littleone
06-15-2007, 05:37 PM
The book of Esther is a book filled with a prophetic drama that much applies to us today, and to the "least of these my brothers" spoken about by Jesus in Matthew 25:40. Esther and her adoptive father (Modecai), who was her uncle are both from the tribe of "Benjamin". We see that after Vashti is replaced for "refusing" to come forward to King Ahasuerus when she was "called", that she was replaced by "Esther". (Esther chapters 1 and 2)
In chapter 3 though, we find something that should seem very disturbing to us.
(Esther 3: 1, 2) After these things King Aˇhasˇuˇe´rus magnified Ha´man the son of Hamˇmeˇda´tha the Ag´agˇite and proceeded to exalt him and to put his throne above all the other princes that were with him. 2 And all the king's servants that were in the king's gate were bowing low and prostrating themselves to Ha´man, for so the king had commanded respecting him. But as for Mor´deˇcai, he would neither bow low nor prostrate himself.
We learn that Haman the "Agagite" was exalted above all the other princes within the kingdom. He was put in this position by King Ahasuerus himself. But what was an "Agagite"? An Agagite was of the offspring of Amalek, an Amalekite of whom it was stated in Exodus 17: 14-16 - Jehovah now said to Moses: "Write this as a memorial in the book and propound it in Joshua's ears, 'I shall completely wipe out the remembrance of Am´aˇlek from under the heavens.'" 15 And Moses proceeded to build an altar and to call its name Jeˇho´vah-nis´si, 16 saying: "Because a hand is against the throne of Jah, Jehovah will have war with Am´aˇlek from generation to generation." Yes, it was afortime mentioned that Jehovah would war with Amalek from generation to generation. Why? Because "a hand is against the throne of Jah". But an Agagite was more than just an Amalekite, an Agagite was from the royal line of Amalekites. So in this prophetic drama, Haman no doubt represents Jehovah's adversary "Satan the devil", and those of "Satan's seed". Lets see if Haman will prove to thrust his hand out at Jah's throne...
So now Haman gets exalted. But what does he decide to do with his position?<a href="http://" target="_blank">
</a>(Esther 3: 5,6) Now Ha´man kept seeing that Mor´deˇcai was not bowing low and prostrating himself to him, and Ha´man became filled with rage. 6 But it was despicable in his eyes to lay hand upon Mor´deˇcai alone, for they had told him about Mor´deˇcai's people; and Ha´man began seeking to annihilate all the Jews who were in all the realm of Aˇhasˇuˇe´rus, Mor´deˇcai's people.
We now see Mordecai, Esther's uncle who has adopted her, not bowing to Haman. No doubt for Mordecai, he recognized Jehovah's judgment against the Amalekites and refused to bow to ANY Amalekite. So Haman seeing this, "became filled with rage". But the scripture explains to us that he didn't want to just kill Mordecai himself, but rather "to annihilate all the Jews who were in all the realm of Ahasuerus, Mordecai's people." Mordecai in this prophetic role no doubt represents our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It would be unthinkable for Jesus Christ to bow by way of submission to the adversary Satan the devil. But notice, Haman not only seeks to annihilate Mordecai himself, but all of Mordecai's people, the Jews. Who do these respresent? No doubt it represents Jesus Christ's anointed brothers. These ones are "spiritual Jews", who follow Jesus Christ no matter where he goes. So how does Haman decide he's going to attack Mordecai and his people?
(Esther 3: 7-15) In the first month, that is, the month Ni´san, in the twelfth year of King Aˇhasˇuˇe´rus, someone cast Pur, that is, the Lot, before Ha´man from day to day and from month to month, [to] the twelfth, that is, the month A´dar. 8 And Ha´man proceeded to say to King Aˇhasˇuˇe´rus: "There is one certain people scattered and separated among the peoples in all the jurisdictional districts of your realm; and their laws are different from all other people's, and the king's own laws they are not performing, and for the king it is not appropriate to let them alone. 9 If to the king it does seem good, let there be a writing that they be destroyed; and ten thousand silver talents I shall pay into the hands of those doing the work by bringing [it] into the king's treasury."
