A Spiritual Exposition of the Book of Esther Chapter 5
Introduction
This post is the fifth of what will hopefully total ten posts to provide verse-by-verse expositions of each of the ten chapters of the Book of Esther. The reader should fully understand that these studies are solely intended to show the many spiritually hidden aspects of God’s Magnificent Salvation Plan, which God has intricately interwoven within the historical account of the Book of Esther. The key to understanding the true meaning of the Book of Esther is to see that the whole book is an Historical Parable, which prophetically points us to the Person and Work of Jesus Christ, Who Is The Only Lord, God, and Savior. Moreover the book is one of concealment (“Esther” in Hebrew means “concealment”) that spans from Old Testament National Israel, to the future fulfillment of the feasts of Passover and Pentecost in the New Testament era, and a “preview” of the yet to be Judgment Day and beyond into eternity in the New Heavens and the New Earth. We can also see key personages of the Bible throughout this book by those who serve as “Types” to each represent 1) God the Father, 2) National Israel, 3) the Lord Jesus Christ, 4) Eternal Israel, 5) The Holy Spirit, and 6) the Devil. A summary overview Christian commentary of the Book of Esther is Here (which also includes a link to a much more comprehensive study).
The Spiritual Theme of Esther Chapter 5: The Faith of the Saints (Christ’s Faith, Ephesians 3:11&12) (Esther 5:1&2). Please see Hebrews 12:2, Numbers 24:17, and Psalms 45:6 (note that Esther did not put on “royal apparel” until the “third day”)
Esther 5:1, “¶Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.”
Note also how this mirrors what we read of Ruth in preparing to go to the threshing floor of her future husband, Boaz, after Naomi, Ruth’s widowed mother-in-law gave Ruth these instructions: Ruth 3:3, “Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: [but] make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.“
It is clear that just as Ruth was to prepare herself with washing, anointing, and raiment as fit for a bride, which is something at least similar to the preparation of a bride adorned for her husband as we read about in Revelation 21:2, “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” The Bride of Christ (as represented by both Ruth and Esther) will be adorned in the white robes of Christ’s righteousness that we read about in Revelation 7:9.
Note that Esther did not put on “royal apparel” until the “third day” which is reminiscent of the third day that Jesus arose from the grave. It is not possible for anyone to arise and enter into the throne room of grace in Heaven until those three days had passed. Because Jesus paid the full price of redemption for the souls of the Elect of God, as evidenced by Jesus’ Resurrection, then the believers can have the righteousness of Jesus imputed to them, which we refer to, spiritually speaking, as the Royal Robes of Christ’s Righteousness.
Esther’s Faith and Obedience
Esther boldly entered the throne room of King Ahasuerus, per the instruction given to her by her elder cousin Mordecai. Does not this parallel what we read in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.“
And in Hebrews 10:19-22, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.“
Also we read in Ephesians 3:11&12, “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” And in 2 Corinthians 5:7 we read, “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”
Jesus instructed us to freely ask of The Father in His Name…John 14:13&14, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it].” We also read in Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.“
Note the similarities with what we are told in 1 John 5:14&15, “¶And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.“
Also, in Psalm 65:4, “Blessed [is the man whom] thou choosest, and causest to approach [unto thee, that] he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, [even] of thy holy temple.“ God caused Esther (a “Type” representing all believers) to approach the king in the throne room, and note that it was done under the Commandment of Mordecai (a “Type” representing Jesus) from Esther 4:13.
The Golden Sceptre of Grace (Another “Type” Previewing Jesus Christ)
Esther 5:2, “And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, [that] she obtained favour in his sight:and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre (שַׁרְבִּיט (šarbîṭ))H8275 that [was] in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched (נָגַע (nāḡaʿ))H5060 the top of the sceptre.“
Regarding the Golden Sceptre (שַׁרְבִּיט (šarbîṭ))H8275 that King Ahasuerus’ hand (likely right hand). The sceptre was a symbol of a ruler’s absolute power and authority over a tribe or nation.
