Esther 5-10: Happy Purim!

We read Esther 5–10 with Kelsey voicing Esther and trace how courage, timing, and policy reverse a death sentence into a lasting celebration. Purim arrives the same day this releases, and we reflect on God’s unseen work that still moves history.

• Esther’s strategic invitations and timing
• Haman’s pride, plot, and rapid collapse
• The king’s insomnia and Mordecai’s honor
• The reveal at the banquet and justice served
• A new edict empowering Jewish self-defense
• Victory marked by restraint, not plunder
• Purim established as joy, gifts, and care for the poor
• Providence at work when God feels silent

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Transcript

Stakes: Esther Hidden, Haman’s Decree

Esther’s First Banquet Invitation

SPEAKER_01 0:11

Welcome back to the Out Loud Bible Project Podcast. This is Mike. We're reading through the book of Esther today, and guest starring as the voice of Esther is my wife Kelsey. As we often have conversations at the end of the week about living out loud, we'll join in those conversations together, and I'm excited to have her here on a regular episode. Now, I also want to encourage you to go download the Esther Echo Discipleship Guide from the website, outloudbible.com. In the resources tab, you can find Echo Discipleship Guides specifically for the book of Esther, where you can go deeper with what you hear here in the story and start finding opportunities to apply this to your life. Challenge yourself to take a step, take an action step a little bit out of your comfort zone, into your growth zone, where God does some really great work. So I hope you go check that out, the Echo Discipleship Guide at outloudbibel.com. Now's a great time to go download that here as we continue the book of Esther. Now, last time, last episode, we took a look at how Esther was chosen to be the queen of the Persian Empire. However, the thing is she's a Jew. Now no one knows that, and that's probably a good thing for right now because the king's main advisor, Haman, hates the Jews because Esther's cousin Mordecai is also a Jew and refused to bow down and worship him. So Haman is dead set. He set a date to destroy all the Jews in the kingdom. And now Esther and Mordecai have had a discussion and have decided to hatch out a plan that involves asking the king for a favor and help relieve this situation. However, that is not a given just because she's the queen. One fun fact before we jump into the story here, when this story is read traditionally in the Jewish culture, the children who are listening to the story are encouraged to cheer whenever the name of Esther or Mordecai is mentioned. And they're encouraged to boo loudly whenever the name Haman is mentioned. So we're not gonna like do that here on this particular episode. Hey, unless you want to, unless you're, I don't know, if you're in the car by yourself or you're listening with your family and you want to do that, you know, cheer at the good guys and boo the bad guys. Go for it. Uh, it's a lot of fun. But otherwise, we're going to finish our story of Esther here as we read chapters five through ten in the New English translation. It so happened that on the third day Esther put on her royal attire and stood in the inner court of the palace opposite the king's quarters. And the king was sitting on his royal throne in the palace, opposite the entrance. When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she met with his approval. Well, the king extended the gold scepter to Esther that was in his hand, and Esther approached and touched the end of the scepter. The king said to her, What's on your mind, Queen Esther? What's your request? Even as much as half the kingdom will be given to you.

SPEAKER_00 3:01

Esther replied, If the king is so inclined, let the king and Haman come to-day to the banquet that I have prepared for the king.

SPEAKER_01 3:12

The king replied, Find Haman quickly, so we can do as Esther requested. So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared. While at the banquet of wine, the king said to Esther, What's your request? It'll be given to you. What's your petition? Ask for as much as half the kingdom, and it shall be done.

SPEAKER_00 3:29

Esther responded, My request and my petition is this. If I have found favour in the king's sight, and if the king is inclined to grant me my request and approve my petition, let the king and Haman come to morrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and at that time I will do as the king wishes.

