The House of Esther

The holiday of Purim begins this evening. Thus, I am very honored to post this fascinating study by my friend and guest author, Tim Stevenson.

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The House of Esther
by Timothy W. Stevenson
June 7, 2002

I believe the book of Esther is an allegorical prophetic message to the House of Israel written for our time. Since recognizing my own identity as an Israelite, I have been seeing this truth borne out from Genesis to Revelation. Esther is, I believe, yet another “two-house” Bible story. Two years ago when our family hosted a “Feast of Esther” party as a means of introducing some Christian friends to the Hebraic roots of the faith, I asked the Father go give me something by which I might make this story pertinent to my guests. He did, and I shared it, but since my guests did not seem to get it, I dropped it.

This year during the Feast of Tabernacles, I felt compelled to repeatedly read Esther and began again to get more on this story. I do not regard myself as being a particularly learned person in the scripture. This self-view coupled with the scriptural warning to those who would presume to teach, makes me reluctant to share such things that I believe have been revealed to me. However, I feel a sense of burden to share what I see in this book.

The story of Esther begins with a king, his bride, a feast and betrayal. King Ahasuerus, supreme monarch of a vast kingdom, makes a feast for one hundred and eighty days, demonstrating his excellency and majesty. After the six months of feasting, he declares a seven day feast to take place immediately following in the seventh{1} month. This feast is not to be held in the palace or temple but outside in the court of the king’s garden in a structure defined by hangings of cloth and cords, after the fashion of a tent. This brings to mind attributes of the Feast of Tabernacles.

On the last day of the feast, King Ahasuerus commands his eunuchs to bring his beautiful wife Vashti into his presence, but she refuses and continues in her own feast (Esther 1:9, 1 Kings 12, 2 Chron 30:10). In order to preserve order in his kingdom, Ahasuerus sends a proclamation telling that Vashti is forever banned from his presence and that all wives are to honor their husbands.

King Ahasuerus governed his kingdom by laws, which were immutable and not by whims. Though it appears he very much desired his queen, he was compelled to put Vashti away. Likewise, when the House of Israel refused to present herself at Yahweh’s Feasts, His immutable law required that she be put away to preserve the righteousness of His kingdom. And as Ahasuerus sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom, so Elohim sent his prophets to warn others who might emulate the behavior of his errant bride:

…my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith Jehovah (Yahweh). Jeremiah 31:32

Moreover Jehovah (Yahweh) said unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. And I said after she had done all these things, She will return unto me; but she returned not: and her treacherous sister Judah saw it. And I saw, when, for this very cause that backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a bill of divorcement, yet treacherous Judah her sister feared not; but she also went and played the harlot. Jeremiah 3:6-8

All of this takes place during the third year of Ahasuerus’ reign; similarly, it is around the third millennium that the House of Israel begins to pull away from the Kingdom of Elohim through idolatry and rejection of His Feasts. This rejection finally results in her banishment into the captivity of the nations. Unfortunately, like Vashti, much of the House of Israel to this day continues to prefer partaking in festivals of their own making instead of the Feasts of YHVH.

It is onto this stage that Esther appears. Esther is portrayed in terminology that I believe was intended to draw an association between her and Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob. Both are described as “beautiful in face and in form” (Esther 2:7 and Genesis 29:17). Rachel is the mother of Joseph, the father of Ephraim, and, therefore, the mother of the “House of Ephraim,” also referred to as the “House of Israel.” The children of the tribe of Ephraim, as well as any other tribe that is associated with the “House of Israel,” could be regarded, in a sense, as the “cousins” of the “Jews,” as they ascend from the same grandfather as Judah but through different fathers (Jacob’s sons). I believe Esther is intentionally described as the “cousin” of Mordecai in order to elicit this same association.