The following verses clearly apply, although they involve a different word in the original Hebrew language, most likely due to Esther having been transliterated from the Persian language. The original Hebrew שַׁרְבִּיט (šarbîṭ))H8275 is only found in the Book of Esther, but clearly equates to the original Hebrew word found elsewhere in the Old Testament as שֵׁבֶט (šēḇeṭ)H7626. Although this word is translated as sceptre (10x), it can also be translated as “rod (34x)”. The verses below show that when this word is translated as “Sceptre”, it provides us with another prefigurement of Jesus, and His Being The Means by Whom we can boldly enter the Throne Room of God the Father to receive God’s Grace as we see manifested in Esther Chapter 5:
Prophetic Verses Pointing to Jesus as “The Sceptre“
Genesis 49:10-12 “The sceptre (שֵׁבֶט (šēḇeṭ))H7626 shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.” Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (descended from Judah) and Jesus is that Sceptre that does not depart from Judah.
We also know that Genesis 49:10-12 clearly talking about Jesus Christ, as He had to tread the winepress of God’s Wrath alone and stain His raiment as we are told in Isaiah 63:1-6, “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore [art thou] red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat (winepress, גַּת (gaṯ) H1660 )? I (Jesus) have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people [there was] none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance [is] in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. And I looked, and [there was] none to help; and I wondered that [there was] none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.“ For much more detail on this issue and the meaning of the winepress, please see this study on the “Winepress of Shame“.
With respect to the tribe of Judah, this rulership began with king David, and continued to the Babylonian captivity. But, notably, the first governor of Judah after the captivity ended was Zerubbabel, who was also of the tribe of Judah.
Shiloh
The original Hebrew language word translated as Shiloh is שִׁילֹה (šîlô)h H7886 as found here in Genesis 49:10 is only found once in the Bible, although it is closely related to Shiloh שִׁילֹה (šîlô)H7887, a city in Ephraim and temporary home of the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle, the place where Samuel grew up inside the Promised Land that we read about in Joshua 18:1, 1 Samuel 1:24, and 1 Samuel 4:3&4.
It would seem to representative of where “God Is Present” but also a “place of rest“. Both words “Shiloh” are derived from a root Hebrew word שָׁלָה (šālâ)H7951 which means “to be at rest”, “to prosper”, “be quiet”, “be at ease.” When Jesus comes again, He will create a place of permanent rest for His Chosen people.
And when Jesus came the first time, He was also called Emmanuel, or “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Moreover, The Lord Jesus Christ Is The One Who has the true right to take the throne, and to both hold and To Be God’s Sceptre into eternity.
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 (שֵׁבֶט (šēḇeṭ))H7626 shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.”
Psalm 45:6, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre (שֵׁבֶט (šēḇeṭ))H7626 of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.”(שֵׁבֶט (šēḇeṭ))H7626 …
And the Apostle Paul was referring to Psalm 45:6 when he wrote Hebrews 1:8, “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre (ῥάβδος(rhabdos)G4464) of righteousness is the sceptre (ῥάβδος(rhabdos))G4464 of thy kingdom.”
Esther Being Shown Grace by Being Allowed to “Touch” the Sceptre
God’s has total control over the hearts of kings…Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” and in Daniel 4:25, “That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.“
Note also that the word (נָגַע (nāḡaʿ))H5060 means “to touch“, “to reach“, “to strike” and is also found for example in Exodus 29:37, “Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth (נָגַע (nāḡaʿ))H5060 the altar shall be holy.” This original Hebrew word that is translated as “touch” has a connotation that implies an intimacy, but that the touching of the golden sceptre by Esther is an indication of the intimacy between the king and his queen that is also emblematic of the intimacy of Christ with His Church that will be consummated upon His meeting His Bride on the Last Day.
Two Examples Where (שֵׁבֶט (šēḇeṭ))H7626 is Translated as “Rod”
These verses remind us that Jesus can also be the believer’s “rod” of correction or a “rod” of judgment for the unbeliever.
Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod (שֵׁבֶט (šēḇeṭ))H7626 H7626 and thy staff they comfort me.“
Psalm 2:7-9, “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou [art] my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod (שֵׁבֶט (šēḇeṭ))H7626 of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.“
The Sceptre Was Alluded to in the Atonement
We read in John 18:36, when Jesus was being questioned by Pilat, “¶Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. ¶Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end wasI born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.“
We should also take note of what we read in Matthew 27:27-31, regarding the mocking that Jesus endured just before being crucified. The “reed” was a taunt to simulate a “sceptre” rod of kingship: “¶Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band [of soldiers]. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put [it] upon his head, and a reed (κάλαμος (kalamos))G2563 in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed (κάλαμος (kalamos))G2563 , and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify [him].” And is it not interesting that we read Revelation 21:15, where the one of the seven angels was holding a “golden reed” (reminiscent of the “golden sceptre“?), “And he that talked with me had a golden reed (κάλαμος (kalamos))G2563 to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.“
Esther 5:3, “¶Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what [is] thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.“
The king was certainly welcoming to queen Esther and made that clear with his promise to answer her request whatever it might be.
