Part 2 Esther - A Book in the Bible - and Purim

Esther was faced with a decision that would determine the destiny of her people the Jews. She arose to her calling that she had come to the kingdom for such a time as this. She knew she with what she was about to do, she would need the strength and favor that could only come from God.

Esther made a request of her people to fast in preparation for what she was about to do.

"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." - Esther 4:16 KJV

Esther’s life was at stake. She took the risk for the sake of her people, the Jews, for if she didn’t, the lot was cast for their extermination.

"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 gate of the house." - Esther 5:1 KJV

The moment of truth. Would she be condemned by the law, because of her disobedience of entering the presence of the king without being summoned? Or, was it possible that she would find mercy in the eyes of the king?

"And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre." - Esther 5:2 KJV

It appears that the book of Esther has types and shadows of the coming new covenant of God’s mercy and grace.

To stand before God with the Law against us, meant certain death. Yet, because of God’s great love for His wife, He extended His mercy to us, just as the king did for his wife Esther.

Throughout all the book of Esther, there is not one mention of God. Rather, He is concealed throughout the account. The Jewish people recognize that it was the hand of God throughout, bringing a miraculous salvation of the Jewish people. Considering the Jews say Messiah is concealed, connects the types and shadows.

"Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom." - Esther 5:3 KJV

Esther’s request was that the king and Haman come to the banquet she prepared for them.

When at the banquet the king asked Esther what her request was, she asked the king and Haman to come to the banquet that she would prepare the next day, and then she would do as the king had said, telling her he would grant her request, even to the half of the kingdom.

Haman was so pleased that he was specially invited to a banquet with the queen and king. Yet, it was for nothing as long as he saw Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

"Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made." - Esther 5:14 KJV

To be continued…