Today I thought I'd share a paper I wrote a little over a year for a class I had. It focuses in on Esther 4 and the ritual of fasting and praying that the Jews did during their trials. I thought it'd be good to share since I'm going through a fast. It's kind of long but good. My professor used it as a sample paper for the class. As I was writing it I learned things about the book of Esther that I never knew before. My desire is that you'd learn something about praying and fasting as well.
Here it is:
Esther 4 grasps the reader’s attention because it is relatable in the sense that all suffer in one form or another and need perseverance to get through those struggles. Here we see that fasting and praying is vital to a believers walk when something is going wrong. This passage shows Mordecai and the rest of the Jews lamenting their fate through fasting and praying, as well as, Mordecai asking Esther to intercede on behalf of the Jews. To have an accurate understanding of Esther 4, the previous and following passages must be reviewed. Within chapter 3 one can see the reason why Mordecai, Esther, and the rest of the Jews decide to fast. It is because of a man named Haman who has formed hatred in his heart toward all Jews. In short, he becomes the kings highest official and has the power to use the kings signet ring for anything he desires. Haman then uses his power to plot against the Jews and have them killed. This sparks the beginning of the praying and fasting we see in chapter 4.
The person that grasps the story of Esther is unknown. However, it is suggested that it might have been Mordecai, Ezra, Nehemiah, or a Persian Jew who later moved back to Israel. Believed to be written in 473 B.C., Esther is the seventeenth book in the literary chronology of the Old Testament. The latest reasonable date the book was written in would be prior to 331 B.C. when Greece conquered Persia. Esther occurred during the Persian period of world history. King Ahasueras ruled from 486 to 465 B.C. and Esther covers the 483-473 B.C. part of his reign. The events of Esther occurred during the wider time span between the first return of the Jews after the seventy-year captivity in Babylon and the second return led by Ezra in 458 B.C. Nehemiah’s journey from Susa to Jerusalem occurred later.
The book of Esther begins with the indication that all is not well in Susa. This is revealed by the threat of Haman killing the Jews in the beginning chapters. The reader reaches a turning-point in the story when the king has a sleepless night in chapter 6. Before this took place chapters 1-5 deal with the mortal danger the Jews face. Following the sleepless night, chapters 6-10 deal with the salvation of the Jews. One pattern that is seen in the book of Esther is three banquets taking place in the first half of the book and three taking place in the second half of the book. Also, the royal chronicles are referred to at the beginning, middle, and end. It is hard to tell if the turning point of the story is when the king has a sleepless night in a lack of Providence, or when Esther decides to risk her life. The importance on communal fasting, however, undoes the suggestion that everything depends on one woman. Here the fasting implied dependent prayer, pleading for divine aid. The expected direction of events then turns in favor of the Jews. Esther is a good story because it presents a problem and specifies how it is solved.
Esther is suggested to fall under two genres, law and history. The book has been used as a source for the proper observance of Purim. In later times it is suggested by commentators that the book is historical and fictional. It is hard to establish for certain the genre of the book, but recent studies have opened up new ways of understanding it. We can describe it as ‘a valuable historical witness to the Jewish struggle for survival in the post-exilic period’.
The book of Esther was not considered canonical until what we know as the Council of Jamnia in A.D. 90. However, it was not canonized nor the other books of the Old Testament for that matter. “Christians of the East who lived in greater proximity to Jewish centers generally rejected the canonicity of the book, but Christians of the West tended to accept its canonicity…the diversity of early Christian opinion on this subject, really proves nothing concerning the canonicity of the book of Esther.”
The Jews in Esther fall under the covenant of Abraham. The purpose of the covenant was that Abraham’s nation would become great and be a blessing to all the families of the earth (Gn.12:3). Esther obeys God in taking action to save the Jews. Haman, the source of evil is destroyed, and Israel (Jews) are redeemed. However, Jews today have become entrenched failing to find Jesus the Messiah. They “have become ‘stranded’, knowing their identity and yet finding little positive satisfaction in it.” One can see that the book of Esther is still relevant today. The unseen hand behind what took place in Susa is no less active in guiding history today.
“Although Esther does not mention God specifically, His sovereign protection over His people remains apparent throughout the book. God placed Esther in the key position to impede Haman’s plan to destroy the Jews. Esther typifies Christ in her willingness to lay down her life to save her people. Esther also represents the position of Christ as Israel’s advocate. In all these events, God declares His love for Israel in His constant watch over the Jews…”
In order for the Jews in Esther to be saved, they practice a ritual of fasting and praying. This can be seen in 4:1-3 when Mordecai finds out the plot of Haman to destroy the Jews and in verse 16 when Esther decides to fast for the Jews before interceding for them. Not only did he fast and pray, he also mourned, dressed in sackcloth and ashes, and wailed within the city. Although there are no direct quotes from Esther in the rest of the Old Testament, we see the occurrence of fasting throughout the Old Testament. What will be focused on here is fasting and praying within the Old Testament and the relation to how the Jews in Esther fasted and prayed. In verse 3 the element of fasting is introduced as an additional sign of sorrow. Fasting in the Old Testament is not merely keeping from food. It is an act of denying food because of a particular reason or for a precise purpose. In this text it is a sign of distress. We know this because of the surrounding words ‘mourning, weeping, and lamenting’.