Haman’s Pride And Gallows Plot

SPEAKER_01 3:56

Now Haman went forth that day pleased and very much encouraged. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the king's gate, and he did not rise or tremble in his presence, Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai. But Haman restrained himself and went to his home. He then sent for his friends to join him, along with his wife, Zaresh. Haman then recounted to them his fabulous wealth, his many sons, and how the king had magnified him and exalted him over the king's other officials and servants. Haman said, Furthermore, Queen Esther invited only me to accompany the king to the banquet that she prepared. And also tomorrow I'm invited along with the king. Yet all this fails to satisfy me, so long as I have to see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

SPEAKER_00 4:49

Haman's wife Zuresh and all his friends said to him, Have a gallows seventy five feet high built, and in the morning tell the king that Mordecai should be hanged on it. Then go with the king to the banquet contented.

Sleepless King And Mordecai’s Honor

Banquet Reveal And Haman’s Downfall

SPEAKER_01 5:07

It seemed like a good idea to Haman, so he had the gallows built. Throughout that night the king was unable to sleep, so he asked for the book containing the historical records to be brought. And as the records were being read in the king's presence, it was found written that Mordecai had disclosed that Bigthana and Toresh, two of the king's eunuchs who guarded the entrance, had plotted to assassinate King Hajuerus. The king asked, what great honor was bestowed on Mordecai because of this? And the king's attendants who served him responded, Um not a thing was done for him. Well then the king said, Who's that in the courtyard? Now Haman had come to the outer courtyard of the palace to suggest that the king hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had constructed for him. The king's attendant said to him, It's Haman who is standing in the courtyard. The king said, Oh, let him enter. So Haman came in, and the king said to him, What should be done for the man whom the king wishes to honor? Hm? Well, Haman thought to himself, who is it that the king would want to honor more than me? So Haman said to the king, Well, for the man whom the king wishes to honor, let him bring royal attire which the king himself has worn, and a horse on which the king himself has ridden, one bearing the royal insignia. Then let this clothing and this horse be given to one of the king's noble officials, and let him then clothe the man whom the king wishes to honor, and let him lead him about throughout the plaza of the city on the horse, calling before him, so shall it be done to the man whom the king wishes to honor. Well the king then said to Haman, Hmm, now go quickly, take the clothing and the horse just as you described, and do as you just indicated to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Don't neglect a single thing of all that you've said. So Haman took the clothing and the horse, and he clothed Mordecai, and he led them about on the horse through the plaza of the city, calling before him, So shall it be done to the man whom the king wishes to honor. Then Mordecai again sat at the king's gate, while Haman hurried away to his home, mournful and with a veil over his head. Haman then related to his wife Zaresh and to all his friends everything that had happened to him, and these wise men, along with his wife Zaresh, said to him, If indeed this Mordecai before whom you have begun to fall is Jewish, you will not prevail against him.

SPEAKER_00 7:55

No, you will surely fall before him.

New Edict And Jewish Defense

SPEAKER_01 7:57

While they were still speaking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived, and they quickly brought Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared. So the king and Haman came to dine with Queen Esther. On the second day of the banquet of wine, the king asked Esther, What is your request, Queen Esther? It shall be granted to you, and what is your petition? Ask for up to half the kingdom it shall be done.

SPEAKER_00 8:20

Queen Esther replied, If I have met with your approval, O king, and if the king is so inclined, grant me my life as my request, and my people as my petition. For we have been sold, both I and my people, to destruction and to slaughter, and to annihilation. If we had simply been sold as male and female slaves, I would have remained silent, for such distress would not have been sufficient for troubling the king.

SPEAKER_01 8:48

Then King Hajuer responded to Queen Esther, Who is this individual? Where is this person to be found who's presumptuous enough to act in this way?

SPEAKER_00 8:58

Esther replied, The oppressor and enemy is the evil Haman.

