People: army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, in Carchemish,
the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians,
that handle [and] bend the bow. Also, it appears the remnant of Jews in Egypt
thou daughter dwelling in Egypt
The Enemy's People & Leaders
Leader:Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon
People: Babylon, the Babylonian Army
Object of the Battle
To fight and defend against the monumental army assembled by Nebuchanezzar of Babylon which was
sweeping the region and conquering all nations; placing them under the reign of Babylon.
x
Strategies of the Battle
Ordered [vs 4] to Arm and Enter into Battle
Ordered to prepare Horses and Horsemen
Armor ordered [4-6]
Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with [your] helmets; furbish the spears, [and] put on the brigandines. Jer 46:4
Place of the Battle
In Egypt, by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, the Army is gathered,
a call is to Tahpanes, Ethiopia, Libya, Noph and Migdol in the assembly of an Army
The battle occurs across Israel, but the North near Carmel and Gilead, but
Egypt must also defend itself. note12
Intelligence & Prophecy
There is a 'forecast' of the way things are to go, and the call for assembly and defense
is made by the God through the prophet Jeremiah.
x
Results of the Battle
As prophesied, Nebuchanezzar out of the North, takes Egypt as all of the
bordering defenses of Israel and Judah.
The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar
king of Babylon should come [and] smite the land of Egypt. 46:13
Egypt though mighty and armed is taken:
Egypt [is like] a very fair heifer, [but] destruction cometh; it cometh
out of the north. 46:20
Reward
Nebuchadnezzar overpowers and takes Egypt:
The cutting down of Egypt's forest by Nebuchadnezzar's armies is mentioned but it is not clear whether this refers metaphorically to the wasting of Egypt or a literal pillaging. Babylon always took spoil. 46:23 4
Spiritual Implications
God makes one concession to Egypt about its re-establishment:
And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek
their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon,
and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited,
as in the days of old, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 46:26
But His promises of restoration to His people are even greater: this is of course before the completion of Nebuchadnezzars sacking of Jerusalem. To the Jews he says,
But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from
the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and
at ease, and none shall make [him] afraid. Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I [am] with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished. Jer 46:27-28
Implications for Faith
Do not trust in worldly defense or alliances:even the greatest alliances David and Solomon make fell within a generation:
the remnant of Jews in Egypt could not depend on the force of Egypt and were cautioned to return to Israel.
An interesting note though is that the 'remnant' of Jews in Egypt are
called out of Egypt: the prophecy is about
Egypt but is focused on the Jewish remnant in Egypt at the time. (See e.g.
Jeremiah 46:11.19.)
Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter
of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; [for] thou shalt not be cured.
and if they did not O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity: for Noph
shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitan
But the reminder is that they will not be forsaken:
behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from
the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and
at ease, and none shall make [him] afraid.
Cross-references & Other Critical Facts
Note 1-Long before, under Solomon, alliances. strong alliances were made under his reign, with Egypt through
intermarriage. The pact was part of an international alliance of nations surrounding Israel which Solomon and others thought
would keep the unified kingdom strong and defensed. Within a generation it was gone and over the years of the divided Kingdom,
the International alliance of border nations fragmented into weak and unpredictable support, or even enmity: as with Edom and Libnah.
In this battle, the Jews are not directly involved, but are under the captivity in Daniel by Babylon. The Lord's people are the Jews, but the Medo-Persians come to favor them as much or more than Nebuchadnezzar's household.
Leader: (Medo-Persians)King Darius, at 62
People: Medo-Persian Armies
The Enemy's People & Leaders
Leader: Belshazzar, King of the Chaldeans, (Dan 5:30) descendant of Nebuchadnezzar (vs 5:18*); Nebuchadnezzar is still alive, but Belshazzar is apointed regent domestically while the King is elsewhere, presumably in battle.
People: Babylon
Object of the Battle
Darius' Objective is the overthrow of Babylon; God's objective is the furthering of Daniel in the Kingdom which
will hasten the return to Israel.
Strategies of the Battle
1.) Darius takes advantage of Belshazzar's carnal nature.
