Bible Character Studies: The Pharaoh of the Exodus

What do we know of him?

-Scholars can only guess which Pharaoh was the Pharaoh of the Exodus. There are convincing arguments for all the names presented. Since Scripture doesn’t tell us, we must leave it at that.

-We know that in the book of Genesis, the Pharaoh (or king) of Egypt was favourable to the children of Israel for Joseph’s sake. Gen. 47:5, 6

-“Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.” Ex. 1:8  This marked a change. This new king did not know of Joseph or appreciate what he had done for Egypt. Pharaoh is afraid of this large ethnic group among his people, not for anything they did, but merely because of their number. He surmises that in the event of war, they’ll join Egypt’s enemies, (even though he has no evidence to assume this) attack them and go up out of the land. So he makes them slaves to build his cities. In spite of this, they multiplied and grew. It made them dread the children of Israel more, so they worked them harder and “made their lives bitter with hard bondage.”

-He went further and we see the first recorded attempt at genocide, when he commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill all the male children when they were born. However, in civil disobedience, they defied the king’s edict, fearing God instead, and saved the male children alive. When Pharaoh summoned them and called them to account for their failure to obey, they made up a story that the children were already born by the time they arrived. God rewards this and these women, who normally would have remained unmarried, are blessed with households, because they feared God.

-They continue to multiply, so Pharaoh escalates the persecution, ordering that every male child who is born should be cast into the river. There is no mistaking his intent. Unlike the more subtle first order, which could seem to be just the unfortunate death of sons, everyone in the land, Egyptians and Israelites, would know he planned genocide of this people group.

-Into this dreadful and stressful social scenario, a son is born to a Levite couple. They hide him, sensing something special about him. We already studied what happened to him.

-This Pharaoh now has a Hebrew growing up in the palace as his own grandson. All is well until Moses kills an Egyptian. Then Pharaoh turns on him and seeks to kill him. Moses flees to Midian and doesn’t return to Egypt for 40 years.

-There is now a different Pharaoh on the throne. Ex.2:23, 4:19 After his commissioning by God and with the support of the elders of Israel, Moses takes his brother, Aaron and goes before Pharaoh with God’s demands.

-Pharaoh is arrogant. He sees himself as a god. He has absolute control over his people. He says, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.” Ex.5:2

-They repeat the message, but Pharaoh rejects it and orders them back to work. “The same day” he gives the harsh order to make bricks without providing them with straw, but their quota is to remain the same. Ex. 5:3-9

-Of course, they are unable to fill their quota and are beaten for it. They complain to Moses and Aaron. Moses takes his own complaint to the LORD, who hasn’t delivered His people, “at all.” Ex. 5:23

-We see that during the course of the ten plagues on Egypt, it’s recorded that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart and/or that Pharaoh hardened his heart nineteen times. Both factors are at play. Pharaoh was not acting against his will. He really didn’t want to let the people go. But the plan was God’s. Pharaoh was acting in keeping with his desire to not let the people go. Yet, behind it all, was the sovereign plan of God, in order to bring about the deliverance of His people with a mighty hand.

-Even though God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, He still held him responsible. “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me.” Ex. 10:3 Also Ex. 7:16 “…but indeed, until now, you would not hear!”

-Pharaoh is threatened by God, Himself. A scary prospect. God says, “Or else…” Ex. 10:4 which should make Pharaoh take notice. He also says, “Thus shall you say to Pharaoh, ‘Israel is My son, My firstborn—So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed, I will kill your son, your firstborn.” Ex. 4:22,23

-Even Pharaoh’s servants eventually tried to reason with him and admit defeat. “How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God. Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?” Ex. 10:7

-God is not required to explain any of His actions to us. “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Ex. 33:19b

Yet Scripture lists several reasons for the plagues/hardening of Pharaoh’s heart/separation between Egypt and Israel/testing in the wilderness. Ultimately, it’s for His glory.

1. “…that you may know that there is none like Me in all the earth.” Ex. 9:14 He is the only true God.

2. “But indeed, for this purpose I have raised you (Pharaoh) up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” Ex. 9:16 He is sovereign over the affairs of the earth and desires that His glorious name is proclaimed worldwide.

3. “…that you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.” Ex. 9:29 He owns and controls the planet He created.