Victory, Purim Instituted, Mordecai Exalted

SPEAKER_01 9:04

Then Haman became terrified in the presence of the king and queen. Enraged the king arose from the banquet of wine and withdrew to the palace garden. Meanwhile, Haman stood to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king had now determined a catastrophic end for him. When the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet of wine, Haman was throwing himself down on the couch where Esther was lying. The king exclaimed, Will he also attempt to rape the queen while I'm still in the building? As these words left the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. Harbona, one of the king's eunuchs, said, Indeed, there's the gallows that Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke out on the king's behalf. It stands near Haman's home and is seventy five feet high. The king said, Hang him on it. So they hanged Haman on the very gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. The king's rage then abated. On that same day, King Ahjuarus gave the estate of Haman, that adversary of the Jews, to Queen Esther. Now Mordecai had come before the king, for Esther had revealed how he was related to her. The king then removed his signet ring, the very one he had taken back from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai, and Esther designated Mordecai to be in charge of Haman's estate. Then Esther again spoke with the king, falling at his feet. She wept and begged him for mercy that he might nullify the evil of Haman the Agagite and the plot that he had intended against the Jews. When the king extended to Esther the gold scepter, she arose and stood before the king.

SPEAKER_00 10:44

She said, If the king is so inclined, and if I have met with his approval, and if the matter is agreeable to the king, and if I am attractive to him, let an edict be written rescinding those recorded intentions of Haman, the son of Hamadatha the Agagite, which he wrote in order to destroy the Jews who are throughout all the king's provinces. For how could I watch the calamity that will befall my people, and how can I watch the destruction of my relatives?

SPEAKER_01 11:11

King Aherus replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, Look, I've already given Haman's estate to Esther, and he's been hanged on the gallows because he took hostile action against the Jews. Now write in the king's name whatever in your opinion is appropriate concerning the Jews, and seal it with the king's signet ring. Any decree that is written in the king's name and sealed with the king's signet ring cannot be rescinded. The king's scribes were quickly summoned, in the third month, that is, the month of Sivan, on the twenty third day. They wrote out everything that Mordecai instructed to the Jews, and to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces all the way from India to Ethiopia, hundred and twenty-seven provinces in all, to each province in his own script, and to each people in their own language, and to the Jews according to their own script in their own language. Mordecai wrote in the name of King Ahorus and sealed it with the king's signet ring. He then sent letters by couriers who rode royal horses that were very swift. The king thereby allowed the Jews who were in every city to assemble and to stand up for themselves, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any army of whatever people or province that should become their adversaries, including the women and children, and to confiscate their property. This was to take place on a certain day throughout the provinces of King Ahjuaris, namely on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, that is the month of Adar. A copy of the edict was to be presented as law throughout each and every province and made known to all peoples so that the Jews might be prepared on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. The couriers who were riding the royal horses went forth with the king's edict without delay, and the law was presented in Susa, the citadel as well. Now Mordecai went out from the king's presence in blue and white royal attire, with a large golden crown and a purple linen mantle. The city of Susa shouted with joy. For the Jews there was radiant happiness and joyous honor. Throughout every province and throughout every city where the king's edict and his law arrived, the Jews experienced happiness and joy, banquets and holidays. Many of the resident peoples pretended to be Jews because the fear of the Jews had overcome them. In the twelfth month, that is the month of Adar, on its thirteenth day, the edict of the king and his law were to be executed. It was on this day that the enemies of the Jews had supposed they would gain power over them, but contrary to expectations the Jews gained power over their enemies. The Jews assembled themselves in the cities throughout all the provinces of King Hashuarus to strike out against those who were seeking their harm. No one was able to stand before them, for dread of them fell on all the peoples. All the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and those who performed the king's business were assisting the Jews, for the dread of Mordecai had fallen on them. Mordecai was of high rank in the king's palace, and word about him spread throughout all the provinces. His influence continued to become greater and greater. The Jews struck all their enemies with a sword, bringing death and destruction, and they did as they pleased with their enemies. In Susa, the citadel, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. In addition, they also killed Parshandatha, Delphon, Aspatha, Paratha, Adalia, Aradatha, Parmashta, Arrase, Arade, and Vesatha, the ten sons of Haman, son of Hamadatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not confiscate their property. On the same day the number of those killed in Susa the Citadel was brought to the king's attention. Then the king said to Queen Esther, In Susa the Citadel the Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman. What then have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? What's your request? It shall be given to you. What other petition do you have? It shall be done.