Esther is described as an orphan, without mother or father (Esther 2:7). Evidently she also had no brothers, for then it would not have been necessary for Mordecai to step in on her behalf. In such a society she would literally be regarded as being “without a people,” echoing the Word of Yahweh through the prophet Hosea, declaring the House of Israel “Lo-Ami,” not a people. And into this predicament steps a “Jewish man” (Mordecai, a type of Y’shua), who redeems her. Through the privilege of this redemption, she is put into a position to enable her to become the “Bride of the King.” Likewise, the “House of Israel” was redeemed by a Jewish Messiah and through her redemption favored with betrothal to the King of the Universe.

The Persian name “Esther,” meaning star, seems to bear a linguistic relationship to the name Easter or Eostre a fertility goddess, which in her various manifestations (Ishtar, Astarte, Ashtoreth, Beltis, Venus, etc.) is often associated with a star or some other celestial body and/or event. It is as if even this pagan name which masks her Hebrew identity also foreshadows the people she might represent, whose identity is likewise obscured through idolatrous associations.

In preparation for marriage, Esther is placed under the care of the King’s servant. The “House of Israel” has likewise been given the guidance of the Holy Spirit to prepare her for her future wedding.

But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you. John 14:26

Esther’s marriage preparation involves the application of oil and fragrance: “six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors, and with other things for the purifying of the women” (Esther 2:12). Likewise, concerning Ephraim at the time of his redemption, Hosea says, “His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon” (Hosea 14:6). We see oil and fragrance associated with both Esther and the House of Israel. The oil represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21-22, I John 2:27) leading to a life of sacrifice and intercession (Ephesians 5:2, Philippians 14:18, Revelations 8:3 & 4). Oil and fragrance are also reflected in Esther’s Hebrew name, Hadassa, which means myrtle tree. The myrtle tree that grows in the Mediterranean area is a beautiful tree with rich, luxurious foliage, that produces an “aromatic oil.” In Y’shua’s parable of the ten virgins, those who went into the wedding feast were the ones who had an abundance of oil (Matthew 25:1-13). And the redeemed bride has “a sweet savor of Christ unto God” (2 Corinthians 2:15). After the time of preparation and in the seventh year of his reign, Esther is taken into the king’s palace (Esther 2:16). I believe this could be a type and shadow of the future event for the House of Israel that may occur in the seventh millennium. And it may even be that the circumstance and outcomes recorded in this book have a bearing on the consummation.

As the story progresses, the evil Haman seeks to destroy all Jewish people throughout the empire. His hatred is fueled by the Jew Mordecai’s unswerving refusal to bow down to him. To enact his vengeance, Haman persuades the king to make a royal proclamation to destroy the Jewish people for disobedience to the King’s laws (Esther 3:8). Likewise, Satan has long sought the annihilation of the Jewish people, the most notable events taking place in recent history. Like the Jews in Ahasuerus’ kingdom, the non-Messianic Jewish people exist under the condemnation of law of the King of the Universe. They are no longer able to obey the law of Elohim because he has abolished the sacrificial system. But, like Mordecai, they refuse to do obeisance to Satan; this makes him a raging adversary. And though the King might like to spare His Jewish children, He is restrained by His own immutable law.

King Ahasuerus’ proclamation for the destruction of the Jews is made on the thirteenth day of the first month (Esther 3:12). That night at sunset the preparation for the Passover Feast would be determined according to the Hebrew calendar, evoking an association with the month of Aviv. Mordecai, aware of the proclamation, gets word to Esther that she must intercede on the behalf of her kindred. There is a sense of dread for Esther, as going into the King’s presence uninvited could mean death. And besides, she has become very wealthy and comfortable. Likewise, the House of Ephraim has similar qualities which incline her to spiritual inaction: “And Ephraim said, Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth” (Hosea 12:8). This is especially true in western countries which epitomize the Church of Laodicea: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing” (Revelation 3:17).

Esther asks Mordecai to declare a time of fasting for three days to prepare for her petition. Likewise, three days (and three nights) of intercession by a Jewish Messiah has been made for the Bride of the Heavenly King in order to enable her to enter into His presence. These three days of fasting may also foreshadow the time of fasting by the followers of Y’shua during His burial.