4. “Now the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go in to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son’s son the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am the Lord.’” Ex.10:1, 2 So that future generations will hear of them and know who God is.

5. “So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.  They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.”  Ex.9:22, 23 “Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail.” Ex.9:26 “But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the Lord does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.’ Ex. 11:7 God protects His people and demonstrates His concern for His people before a watching world. “And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty; and the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.” Ex. 14:25

6. “’Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.’ And they did so.” Ex. 14:4 God desires even His enemies to acknowledge who He is.

7. “And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” Ex. 14:17, 18 God fights for His honor over the kings of the earth. He is the King of kings. He fights for His people.

8. “And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.’” Ex. 20:20 Trials come so we may recognize the greatness of our God and cease from sin.

Bible Character Studies: Aaron

What do we know of him?

-Aaron was three years older than Moses. Ex. 7:7

-His parents were Amram and Jochebed. She was his aunt. Exodus 6:20

-Both parents were from the tribe of Levi. Ex. 2:1,4:14

-He was Moses’ spokesperson/prophet. He was eloquent. Ex. 4:14-16

-He was possibly the middle child, Miriam being the eldest. He would’ve already been a toddler or young boy when Pharaoh’s edict was passed, so he was safe. Ex. 2:4,7

-He went with Moses to Pharaoh each time, and also before the elders of Israel. Ex. 4:29,30,5:20,6:26,27,7:10,8:8,12,9:27,10:16

-He was obedient. Ex. 7:6,20,12:50

-He was 83 when he spoke to Pharaoh. Ex. 7:7

-Wife’s name, Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nashon. Ex. 6:23

-Sons: Nadab, Abihu (who were killed by the LORD, Lev. 10:1-3), Eleazar and Ithamar. Ex. 6:23

-Eleazar’s son was Phineas. Ex. 6:25

-Used by God to perform some of the miracles. Ex. 7:10-12,8:5,6,16,17

-God spoke in his hearing as well. Ex. 12:1,43, 20:22

-He supported Moses during the battle with the Amalekites. Ex. 17:11,12

-He went up onto the mountain with Moses and heard the Ten Commandments and other laws. Ex. 24:1,9

-He saw God. Ex. 24:9-11

-He stood in for Moses while he was away. Ex. 24:14

-He was consecrated (set apart) as High Priest, with his sons as priests. Ex.27:21, 28:1,2,12,29,30,35,38,40,41, 29:4-10,15,19,24,27, 28,32,44,30:7,8,10,19-21,30

-Even though he had witnessed all the signs and wonders in Egypt, heard the voice of God and walked through the Red Sea, ate manna and quail, drank water from the rock, and saw God give them victory over the Amalekites, he still led the people in idolatry and did not restrain them. Ex. 32

-He voiced no argument or entreaty when the people asked him to make an idol, even after all this revelation! Ex. 32:1-4

-He even built an altar for the golden calf, and then, as if to legitimize it, he tried to associate it with a feast to the LORD. First case of syncretism (mixing the worship of God with pagan worship). Ex. 32:5

-When questioned by Moses, he blamed the people’s propensity to sin, told him their reasoning for wanting a god (that something must have happened to Moses), and therefore he should make them gods to go before them. Ex. 32:22,23

-He distances himself from the idol-making, even though he admits to taking their gold, but says, “So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out.” Ex. 32:25 He implies he was passive, and the idol has almost a supernatural origin/it created itself. Ex. 32:24

-He didn’t restrain the people, to their shame among their enemies. Ex. 32:25

-The idolators were killed/plagued “because of the calf which Aaron made.” Ex. 32:26-35

-He was afraid when he saw how Moses’ face shone after speaking with God. Ex.34:30,31

-He was clothed in the garments of the High Priest and consecrated along with his sons. Ex. 40:12-16. 30,31

Bible Character Studies: Moses

What do we know of Moses?