10 At that the king removed his signet ring from his own hand and gave it to Ha´man the son of Hamˇmeˇda´tha the Ag´agˇite, the one showing hostility to the Jews. 11And the king went on to say to Ha´man: "The silver is given to you, also the people, to do with them according to what is good in your own eyes." 12 The king's secretaries were then called in the first month on the thirteenth day of it, and writing went on according to all that Ha´man commanded the king's satraps and the governors who were over the different jurisdictional districts, and the princes of the different peoples, of each jurisdictional district, in its own style of writing, and each people in its own tongue; in the name of King Aˇhasˇuˇe´rus it was written and it was sealed with the king's signet ring.
13 And there was a sending of the letters by means of couriers to all the king's jurisdictional districts, to annihilate, to kill and to destroy all the Jews, young man as well as old man, little ones and women, on one day, on the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, that is, the month A´dar, and to plunder the spoil of them. 14 A copy of the writing to be given as law in all the different jurisdictional districts was being published to all the peoples, [for them] to become ready for this day. 15 The couriers themselves went out, being moved to speed because of the king's word, and the law itself was given in Shu´shan the castle. As for the king and Ha´man, they sat down to drink; but as for the city of Shu´shan, it was in confusion."
Haman is given the OK by the King to write up a law and publish it throughout all the Kingdom in the King's name! A law that is designed to annihilate the Jews! Do we see the fulfillment of this prophecy today? Yes we do. Throughout the pages of the Watchtower, we see that it is unlawful for one to claim he or she is one of Christ's brothers. Haman's law is designed to "annihilate and destroy" the Jews. We see such things as:
- No new anointed since 1935 - Yes, Haman's law closed up the kingdom of the heavens for all those of Jehovah's people that claim to be of the anointed after the year of 1935. Nowadays, one who partakes of the memorial emblems is looked upon with reproach for doing so. Those of the congregations look at such individuals as "spiritually weak", or as having mental problems. In their eyes it is unthinkable for Jehovah to choose a "new" convert, rather they believe that Jehovah will only choose someone who has been in the faith for a long time. This however goes against the scriptures. This in effect, this makes it unlawful for the existance of "new" anointed, thus designed to kill such ones at their spiritual birth.
- Putting the honor of Jehovah's organization over the honor of Jesus Christ and of Jehovah himself. These various teachings are designed to mislead Jehovah's people into worshipping the organization rather than worshipping Jehovah himself. Furthermore, it is designed to put the organization as "head of every man", rather than submitting to the headship of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. By honoring an organization over their Lord and master Jesus Christ, Christ's brothers would be commiting Idolatry. Therefore this law of Haman's is designed to annihilate those Christ's brothers because they themselves cannot bow to an idol, nor can they partake in such teachings. Just as in Daniel's day, the three Jews (Shadrach, Mishach, and Abednego) would not bow to Nebuchanezzar's idol, so too, these ones of Christ's brothers must refuse to submit to such teachings.
- It places upon the congregation a "governing body" as head. Contrary to the scriptures that says that the anointed should "feed" eachother and puts Christ Jesus as head and governor over the house of God, Haman's law sets up a "governing body" that acts as head and governor over Jehovah's people. Even the term "governing body" should be a reproach amongst Jehovah's people, as we have come to learn that we have ONE GOVERNOR, Jesus Christ, who acts as governor over Jehovah's people. Christ's brothers are told that they should not "lord it" over their fellow brother. They are taught that they will not rule as "kings and priests" before the coming of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus' true brothers cannot allow themselves to submit to such an arrangement, because by doing so, they would replace Jesus' headship over themselves, and accept someone else's headship. This would spiritually kill them
Haman's law consists of many other things that are designed to "annihilate the jews". But what happens? The book of Esther tells us that after Haman's law went forward, that Mordecai himself wept and put on sackcloth. But after he himself wept, it says:
(Esther 4:3) And in all the different jurisdictional districts, wherever the king's word and his law were reaching, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting and weeping and wailing. Sackcloth and ashes themselves came to be spread out as a couch for many.
Today we are seeing the fulfillment of this prophecy. For not only the Jews (spiritual Jews) themselves are wailing, but most who are gathered at this site are wailing because of Haman's law.
But there is hope! Lets see what happens:
(Esther 4: 12-17) And they proceeded to tell Mor´deˇcai the words of Esther. 13Then Mor´deˇcai said to reply to Esther: "Do not imagine within your own soul that the king's household will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you are altogether silent at this time, relief and deliverance themselves will stand up for the Jews from another place; but as for you and your father's house, YOU people will perish. And who is there knowing whether it is for a time like this that you have attained to royal dignity?"
