A close reading
of Esther, through the lens of Messianic belief in Yahshua the Messiah, reveals
prophetic parallels between this story and the Latter Days. One must always
remember the scriptural principle, "As in the natural / physical so in the
spiritual." What happens to Israel in the natural holds spiritual
and prophetic lessons for the people of YHWH. Ecc 3:15. Whatever is, has
already been, and what shall be, has been before. And YHWH will call the past to
account.
WOMEN: Praised
are You, YHWH our King, who has sanctified us through the Living Torah, giving
us life, sustaining us and enabling us to reach a time such as this.
MEN:
Blessed are You, YHWH our Almighty, who performed miracles in this
season, in times past, and welcomes us to rejoice in Your salvation.
Reader:
In the third year of his reign, Xerxes gave a banquet, displaying the
vast wealth of the kingdom.
All:
Is 25:6-8 On this mountain YHWH Elohim will prepare a feast of rich food
for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine -- the best of meats and the finest of
wines. On this mountain He will destroy the shroud that enfolds all the peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations; He will swallow up death forever. The
Sovereign YHWH will wipe away the tears from all the faces; He will remove the
disgrace of His people from all the earth. YHWH has spoken.
Reader:
Upon the banishment of Vashti, the king's edict went forth for all women
to respect their husbands.
All:
Eph 5:33 Each (man) also must love his wife as he loves himself and his
wife must respect her husband.
Reader:
A search went out through all the kingdom to select a beautiful young
maiden who would please the king and be the new queen in place of Vashti.
All:
Deut 7:6 YHWH your Elohim has chosen you out of all the peoples on the
face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession.
SONG:
You Are a Chosen Generation
(I Peter 2:9)
You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation
A peculiar people, that you should show forth the praises of Him
Who has called you out of darkness, out of darkness, out of darkness,
Into His marvelous light, into His marvelous light.
(REPEAT)
Reader:
When it was Esther's time to appear before the king, she asked for
nothing other than what Hegai suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone
who saw her.
All:
Luk 14:10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when
your host comes, he will say to you, "Friend, move up to a better
place." Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests.
Luk 2:14 Glory to Elohim in the highest and on earth shalom to the people
on whom His favor rests.
Reader:
Now the king was attracted to Esther more than any other women. So, he
set a royal crown on her head and made her queen
All:
Is 49:7 This is what YHWH says - the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel:
Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because YHWH, who
is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, has chosen you.
Reader:
The king gave a royal banquet in her favor, proclaiming a holiday.
All:
Matt 25 The kingdom of heaven will be like 10 virgins who took their
lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom...the virgins who were ready went in
with him and the door was shut. Therefore keep watch, because you know not the
day or the hour.
Reader:
Mordechai overheard the secret plot to assassinate the king and reported
it.
All:
Ps 101:5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to
silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him I will not endure.
John 3:20-21 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come
into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the
truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done
has been done through Elohim.
Reader:
When Haman saw that Mordechai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he
was enraged.
All:
Luke 4:6 And haSatan said to Yahshua, "I will give you all their
authority and splendor...so if you worship me, it will all be yours."
Reader:
Esther feared for her life, in that anyone who came before the king
uninvited could be put to death.
All:
Rom 5:1-2 Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with
Elohim through our Master Yahshua Moshiach, through whom we have gained access
by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
Heb 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so
that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Reader:
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner
court of the palace.
All:
Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Matt 17:20 ...I
tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to
this mountain, be removed, it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Reader:
When the king could not sleep, the record of his reign was brought in and
read to him. He asked, "What has been done to honor Mordechai for this
act?"
All:
Dan 12:1 "There will be a time of distress such as has not happened
from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time Your people, everyone
whose name is found written in the book, will be delivered.
Reader:
So Haman was made to do for Mordechai all that he had suggested to the
king.
All:
Ps 31:18-20 Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt
they speak arrogantly against the righteous. How great is Your goodness, which
You have stored up for those who fear You, which You bestow in the sight of men
on those who take refuge in You. In the shelter of Your presence You hide them
from the intrigues of men; in Your dwelling You keep them safe from accusing
tongues.
Reader:
Haman's own wife and counselors had to admit that since Mordechai was a
Jew, it would be Haman's ruin.
All:
Luk 2:17-19 All men will hate you because of Me. But not a hair of your
head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life.
Prov 3:33 YHWH's curse is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the
home of the righteous.
Reader:
Haman had tens sons, also enemies of Israel, who were destroyed
All:
Rev 17:12 The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a
kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the
beast.
Reader:
So the king wrote a new edict, which empowered the Jews, and their
companions, to defend themselves. From this, a great victory took place over the
enemies of the Jews.
All:
Rev 19:1-3 After this I heard what sounded like a roar of a great
multitude in heaven shouting, "HalleluYah! Salvation and glory and power
belong to our Elohim, for true and just are His judgments. He has condemned the
great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on
her the blood of His servants." And again they shouted, "HalleluYah!"
Rev 19:14-15 The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white
horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of His mouth comes a
sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.
Reader:
Even with Haman destroyed, the Jewish people of the kingdom were still in
great danger. Esther pleaded with the king on their behalf.
All:
Is 62:6-7 I have posted watchmen on your walls, o Jerusalem; they will
never be silent day or night. You who call on YHWH, give yourselves no rest, and
give Him no rest til He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the
earth.
Reader:
Mordechai was elevated to a high position in the king's court, now
wearing royal garments, a crown and a fine linen robe.
All:
Rev 7:14 And he said, These are they who have come out of the great
tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of
the Lamb.
Reader:
Deut 25:19 When YHWH your Elohim gives you rest from all the enemies
around you in the land He is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall
blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!
All:
Is 25:9 In that day they will say, Surely this is our Elohim; we trusted
in Him and He saved us. This is YHWH, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be
glad in His salvation.
HalleluYah
!
Song
I Will Call Upon YHWH (Ps
18)
I will call upon YHWH - who is worthy to be praised
So shall I be saved from my enemies
(Repeat)
I will call upon YHWH
The Lord liveth and blessed be the Rock
Let the El of my salvation be exalted
(Repeat)
(Repeat)
Song It
Is Good
It is good, to praised YHWH, and make music to Your name Oh Yah most
high,
To proclaim your love and faithfulness, all the day and through the night
chorus: lai, lai, lai...
You make me glad, by your deeds of Yah; so I sing for, joy at all your
hands have made
How great are your works oh Yah, Elohim baruch hashem
chorus
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