Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Perhaps King Xerxes' mind was troubled for some reason, such as worry about possible plots against him (which would have apparently been well-founded in light of the prior plot of Bigthan and Teresh described in Esther 2:21-23, and also because Xerxes was in fact ultimately assassinated in 465 BC, thirteen years after Esther became queen).

By having a record of past memorable deeds or the failure of past plots read to him, it would cause him to recall or dwell on more favorable times or events, and thus alleviate the anxiety that he was experiencing.

Also, perhaps both the sleeplessness and the idea to have the record of past deeds (including the particular prior plot against him of which he was reminded) read to him were brought about by God specifically as part of an overall plan on God's part to frustrate Haman's desire to have all the Jews in Persia killed. (As Esther's uncle Mordecai said to her in Esther 4:14, "Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" This shows God's knowledge of, and control over, the events that were occurring.)

June 03 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Kenneth Heck

We know that insomnia (perhaps of divine origin), can be frequently alleviated by reading a book, or in the case of this king, hearing a book being read to him. The book revealed that Mordecai had not been honored for disclosing a plot to kill the king (Est 6:2). This delayed Haman's plan for the genocide of all the Jews within the Persian Empire (Est 3: 6-15).

Esther was vital in thwarting Haman's plan, but unfortunately, over two millennia later when Hitler's genocidal intentions created the Holocaust, there was no Esther figure to intervene on behalf of the Jews. Many Jews had already returned to the Holy Land at the time of Haman; the Jews had to wait for Hitler's defeat to return again to the Holy Land.

June 03 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report