And Y’shua said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast in that day. Mark 2:19, 20

The night after the call for fasting is made (the fourteenth day of the first month), the King has a dream in which he recalls an episode in which a plot to destroy his kingdom was foiled by one who was unswervingly loyal to him. As a result of the dream, Haman is humiliated the next day by being required to exalt Mordecai before the entire kingdom. I think this would correspond to the day of preparation for the Passover when Y’shua would be crucified. And by this event Y’shua would humiliate Satan.

…emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, be-coming obedient [even] unto death, yea, the death of the cross. Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven and [things] on earth and [things] under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:7-11

…having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out that way, nailing it to the cross; having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Colossians 2:14, 15

Whereas the first queen refused to come to the king’s feast, now, after three days, the new queen holds a feast and invites the king. If the feast that Esther made took place on the third and forth days after the fourteenth day of the first month, that would correspond to the time of the Feast of First Fruits during this season in the year of Y’shua’s crucifixion. Likewise, “born-again” Believers are the first fruits of those who are alive from the dead.

I believe these elements would have been unmistakable to the people of that time exiled in Babylon. The words of the prophets, including Hosea, would still be fresh in their minds.

But what does all this have to do with us? In the same way that Haman was humiliated in his conflict with Mordecai, Satan was humiliated in his failed initial attempt to usurp the worship of the kingdom of this world because of the crucifixion of Y’shua (1 Corinthians 2:7-8). Satan knows that Israel must be reunited to fulfill end time prophecy (Ezekiel Chapter 37), and he is determined not to lose again. By eliminating the House of Judah, or by preventing the House of Israel from understanding her identity, he can thwart that event. With the current reawakening of the House of Israel, Satan can only become more determined in pursuing the prior course of action. Only the redeemed bride has the capacity to enter into the King’s presence to make intercession; if we do not do this, it will not be done. We must remember that in addition to the blood of Y’shua, much other Jewish blood has been shed in order to preserve the line through which the Messiah was to enter into the world. In this sense, the intercession that was made for our redemption was made by all the House of Judah. It is time for the House of Ephraim to reciprocate. I believe that our Heavenly Father ordained it to be so. It is time for the Bride to hold a feast, invite the King, expose the enemy, and proclaim that we regard Judah as our kindred. Just as King Ahasuerus’ decrees were immutable so are Yahweh’s laws, but this does not preclude Elohim from making further proclamations. This story demonstrates how the Bride has a role to be played in the King’s decision to make such a proclamation on behalf of Judah.

The events of recent days leave me befuddled as to what courses of action that should be taken in the earthly realm. Sometimes I am not even certain who are the real protagonists, but I do know that behind all these events lurks the spirit of Haman (Satan), and that is where the true battle must be fought. As this is a spiritual battle against a spiritual foe, so our victory can only be accomplished in the spiritual realm,

… For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4

and,

… For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. Ephesians 6:12

The obstacle that will be faced is addressed in Mordecai’s words to Esther as he approached her about what she must do. “Then Mordecai bade them return answer unto Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews” (Esther 4:13).{2} Many misinformed individuals in the “House of Ephraim” believe they will escape the end time wrath by being in the King’s House, leaving only the Jews and the unredeemed to suffer through the tribulation. This prevents them from understanding the times in which they live, preparing for a time that is coming upon them and understanding what is expected of them.

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father’s house will perish: and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14

“Allegorically” speaking, I believe this verse also provides a key to Esther’s identity. “Thy father’s house” cannot be referring to Esther’s immediate family, because they are dead. Therefore, it must be speaking of the “lineage” of her father. If the lineage of Esther’s father’s house were Jewish (i.e., the House of Judah), it would not be necessary for Mordecai to state this warning to stir her to action, because as Esther knew the Jews were already under a death sentence. And then again, if the Jews were to receive deliverance from “another place,” Esther’s father’s house would have nothing to fear if they were Jewish. I conclude that the meaning here is that those of this “other house” will only receive intercession through intercession made on behalf of their “kindred{3}.” Many of the “House of Ephraim” will fail in doing this because they don’t understand their full relationship to the “House of Judah,” and/or because they believe that when the tribulation commences, they simply won’t be around. The thinking behind these two elements goes hand in hand. Like Esther they need a witness to remind them of who they are and that they have a responsibility.