15 Accordingly Esther said to reply to Mor´deˇcai: 16 "Go, gather all the Jews that are to be found in Shu´shan and fast in my behalf and neither eat nor drink for three days, night and day. I too with my young women, I shall fast likewise, and upon that I shall come in to the king, which is not according to the law; and in case I must perish, I must perish." 17 At this Mor´deˇcai passed along and proceeded to do according to all that Esther had laid in command upon him.
There was a plan! Esther herself would come before the King to bear witness about Haman's law, and seek deliverance for the Jews. As a matter of fact, we find out in later on that this is infact why Esther has attained to royal dignity. Yes, this is why this Esther class of spiritual Benjaminites has attained their calling. But there is a problem. Esther must come in before the King against law. Yes, these are trying times for those of the Esther class (Benjamin Class), as they must come before the King against law. Vashti had the chance to come before the King when it was lawful. As a matter of fact she was "called" by the King but refused to obey. In this case, Esther finds herself against the odds... she must appear before the King when it is "not according to the law." So too, it is now unlawful for one to claim they are one of Christ's brothers within the congregations. To "dress themselves royally" and to put on the "royal headress" and come in before the King will prove to be VERY difficult.
This is also where another prophetic drama takes place. That of which happens with the drama of the 10 brothers that go down to Egypt to buy foodstuffs from Pharaoh. Without them knowing, Joseph their brother (Who represents Jesus Christ in this drama) is now in charge of the administration of food for the entire nation. When the brothers sit down to eat, Joseph administers to Benjamin a five fold amount of food, as compared to his other brothers. (Genesis 43) No wonder these spiritual Benjaminites need a five fold measure of food... because they are the ones that must come into the inner courtyard while it is "not according to the law". In order for them to dress themselves up royally and put on the "royal headress" and come in before the King, they will need alot of help. This dressing up royally represents them identifying themselves as one of Christ's brothers. But not just by saying "I'm one of the anointed". They dress themselves up by using provisions within the scriptures by giving prophetic application to them. Yes, in a five fold measure. They also put on the "royal headress" of submission to their Lord and Master Jesus Christ, by teaching his commandments, and by upholding his commandments.
Will the Esther (Benjamin) class come forward, and dress themselves up royally and stand before the King to undo Haman's law? The scriptures say so. May Jehovah extend his loving kindness and mercy to all those of the Esther class who come forward to expose Haman during these difficult times.
In chapter 3 though, we find something that should seem very disturbing to us.
(Esther 3: 1, 2) After these things King Aˇhasˇuˇe´rus magnified Ha´man the son of Hamˇmeˇda´tha the Ag´agˇite and proceeded to exalt him and to put his throne above all the other princes that were with him. 2 And all the king's servants that were in the king's gate were bowing low and prostrating themselves to Ha´man, for so the king had commanded respecting him. But as for Mor´deˇcai, he would neither bow low nor prostrate himself.
We learn that Haman the "Agagite" was exalted above all the other princes within the kingdom. He was put in this position by King Ahasuerus himself. But what was an "Agagite"? An Agagite was of the offspring of Amalek, an Amalekite of whom it was stated in Exodus 17: 14-16 - Jehovah now said to Moses: "Write this as a memorial in the book and propound it in Joshua's ears, 'I shall completely wipe out the remembrance of Am´aˇlek from under the heavens.'" 15 And Moses proceeded to build an altar and to call its name Jeˇho´vah-nis´si, 16 saying: "Because a hand is against the throne of Jah, Jehovah will have war with Am´aˇlek from generation to generation." Yes, it was afortime mentioned that Jehovah would war with Amalek from generation to generation. Why? Because "a hand is against the throne of Jah". But an Agagite was more than just an Amalekite, an Agagite was from the royal line of Amalekites. So in this prophetic drama, Haman no doubt represents Jehovah's adversary "Satan the devil", and those of "Satan's seed". Lets see if Haman will prove to thrust his hand out at Jah's throne...
So now Haman gets exalted. But what does he decide to do with his position?<a href="http://" target="_blank">
</a>(Esther 3: 5,6) Now Ha´man kept seeing that Mor´deˇcai was not bowing low and prostrating himself to him, and Ha´man became filled with rage. 6 But it was despicable in his eyes to lay hand upon Mor´deˇcai alone, for they had told him about Mor´deˇcai's people; and Ha´man began seeking to annihilate all the Jews who were in all the realm of Aˇhasˇuˇe´rus, Mor´deˇcai's people.
