PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — Esther
George Rawlinson [1812-1902] · 149,992 words · 169 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 61
dc>w>tedly. And no wonder. Her beautiful form, and still more beautiful soul could not have developed themselves beneath his eye without stealing away hi~ )ieart. But 'Yhen the grand_ prospect of her being raised to ~he throne presented itself, he hesitated not to give her up. So far we are constramed to admire. But…
848 wordsSECTION 62The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 62
irrespective of tlie consequences. This heroism has itR type in Daniel ra.ther than in Esther; in Shndra.ch, Meshnch, nnd Abednego rather than in Mordecai. If you want to see the highest heroism, you need not gnze upon the battle-field, where men through the maddening excitement of the conflict, defy death at the canno…
838 wordsSECTION 63The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 63
e!1couragin~ either in it6 duties or in its rewnrds, but persevering fidelity will in due time make its mark and attract attention and respect; and when that occurs the wny to success lies open. So also in the field of Christian labour. The service of Christ is co!1fined to no station. Loyalty to the Saviour's truth…
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carries the whisper to an Esther, and an Esther who carries it to the one most interested. Sometimes God directly thwarts wicked planning. Pharaoh said, "I will pursue,'' &c., but God "blew with his wind." "They sank as lead in the mighty waters." II. UNWORTHY PLANNIN0B ARE OFTEN SUBJECT TO THE KEENEST BEARCBINGS. …
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the nsuRl Oriental prostration as unlawful, lllordeoai bowed not. Greeks occasionnlly ""C cannot se.y for certain ; but e.t any mte refused to prostrate themselves before the ho would not do as his fellows did, not even Gree.t King himself, sa;ring that it ,ve.s not when they romonstr&ted with him and taxed their cu…
1,034 wordsSECTION 66The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 66
HOMILETICS. Ver. 1.-The wicked ea;alted. The temporary favourite of Ahasuerus was un- worthy of the position to which he was raised, and the power with which he was intrusted. History has preserved the record of no meaner, baser character than Haman. He was a man servile and cruel, who used his power for disgraceful p…
1,210 wordsSECTION 67The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 67
Vere. 2-5. - ConfH'asts. Haman was not allowed to enjoy his high and ill- gotten position without trouble. Almost at the outset it brought him an annoyance which led to tragical results. In connection with this check to the triumph of his course, notice- I. THAT A REAL AND MARKED CONTRAST EXISTS BETWEEN THOSE WHO "J.l…
961 wordsSECTION 68The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 68
d!ffcr from us in faith and opinion we should gladly co-operate with them. Religious differences should not interfere with civil duties or national obligations. It is laid on ~otb Jews _and Gentiles to be loyal to the throne or g·overnment under which they !rve. A Wise conduct is especially required in the followers…
839 wordsSECTION 69The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 69
was a brave thing to do; for the Jews were a conquered race. But it was the right thing to do ; for to deny his people would have been the height of cowardice. What does profession involve at the present day? Is it simply a tacit avowal that we are O~ristians? Surely m?st_p~ople will go tha~ l~ngt~. It must, therefo…
860 wordsSECTION 70The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 70
th<' diet.ates of nature, but in tho whispered monitions of religion as woll, in the principle of "enduring as seeing the invisible," that the basis of the rofusul in question is found and justified. Notice this refusal in some of the more prominent features it presents- I. IT IS A REFUSAL WHICH COMES FROM TRE DEEP…
809 wordsSECTION 71The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 71
V. IT WAB A nEl!'USAL WIIICII THREW DOWN ITS ROOTS DEEP INTO THE SOIL OF 'l'RUBT AND FAITH. Mordecai descried one possible way out of his own and his people's fearful peril. It WEIS 11 nflrrow, uncertflin, and dimly-lighted trar;k. It was enough. He strove for it. He prayed for it. Faith and hope appropriated it. He wi…
839 wordsSECTION 72The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 72
IV. IT IS AN UNDISPUTED CASE OF THAT PARTICULAR KIND OF ANNOYANCE OALLED AFFRONT. No appreciable harm had been done to the person, or to the business or to ~he place, or to the _pro~pects of H~man .. Nor had he been injured in the least degree m the person of his wife, or of his family, or of any one dear to him. Bu…