There are many other matters foreshadowed in this book. I feel I have been inept in this attempt to convey the deep seated impressions that I believe the Eternal has revealed to me. But I am assured that the Book of Esther is not just an historical account. Every time I read or meditate on this story, I see something new. Even the casting of lots (Purim) during this time seems to foreshadow the actions of the Roman soldiers at the foot of the cross. This book is a prophetic picture given to provide reassurance to our Jewish brethren through the ages: when things look darkest, they have been and will again be delivered by intercession. Those of us who are a part of the redeemed body of the bride of the King are come to the kingdom for such a time as this. I am convinced that we are the House of Esther. So let us return and hold the Feast/s, invite the King, reveal the enemy, proclaim our kinship, and intercede on the behalf of our kindred.

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{1} In a lunar calendar years consisted of 12 months with an average length of 29.5 days (aka, the mean synodic period), as based on visual observations of the phases of the moon. This was accommodated by having months of alternating lengths of 29 and 30 day, so a year generally had a length of 354 days. The years would periodically by brought back into accord with the seasons by adding an additional month, or in earlier times examining the “ripeness” of the barley harvest. In any event, under this system six months would consist of (29.5 X 6) 177 days, hence 180 days would place this event in the seventh month.

{2} Some translations (NIV, NKJV, and the New Living Translation) insert the words into this verse that make it sound as if Esther is a Jewess. Older translations (i.e., ASV, NASV, KJV, Darby, Young’s Literal, Douay Rheims, Basic English Bible, Webster, and Old English Bible) do not convey that same connotation.
All scriptural quotes contained herein were taken from the American Standard Version, 1901 ed., considered by scholars to be the most accurate (non-dynamic) translations.

{3} Why does chapter 2:10 (also see 2:20 and 7:6) speak of Esther people “and” her kindred?
2:10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
MA – people (source: Blue Letter Bible)
I. nation, people
a. people, nation
b. persons, members of one’s people, compatriots, country-men
II. kinsman, kindred

ChRLVM – kindred (source: Blue Letter Bible)
I. kindred, birth, offspring, relatives
a. kindred
b. birth, circumstances of birth
c. one born, begotten, issue, offspring, female offspring

I believe that kindred is a reference to one’s immediate relatives (i.e., a specific tribe), whereas, people refers to a larger more comprehensive people group (i.e., all Israel).

P.S. March 4, 2015 Considering the events of the past day this story seems very poignant. Remember that the kingdom that this is set in, is the Persian kingdom. And that the Jews had just recently returned from the Babylonian captivity, but the House of Israel was still in captivity. The modern day Iranians are the Persian descendants of this empire. And the Jewish people have recently returned to the land of Israel, but the House of Israel is still in the diaspora. And now we have evil individuals within the Iranian regime who have proclaimed their intent to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Sound familiar? Elohim’s proclamation is that the people of Israel may not live in the land unless their “constitution” is the Torah. Unfortunately the modern state of Israel has not been founded on the principles of the Torah, and is consequently one of the most secular (humanist) states on earth. And as YHVH’s laws are immutable, so are the consequences. However, as revealed in the book of Esther YHVH is still God and so can make further proclamations. As in the time of Esther, the proclamation that the people of Judah to be able to defend themselves and thus survive needs to be made. We of the House of Esther have a part to play in the making of this proclamation.

Ecclesiastes 1 1The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 9That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been long ago, in the ages which were before us. 11 There is no remembrance of the former [generations]; neither shall there be any remembrance of the latter [generations] that are to come, among those that shall come after. (ASV version)