2.)Darius takes advantage of a weaker regent left in the stead of Nebuchadnezzar
3.)Darius and the Medo-Persians attack at Night
4.)Darius and the Medo-Persians attack by surprise when Babylon is neither prepared for or expecting battle.
5.)Darius takes the Palace.
Place of the Battle
At the Palace, where Belshazzar, the regent-son is engaged in a party.
Intelligence & Prophetic Wisdom
In Chapter 5 of Daniel, before the Kingdom is overthrown, Belshazzar is found wanting by a hand that appears writing on the wall writing the words "Mene Mene Tekel Parshin". Terrified but unable to read the prophetic writing, he
calls for the magicians and seers of the Chaldeans, who are unable to read it as well. His wife comes forward recommendingDaniel, known to his father Nebuchadnezzar for wisdom.
Results of the Battle
Darius Takes Babylon subduing Belshazzar, the regent King. Beginning of Darius' reign
Daniel first rejected reward for prophecy, though it was offered by Belshazzar
Belshazzar loses his life and the
Kingdom is divided
Reward
For Darius, reign oeer Babylon and the deposing of Nebuchadnezzar/Belshazzar
All the Spoils of the Palace and Kingdom
Daniel continues as advisor and becomes a friend to Darius, who subsequently
commands respect for Daniel's God.
4
Spiritual Implications
The Most Essential Issue here is the dealing and relationship of God
with the nations that hold HIs people captive. The first dealing, is with Nebuchadnezzar, who with brute force
becomes the first King to conquer Judah in centuries: his pride becomes so great that he fails, even as a heathen
King to see God and his providence in all things. When he comes to the belief that he has accomplished even the overthrow
of Jerusalem and the captivity of God's people along with the riches of his kingdom, the God of Heaven, the God of Daniel,
overthrows Nebuchadnezzar as no nation could: he drives him insane:
And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts,
and his dwelling [was] with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body
was wet with the dew of heaven; till
he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and [that] he appointeth over it
whomsoever he will. " Dan 5:21
In all of history, when a man, a shadow of anti-christ or all that opposes the Messiah in the world rises to power
in emulation and distortion of the truth, he usually rises in brutality to great power so as to overwhelm the saints
of God. In the battles described at the end of Daniel, the endtime anti-christ arises, the one with the darkened eye,
taken with the black arts, and he "wears down the saints"; deceiving "even the elect if that were possible". All
great worldly men who have sought world domination and come close to it have fallen into the same pattern: the Caesars,
Napoleon, Alexander the Great, and in modern times Hitler: at the point of greatest pride, they and their kingdoms fall.
Nebuchadnezzar falls prey here to his pride and is driven out as the basest of creatures. Likewise, failing to learn from
the mistakes of his forerunner, Belshazzar is lifted up in the pride of carnality: this ruling family becomes so comfortable
in their riches and conquests that they fail to keep a watch on the walls thinking none can touch them. It is in the midst
of the carnal party of Belshazzar, that God's hand appears notifying Belshazzar of his inadequacies, and before the night
is over, the King is terrified, the Kingdom is taken by the Medo Persians by Darius and Belshazzar is put to death. The
two or three Babylonian Kings (the second is not dealt with in scripture) lose their kingdom as their captives pray.
What happens next is providential: Darius and Cyrus come to reign the Kingdom, and rather than merely coming to favor
Daniel, Darius appoints him as a president over many, and later Cyrus gives the command via Nehemiah to the Great Return of
the Jews to Israel. More significant though, is their acknowledgement and respect of the God of Israel, even as with
Darius in the form of a later decree, is unlike most other world rulers: the favor of the King, the granting of passage back
to Israel is totally of the LORD: it could never have happened otherwise. Just as with Moses, God turned Pharaoh's heart
against the Jews, here God turns the heart of Darius and Cyrus towards the Jews through Daniel, Nehemiah, Ezra, Esther,
and Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego: those of excellent spirit who "prove" their God's reality and power to these Kings
by their "excellence in Spirit": their demeanor is more honorable than others, their visions and interpretations are true
are true, the lions' mouths are stopped, the fiery furnace does not consume them: these pagan Kings were more impressed with
the power of God than pre-captivity Israel, and gained favor with God, and in turn did God's will, returning the Jews
to their Land of Covenant.