We now see Mordecai, Esther's uncle who has adopted her, not bowing to Haman. No doubt for Mordecai, he recognized Jehovah's judgment against the Amalekites and refused to bow to ANY Amalekite. So Haman seeing this, "became filled with rage". But the scripture explains to us that he didn't want to just kill Mordecai himself, but rather "to annihilate all the Jews who were in all the realm of Ahasuerus, Mordecai's people." Mordecai in this prophetic role no doubt represents our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It would be unthinkable for Jesus Christ to bow by way of submission to the adversary Satan the devil. But notice, Haman not only seeks to annihilate Mordecai himself, but all of Mordecai's people, the Jews. Who do these respresent? No doubt it represents Jesus Christ's anointed brothers. These ones are "spiritual Jews", who follow Jesus Christ no matter where he goes. So how does Haman decide he's going to attack Mordecai and his people?
(Esther 3: 7-15) In the first month, that is, the month Ni´san, in the twelfth year of King Aˇhasˇuˇe´rus, someone cast Pur, that is, the Lot, before Ha´man from day to day and from month to month, [to] the twelfth, that is, the month A´dar. 8 And Ha´man proceeded to say to King Aˇhasˇuˇe´rus: "There is one certain people scattered and separated among the peoples in all the jurisdictional districts of your realm; and their laws are different from all other people's, and the king's own laws they are not performing, and for the king it is not appropriate to let them alone. 9 If to the king it does seem good, let there be a writing that they be destroyed; and ten thousand silver talents I shall pay into the hands of those doing the work by bringing [it] into the king's treasury."
10 At that the king removed his signet ring from his own hand and gave it to Ha´man the son of Hamˇmeˇda´tha the Ag´agˇite, the one showing hostility to the Jews. 11And the king went on to say to Ha´man: "The silver is given to you, also the people, to do with them according to what is good in your own eyes." 12 The king's secretaries were then called in the first month on the thirteenth day of it, and writing went on according to all that Ha´man commanded the king's satraps and the governors who were over the different jurisdictional districts, and the princes of the different peoples, of each jurisdictional district, in its own style of writing, and each people in its own tongue; in the name of King Aˇhasˇuˇe´rus it was written and it was sealed with the king's signet ring.
13 And there was a sending of the letters by means of couriers to all the king's jurisdictional districts, to annihilate, to kill and to destroy all the Jews, young man as well as old man, little ones and women, on one day, on the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, that is, the month A´dar, and to plunder the spoil of them. 14 A copy of the writing to be given as law in all the different jurisdictional districts was being published to all the peoples, [for them] to become ready for this day. 15 The couriers themselves went out, being moved to speed because of the king's word, and the law itself was given in Shu´shan the castle. As for the king and Ha´man, they sat down to drink; but as for the city of Shu´shan, it was in confusion."
Haman is given the OK by the King to write up a law and publish it throughout all the Kingdom in the King's name! A law that is designed to annihilate the Jews! Do we see the fulfillment of this prophecy today? Yes we do. Throughout the pages of the Watchtower, we see that it is unlawful for one to claim he or she is one of Christ's brothers. Haman's law is designed to "annihilate and destroy" the Jews. We see such things as:
- No new anointed since 1935 - Yes, Haman's law closed up the kingdom of the heavens for all those of Jehovah's people that claim to be of the anointed after the year of 1935. Nowadays, one who partakes of the memorial emblems is looked upon with reproach for doing so. Those of the congregations look at such individuals as "spiritually weak", or as having mental problems. In their eyes it is unthinkable for Jehovah to choose a "new" convert, rather they believe that Jehovah will only choose someone who has been in the faith for a long time. This however goes against the scriptures. This in effect, this makes it unlawful for the existance of "new" anointed, thus designed to kill such ones at their spiritual birth.
- Putting the honor of Jehovah's organization over the honor of Jesus Christ and of Jehovah himself. These various teachings are designed to mislead Jehovah's people into worshipping the organization rather than worshipping Jehovah himself. Furthermore, it is designed to put the organization as "head of every man", rather than submitting to the headship of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. By honoring an organization over their Lord and master Jesus Christ, Christ's brothers would be commiting Idolatry. Therefore this law of Haman's is designed to annihilate those Christ's brothers because they themselves cannot bow to an idol, nor can they partake in such teachings. Just as in Daniel's day, the three Jews (Shadrach, Mishach, and Abednego) would not bow to Nebuchanezzar's idol, so too, these ones of Christ's brothers must refuse to submit to such teachings.
