Esther 1:1-9

Esther 1:1

(with Philippians 4:5)

I. The book of Esther is to be held in everlasting remembrance, if only as showing to all ages and to all peoples how much the heavenly love and care concern themselves with those who themselves have no care to keep God's commandments, and no thought of the care and love that are concerned about them. The shepherd watches and seeks the sheep, and throws around them, unseen, protections all through the wilderness where they wander.

II. The feast of Ahasuerus was a wonderful scene. There is nothing morally great about it. There never can be about mere feasting, and splendour, and eating and drinking, and outward show. Neither, so far as we can see, is there anything morally wrong in this, at least when kept in due moderation. It was kept in moderation in this instance. There is the most prodigal abundance, and yet there is a royal wisdom in the dispensation of it. For we read that "the drinking was according to the law," and that law means "no compulsion." If we embody, the principle of moderation in our life, and walk by faith, and not by sight, then, and only then, we surmount the poor pageant in which outwardly we are moving figures; then, and only then, we cast anchor within the veil, and lay up treasure where it can never be lost.

A. Raleigh, Penny Pulpit,No. 614.

References: Esther 1:1. A. Raleigh, Book of Esther,p. 1.Esther 1:1. A. D. Davidson, Lectures on Esther,p. 9. Esther 1:10. A. Raleigh, Book of Esther,p. 24.Esther 1:13. A. D. Davidson, Lectures on Esther,p. 29. Esther 2:1. Ibid.,p. 49. Esther 2:1. A. Raleigh, Book of Esther,p. 48. Esther 2:5. A. D. Davidson, Lectures on Esther,p. 67. Esther 2:21 -iii. 1-5. Ibid.,p. 89. Esther 3:6. Ibid.,p. 108. Esther 3:12 -iv. 1-9. Ibid.,p. 128. 3 A. Raleigh, Book of Esther,p. 69. Esther 4:10. A. D. Davidson, Lectures on Esther,p. 149. Esther 4:13 Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxx, No. 1777. Esther 4:14. Bishop Woodford, Occasional Sermons,vol. ii., p. 55; G. Brooks, Outlines of Sermons,p. 285; E. Monro, Practical Sermons,vol. iii., p. 245. 4 A. Raleigh, Book of Esther,p. 88. Esther 5:1. A. D. Davidson, Lectures on Esther,p. 171.Esther 5:6. J. Jackson Wray, Light from the Old Lamp,p. 160. Esther 5:9. A. D. Davidson, Lectures on Esther,p. 192.Esther 5:13. Preacher's Monthly,vol. v., p. 369; M. Nicholson, Communion with Heaven,p. 242. 5 A. Raleigh, Booh of Esther,p. 106.