1,221 wordsSECTION 73The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 73
EXPOSITION. § 5. HAMAN CASTS LOTS TO OBTAIN A LUCKY Ver. 7.-In the first month, the month DAY FOR HIS ENTERPRISE, AND OBTAINS Nisan. See the co=ent on Neh. ii 1. A DAY IN THE MONTII ADAR, THE LAST This name was first given to the month by the Jews after the return from the captivity. MONTH OF THE YEAR (eh. iii. 7). H…
410 wordsSECTION 74The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 74
C'onnect<:cl "ith _Mod. Pers. pdreh, Lat. pars, complete destruction of the Jews within his Greek µ,pot, po,pa. To the twelfth month province, young and old, men, women, and the.t ia, the month Ade.r. Adar is lik; Nisan, n Babylonian word, Jlllrhaps con~ected children, on the thirteenth day of the month with edd,er…
896 wordsSECTION 75The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 75
his treo.sury WllB full, and he had not ex- designates a. provincial governor of the hcmated his resources by the Greek war. second rank-one who would have been Now, in hie comparative poverty, e. gift of called by the Greeks v,ra<1arpa11'1JC, The from two to three millions had attractions number of these subordinate o…
1,253 wordsSECTION 76The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 76
HOMILETICS. Ver. 8.-.A people sc<Lttered and apart. This very remarkable language shows us that the Jews have been one and the same people for thousands of years. This description of the Jews is from the lips of an enemy; still, except in the last clause, it is just and true. In their captivity in the East, in thei…
515 wordsSECTION 77The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 77
computed in terms of earthly treasure. "Ye were redeemed not with corruptible things, 11s silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ." Vere 10, 11.-Power in bad hands. How all the links in the chain of evil counsel were fastened together I The tyrannical king was willing enough, in order to please a favour…
1,016 wordsSECTION 78The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 78
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS .AUTHORS. Vers. 7-15.-Superstiti()'fl, and cynic-ism. Haman now proceeds to carry out the terrible plan o! revenge on which he had resolved. Some important steps had to be taken before he could reach his end. These seem to us strange and incongruous. We may learn from them- I. THAT THE FREEDOM WHI…
1,253 wordsSECTION 79The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 79
facts diRtinctive of the Church of God. Nor is it altogether to be assigned to the realm of chance. The fact was that, slutded though their race was now, dimmed t.hough their glorious history, the people of Mordecai were the separate people of God, an~ t':1~t Haman h~d noticed and scrutinised their essential peculia…
1,234 wordsSECTION 80The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 80
Ver. 11.-.A greedy grand vizier. "The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee." One man alone was instrumental in placing the Jews in danger of complete extermination. This happened during the period of their subjection. To supply the record of their wondrous deliverance the…
1,204 wordsSECTION 81The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 81
Very quickly the too plainly-marked impress of the Eastern aristocrat's effeminacy, n_nd excessiv~ luxuriousness, and unrec~ing pride of heart disJ?el the faintest s11gges- t10n thnt their apparent ease and happmess have any of the higher elements in them. We recognise in the men types of self-indulgence, even if it sh…
849 wordsSECTION 82The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 82
of the- satisfaction which a bad conscience shall have become able to yield, of the content a bad conscience will in the possibility of things provide. He has actually filled up the measure of his iniquities (as appears very plainly), and, worse by far than Judas, whose conscience sent him to hang himself, he "sits …
793 wordsSECTION 83The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 83
moo.ning of the o.ct was well understood by by Mordecai to incur a great danger, since he tho Persians. Put on saokoloth with ashes. requested her to go at once to the king, and So Daniel (Dan. ix. 3), and the king of to intercede with him for her people (ver. 8). Nineveh (Jon11.h iii. 6). Either act by itself wo.s a …
888 wordsSECTION 84The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 84
Y~r. 8.-Abo he gave him the oopy. In Ver. 14.-Then ahall there enlargement, the original it is "R copy." Mordecai had or reapiration (marg. literally, "breath"), )rnr! R ~opy made for the purpose of hRnding and deliveranoe arhe to the J"ews from 11 t.o Esther. To make request to him for another plaoe. Mordecai is co…