In this text Mordecai did not only vent his sorrows, but peaks the attention of his people to their danger and to the proper way of seeking deliverance (fasting and praying). When it comes to fasting, public calamities that affect the church of God, should affect our hearts more than any private burden. This can be seen in Esther as well as in Ezra 8:21 & 23 when the people humble themselves before God to seek from him a safe journey. Also, the spontaneous spreading of sackcloth and ashes so that Jews could prostrate themselves in grief (Is. 58:5) is a moving example of national mourning. “In the Old Testament, prayer normally accompanied fasting, as in Joel 1:14 (“Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly; gather the elders… and cry out to the Lord”). Thus, the fact that any mention of prayer is omitted in this time of crisis (in Esther) is deliberate and in harmony with the author’s special purpose.” So here in Esther chapter 4 fasting and prayer has been observed. Since the words fast and prayer are used in the text repeatedly, they have been studied.
In verse 4-9 the theme of sympathy is taking place. Although Esther lived in a palace surrounded with luxury, she did not lose sight of her uncle Mordecai. She was not indifferent to his sorrow and trouble. When she was informed of his mourning and after finding out the cause of his distress, she entered it, taking his grief as his own. “A beautiful illustration of sympathy—an emotion and disposition which adorns our humanity, and relieves men of many of their sorrows, and lightens many of their cares.” Here in verse 4-9 we see that sympathy is based upon our common humanity and relatives. It is also seen that sympathy has its main foundation in religion. This is so because God has shown us the most sympathy through providing us with the blood sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. We are to ‘rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.’ Sympathy is beneficial to whoever is showing it, and to him who is receiving it. The fruit of sympathy is help. There are three practical lessons that can be applied here. First, don’t close your heart to your neighbors woe. Second, Show your sympathy by feeling their woe with them. Third, let sympathy take a realistic figure.
In verses 10-14 we see Esther fearing going to the king on behalf of the Jews because she could be facing possible death, since he has not summoned her. Mordecai warns her that she, like the rest of the Jews, will most likely not have her life spared just because she lives in the palace. He then tells her that if she were to stay silent someone else will rise up to save the Jews and that she had most likely been placed there for such a time. Here Mordecai displays his belief in God’s guidance in life, and in His ordering of events in a persons life.
Going back to fasting and praying, Esther calls for her people to join in on a three day fast in verses 15 and 16. Most fasting last for only one day, The Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:29-31). However, it was done as a voluntary act for a specific occasion (1 Sa. 14:24; 2 Sa. 1:12). Because Esther fasted for three days it has been indicated that the reason why she was fasting was considered urgent. She needed strength. The contrast of fasting and feasting in this book can be noticed. Also, one grammatical feature that can be seen here is her repetition in the use of words she chooses to speak in verse 16. It is very clear that when Esther says, “If I perish, I perish” that this indicates something very serious. That something is not only her life, but the lives of all the Jews.
Although prayer to God is not mentioned in this passage, it is implied. It would have been useless to fast and not pray considering the circumstances. Does the fact that Esther’s maidens fasted with her suggest that they were Jewish? Maybe this just means that she taught them something about prayer. Even while looking unpleasing due to the fast she approaches the king and he still summons her. Esther was not a flawless woman. However, she should be judged more by the brave act she performs than the fears she had to overcome. The brave man acts in spite of fear.
Verse 17 is not the end of the story but just the beginning. In this verse one sees that the leadership gets carried from Mordecai to Esther. Up until this point Esther followed whatever Mordecai told her. Now, she assumes responsibility in her own right and takes the lead. The outcome of chapter 4 can be found in chapter 7 when a brave young queen reveals to the king Hamans plot to kill the Jews. The king does not stand up for this and thus has Haman hung on the gallows while Mordecai takes his place of leadership.
There is much to be said about the story of Esther that can be applied to the original audience and even us today. Starting with having sympathy as stated above. Like Esther had sympathy on her uncle Mordecai we are to show sympathy to others who are going through something. Also the theme of endurance can be taken from Esther chapter 4. She has to endure a time of fasting and praying before she approaches the king. Lastly we are called to take risk like Esther did in approaching the king on behalf of her people. We can see this in Daniel when he takes the risk of praying after being commanded not to and getting thrown into the lion’s den. Just as Daniel risked his life, Esther did.