-His parents were Amram and Jochebed. She was Amram’s aunt. Exodus 6:20

-They were both from the tribe of Levi. Exodus 2:1

-Moses was three years younger than Aaron. Ex. 7:7

-They also had an older sister, Miriam. We don’t know exactly how much older Miriam was than her brothers, but she was old enough to be sent to keep an eye on baby Moses on his trip down the Nile and to suggest a nurse-maid for him. Exodus 2:4, 7

-He was born during a time of difficulty for the children of Israel in Egypt; social engineering and genocide. Exodus 1:8-22

-Pharaoh had given orders, first for the midwives to kill the male Hebrew children. When they refused to follow the wicked order, he gave orders for every son who is born to the Hebrews to be thrown into the river, but every daughter could survive. Exodus 1: 15-22

-His parents recognized something special about Moses, so when he was born they hid him for three months. Exodus 2:2, Acts 7:20

-When she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, waterproofed it, placed him in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank. Exodus 2:3

-Pharaoh’s daughter ‘just happened’ to come down to bathe at the river at that time, and saw the ark among the reeds. She heard the baby crying, and had compassion on him. She recognized he was a Hebrew child, probably because he was circumcised. His sister pops up and offers to get one of the Hebrew women to come and nurse him for her. She agrees, and fetches Jochebed, who not only gets to have her son back for a few years until he is weaned, but she is paid for the privilege. What kindness from God! Exodus 2:5-9

-Pharaoh’s daughter raises him as her own son, and names him Moses, which means Drawn Out, because she drew him out of the weeds. Exodus 2:10, Acts 7:20

“But when he was set out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.” Acts 7:22

-He seems to have known he was a Hebrew. When he was grown, he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, “one of his brethren”, and after looking both ways, he killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand. The next day he tried to break up a fight between two Hebrews. They didn’t appreciate his interference, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us?” They asked if he would kill them as he’d killed the Egyptian. Pharaoh heard of it and sought to kill Moses. He fled to the land of Midian, where he married Zipporah, one of seven daughters of Jethro, (Reuel) priest of Midian . Ex. 2:11-22, Ex. 3:1, Acts 7:23-29

-He spent forty years in Egypt, forty years in Midian, and forty years in the wilderness, dying at the age of 120. Acts 7:23,30, Ex. 7:7,Deut. 34:5-7

-He may have first thought he had been spared and then placed in his place of authority in order to help out “his brethren”, but they didn’t see it that way, and it seems God wanted to humble him and teach him to lead sheep before he could lead people.  ^“For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand.” Acts 7:25, Ex. 2:16,17

-When Moses flees to Midian he happens to come to the well of the priest of Midian (Reuel/Jethro). He becomes a deliverer to the daughters of Reuel, saving them from shepherds who tormented and hindered them from their task. Moses “stood up and helped them and watered their flock.” Ex. 2:17 He was their deliverer. The fact that their father was surprised to see them return “so soon today” shows they were regularly harassed by the shepherds. They explained an “Egyptian” deliverer had saved them from the shepherds. Reuel can’t believe they hadn’t brought him home. Moses comes to dwell with them, marry one of his daughters, Zipporah, and has two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. Ex. 2:21,22, 4:20, 18:4.

-He had a special relationship with God and was privileged to speak to the LORD face to face. “So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend…” Ex. 33:11“But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.” Deut. 34:10-12

-When God commissioned him to go before Pharaoh, he protested eight times! Imagine the nerve of talking back to God. It was more than humility, he was disobedient and defiant. Moses’ protests included,

1. Who am I?  Ex. 3:11

2. The elders won’t believe me because I don’t even know your name. Ex. 3:13

3. Pharaoh won’t believe me or listen to my voice. Ex. 4:1

4. I’m not eloquent and I have a speech impediment. Ex. 4:10

5. Send someone else! Ex. 4:13

6. Pharaoh has made things worse and You haven’t delivered Your people at all!               Ex. 5:22,23

7. The children of Israel haven’t listened to me. Ex. 6:12

8. Why should Pharaoh listen to me?  Ex. 6:30.

-He seems to have had a speech impediment and/or was not eloquent. Exodus 4:10 But the LORD reminded him that He was sovereign over both abilities and disabilities.  “So the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?’” Exodus 4:11 When he still protested, God appointed his brother Aaron as his spokesman.

Bible Character Studies: Miriam

Character Studies: Miriam

Aaron was three years older than Moses. Ex. 7:7 Miriam was possibly ten years older than Moses. Though we’re not told in Scripture, but she was old enough to be sent on her own to see what happened to her newborn brother when he was put into the reeds of the Nile. Ex. 2:4

Her parents were Amram and Jochebed. She was his aunt. Exodus 6:20 1 Chron. 6:3 Both parents were from the tribe of Levi. Ex. 2:1,4:14

“The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt; and to Amram she bore Aaron and Moses and their sister Miriam.” Num. 26:59

She is referred to as “Miriam the prophetess” in Ex. 15:20, 21 and she composed part of the song of praise after they crossed the Red Sea.

“Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them:

‘Sing to the Lord,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!’”

She is best known for her dissension of Moses, along with Aaron, recorded in Numbers 12. They first seemed to speak against him because of his marriage to an Ethiopian woman, but then the real reason surfaces. They were envious and proud. “So they said, ‘Has the LORD only spoken through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?’ And the LORD heard it.” They weren’t satisfied with their already elevated status, but wanted more, and couched it in noble, religious language. Their words and behaviour were contrasted with the humble Moses.

God descends in the cloud and calls them out to the door of the tabernacle of meeting with Moses, then tells them to step forward. (gulp) He then compares other prophets who He communicates with through dreams and visions, whereas with Moses He speaks face to face. In light of this honour God has bestowed on him, He asks, “Why were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?” Calling Moses His servant further emphasizes Moses’ humility in contrast with their haughty attitude.

God is angry with them and departs without further comment. It’s kind of like a parent who is angry and leaves to contemplate your punishment. (gulp, again) As soon as He departs, Miriam became leprous. Aaron is shocked. Leprosy represents sin and sin separates us from God, which is why lepers were to be put outside the camp and not allowed in the tabernacle. (Lev. 13:45,45)

Aaron appeals to Moses. He dared not speak to God to complain.  Yet he recognizes that even though the leprosy fell on Miriam, it was also because of him and a judgment on him. “Oh my lord! Please do not lay this sin on us, in which we have done foolishly and in which we have sinned.” Aaron probably was not struck by leprosy because he was the High Priest and that would have disqualified him from ministering.

Moses feels their pain. He cries out to the LORD on their behalf, “Please heal her, O God, I pray!” hoping, since God has heeded his intercession in the past, He may again.

But God’s response argues from the lesser to the greater. “If her father had but spit in her face, would she not be shamed seven days? Let her be shut out of the camp seven days, and afterward she may be received again.” Num. 12:14

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. ‘If then I am the Father, where is my honor? And if I am a Master, where is my reverence?’ Says the LORD of hosts to you priests who despise My name, yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’” Mal. 1:6

This is an insult against the Heavenly Father. So she is punished according to the sentence God imposed on her, and the people don’t continue on until she is restored.

What do we learn from this unfortunate incident? God exalts whom He will, God hears everything we say, He is angry at our sin, even religious leaders can sin, even religious leaders can be proud and envious, God will judge sin even in His own people, God will judge righteously, and He hears our prayers of intercession.

This episode is used as a cautionary tale for the children of Israel before they enter the Promised Land. “Remember what the Lord your God did to Miriam on the way when you came out of Egypt!” Deut. 24:9

Miriam is not heard from again until her death is recorded in Numbers 20:1, the same year as her brothers die, but she predeceases them. At the time she died, she probably believed her brothers would go into the Promised Land. She didn’t know they would rebel and be punished. She dies and is buried in Kadesh in the first month.

She is mentioned by God as one of the leaders He graciously gave to the children of Israel.

“O My people, what have I done to you?
And how have I wearied you?
Testify against Me.
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
I redeemed you from the house of bondage;
And I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.” Micah 6:3,4

Bible Character Studies: Mordecai

Character studies: Mordecai

Mordecai stepped in to care for Esther (his cousin) when her parents died. (Est. 2:7) We don’t know the circumstances of their deaths, but he became the only family she knew, and he raised her as his daughter. How devastated he must have felt when she was kidnapped into the palace. Some give the impression it was an ancient beauty contest of sorts and that she went willingly. However, according to Est. 2:2-4 the plan proposed to “seek” beautiful young virgins, with “officers” appointed in all provinces so they may “gather them” into Shushan into the women’s quarters, “under custody.” It also says she was among one of the many women “gathered”. It also says she was “taken” (Est. 2:9) This does not sound voluntary.

Because he was somewhat involved in palace affairs (at the gate, where most business is conducted), he checked on her daily, anxiously inquiring after her welfare. It was all he could do.