Esther 5:4, “¶And Esther answered, If [it] seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.”
This is not what we would have expected but it was all part of God’s plan that would unfold soon. And interestingly the banquet for the king and Haman was prepared for by queen Esther.
Esther 5:5, “¶Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.“
Here the king quickly responded to that request and ordered that Haman come quickly to the banquet.
Esther 5:6, “¶And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What [is] thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what [is] thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.“
At this banquet, which Esther prepared, involving wine, and the king asked a second time what was the purpose of her request, as it must have been clear that the Banquet alone could not have been the sole purpose of her having come into the throne room uninvited.
Esther 5:7, “¶Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request [is];“
She explained the following in answer to the king…she would like to prepare a second banquet like the first, at which time she would make her request known.
Esther 5:8, “If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.“
Esther promised to make her request known at the second banquet like the first.
Haman’s Pride
Esther 5:9, “¶Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.“
The key to this verse is that Haman was puffed up in his pride and was ecstatic for having been exclusively invited twice to a banquet with both the king and queen at the queen’s request. But God ordained that Haman would have his bubble popped when he “happened” to pass by Mordecai in the king’s gate who did Haman no obeisance.
Malachi 3:15, “And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, [they that] tempt God are even delivered.“
Esther 5:10, “Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.“
Haman took no action at the time, and, upon arriving home, he was quick to gather his friends to announce his newly bestowed honor and promotion over all others within the entire kingdom.
Esther 5:11, “And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all [the things] wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.“
This is perhaps the clearest indication of the level of Haman’s conceit and pride. God has a lot to say about “pride”, and these verses are but a sample:
Psalm 10:4, “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek [after God]: God [is] not in all his thoughts.“
Psalm 73:6-10, “Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.“
Proverbs 16:18, “Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.“
2 Samual 22:28, “And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes [are] upon the haughty, [that] thou mayest bring [them] down.“
Proverbs 18:12, “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.“
Proverbs 21:24, “Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.”
Job 26:12, “He (God) divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.“
Isaiah 40:4, “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see [it] together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].”
From Mary’s “Magnificat” as she spoke by God’s Holy Spirit with Jesus in her womb in Luke 1:51, “He (God) hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from [their] seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.” [[Note that this song of Mary is called the “Magnificat”, from the word “magnify”, because of what we read in Luke 1:46&47, “¶And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” And note the consistency with Psalm 40:16, “Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.” and Psalm 69:30, “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.“]]
Is it not also interesting how this fits with what Jesus taught in “Parable of the Guests” in Luke 14:7-11, “¶And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any [man] to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend* (φίλος (philos))G5384, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” And note how well this correlates with James 1:9, “¶Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.“
- *For a detailed study on the meaning of “Friend”, particularly in the context of coming to a feast, please see: “Jesus’ Parables of the Two Feasts“
Esther 5:12, “¶Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow am I invited unto her also with the king.“
Haman was beside himself in assuming that all was well and secure with him in his position with respect to the king.
Esther 5:13, “Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”
However, Haman was not satisfied with his presumed honor, and in his pride was unable to deal with Mordecai’s refusal to honor him.
Esther 5:14, “¶ Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.“
Here Haman’s wife and friends encouraged him to simply do away with Mordecai by hanging Mordecai on an exceedingly high gallows (that Haman should construct on his own property) to make a spectacle of him, which would reinforce Haman’s authority as being subordinate to only the king himself. Moreover, by hanging Mordecai before the banquet on the morrow, Haman would have nothing more to be concerned about and could enjoy the banquet all the more.
Haman was indeed encouraged, and thus ordered that the gallows be quickly erected such that he could hang Mordecai the next day and just before the second banquet with the king and queen.
That was the plan, and it would have come about had not God intervened, as we will next read in chapter six.
And let us NEVER forget what God tells us in Psalm 9:16, “The LORD is known [by] the judgment [which] he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.“ (Please also see this post on Psalm 9:16.)
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