The Book of Esther as it relates to the historical timing in Ezra and Nehemiah. 509 - 6 - 5

 “The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah (and Esther) cover about 100 years, closing the Old Testament historical books. The books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles closed with the Southern Kingdom (“Judah”) going into captivity.  These post-exile books record the return from Babylon after its fall to the Persians under Cyrus, the rebuilding of the Temple and Jerusalem, and the reestablishment of the national life.”

[PDF, The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah by Chuck Missler]

The events in the Book of Esther occurred between those recorded in Ezra 6 and Ezra 7. Ten years involved in the Book of Esther from 483 BC, in the third year of the reign Ahasuerus (Xerxes) when the king held something of a marathon feast.

Esther 1:3, “In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him”

Because of Queen Vashti’s refusal to be put on display before her husband’s drunken princes she lost her position and a search began for her replacement. The search brought Esther into “the house of the women” for a lengthy period of preparation for her night with the king and her selection as queen.

By chapter 3 the evil Haman had been promoted above the other princes. Haman convinced the King to exterminate the Jewish population. Esther 3:7, casting “Pur” to determine that the extermination would begin after a year. Esther and her guardian Mordecai used that time to successfully opposite Haman’s plan of the extermination of the Jews.   

Timeline leading to the exile and the return from exile including relevant information concerning Daniel:

587 BC, Zedekiah ignores Jeremiah’s and Ezekiel’s warnings and rebels resulting in the 3rd siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple and the city by King Nebuchadnezzar. This begins 70-year “Desolations of Jerusalem”

556 BC, Daniel’s vision of the 4 beasts.

554 BC, Daniel’s Ram and He-goat vision

539 BC, King Belshazzar was disrespectful of the golden vessels taken from the temple and thus the famous Hand writing on the wall appeared. The Persian Empire conquered Babylon without a battle.  Daniel showed Cyrus (538–530) God’s letter to Cyrus detailed in Isaiah 44.

538 BC, Daniel’s Vision of seventy weeks

538 BC, the first return led by Zerubbabel (Ezra 1-6) to rebuild the Temple as ordered and financed by Cyrus. However, only about 50 thousand Israeli returned to Israel in this regathering of the remnant.

536 BC, the foundations of the second Temple were laid

Daniel survived The Lions’ Den during the reign of Darius I (521–486 BC).

515 B.C, Temple rebuilt

[From 483 BC, Xerxes’ 3rd year, Esther 1:3]

Esther saved the Israel race from the plotting of Haman in this time, between Ezra chapters 6 and 7.

[To 473 BC Esther 3:7]

“Chronologically, it (The Book of Esther) antedates the Book of Nehemiah by about 30 years. Esther makes possible Nehemiah. It was Esther’s marriage to the King of Persia that ultimately leads to the rebuilding of Jerusalem.”

[The Books of Ruth and Esther by Chuck Missler]

458 BC second return of 2,000 Israeli was under Ezra (Ezra 7-10)

444 BC, the third return led by Nehemiah in who through Artaxerxes I (464–423) had gained authority to rebuild the city (and walls) of Jerusalem. This triggers the 69 weeks of Daniel 9:25.

Hadassah vs Esther both names of the Queen who saved the Jews 509 - 6 - 6

“The name Hadassah (Heb. הדסה) was one of the names of Queen Esther, the heroine of the Purim story, and is now given to Jewish girls.

The name is of biblical origin, first cited in the Scroll of Esther (2:7), “And [Mordechai] had raised Hadassah, she is Esther . . .

The name Hadassah represents righteousness. As such, it corresponds to a heavenly sphere representing G‑d’s infinity. The name Esther (Heb. אסתר) is derived from the Hebrew word hester (Heb. הסתר), which means “hiddenness,” and corresponds to a spiritual plane representing hidden G‑dliness.”

[http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1769366/jewish/What-Does-the-Name-Hadassah-Mean.htm]

Esther 2: 7, "And he was foster father to ¹Hadassah, that is, ²Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother; and the young woman was beautiful in form and appearance. And when her father and mother died, Mordecai took her to himself as his daughter."