He is a loyal servant of the King, even if he probably hates that he is here in exile, rather than in Israel. He overhears a plot to assassinate the king. He does the right thing and reports it (Est. 2:21-23) resulting in the execution of the co-conspirators, but no acknowledgement of his part in saving the King’s life, until after a sleepless night five long years later.

Yet, he seems to be a little more than obstinate and surly, in refusing to bow down to Haman. It’s not in worship, but in deference to a superior. I’m sure he bowed before the king. There is nothing in Scripture that forbids such a courtesy, but Mordecai seems to be as irked by Haman as Haman is of Mordecai. That ancient conflict as they came out of Egypt, and then when Saul failed to destroy them was now carried on with their descendants. This sets Haman off on his murderous plan of genocide.

How did Mordecai feel when he learned that his unreasonable behaviour toward this man had prompted the potential destruction of all the Jews? We know he mourned but did he take any responsibility? Scripture doesn’t record that for us. And we see no change in his behaviour, as he still shows no deference to Haman after the plan is in place. In this case, he is not expected to bow, but to stand, and he won’t even do that. (Est. 5:9)

Esther chapter four has an interesting account of how Mordecai informed Esther of Haman’s plans. Imagine, she was the Queen and yet was not informed of the day to day management of the kingdom. That Mordecai possessed an actual copy of the edict shows his level of prominence in government. He refuses the clothes she sends to him so that he can enter the palace. Instead they communicate through messengers. He also gives her a copy of the edict so she believes it and is aware of the details, which she later mentions to Xerxes. (Est. 3:13,7:4) From this we know she is literate.

Mordecai is no doubt surprised when one day Haman shows up at his door to honour him. Haman leads Mordecai through the streets of Susa, told to announce that “This is what is to be done for the man whom the king delights to honour.” Can you imagine the steam coming out of his ears? How enthusiastically did he shout, I wonder? (Est. 6:1-11) He was not puffed up by this, but returned to work, “Afterward Mordecai went back to the king’s gate.” Est. 6:12a

His famous line which demonstrates his faith is Est. 4:13,14 In it he reminds her that being a queen did not immunize her from danger, since it was an unchangeable law, and the king was unpredictable.

“And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: ‘Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’”

Although the second decree, which Mordecai and Esther wrote, authorized the Jews to gather together, to fight to defend themselves, to kill men, women and children and to plunder their goods, the reality was that only men were killed (75, 810 Est. 9:6, 10,15,16) and unlike Saul, they did not lay hands on the plunder. They only wanted to save their own lives.

Eventually, after all is said and done, he is promoted to second in command. God vindicated both Mordecai and all the Jews, and saved them, even in the land of their exile. Mordecai didn’t use his position to seek his own wealth, but the welfare of his people.

“On that day King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her.  So the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai; and Esther appointed Mordecai over the house of Haman.” Est. 8:1-3

“Now all the acts of his power and his might, and the account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?  For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.” Est. 10:2,3

Bible Character Studies: King Xerxes

Character studies: King Xerxes

I refer to him as Xerxes, only because the Greek name is easiest to pronounce. The Bible records his name as Ahasuerus, which is the Anglicized Hebrew name. In Persian, his name is Khshayarshan and in Hebrew it is Achashverosh, which are even more unpronounceable.

His wife Vashti is also known by her Greek name, Amestris. Her name means, “strong woman.” She was the mother of his children and retained power of some sort as the queen mother even into the reign of Artaxerxes. The Greek historian, Herodotus records some particularly gruesome deeds attributed to her; such as impaling one of her son’s political enemies and burying alive fourteen noblemen’s children as a sacrifice to her god. The main religion was Zoroastrianism.

We read of her only in chapter one of Esther, when she is deposed after embarrassing the king by refusing to parade in front of his drunken friends during a 180 day feast. No reason is given for her refusal, but some suggest that the order for her to appear wearing her royal crown may suggest that was all she was expected to wear. Others say she thought it inappropriate to degrade herself before drunken commoners. The timing of it also suggests she had recently given birth. Whatever her reason, it infuriated the king and since he surrounded himself with yes-men who stroked his ego, they came up with an edict to depose her and replace her with someone more worthy. They feared that when the report of her shocking behaviour was heard by all, then all women would use her example and despise their husbands. So they go further and encourage him to write a ridiculous, unchangeable law that “every man should be master in his own house.” Est. 1:15-22 This is an example of the difference between what the Bible records as a true event and what the Bible is actually teaching as a model of behaviour. Remember, this is a pagan king.

