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Learning From Esther 2 – Esther’s Family Background and Upbringing
Posted on March 12th, 2010 No comments
Esther 2:7 – “Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.”Esther, the wife of King Xerxes of the Persian Empire, is a prophetic symbol of the bride of Christ. The bride of Christ is the faithful church (See Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 21:9; Revelation 22:17).
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Learning from Esther 1 – The Difference Between Vashti & Esther
Posted on February 22nd, 2010 No comments
Esther 1:12 – “…But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger…”The Book of Esther offers a comparison of two women, who were both wives of the Emperor Xerxes (Ahasuerus in some versions). Queen Vashti is the first and Queen Esther is second. King Xerxes ruled over the Persian Empire, the largest kingdom in the world at that time. The Bible presents his two brides to give a prophetic illustration of the unfaithful church and the faithful church. The faithful church is the bride of Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Ephesians 5:25-27). Many biblical stories contrast two women in order to give an illustration of faithful church (the bride of Christ) and the unfaithful church (institutional Christianity). Sarah and Hagar, Hannah and Peninnah, Abigail and Michal, Mary and Martha – they all teach us valuable lessons about the difference between the faithful church and the unfaithful church, from God’s perspective.
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Learning from Esther 1 – The Seven Eunuchs of Xerxes
Posted on January 22nd, 2010 No comments
Esther 1:10-11 - “On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas- to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at…”
The book of Esther is a prophetic illustration of the triumph of the faithful church, the Bride of Christ. The King represents Jesus, the King of Kings, Bridegroom of the faithful church. The first chapter lists seven eunuchs of King Ahasuerus (or Xerxes), mentioned in the verses above, as well as seven wise men (see Esther 1:14). This lesson focuses on the first group of seven.