Footnotes Esther 2: 7 ¹ Hadassah Her Jewish name, meaning myrtle.

Esther 2:7 ² Esther Her Persian name, meaning star.

[Living Stream Ministry. Holy Bible Recovery Version (contains footnotes)]

Did Hadassah lie by “hiding” her Hebrew name and using her Persian name Esther? Was it a form of deception? Christians and Jews are prohibited from lying in keeping with the 10 Commandments. Nevertheless and in my opinion, there are times when deception is very justified. Esther’s lie of omission allowed her to become the queen of Persia and save her people.

Esther is a type of what followed during the Holocaust. Many used deceptions to save Jews from the horrors of the Holocaust and are called the Righteous Among the Nations. They are recognized by Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority in Jerusalem.

“These people risked their lives or their liberty and position to help Jews during the Holocaust; some suffered death as a result. As of 1 January 2016, Yad Vashem recognized 26,120 Righteous Among the Nations from 51 countries.”

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Righteous_Among_the_Nations_by_country]

Slightly dated but interesting cyber information, Sept. 29, 2010. In a Computer Worm, a Possible Biblical Clue by John Markoff and David E. Sanger

"Deep inside the computer worm that some specialists suspect is aimed at slowing Iran’s race for a nuclear weapon lies what could be a fleeting reference to the Book of Esther, the Old Testament tale in which the Jews pre-empt a Persian plot to destroy them.

That use of the word “Myrtus” — which can be read as an allusion to Esther — to name a file inside the code is one of several murky clues that have emerged as computer experts try to trace the origin and purpose of the rogue Stuxnet program, which seeks out a specific kind of command module for industrial equipment."

[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/world/middleeast/30worm.html?_r=0]

Israeli used Stuxnet, a malicious computer worm that wormed its way into Iran’s computer systems and destroyed their nuclear centrifuges.” Israel must stay ahead of those who would annihilate her. Then in 2015 Obama and Congress shared complicity in allowing the Six Nation Treaty with Iran to pass. Israel needs to raise up another Esther. Meanwhile, prayers for God's protection over Israel.

Is it fitting that Christ was born in a place called “Bethlehem” or “House of Bread?” 509 - 5 - 6

Bethlehem, a city in Judah, means “house of bread, food” and was the birthplace of King David. It was little, insignificant, and in my opinion perfect for one coming as the suffering Messiah. Ephratah means “ash-heap: place of fruitfulness” and is another name for Bethlehem, avoiding any confusion as which Bethlehem was being referenced.

Micah 5:2, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

Not only does Micah tell of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, a place of fruitfulness, he speaks to Jesus’ future Kingdom and that Jesus has been from everlasting.

 “The child was born in Bethlehem, but the Son was from everlasting.” [Scofield Reference Notes]

Bread and wine are paired in the Old Testament; a foretelling of the wine and bread of the Last Supper? Genesis 14:18, “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.” Later when Joseph is in prison he interprets dreams of both the cupbearer and a baker to the Pharaoh. Again, the joining of wine and bread.

As the bread of life Jesus preached a sermon that was very hard for people to understand. John 6:54-55 “54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.”

Many took him literally believing He was referring to His actual body and blood rather than it being a metaphor.

“6:55 The flesh of the Lord Jesus is food indeed, and His blood is drink indeed. This is in contrast to the food and drink of this world which is only of temporary value. The value of the death of the Lord Jesus is never-ending. Those who partake of Him by faith receive life that goes on forever.” [Believer’s Bible Commentary]

1 Corinthians 11, on the night that Jesus was betrayed he established what would become known as holy Communion. We are to partake of wine and bread in remembrance of the blood and broken body of Jesus given as propitiation for our sins.

It didn’t take long for heresy to creep into the church. Catholics celebrate the Lord’s table as being the actual flash and blood of Jesus through Transfiguration. Blood and wine, again a metaphor. Just as when Jesus said he was the door he wasn’t saying that he was made of wood. John 10:7, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door (G2374) of the sheep.” 

Door, Strong’s G2374, a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively): - door, gate.

Jesus was and is the Bread of Life, what a fitting place for His birth; Bethlehem the “House of Bread.”