There are several years between chapter one and two, during which he and the Persian Empire fought a failed military campaign against the Greeks. This added to his depression. Even though the king now regretted his actions in deposing Vashti, his own unchangeable law now tied his hands, so his yes-men suggested they find him a new wife as Plan B.

He is a proud man and Haman seems to know how to use this to his advantage. Haman’s vague comments about an enemy the king didn’t even know about, caused him to agree to hand over authority to Haman to “destroy” the Jews. He doesn’t ask Haman to be more specific. He then feigns innocence and lack of culpability when Esther reminds him of the law he agreed to and even celebrated. (Est. 3:11,15, 7:5)

He is not a good judge of character as evidenced by his promotion of Haman and his relinquishing of authority to him. He has a mercurial temper, and is easily influenced because of his pride. He makes his decisions under the influence of alcohol. He could control 127 provinces, but not his own nature when intoxicated. He could command millions of people, but could not command one hour of sleep to come to him. The providence of God rules over the smallest concerns. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without His notice. The king couldn’t sleep when God had a plan to serve. God gives the gift of sleep. The king wasn’t ill, but God withheld sleep from him.

By allowing the second edict, he was virtually encouraging civil war. See how one poor decision leads to great consequences. Yet if their enemies had not attempted to destroy the Jews on that day, they themselves would not have suffered. The Jews acted together to fight against their enemies. We also need to be united with other believers against the enemy of our souls.

If Xerxes has any redeeming qualities, he did seem to really love Esther, and was very generous to her and protective of her. He also promoted Mordecai for her sake, and did his best to see justice done in the end.

King Xerxes was assassinated six years after the events of this book, killed in his bed by the head of his royal bodyguard. After that, Vashti’s other sons vied for power. Her son, Artaxerxes became the next king. We read about him in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. We don’t know what happened to Esther after that.

Bible Character Studies: Esther

Character studies: Esther

Esther, which means star, probably after the Persian name Ishtar, who was the Babylonian love goddess, was also known by her Hebrew name Hadassah, which means myrtle. She would have been a very young girl, probably around 15 when she was scooped up into the competition to become the next Queen. She had a year of beauty treatments in preparation for her meeting with the King. While a year-long spa sounds nice, it’s kind of like how the Aztecs would treat a person like a king for a year and then in the end, he’d be a human sacrifice who had his heart cut out of him while still alive. She knew at the end of the year, she’d be called in to sleep with this pagan King.

She is described as both “lovely and beautiful” (Est. 2:7) This refers to her character and her looks. She must have been an exceptional woman, because we see she finds favour in the sight of Hegai, the custodian of the women (Est. 2:8,9), all who saw her (Est. 2:15b), and eventually King Xerxes, himself (Est. 2:17,18).

We see her obedience to her older cousin, in not revealing her identity or family connections (due to anti-Semitism) and her deference to the suggestions of the custodian, since she is unaware of this new world into which she was thrust, and then her submission to her husband, even though he was not her choice.

She seems to be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, in delaying her request to the king by a day, making way for the sovereignly appointed insomnia of the king, the “chance” reading of an event five years in the past, and the honouring of Mordecai, so it would be fresh in the mind of the king when he learns of the plot to kill the Jews. (Est. chap.6)

The only complaint about her character is the lack of overt mention of God. Neither she nor Mordecai took the opportunity to return to Israel as they were free to do according to the earlier decree of Cyrus. Were they so accustomed to life in this pagan land that the Promised Land held no appeal? She called for people to fast for her, and although prayer is no doubt included, it isn’t mentioned. Also, her request for a second day of the Jews defending themselves is somewhat harsh, if not bloodthirsty.

The Big 5-5!

April Journaling

1.    April Fool’s Day, otherwise known as the Atheist’s only holiday, holiday being ironic, as it comes from holy day. Regardless, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Psalm 53:1a Also, today is a pain clinic day for my face. Ouch. Then school prep for tomorrow.

2.    School day, brought to you by the letter Yy, ordinal numbers, the Easter story, the urinary system, the colour yellow, the sight word you. We also went to McDonalds for lunch.

3.    Chiro and massage today.

4.    Bible study, and home day.

5.    Breakfast out with my daughter, who will be moving out in July, probably for good, to Ottawa. Rest, and then Spanish class.

