Ahasuerus was king over 127 provinces of Persia spanning from India to Ethiopia—headquartered in modern day Iran. The story of Esther starts out with the demotion of one queen (Vashti) and the choosing of her replacement (Esther).

After an attempt on the king’s life, the king promoted the ruthless Haman the Agagite to a position equal to what we refer to as Secretary of State. Haman soon found no satisfaction nor joy in this powerful position because one man refused to bow down to him or show him reverence. Far too many politicians are not satisfied until they receive absolute power from their constituents.
Haman’s hatred for Mordecai was so blinding that he sought to exterminate his whole race by writing and funding a decree to wipe out all the Jews. Neither Naman or the king knew that Esther was a Jewess subject to the king’s extermination decree.

Esther risked her life by approaching the king uninvited. Little did the king realize how much he treasured Esther. Amazingly, the king offered for her to become his equal but Esther’s sole focus was the salvation of her people. At the same time, Haman’s wife devised a devious plan to kill Haman’s nemesis. As Esther prepared for the banquet to expose the plot to kill the Jews, Haman built the 75’ high gallows to hang Mordecai.

The same night the king could not sleep so he had the chronicles read to him where the record had been made that Mordecai saved the king’s life. The good deed had gone unrecognized, so the king asked Haman how the king could reward the man whom the king wanted to honor. Haman thought the king wanted to honor him, so Haman responded with the best of the best. Then the king told him to do so to Mordecai. Haman was forced to lead Mordecai through the streets while he wore the king’s royal apparel, the crown royal, and riding upon the king’s horse.

The second banquet sealed Haman’s doom. Esther pointed to Haman as the enemy seeking to kill her and all her people. The king had Haman hung upon the gallows prepared to execute Mordecai. Yet, the king’s decree by law could not be overturned or annulled. Instead, the king issued another decree stating that the Jews could escape the consequences of the first law by protecting themselves against all those who attempted to kill them. The fateful day arrived and the enemies of Israel died by the thousands with over 75,000 dead outside of Sushan. These two days become known as the days of Purim to be celebrated every year by future generations.

It is true that God’s enemies will destroy God’s people unless God’s people decide that there exists something worth fighting for. Truth is important. Righteousness is important.

Esther 9:23-32 written in the book
Esther 6:1-3 chronicles read
• Focus on that last statement of verse 32 “written in the book” probably referring to the chronicles.
• Other than the chronicler, no one really took notice of Mordecai’s actions on the day that he risked his life for the king by reporting those plotting to kill him (Esther 2:21-23). The act was written down but few took notice.
• Not until years later did the king open the book of the chronicles and examine the records to find the event. Mordecai’s works were recorded in the chronicles. The king found the record of a man who needed rewarding for saving the king’s life.
• One day our King is going to open the chronicles. It will take place on two separate occaisons. One day the King is going to read the record and tell the tale and reward or punish accordingly.
• One day everyone will stand before the Lord and the books will be opend and an accounting will be made.
1) judgment at the Great White Judgment.
Revelation 20:11-15

• After the book of the chonicles was opened, the king put a crown upon Mordecai’s head; he rewarded him with a king’s reward. He put on display for all to see his loyalty toward the king.
• God has promised crowns and rewards for Christians so they must be special and worth receiving. The gold, silver and precious stones must be far superior to the wood, hay and stubble that goes up in smoke.
• The account of the rewards is separate from the book that determines destination. The BOOK OF LIFE determines destination and eternity.
Philippians 4:3
Revelation 13:7-8
• The saints versus the worshippers of the beast—they are the ones that do not have their names written in the book of life.

• The Great White Throne Judgment is not the only judgment. One day all Christians will state before the second judgment:

2) judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ
Romans 14:10-12
2 Corinthians 5:9-11
1 Corinthians 15:51-58
1 Corinthians 3:9-15

• Song: When the Roll is Called up Yonder (966)