1,280 wordsSECTION 85The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 85
Vera. 4-9.-Sympathy. Although Esther was lodged in a palace and surrounded with luxury and honour, she did not lose sight of her kinsman, Mordecai. Least of all was she indifferent to his trouble and sorrow. Hence, when informed of his mourning, she sent to him, and, when aware of the cause of his distress, entered int…
1,258 wordsSECTION 86The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 86
Lord th1:1t ho.th mercy on thee I Thou shalt not perish, but shalt have pardon and life eternal. IV. It is a. sceptre OF ROYAL BOUNTY. The act of Ahasuerus was the earnest of further kindness. "What is thy petition, o.nd what is thy request?" She had, in response, only to o.sk, o.nd to have. God has given ns his Son, …
750 wordsSECTION 87The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 87
wilt thou have me to do ? " 2. Follow the leadings of God's providence. Say, 11 Lead Lord, and thy servant shall be found in thy steps I " Ver: 16.-.Afast. Fasting is often mere superstition, e.e when men suppose that there 1s merit in their abstaining on certain days from certain kinds of food thinldng th_at mortific…
978 wordsSECTION 88The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 88
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vera. 1-3.-.Distress. We have a very vivid picture, in these few touches, of a nation's exceeding sorrow. We are reminded of- I. THE HEARTLESSNESS AND IMPOTENCE OF TYRANNY IN REGARD TO IT. The king could cheerfully speak the word which caused the calamity, and then, when its sorrow surged…
1,245 wordsSECTION 89The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 89
spot or c!rcle of human life fr?m the inroads _of s_uffering. Esther's elevation to the throne did not make the happmess secure which 1t brought to hers(!£ and Mordecai. Neither did the foolish law that prohibited sackcloth or any sign of mourning from entering the king's gate prevent the intrusion of sorrow into tha…
811 wordsSECTION 90The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 90
notice here-1. Mordecai's charge. It was that, after reading the royal decree Esther s_hould ~o to the king and m11.ke supplication before him for her people (ver: 8). '.)'his he )~id upon h_er as a solemn duty. , The o~ligations of duty are increased by high. position and mfluence. 2. Esther s strait. However willi…
924 wordsSECTION 91The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 91
Vera. 13-17.-A boldfaith. I. DIFFICULTIES DO NOT DAUNT THE STRONG. Mor- decai quite understood the force of the twofold barrier to Esther's appealing to the king. Yet if it had been a hundredfold be would have urged her to face it. Neither a legal folly nor any amount of personal risk could justify irresolution or inac…
1,179 wordsSECTION 92The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 92
Vers. 15-17.-Resolving to run risks. Deep and intense, if not prolonged, must have been the struggle in the breast of the beautiful queen of Persia. The doom that awaited her if she was unfavourably received was terrible, and would be imme- diately executed. She had not only to do that which was "not according to the…
1,222 wordsSECTION 93The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 93
and it would lrnvc been unreasonable to exact that it should have been foreseen, .Ae matter of fact, Mordecai's stored memory might possibly have been able to produce historical instances of atrocities in their outside like the present. But even then not as the result of the offence of one unimportant individual off…
866 wordsSECTION 94The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 94
was a poor tmvosty of the charms of Eden, but it had its seductions. And there was no Im owing where the serpent did ;wt lurk. 2. It was one that applied itself to move at once that whole description of hindrance to right action which arises from .~elf-regard. This is a native principle, one of the greatest significanc…
875 wordsSECTION 95The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 95
('Orne she used it in a moment; and when thought had done its fair amount of work l1esitation fled, and determination succeeded to its place. To ,vearied human inquiry to exhausted human resources, to bewildered human wisdom, comes in most welcom~ tii<' minist.~.r l~ttle. though! o~ before, of the Invisible. You are…
814 wordsSECTION 96The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 96
of its desert of wrath, and tremblingly afraid of death, he.s often found it~ way nright to the cross, though to use words carrying the most impossible of significa- tions for e.ny, once arrived there-'' If I perish, I perish I" 4. Whatever we may justly admire of the spirit of Esther here displayed, and of the steps b…
