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Esther Chapter 3

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¹ After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.

² And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

³ Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?

⁴ Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

⁵ And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

⁶ And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

⁷ In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.

⁸ And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.

⁹ If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.

¹⁰ And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.

¹¹ And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

¹² Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

¹³ And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.

¹⁴ The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.

¹⁵ The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

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View All Esther Chapter 3 Comments...

Richard H Priday's Esther Chapter 3 comment on 7/21/2022, 8:23pm...

The two gospels (Luke and Mark) explain that divorce and remarriage is adultery without exception; Matthew has what is known as an "escape clause" for fornication; which is worded differently in the very next passage both times (Matthew 5 and 19) where those who MARRY someone who is divorced is committing adultery (even if marrying the "innocent spouse").

I see the exception of fornication as talking of breaking an engagement BEFORE CONSUMMATION in marriage since its use earlier in the passage talking about Joseph thinking of divorcing Mary during the espousal period.

There are some complexities with other scriptures; although in Romans and Corinthians it seems pretty clear that ONLY if a spouse dies is a woman innocent to remarry and of course a man in reverse situation as well. Even if we think the exception clause means adultery; those who KNOW they have remarried for any other reason and hence did wrong have to get out of it like any other sin. That is against what is "politically correct" in many circles but with any other sin we know we commit we must stop doing it not just say we made a mistake and expect God to honor it. I can't see that abandonment or abuse allows for remarriage; or even divorce other than for the other committing adultery. Corinthians says to remain separate or resolve differences. We certainly are not free to trade in for a younger model; or any other excuse for divorce. Yes abuse means a separation perhaps a permanent one is NECESSARY. We are to be at peace whenever possible; and there are kids to consider.

The best thing I can ask; being through a divorce myself (because of adultery) is to look with discerning eyes on those who are remarried to see where they are spiritually. And look to yourself as well. I could have involved myself in a relationship; the Lord stopped me. Any vow or covenant made between God and men must be kept as God keeps His end when we vow till death do us part He holds us accountable.

Agape.

Chris's Esther Chapter 3 comment on 7/21/2022, 8:17pm...

I believe most of the answers on this subject are found in 1 Corinthians chapter 7, Tiffany. Here, the Apostle Paul writes about problems within a marriage, which should hopefully be dealt with by a temporal separation & then a coming together (v5); or in divorce, that they remain unmarried, or else come back together (vv 10,11); or in a marriage where one is a believer & the other, not. Divorce can take place if one is unhappy to live with the other - but the idea of remaining single thereafter is implied (vv 12-16).

And this is based on Matthew 19:5,6: "For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

Any marriage, whether amongst believers or not, brings about an indissoluble union, as the two become one. If a divorce has to take place, then they have to remain separated. If they remarry, then they would remain accountable to God for their decisions. It seems the only times that a lawful remarriage can take place are when one spouse dies (1 Corinthians 7:39), or because of fornication committed (Matthew 5:31,32). However, this 'fornication' seems to be based on Deuteronomy 24:1, where "uncleanness is found in her", i.e. it is supposed that the man has found that his wife was not pure, whether occurring in her single state or in the betrothal period, or even after marriage. Some have raised arguments about this understanding; and some take this infidelity by the woman to happen only within the marriage, so giving grounds for divorce. Unfortunately, there's no indication what happens when the husband has been unfaithful. In any case, the general understanding is that divorce is a severing of a holy union, and if it must happen, then remaining unmarried thereafter ensures that no sin is committed.

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