“Let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah” (Ruth 4:12). 509 - 5 - 2

There was quite a scandal concerning the birth of Pharez to Judah by his daughter-in-law Tamar. Judah had refused to allow his son Shelah to marry Tamar in keeping with Levirate marriage. Tamar tricked her father-in-law thinking she was a prostitute and a pregnancy resulted. 1 Chronicles 2:4, “And Tamar his daughter in law bore him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.”

There would be a cloud on the conception of Pharez and Zerah just as there would later be concerning Jesus. Psalm 69:12, “They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.” John 8:41, “Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.”    

 Deuteronomy 23:2, “A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.”

Ruth 4:12, “And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman.” Perhaps a foretelling of the 10th generation to come.

And these are the lineal descendants of Pharez. Pharez begat Hezron, and Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, and Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

David, son of Jesse, was the 10th generation after Pharez so he could “enter into the congregation of the LORD” and be crowned King.

Another interpretation of Ruth 4:12 could be that there would be many descendants of Perez. Nehemiah 11:6, “All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.”

Digging a little deeper, Boaz and Ruth, a Moabitess, were in the line of Jesus. Boaz was the son of Salmon and Rahab who was said to be a prostitute. Boaz and Ruth had a son they named Obed who had a son named Jesse and in turn Jesse had a son named David, later known as King David. A pagan prostitute and a Gentile were in the line of Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David.

Israel has the right to the land of Israel %07 - 8 - 1

Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” God owns the heaven and the earth including the land of Israel. Our Creator God has the divine authority to lease what He wants to whomever He chooses. God gave the land of Israel to Abraham and his seed though unconditional covenants.

In Genesis 15 God instructed Abram to construct an offering and then caused Abram to enter a deep sleep. God foretold of the time that the Israelites would be strangers in a land not theirs, however, when they would come out of a period of enslavement they would be given an unconditional title to. Genesis 15:18, “In the same day the LORD made a covenant (H1285) with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed (H2233) have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.” This was a unilateral land covenant granted to Abram and his descendants signifying that it’s fulfillment was dependent for on God alone.

“Genesis 17:1-6” The covenant was to be accomplished in due time. The promised Seed was Christ, and Christians in him. And all who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abram, being partakers of the same covenant blessings. In token of this covenant his name was changed from Abram, “a high father,” to Abraham, “the father of a multitude.” All that the Christian world enjoys, it is indebted for to Abraham and his Seed.”

[Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary]

God renewed His covenant with Abram and changed his name to Abraham and circumcision was then instituted as an outward sign of this covenant. Genesis 17:7-8, “7 And I will establish my covenant (H1285) between me and thee and thy seed (H2233) after thee in their generations for an everlasting (H5769) covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

H1285, covenant, in the sense of cutting, a compact, made by passing between pieces of flesh, confederacy, league.

H2233, seed, figuratively fruit, plant, sowing time, posterity, child.

H5769, everlasting, generally time out of mind, past or future, eternity; continuance, eternal, perpetual, beginning of the world and without end.

God put the Gentiles on notice; Genesis 12:3, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” Books have been written about the price to pay for opposing God and Israel.

"In Eye to Eye – Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel you will gain a greater understanding of the biblical significance of what is occurring today in the nation of Israel. You will read about the consequences that the leaders and their nations have experienced after pressuring Israel to divide her land."

[Eye to Eye: Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel by William Koenig]

Mr. Koenig became a White House correspondent in 2001 and has a weekly Online Newsletter.

As America has Done to Israel by John P. McTernan has a similar theme.

Errors of Balaam Revisited 507 - 8 - 4

Per CM there are three errors of Balaam:

Errors of Balaam

• “Way of Balaam”: making religion his source of wealth.

• “Error of Balaam”: attempting to oppose God’s will and curse Israel

• “Doctrine of Balaam”: marriage with the world. One, “Way of Balaam”: making religion his source of wealth.

• “Way of Balaam”: making religion his source of wealth:

Balaam was a soothsayer, a “prophet for profit,” for hire. Balak, king of the Moabites, feared the Israeli so he sent messengers to Balaam and asked him to curse Israeli. Balaam eventually agreed to use his ability contrary to God’s will and curse Israel.