Here it is:
Esther 4 grasps the reader’s attention because it is relatable in the sense that all suffer in one form or another and need perseverance to get through those struggles. Here we see that fasting and praying is vital to a believers walk when something is going wrong. This passage shows Mordecai and the rest of the Jews lamenting their fate through fasting and praying, as well as, Mordecai asking Esther to intercede on behalf of the Jews. To have an accurate understanding of Esther 4, the previous and following passages must be reviewed. Within chapter 3 one can see the reason why Mordecai, Esther, and the rest of the Jews decide to fast. It is because of a man named Haman who has formed hatred in his heart toward all Jews. In short, he becomes the kings highest official and has the power to use the kings signet ring for anything he desires. Haman then uses his power to plot against the Jews and have them killed. This sparks the beginning of the praying and fasting we see in chapter 4.
The person that grasps the story of Esther is unknown. However, it is suggested that it might have been Mordecai, Ezra, Nehemiah, or a Persian Jew who later moved back to Israel. Believed to be written in 473 B.C., Esther is the seventeenth book in the literary chronology of the Old Testament. The latest reasonable date the book was written in would be prior to 331 B.C. when Greece conquered Persia. Esther occurred during the Persian period of world history. King Ahasueras ruled from 486 to 465 B.C. and Esther covers the 483-473 B.C. part of his reign. The events of Esther occurred during the wider time span between the first return of the Jews after the seventy-year captivity in Babylon and the second return led by Ezra in 458 B.C. Nehemiah’s journey from Susa to Jerusalem occurred later.
The book of Esther begins with the indication that all is not well in Susa. This is revealed by the threat of Haman killing the Jews in the beginning chapters. The reader reaches a turning-point in the story when the king has a sleepless night in chapter 6. Before this took place chapters 1-5 deal with the mortal danger the Jews face. Following the sleepless night, chapters 6-10 deal with the salvation of the Jews. One pattern that is seen in the book of Esther is three banquets taking place in the first half of the book and three taking place in the second half of the book. Also, the royal chronicles are referred to at the beginning, middle, and end. It is hard to tell if the turning point of the story is when the king has a sleepless night in a lack of Providence, or when Esther decides to risk her life. The importance on communal fasting, however, undoes the suggestion that everything depends on one woman. Here the fasting implied dependent prayer, pleading for divine aid. The expected direction of events then turns in favor of the Jews. Esther is a good story because it presents a problem and specifies how it is solved.
Esther is suggested to fall under two genres, law and history. The book has been used as a source for the proper observance of Purim. In later times it is suggested by commentators that the book is historical and fictional. It is hard to establish for certain the genre of the book, but recent studies have opened up new ways of understanding it. We can describe it as ‘a valuable historical witness to the Jewish struggle for survival in the post-exilic period’.
The book of Esther was not considered canonical until what we know as the Council of Jamnia in A.D. 90. However, it was not canonized nor the other books of the Old Testament for that matter. “Christians of the East who lived in greater proximity to Jewish centers generally rejected the canonicity of the book, but Christians of the West tended to accept its canonicity…the diversity of early Christian opinion on this subject, really proves nothing concerning the canonicity of the book of Esther.”
The Jews in Esther fall under the covenant of Abraham. The purpose of the covenant was that Abraham’s nation would become great and be a blessing to all the families of the earth (Gn.12:3). Esther obeys God in taking action to save the Jews. Haman, the source of evil is destroyed, and Israel (Jews) are redeemed. However, Jews today have become entrenched failing to find Jesus the Messiah. They “have become ‘stranded’, knowing their identity and yet finding little positive satisfaction in it.” One can see that the book of Esther is still relevant today. The unseen hand behind what took place in Susa is no less active in guiding history today.
“Although Esther does not mention God specifically, His sovereign protection over His people remains apparent throughout the book. God placed Esther in the key position to impede Haman’s plan to destroy the Jews. Esther typifies Christ in her willingness to lay down her life to save her people. Esther also represents the position of Christ as Israel’s advocate. In all these events, God declares His love for Israel in His constant watch over the Jews…”
In order for the Jews in Esther to be saved, they practice a ritual of fasting and praying. This can be seen in 4:1-3 when Mordecai finds out the plot of Haman to destroy the Jews and in verse 16 when Esther decides to fast for the Jews before interceding for them. Not only did he fast and pray, he also mourned, dressed in sackcloth and ashes, and wailed within the city. Although there are no direct quotes from Esther in the rest of the Old Testament, we see the occurrence of fasting throughout the Old Testament. What will be focused on here is fasting and praying within the Old Testament and the relation to how the Jews in Esther fasted and prayed. In verse 3 the element of fasting is introduced as an additional sign of sorrow. Fasting in the Old Testament is not merely keeping from food. It is an act of denying food because of a particular reason or for a precise purpose. In this text it is a sign of distress. We know this because of the surrounding words ‘mourning, weeping, and lamenting’.