835 wordsSECTION 97The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 97
the Divine purposes 'll•ere accomplished the nation could not be destroyed. Honce 1h(' Rublime assurance of his speech. The Jews had passed through a similar crisis hc:forn, wl~en Pharaoh pursued them through the Red Sea. Profane history abounds with hke mstRnces. The Greeks were about to be crushed by the iron heel…
839 wordsSECTION 98The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 98
sought in the language men employ, but rather in the principles which guide their conduct. There are circumstances which compel men to be real. In the presence of B great disaster, a great sorrow, or a great danger they manifest their true character. Esther had 11t this time compreheniled the awful poesib'lities of t…
859 wordsSECTION 99The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 99
guilt. Yet he ventures into the Divine presence; and when he remembere that God spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, he is confident that hie suit will not be in vain. But we are struck, in the second place, with several points of contrast. 1. Tlie peniU;'l.t i..s encouraqed by God's expres_s inm…
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porh1Lps she wishes to prevent him from sus· ing requests beforehand is one common pecting th11t she looks on him o.s on enemy. 1Lmong Oriental monarchs. Sometimes no At the customary time, towards evening, the limit at all is placed to the petitioner's liberty of choice-seldom any leas wide limit banquet takes place …
1,085 wordsSECTION 101The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 101
Ver. 3.- What i,s thy requ,e,st 7 With what trembling and anxiety did the queen- uncalled-venture into the presence of Ahasuerus I She was supported by the knowledge that she was doing her duty to her kindred, and that the prayers of thousands were accompanying her, and seeking a blessing upon her application. Stil…
538 wordsSECTION 102The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 102
the throne of the universe? Merest bubbles on the surface I invisible specks in the air I small dust of the balance I (Isa. xl. 22-25). 2. Royal power. Some human sovereigns have "the power of life and death ''-an awful prerogative for mortal man to wield. They can exalt or humiliate, enrich or impoverish. But they hav…
876 wordsSECTION 103The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 103
ber that "God is faithful." Hie "word endureth for ever." His promise is sure. He is the unchanging One. Read 1 Cor. i. 9 ; 2 Cor. i. 20 ; 1 Thess. v. 24; Heb. x. 23 ; Rev. xxi. 5. II. A BEFITI'ING ATTIRE. Before going to the king Esther put off her sackcloth, and clothed herself in her royal robes. We are struck b…
860 wordsSECTION 104The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 104
the path of the man who facee eelf-deniale and de.ngere at the ce.11 of God or con- science. Every eteP- will disclose new springs of help and hope. "Light is sown /or the righteoos" (Pa. xcvii. 10, 11).-D. Vere. 4-14.-Prudence versus Guile. I. EVERYTHING HAS ITS SEASON. Why did not Esther at once lay open her heart t…
855 wordsSECTION 105The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 105
or forget, but that they may inflict a deadlier vengeance. 4. How the result of con• sulta~ions will be in accordance with the spirit that governs them. The practice.I question before Haman and his friends came to be, How should Mordecai be dee.It with_? There was 1:0 thought of pity or for~iveness, or even of silen…
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notice in our ordinary life. 3. The responsibility of doing the best possible or all that was possible, for that hour rested on one gentle, loving woman. What' a dis- proportion I The _c~se is that of the lives of perhaps a millioJ?- people. The judge JB a sensual, capnc10us Eastern despot. The advocate and mtercess…
778 wordsSECTION 107The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 107
WRs again invited on the moITOw to bRnquet his friends around him es to be companione with her and the king" (ver. 12). He in his grief. It is true that his speech to added, however, Mordecai's insult remaining them was chiefly occupied with boasts ; but fre~h in his recollection, that all his glory, the true intenti…
862 wordsSECTION 108The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 108
to such a na_turo as Haman's, was no m~an e~ement in joy and self-gratulation. To , pass others m the i;nce, to see them behmd_ him, to have the1;1 s_upplicating his favour and good word with the monarch, nil thrn was very gratifymg to the minister of : state, 5. Favour wi_th the queen. He ?nly was i~vi~d _to the banq…