- It places upon the congregation a "governing body" as head. Contrary to the scriptures that says that the anointed should "feed" eachother and puts Christ Jesus as head and governor over the house of God, Haman's law sets up a "governing body" that acts as head and governor over Jehovah's people. Even the term "governing body" should be a reproach amongst Jehovah's people, as we have come to learn that we have ONE GOVERNOR, Jesus Christ, who acts as governor over Jehovah's people. Christ's brothers are told that they should not "lord it" over their fellow brother. They are taught that they will not rule as "kings and priests" before the coming of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus' true brothers cannot allow themselves to submit to such an arrangement, because by doing so, they would replace Jesus' headship over themselves, and accept someone else's headship. This would spiritually kill them
Haman's law consists of many other things that are designed to "annihilate the jews". But what happens? The book of Esther tells us that after Haman's law went forward, that Mordecai himself wept and put on sackcloth. But after he himself wept, it says:
(Esther 4:3) And in all the different jurisdictional districts, wherever the king's word and his law were reaching, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting and weeping and wailing. Sackcloth and ashes themselves came to be spread out as a couch for many.
Today we are seeing the fulfillment of this prophecy. For not only the Jews (spiritual Jews) themselves are wailing, but most who are gathered at this site are wailing because of Haman's law.
But there is hope! Lets see what happens:
(Esther 4: 12-17) And they proceeded to tell Mor´deˇcai the words of Esther. 13Then Mor´deˇcai said to reply to Esther: "Do not imagine within your own soul that the king's household will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you are altogether silent at this time, relief and deliverance themselves will stand up for the Jews from another place; but as for you and your father's house, YOU people will perish. And who is there knowing whether it is for a time like this that you have attained to royal dignity?"
15 Accordingly Esther said to reply to Mor´deˇcai: 16 "Go, gather all the Jews that are to be found in Shu´shan and fast in my behalf and neither eat nor drink for three days, night and day. I too with my young women, I shall fast likewise, and upon that I shall come in to the king, which is not according to the law; and in case I must perish, I must perish." 17 At this Mor´deˇcai passed along and proceeded to do according to all that Esther had laid in command upon him.
There was a plan! Esther herself would come before the King to bear witness about Haman's law, and seek deliverance for the Jews. As a matter of fact, we find out in later on that this is infact why Esther has attained to royal dignity. Yes, this is why this Esther class of spiritual Benjaminites has attained their calling. But there is a problem. Esther must come in before the King against law. Yes, these are trying times for those of the Esther class (Benjamin Class), as they must come before the King against law. Vashti had the chance to come before the King when it was lawful. As a matter of fact she was "called" by the King but refused to obey. In this case, Esther finds herself against the odds... she must appear before the King when it is "not according to the law." So too, it is now unlawful for one to claim they are one of Christ's brothers within the congregations. To "dress themselves royally" and to put on the "royal headress" and come in before the King will prove to be VERY difficult.
This is also where another prophetic drama takes place. That of which happens with the drama of the 10 brothers that go down to Egypt to buy foodstuffs from Pharaoh. Without them knowing, Joseph their brother (Who represents Jesus Christ in this drama) is now in charge of the administration of food for the entire nation. When the brothers sit down to eat, Joseph administers to Benjamin a five fold amount of food, as compared to his other brothers. (Genesis 43) No wonder these spiritual Benjaminites need a five fold measure of food... because they are the ones that must come into the inner courtyard while it is "not according to the law". In order for them to dress themselves up royally and put on the "royal headress" and come in before the King, they will need alot of help. This dressing up royally represents them identifying themselves as one of Christ's brothers. But not just by saying "I'm one of the anointed". They dress themselves up by using provisions within the scriptures by giving prophetic application to them. Yes, in a five fold measure. They also put on the "royal headress" of submission to their Lord and Master Jesus Christ, by teaching his commandments, and by upholding his commandments.
Will the Esther (Benjamin) class come forward, and dress themselves up royally and stand before the King to undo Haman's law? The scriptures say so. May Jehovah extend his loving kindness and mercy to all those of the Esther class who come forward to expose Haman during these difficult times.