The Story of Esther , Esther 4:13-14, Matthew 25:1-13, Hebrews 11:30-35 | Sermon by Father.Mungamuri Devadasu

Prayer: Heavenly Father, just as Hindus and Jews remain devoted to their beliefs, we pray that those in the Bible Mission stay steadfast in their faith. You are the one who established this mission and continue to lead it. Strengthen each member to uphold their commitment with sincerity and devotion. Salvation is not found in a mission itself but in faith in You. Just as You called me to this path, guide others to embrace it with humility and purpose. If the Lutheran Mission is the mother mission, then the Bible Mission is the father mission. Regardless of background or denomination, may all be welcomed into Your truth. Our purpose is not to condemn other faiths, missions, or individuals but to seek the well-being of all. Keep us from pride and self-righteousness, and grant us the grace to boast only in You.We pray this in the name of our soon-coming Lord, Amen.

Esther – A Foreshadow of the Bride of Christ

Baptism serves as an initiation for believers, just as Esther (meaning "Morning Star") symbolizes the Church as the Bride of Christ.

The parable of the ten virgins teaches us that even a small mistake—like not carrying enough oil—can result in missing the wedding feast. Similarly, those with even minor shortcomings could miss their place in the Bride of Christ’s Church.

Key Events in the Book of Esther:

1. King Ahasuerus’ Feast
2. Esther’s Banquet
3. The Feast of Purim

During Esther’s time, there was a plot to annihilate all Jews. The Gentiles conspired against them, but through fasting and prayer, God delivered them.

Esther, a Jew from a captive nation, was chosen to marry Ahasuerus, a Gentile king. This reflects how God elevates His people from bondage to royalty, symbolizing the Church’s divine calling and destiny. King Ahasuerus was a Gentile, and Esther belonged to a slave lineage, making their marriage seemingly impossible. However, since this event took place, it must be understood as part of God's divine plan. The devil's intention was to prevent the birth of the Savior of the world from among the Jews.

Haman, the king’s minister, had plotted to destroy the Jews, and the king had initially signed a decree ordering their annihilation. However, one day, the king happened to review old records and discovered that someone had once saved his life, yet no reward had been given for the deed. This led to a change of heart.

The king’s previous decree was overturned, and a new one was issued, allowing the Jews to defend themselves and defeat their enemies. As a result, the Jews rejoiced and exchanged gifts in celebration.

2. The Festival of Purim:

To this day, the Jews celebrate the festival of Purim in remembrance of how God saved the Israelites from destruction. They mark this occasion by exchanging gifts and rejoicing. This tradition is also believed to have influenced the custom of exchanging gifts during Christmas.

3. Summary of Key Events in the Book of Esther:

1. The Story of Queen Vashti – Her refusal to obey the king and subsequent dismissal.
2. Esther Becomes Queen – Her rise to the throne.
3. Haman’s Evil Plot – His conspiracy against the Jews.
4. Esther’s Courage – How her bravery led to the salvation of the Jews.
5. The Jews’ Victory – Their triumph over their enemies.
6. The Festival of Purim – The institution of the celebration.
7. Mordecai’s Rise to Power – His appointment as the Prime Minister.

Mordecai became well-known for his dedication to the welfare of his people. Among the great leaders who brought deliverance to their people, Joshua was the first, followed by Mordecai, who played a significant role in ensuring the safety and prosperity of the Jews.

Criticism of the Book of Esther:

1. Some scholars argue that since the Book of Esther is a historical account, it should not be included in the Bible.
2. Others contend that because it is not referenced anywhere in the New Testament, it does not belong in the Bible.
3. Another argument is that while the king’s name appears 187 times in this book, the name of God is not mentioned even once, making it unfit for inclusion in the Bible.

However, if we refer to Deuteronomy 31:18, we see that the Jews were experiencing the consequences of their sins while in Persia. As a result, God had "hidden His face" from them. This does not mean that God was absent from history, but rather that He was working behind the scenes, orchestrating events without revealing Himself openly.

The Book of Esther uniquely demonstrates how God protects His people without direct intervention or explicit mention. Nowhere else in the Bible do we see such a hidden yet powerful presence of God. The message in this book aligns with Jude 1:1 and Revelation 1:1, affirming that no force of darkness—whether earthly conspiracies or representatives of the underworld—can prevail against God's people. Servants of God must not forget this truth or lose heart.

1) The Forces of Darkness:

• The forces of darkness refer to sinful thoughts and attitudes such as, "Even if we are cast down, opposed, or resisted in prayer, we will not be moved!" These rebellious mindsets themselves are the powers of darkness.
• The term "rulers of the underworld" includes all demonic entities.
• The "representatives of the underworld" are those who seek to destroy God’s people and hinder His kingdom. They are the ones who, through their words and actions, essentially declare: "O adversary! Neither you nor your demons have any place here; we stand firm." This idea aligns with the message found in the Book of Esther.

Thus, we too must take the same stance and declare with faith:
"The Lord is on my side; what can man do to me?" (Psalm 118:6)

What Do the Jews Say About the Book of Esther?

The Jewish people believe that because Esther played a crucial role in preventing their destruction, the Book of Esther was included in the sacred scriptures right after the Pentateuch (the five books of Moses).

The Torah (Law) is referred to as the Pentateuch, which consists of the first five books written by Moses. After this foundational text, the next most significant book is considered to be the Book of Esther due to its importance in Jewish history and divine preservation.

Why Is God's Name Not Mentioned in the Book of Esther?

Answer: The Book of Esther is essentially a historical record preserved in the archives of the Persian government. When this historical account was included in the Bible, it was taken directly from those official records. Since it originated from a Gentile record, God’s name was not explicitly mentioned in it.

The Uniqueness of the Book of Esther

Biblical scholars suggest that the absence of God’s name in the Book of Esther actually enhances its beauty, making it a remarkable example of God’s perfect plan working behind the scenes. This is one of the reasons why Jewish people hold this book in high regard.

There are interesting parallels between Esther and Ruth:

• Ruth, a Gentile woman, married Boaz, a Jewish man.
• Esther, a Jewish woman, married Ahasuerus, a Gentile king.

This pattern can also be seen in Judith, an apocryphal book. The Apocrypha refers to biblical writings that were not included in the canon of Scripture. These books were written between the time of Malachi (the last book of the Old Testament) and Matthew (the first book of the New Testament). One such book is Judith, which tells the story of a woman who saved her people from enemy forces.

In various biblical books, we learn about individuals who honored God in different settings:

• In the Book of Esther, we see someone praising God within the royal palace.
• In Ezra, we learn about a man who worshipped God among Gentiles.
• In Nehemiah, we see a man who glorified God amid the battlefield.
• Similarly, in the Book of Judith, we read about a woman who delivered her people from their enemies.