Esther 10:1-3

10:1. King Ahasuerus laid a tribute (tax) on the land and on the coastlands of the sea.

Early in our study we learned about this kind of tribute for the king's queens. Here, all of Medo-Persia was taxed this time, within the continent as well as out along the coastal islands of the Aegean sea... and given solely to Mordecai.

2. And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia?

Well, they were written, praise God. Now, there were protests against including Esther into the canon of scripture before and after the Council of Jamnia which obviously DID pronounce it canonical (Part of God's Word). Rather than share why it was felt this book was anything other than "inspired by God", I will share what is obvious to me why it is. The Old Testament (OT) was assembled, opened in the temple, and well versed by the Jewish people during the time Jesus walked among them. Being "The Word" Himself, we can be sure He would have recognized a problem, AND FIXED IT! Amen?

Although He never quoted from "Esther", Jesus did quote from a book it was part of. In truth, the OT was divided (at that time) into 3 books... the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms - or "Kethubim", which meant "The Writings". The Kethubim included: Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Ruth, Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra and Nehemiah (one volume), 1 & 2 Chronicles (one volume). Now listen to these words of Jesus...

"Then He said to them, This is what I told you while I was still with you: everything which is written concerning Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Luke 24:44

There are many reasons that were argued for including Esther into the Bible, but you and I now know that Christ knew "every tiny mark" within OT, and Esther was included even then, and had better be part of our Bible today. And so, it is here and we are blessed by our study of God's sovereignty over all things... like with His children in the story of Esther, and yes, even over His Word to us. Amen? Let's continue...

3. For Mordecai the Jew was next to King Ahasuerus and great among the Jews, and was a favorite with the multitude of his brethren, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to his whole race.

We end our story with God, leaving for His people, yet another caring, loving, and God-fearing leader... "for Mordecai sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to his whole race." But, how long will things stay this way? Looking back on His-story, it seems God was also preparing His children for the next great challenge. Rule would change hands, yet again, and Cyrus, king of Persia, undisputed ruler of the civilized world, would grant the Jews permission to return to their land and rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1:1-3).

By the time Jesus is born, His people will have been forced under rule by one leader after another, and as always, they were looking for their Own King! God never meant for us to need or desire anyone but Himself as King. Under Roman rule, and right under their noses, Jesus would grow up from a child, and begin to uncover God's ultimate solution to man's need for someone between us and God. Though He was not what the Jewish people expected, what He, Jesus Christ would endure to finally cover our shame from such a PERFECT and POWERFUL God, was the single greatest moment in all of eternity.

If you have come through this study with us to this point today, and do not know JESUS as your King... I pray you will search your heart and make Him your Lord and King right now!

Well, that is the end of our study of Esther. I hope that if you were blessed, that you'll consider some of the other studies I have shared. There are links to my other blogs on My Blog List. Thank you each and all for you time, your comments, and prayers.

I love you.

Here are links to the Pages on Facebook:
Ephesians Bible Study
James
Colossians
I Corinthians 13
Esther Bible Study
HeartCry
This Thing Called Love