.]''' | ||
God dealt with Haman’s (and the devil’s) pride exactly as God Will Do on Judgment Day (“The day of the LORD of hosts”) as we read in Isaiah 2:12, “For the day of the LORD of hosts [shall be] upon every [one that is] proud and lofty, and upon every [one that is] lifted up; and he shall be brought low:“ | God dealt with Haman’s (and the devil’s) pride exactly as God Will Do on Judgment Day (“The day of the LORD of hosts”) as we read in Isaiah 2:12, “For the day of the LORD of hosts [shall be] upon every [one that is] proud and lofty, and upon every [one that is] lifted up; and he shall be brought low:“ | ||