Peter compares false teachers to the prophet Balaam, 2 Peter 2:15-16, "15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages (G3408) of unrighteousness (G93); 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity (G3892): the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 

Wages, Strong's G3408, pay for service, good or bad, hire, reward, wages.

unrighteousness, Strong's G93, from the root G94; (legal) injustice (properly the quality, by implication the act); moral wrongfulness (of charater, life or act): - iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong. G94 unjust; by extension wicked; by implication treacherous; specifically heathen: - unjust, unrighteous.

iniquity, Strong's G3892, From the same as G3891; transgression: - iniquity. G3891, to be opposed to law, that is, to transgress: - contrary to law.

• “Error of Balaam”: attempting to oppose God’s will and curse Israel:

Balaam made several attempts to curse Israel, however, he ended up blessing them in accordance with God’s word including this Messianic verse. Numbers 24:17, “I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.”

• “Doctrine of Balaam”: marriage with the world:

Finally, he used the doctrine of Balaam, “to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel,” to cause them to be unfaithful to God so He would then “turn His hand against them.”

“Numbers 25:1-3 Although Balaam's name is not mentioned in this chapter, we learn in Num_31:16 that he was responsible for the terrible corruption of the children of Israel that is described here. All of Balak's rewards could not induce Balaam to curse Israel, but they finally did persuade him to corrupt Israel by causing some of the people to commit harlotry and idolatry with the women of Moab. Often when Satan cannot succeed in a direct attack, he will succeed in an indirect one.”

[Believers Bible Commentary]

Today we have the televangelists many of whom have gone the way of the “Doctrine of Balaam.” Like Balaam they are “hireling” marketing their gift of being persuasive speakers. Their doctrine of “Name it and claim it” tickles the ears rather than convicting the listeners of their sinful nature and the need for redemption. Most of these televangelists run the risk of “Sacrificing eternal riches for temporal gain.” Eventually they will stand in judgment for casting stumbling blocks before their followers.

The Nearer Kinsman is a type of the Law. 509 - 4 - 6

The Kinsman-Redeemer had to be a near kinsman, able and willing to perform, and must assume all the obligations.

Something of a surprise as I was researching the Hebrew term Goel, an equivalency to Kinsman-Redeemer. Often as I have read the Book of Ruth I never made the connection to the Kinsman-Redeemer being the avenger. The Kinsman-Redeemer was the loving Boaz, the Kinsman of Naomi. As the Kinsman-Redeemer Boaz redeemed Naomi who represents Israel and Ruth as the Gentile Bride. In this sweet but prophetic love story Boaz is a type of Christ but not called upon to be an avenger.

“Goel: Kinsman-Redeemer –Law of Redemption Lev 25:47-50 –Law of Levirate Marriage In Hebrew, the participle of the verb _gaal_, "to redeem." It is rendered in the Authorized Version "kinsman," Num. 5:8; Ruth 3:12; 4:1,6,8; "redeemer," Job 19:25; "avenger," Num. 35:12; Deut. 19:6, etc. The Jewish law gave the right of redeeming and repurchasing, as well as of avenging blood, to the next relative, who was accordingly called by this name.”

[http://www.dictionary.com/browse/goel]

The above definition suggested something deeper. We serve a loving God; however, He is a righteous God. Jesus came the first time as the suffering Messiah. Jesus is our Kinsman Redeemer who provided propitiation before a righteous God who cannot abide any degree of sin. God sees those of us who are in Christ through the purity of Jesus rather than in our fallen state. Without the gift of grace from Jesus, our near kinsman, we would be condemned. Jesus was able and willing to perform even to an excruciating death on the cross thereby assuming all the obligations of sins. Jesus cried out to God who wouldn’t even look at him as He was sin for us, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Psalm 22:1.

While in His earthly walk, Jesus quoted Isaiah 61. Luke 4:18-19, “18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Jesus stopped quoting Isaiah 61 at a comma and omitted “and the day of vengeance of our God.” At His second coming Jesus, will come as the blood avenger. Revelation 19:15, “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” The sword is the Word.

We have the promise found in Job 19:25-26, “25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26  And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.”