6.    Up early again, Bible reading and Bible study, nap, baking for church tomorrow, then resting. Also made homemade chicken noodle soup for dinner.

7.    Church. I updated my medical information and counted I’d been to 33 doctors since I’ve been sick. Crazy.

8.    Doctor’s appointment to fill out forms for my pension accrual to continue until retirement. A little frustrating when my doctor recommends exercise to someone with ME. It’s like prescribing sugar to a diabetic.

9.    No school today, just shopping at IKEA and spending time with the grandkids.

10. Costco, then reviewing some promotional materials for the novel.

11. Bible study.

12. Spanish class, and packing for a short drive to Sault Ste. Marie with my daughter and mom.

13. Road trip.

14. Walking down memory lane in the town I grew up in.

15. Visiting relatives.

16. Return trip home. Nice not to have to drive. Stopped at the giant loonie outside the Soo. A person from Echo Bay designed it. I’ll post a picture.

17. I received the first copy of my novel. So exciting to hold it in my hands. As I looked through it, I thought, “I know these words.” Then I read it cover to cover and found about 50 typos which will need to be corrected before it goes to mass printing.

18. Opened a bank account for my novel proceeds.

19. Good Friday service with the Spanish and Mandarin churches who share our building. A foretaste of heaven. No Spanish class tonight. The youth served everyone breakfast.

20. My husband did our taxes; not good again. I hope this book does well as our debt load is climbing and we’re not comfortable with debt. Also went to dinner at my sister’s house; grandkids there too.

21. Resurrection Sunday. Christ is Risen! He is risen, indeed! Horrible news from Sri Lanka about church bombings killing over 200 people.

22. Heading to my daughter’s this evening, as she as an early appointment before I teach school tomorrow.

23. School day, brought to you by; the letter Zz, the number zero, the sight word zoo, the colour green, the shape oval, the Easter story, and why we dream.

24. The printing is ready to go ahead on my novel.

25. Bible study. I might be heading into a down turn. I have been dizzy, weak and nauseous, as well as headachy.

26. Kids came for the weekend. Spanish class tonight.

27. Women’s breakfast at church. My husband is going fishing. Our daughters are taking the grandkids to Legoland.

28. Church.

29. My daughter took me out for lunch at an Italian restaurant downtown called Terroni. I’ll post a picture. Delicious smoked salmon pizza.

30. It’s my 55^th birthday today. In spite of my illnesses, I feel blessed. In Hamilton with the grandkids. We ordered Middle Eastern takeout.

We went over to the Dork Side

March 2019 Journaling

1.    Spanish class.

2.    Quiet day.

3.    Church and naps.

4.    Chiro and massage.

5.    School day, brought to you by the letter Uu, the number 19, animal habitats, and the story of Jesus healing the paralytic, again, since it didn’t work last week.

6.    Long nap today. No energy.

7.    We went and booked our Mediterranean cruise today; going in July.

8.    Getting my yearly highlights to cover my greys. The grandkids are coming for one night. Also going to Spanish class.

9.    Grandkids here. My youngest went to Ottawa as part of her prep for her upcoming job there. Long nap.

10.Church. I have a family tree done by a cousin in Finland, for my dad’s side. I decided to try to put one together for my mom’s side, while my mom still remembers dates.

11. Dental work today. I told my dentist about my novel and he said he wanted to buy six copies and help me promote it. Serendipity.

12. School day brought to you by the letter Vv, the number 20, volcanoes, and the story of God calling Samuel.

13. Costco with my mom, nap, and prepping tax info for my husband.

14. Home day, doing homework.

15. Pain clinic. Spanish class tonight.

16.  Bible study homework. Out for dinner at the Keg with my husband. We took Uber for the first time. Went over to the Dork Side.

17. Church.

18. Dental work today, then a nap, dinner, and school prep.

19. School day brought to you by the letter Ww, ordinal numbers, weather, whales and water, and a discussion about heaven.

20. Yesterday morning, the sunroof on our CRV shattered spontaneously as my husband was driving. So it’s in the shop now and I’m stranded as he had to use my car to get to work.

21. Bible study. Got there by Uber.

22. Spanish class in evening.

23. I went to shopping for spring and summer clothes with my daughter, napped, then went to a wedding shower for a woman from church. Now booking excursions for the cruise.