In this text Mordecai did not only vent his sorrows, but peaks the attention of his people to their danger and to the proper way of seeking deliverance (fasting and praying). When it comes to fasting, public calamities that affect the church of God, should affect our hearts more than any private burden. This can be seen in Esther as well as in Ezra 8:21 & 23 when the people humble themselves before God to seek from him a safe journey. Also, the spontaneous spreading of sackcloth and ashes so that Jews could prostrate themselves in grief (Is. 58:5) is a moving example of national mourning. “In the Old Testament, prayer normally accompanied fasting, as in Joel 1:14 (“Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly; gather the elders… and cry out to the Lord”). Thus, the fact that any mention of prayer is omitted in this time of crisis (in Esther) is deliberate and in harmony with the author’s special purpose.” So here in Esther chapter 4 fasting and prayer has been observed. Since the words fast and prayer are used in the text repeatedly, they have been studied.
In verse 4-9 the theme of sympathy is taking place. Although Esther lived in a palace surrounded with luxury, she did not lose sight of her uncle Mordecai. She was not indifferent to his sorrow and trouble. When she was informed of his mourning and after finding out the cause of his distress, she entered it, taking his grief as his own. “A beautiful illustration of sympathy—an emotion and disposition which adorns our humanity, and relieves men of many of their sorrows, and lightens many of their cares.” Here in verse 4-9 we see that sympathy is based upon our common humanity and relatives. It is also seen that sympathy has its main foundation in religion. This is so because God has shown us the most sympathy through providing us with the blood sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. We are to ‘rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.’ Sympathy is beneficial to whoever is showing it, and to him who is receiving it. The fruit of sympathy is help. There are three practical lessons that can be applied here. First, don’t close your heart to your neighbors woe. Second, Show your sympathy by feeling their woe with them. Third, let sympathy take a realistic figure.
In verses 10-14 we see Esther fearing going to the king on behalf of the Jews because she could be facing possible death, since he has not summoned her. Mordecai warns her that she, like the rest of the Jews, will most likely not have her life spared just because she lives in the palace. He then tells her that if she were to stay silent someone else will rise up to save the Jews and that she had most likely been placed there for such a time. Here Mordecai displays his belief in God’s guidance in life, and in His ordering of events in a persons life.
Going back to fasting and praying, Esther calls for her people to join in on a three day fast in verses 15 and 16. Most fasting last for only one day, The Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:29-31). However, it was done as a voluntary act for a specific occasion (1 Sa. 14:24; 2 Sa. 1:12). Because Esther fasted for three days it has been indicated that the reason why she was fasting was considered urgent. She needed strength. The contrast of fasting and feasting in this book can be noticed. Also, one grammatical feature that can be seen here is her repetition in the use of words she chooses to speak in verse 16. It is very clear that when Esther says, “If I perish, I perish” that this indicates something very serious. That something is not only her life, but the lives of all the Jews.
Although prayer to God is not mentioned in this passage, it is implied. It would have been useless to fast and not pray considering the circumstances. Does the fact that Esther’s maidens fasted with her suggest that they were Jewish? Maybe this just means that she taught them something about prayer. Even while looking unpleasing due to the fast she approaches the king and he still summons her. Esther was not a flawless woman. However, she should be judged more by the brave act she performs than the fears she had to overcome. The brave man acts in spite of fear.
Verse 17 is not the end of the story but just the beginning. In this verse one sees that the leadership gets carried from Mordecai to Esther. Up until this point Esther followed whatever Mordecai told her. Now, she assumes responsibility in her own right and takes the lead. The outcome of chapter 4 can be found in chapter 7 when a brave young queen reveals to the king Hamans plot to kill the Jews. The king does not stand up for this and thus has Haman hung on the gallows while Mordecai takes his place of leadership.
There is much to be said about the story of Esther that can be applied to the original audience and even us today. Starting with having sympathy as stated above. Like Esther had sympathy on her uncle Mordecai we are to show sympathy to others who are going through something. Also the theme of endurance can be taken from Esther chapter 4. She has to endure a time of fasting and praying before she approaches the king. Lastly we are called to take risk like Esther did in approaching the king on behalf of her people. We can see this in Daniel when he takes the risk of praying after being commanded not to and getting thrown into the lion’s den. Just as Daniel risked his life, Esther did.
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