Implications for Faith
The implications are easily discernable and include such standard lessons as:
The World and God do not mix well: friendship with the world is enmity with God
One King gave himself over to power and hubris, the other to carnality: both crowded out God completely, though
they could not escape His presence in Daniel.
The acknowledgement and declaration that God is God brought favor and power to Darius and Cyrus, who in turn,
did His will, aware or unaware. However, neither notably became Jews. Salvation follows a like pattern: one can see
what God is like, study His Word, feel the grace and power of God, yet unless there is surrender and committment in belief,
one still remains without salvation. When utter salvation occurs, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell WITHIN, not merely
BESIDE. This is lesson for tares: the ones who go to church, believe generically in God and His Power, but somehow know
without acknowledging it , that they have never made a real surrender and exchange in full belief. These cause more trouble
sometimes for believers than unbelievers, because they emulate so closely the true, but are not: they are identified by
long term carnality, hubris, condemnation of others, and a desire to control: they are bringing down the Christian Church.
The undying sovereignty of God: without this change in the rule over Babylon, Mordecai and Esther would not have risen
to power, Nehemiah might not have been the favored cupbearer, and the Return might been delayed or not have occurred.
The perfect web of God is so carefully interwoven, that one strand out of place, can cause severity in life's equilibrium
and the plan of God, although God will rectify it. Equilibrium and balance is brought about through obedience.
Cross-references & Other Critical Facts
NOTE-the word 'father' here is listed in the sense of the Old
Testament, where a 'father' could mean a male
ancestor in line such as a natural father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather etc.
People: The Children of Israel in Babylonian Captivity
The officials of Ahasuerus' kingdom:
And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. (Esther 9:3)
The Enemy's People & Leaders
Leader: Haman, the Agagite, son of Hammedetha(sp)
Ahazuerus, but only indirectly: His command which cannot be changed leads to the attack on
the Jews at the request of Haman, but his second edict at Esther's request leads to their defense.
People: Haman's Sons:Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha The Anti-Semites of The Medo-Persian Empire
Object of the Battle
Haman, the enemy of the Jews is incensed because Mordecai, whom he sought to destroy (not realizing his relationship to Esther the Queen), is given honor by the King instead of him. He builds a
gallows for Mordecai to hang on. The objective for Haman is the destruction of the Jews and Mordecai. His
first plan is thwarted, and he offers the King a large sum of money to write an edict allowing war against the Jews in captivity.
The Objective of the Jews and Mordecai is self defense. Through prayer, fasting and the sacrifice of
Esther the King grants a counter order, which can also not be changed allowing the Jews to "Stand for their lives" and arm themselves in defense, allowing the killing of Babylonian citizens who chose to obey the first order.note 1
x
Strategies of the Battle
Major Strategy:
For the actual day of conflict, in which Medo-Persians could raise up arms against Jews, and Jews could counteract by arming themselves to defeat their enemies, the main
"strategy" was 1)Seeking the King's order and 2)arming themselves. Preparation was the better part of valor: they had a few advantages in that a)the King was on their side, b)
the fear of the Jews was instilled in the populace before hand, and c)they were armed and ready. While many rose up against them in the whole Empire strategy note; far more did not. Even in captivity, armed, they are seen as a different nation.
Minor Strategy:
The minor strategies were significant and mostly sovereign: God strategically placed Esther and Mordecai in places
in the Kingdom of Ahazuerus which gave them enormous favor: Mordecai saves the kings life. The king is reminded of it
at an important time. Esther's gentle character earns favor among those sought for Vashti's replacement and so on.
The strategic placement of these two key characters meant the survival of the Jews, just as had Moses and Joseph centuries
before. Without these sovereign events beforehand, the Jews of captivity would have perished and the line of Messiah broken.
Place of the Battle
twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day (Esther 9:1) the Jews
gathered in all the cities and provinces ruled by Ahasuerus, from India to Ethiopia. In other words
in every city of the Medo-Persian Empire.
Shushan , the Palace, also.
Intelligence
The "intelligence" leading up to the Conflict takes place some time before, but smaller
incidents lead to the events in this book of the sovereign workings of God.