24. Heard some good news today; will share soon.

25. I only have energy to vacuum once a month. It wore me out.

26. School day brought to you by the letter Xx, ordinal numbers, the triumphal entry, last supper and foot washing story, and digestion, and x-rays.

27. It’s my mom’s 79^th birthday today, and she is still unsaved. L

28. Errands today after Bible study. Our Bible study is intense; we read the whole two chapters section by section and I comment on it and we have discussions, then we answer the questions in the Precepts Ministries book. It takes an hour and a half but it is so enriching and such a blessing.

29. The cover of my book is finished now, working on the final approvals for typesetting, then I’ll get my ARC, advanced reader copy, then it goes to print and I’ll get it a month later, so I can finally plan a launch date. Yikes, took my car in to get my seasonal tire changeover and with the brakes it  cost me $1400. We recently had to pay that for furnace repair as well. Hoping to get a good tax return so we can frivolously spend it on paying down our credit card.

30. Women’s ministry breakfast, very good, but I had a poor sleep, so I came home and napped 2-1/2 hours, then did homework and made dinner.

31. Church today, but didn’t feel well, even after a long nap, so I stayed home this evening.

Moroccan Valentine's Day Party

February Journaling

1.    My grandson is four today! His party is in two weeks, with his sister, who turns two in a week. We had another planning meeting for the AGAPE festival dinner.

2.    Home day.

3.    Church.

4.    Chiro and massage, haircut, eyebrows, errands, and nap. Then school prep.

5.    School day, brought to you by the letter Rr, the number 16, the story of Noah’s ark, and an experiment making rainbows.

6.    Freezing rain. Definitely staying in today.

7.    Women’s Bible study beginning the book of Luke was cancelled due to weather.

8.    It’s my granddaughter’s second birthday!

9.    Homework day. My husband bbq’d steak for dinner.

10.Birthday party for our grandkids, after church.

11.There’s a storm coming tomorrow, so I’m going to outrun and spend two nights in Hamilton for safety.

12.School day, brought to you by the letter Ss, the number 17, and the story of Balaam’s donkey.

13.With the grandkids because of the weather yesterday. Scary drive home. Then our furnace inspection revealed a problem with the heat exchanger causing carbon monoxide to leak, but thankfully it vented outside, but that might have changed, so the furnace was turned off, even though it’s a cold night, and they’re repairing it tomorrow. We went out and bought a second space heater. Thankfully, we already had installed baseboard electric heating in the basement so the renters are okay. Also our gas fireplace still works so the family room on the main floor is fine.

14.Bible study. Furnace repaired.

15.Pain clinic. Then baking for our AGAPE gala dinner at church tomorrow.

16.Grandkids for the day even though we’ll be at church most of the day because of the Gala. Our Gala went so well. Also, my dad would have turned 80 today, but he died at age 28 because of a workplace accident.

17.Church this morning. No service tonight because of the Family Day long weekend. We had a Raclette dinner.

18.Family Day holiday. My husband is home. My husband and daughter went to his mom’s for food, but I stayed home because I had a headache. Slept most of the day away. Set the table for the weekend dinner party, I can only do a little each day.

19.No school this week because of the holiday. Making some dreaded phone calls. I hate talking on the phone, especially with insurance companies. Going to dinner at a friend’s place to dissect the gala, what worked and what could be improved for next year.

20.My son-in-law is going to make my author website. Prepping for dinner party.

21.Bible study. Nap.

22.Cooking for tomorrow. Spanish class with my daughter at our church. She’s going to Peru in June.

23.Dinner party at six. Menu: smoked salmon on crispbread, meatballs with maple bourbon sauce, Moroccan carrot soup, salad on a stick, Moroccan chicken, Moroccan Couscous salad, peach dumplings with bourbon hard sauce, red and white wine, hazelnut coffee. Everything was delicious and the servings weren’t too big.

24. Church.

25. School prep.

26. School day, brought to you by the letter Tt, the number 18, the weather, teeth and turtles, and the story of Jesus healing the paralyzed man.

27. Phone calls. I hate phone calls.

28. Getting close to releasing my novel. Final tweaks to the cover art. Also reviewing the internal typesetting. It looks so professional. Every time I reread my novel I love it all over again.