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HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 13.-The bathos of CO'lljesswn. After all necessary allowances and substitu- tions have been made, it may be very jnstly said that Shakspere's Wolsey is essen- tially dwarfed by Scripture's Haman, and that not the finest of Shakspere's five act plays-wonderful products of human genius…
1,173 wordsSECTION 110The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 110
Lc-Rsons :-1. In the larger, bolder, blacker portrait of Haman is there not soma i;em~lane~ of self, when, amid opportunities and advantages innumerable, comforts and Joys !nnumerable, bright prospects and hopes innumerable, we put them all far from us Just because everything conceivable is not to our mind. 2. We aro …
1,059 wordsSECTION 111The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 111
EXPOSITION. § 11. execution, has come with the dawn to prefer CHAPTER VI. his request. The king is told that Haman AHABUERUB 1 BEING WAKEFUL DURING waits without, and sending for him, antici- THE NIGHT, HAS THE BOOK OF THE CHRON- pates the business that his minister had ICLES READ TO HIM, AND FINDS THAT intended to …
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last worrls of eh. ii. lligthana.. " Big- and the horse are referred to, but the cn,wn, 1hRn" in eh. ii. 21 ; "Bigthn" in eh. i. 10. as an adjunct of the horso, not pnrticular- 'l'hc Persian nnme pould be best represented iscrl. b, the fullest form of tl1e three. Ver. 9.-Bring him on horaebaok through • Yer. 3. -The k…
1,126 wordsSECTION 113The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 113
HOMILETICS. Ver. 1.-A wakeful and eventful night. There is something dramatic in this remarkable story. The movement is so regular and orderly, the plot unfolds itself 10 effectively, the crisis is reached so opportunely, that the story might be taken for a consummate work of art. In reality it is a work in which natu…
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Ver. 3.-Rogal inarati,tude, The awakening conscience of Ahaeuerus deserves our attention. ~ . l. HE IS SENSIJILE THAT HIS PRESERVER DESERVED "HONOUR AND DIGNI1'Y," The kmg had rewarded a worthless favourite with wealth and power; but as he now learned, a man wh~ had _prese~ved his_ life had been passed over unnotic…
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Ver. 12.-Glory exclianged for woe. "Boe.at not thyself of to-tnorrow," says the wise man," for thou lmowest not what a day may bring forth." Yesterday Haman was full of exultation and of boasting; his place was by the throne; his enemy was at his feet. Thie morning that enemy ie in favour; his own position is imperille…
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111_1d his pleasures multiplied or secured. It is a stri,/dn,g instance of Divine po• ,'lldei_zce. Ite who "holds the king's heart in his hand," who can touch with the finger of 111~ powe: the _secret springs of our thought and feeling, now sent troubled thoughts to thrn Persian kmg. That Lord of heaven, Keeper of Isra…
775 wordsSECTION 117The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 117
Vere. 2-14.-The honour tliat cometh from man. Unable to sleep, the king calls for something to beguile the weary hours ; he has the chronicles of his reign read to him ; he is struck with the fact of his own life having been saved by Mordecai, inquires what has been the reward given to this dutiful subject, discovers t…
903 wordsSECTION 118The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 118
Vers. 1-4.-A forgotten service brought to mind. I. GRANDEUR OF OOTWAnD CONDITION DOES NOT PROTECT MIND OR BODY AGAINST ORDINARY INFIRMlTIES, The king of Persia could not at will command sleep. The loss of the power to sleep ie not confined to any position, though it is perhaps more common amongst the rich than the …
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happened to be in the court. The thoughts of both the king and his favourite happened to be occupied and excited by the same man. The haste of Haman to get Mordecai hanged happened to meet the haste of the king to get him rewarded. F11ith can often discern the marks of a Divine providence in what men call accidents or …
1,037 wordsSECTION 120The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 120
Ver. 1.-A sl,eepless monarch and a wakeful Providence. The place of this verse fully 'Vindicated by its contents. When its position is observed in the original it is found to be very nearly the bisection of the book. Certainly it is the critical point, the hinge on which the deep moral and religious interest of the …
628 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.