SPEAKER_00 15:07

Esther replied, If the king is so inclined, let the Jews who are in Susa be permitted to act tomorrow also according to today's law, and let them hang the ten sons of Haman on the gallows.

SPEAKER_01 15:22

So the king issued orders for this to be done. A law was passed in Susa, and the ten sons of Haman were hanged. The Jews who were in Susa then assembled on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and they killed three hundred men in Susa, but they didn't confiscate their property. The rest of the Jews who were throughout the provinces of the king assembled in order to stand up for themselves and to have rest from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of their adversaries, but they didn't confiscate their property. All this happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. Then they rested on the fourteenth day, and made it a day for banqueting and happiness. But the Jews who were in Susa assembled on the thirteenth and fourteenth days and rested on the fifteenth, making it a day for banqueting and happiness. And this is why the Jews who are in the rural country, those who live in rural villages, set aside the fourteenth day of the month of Adar for happiness, banqueting, a holiday, and sending gifts to one another. Mordecai wrote these matters down and sent letters to all the Jews who were throughout all the provinces of King Ahjuaris, both near and far, to have them observe the fourteenth and the fifteenth days of the month of Adar each year, as the time when the Jews gave themselves rest from their enemies, the month when their trouble was turned to happiness, and their morning to a holiday. These were to be days of banqueting, happiness, sending gifts to one another, and providing for the poor. So the Jews committed themselves to continuing what they had begun to do, and to what Mordecai had written to them. For Haman, the son of Hamadotha the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised plans against the Jews to destroy them. He had cast poor, that is the lot, in order to afflict and destroy them. But when the matter came to the king's attention, the king gave written orders that Haman's evil intentions that he had devised against the Jews should fall on his own head, he and his sons were hanged on the gallows. And for this reason, these days are known as Purim, named after the poor, PUR. Therefore, because of the account found in this letter and what they had faced in this regard and what had happened to them, the Jews established as binding on themselves, their descendants, and all who joined their company that they should observe these two days without fail, just as written and at the appropriate time on an annual basis. These days were to be remembered, and to be celebrated in every generation and in every family, every province, and every city. The Jews were not to fail to observe these days of Purim. The remembrance of them was not to cease among their descendants.

SPEAKER_00 17:52

So Queen Esther, the daughter of Abbail and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter about Purim. Letters were sent to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of the empire of Ahazuaris, words of true peace to establish these days of Purim in their proper times, just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established, and just as they had established both for themselves and their descendants, matters pertaining to fasting and lamentation. Esther's command established these matters of Purim, and the matter was officially recorded.

Purim Timing And Silent Providence Reflection

SPEAKER_01 18:29

King Ahazuerus then imposed forced labor on the land and on the coastlands of the sea. Now all the actions carried out under his authority and his great achievements, along with an exact statement concerning the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king promoted, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Medea and Persia? Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahazuerus. He was the highest ranking Jew, and he was admired by his numerous relatives. He worked enthusiastically for the good of his people, and was an advocate for the welfare of all his descendants. And that, my friend, is the story of Esther. Now, I wish I could tell you that I planned this to be scheduled on this particular day on purpose, but I did not. It just so happened that the release of this episode, March 2nd, is Purim this year. And so Jews around the world are reading this story just like we have here on this podcast. I'm glad you were able to join me. A really fascinating book in many ways, but uh especially I think the fact that God is not mentioned in this entire story. You can go back and look. God's name is not mentioned anywhere in any conversations or narrations. But how clear it is that he is actively working and how comforting that is for us when we don't necessarily see him the way we expect, to know that he is connecting dots and positioning people in the right times at the right place for the benefit of his people. That concludes the book of Esther, and that is our thinking out loud.

SPEAKER_00 19:53

Wait, let me do it.

SPEAKER_01 19:54

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 19:55

And that is the Thinking Out Loud thought for the day. See you next time.

SPEAKER_01 19:59

Excellent.