The first is Mordecai overhears the enemies of the King, plotting against the King to assasinate him.
-In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 2:21
-And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
This first point of 'intelligence' is by Mordecai, relayed to the King via Esther, when he overhears a plot
to kill the king. Bigthana and Teresh are executed on the gallows, and the King's life is saved. The incident
later becomes a royal incentive to honor Mordecai, and an incindiery event causing Haman to offer a large portion of his wealth to kill the Jews, when Mordecai receives the honor Haman thought was his, and when Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman.
A second point of inte
Results of the Battle
The Death of Haman: Haman hung on his own gallows
The death of Haman's Sons (see above): hung by the request of Esther, given a second order from
Ahasuerus.
In the palace the Jews slay 500 men including the sons of Haman.
300 others killed in Shusan
The Jews on the Day of Confrontation kill 75.000 [Total listed:75,800]
Victory for the Jews:
Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them." 9:5
Reward-Spoil
The Jews had Rest from their enemies- Esther 9:16
In the Province and in Shushan, deliberately, no spoil was taken.
-but on the prey they laid not their hand. vs15
-but they laid not their hands on the prey, Esther 9:16.
Spiritual Implications
Sovereignty of God-In a book which does not even mention the word "God" his presence with his people is replete:
He is ever with the Jews, even in Captivity.
One of the most interesting aspects of this conflict is a replaying or continuation whether in metaphor or reality of a former unresolved conflict based upon a lack of obedience of King Saul. Mordecai, like Saul, is a Benjamite, of the house of Kish. Saul at
one point encounters and is instructed to slay Agag, a King. (see I Samuel 14) Saul vs Agag, the Amalekite, is a war between two
Kings: one a King of Israel and one a Pagan King. God through Samuel commands Saul to completely annihilate the Amalekites ands
take down Agag, a brutal King. Saul, consummate in partial obedience or outright disobedience, though, leaves Agag alive and
Samuel takes care of the call, but Saul , though he goes on for years still in office, loses the anointing and appointing.
Just as obedience can cause ripples in the pond of Israeli history for centuries, so can disobedience. The Amalekites for
centuries trouble Israel. Centuries later, a man in Saul's line, Mordecai becomes an unlikely King of Israel in captivity,
facing his opponent, an Amalekite from the line of Agag who again, seeks to destroy the Jews. This time though intensive prayer
and fasting of a nation in captivity, the surrender unto death of a Jewish Queen, and the bravery and character of Mordecai who
will not bow, not only are the Jews saved in a final victory over an age old battle, but the kingdom is restored. What a beautiful
type and shadow of another age in which the complete surrender of a Jewish mother results in a Jewish King, who conquers the
greatest enemy of the Jews: sin and death, and restores the Kingdom for all time.
Implications for Faith
One of the greatest implications for faith in the story of Esther's sovereign protection of the Jews, is the power of
Prayer and Belief in Israel. Scripture records in Psalms that the Lord "inhabits the praises of His people"--in the history
of Israel He has always drawn near and intervened for His people when they repent, draw near, and supplicate Him for his
tenderlovingkindness and mercy. The prayer of Israel and repentance of Israel brings about more change in the history of
Israel than any action of a King, a Sanhedrin, or any other event or person. In the early battles of Israel, the phenomenal
victories such as Gideon against the Midianites, or in battles against the Canaanites, the great prayer of Israel brought
enormous victories that in the course of worldly events, would have never taken place. Three hundred men sent tens of thousands
of Midianites running in fear; so did no men, but a misperceived 'sound' send the Assyrians fleeing from Israel in the days
of the famine. In Esther, the supplication of a people brought about the salvation of the Jews in captivity: a people who
had no power, no weapons, no rights, but who had the God of Heaven to turn to. How awesome it would be today to bring about
the same realization of Israel or our own nation, in wartime or peacetime, if in trouble and turmoil, there was a great call
to fasting and prayer. God is the same God yesterday, today and tomorrow and He will wrought the same victories when His
people humble themselves in true contrition.
And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, [there was] great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4:3
Cross-references & Other Critical Facts
1-Note: The Medo-Persians had not merely as policy but as law, the irrevocable nature of
the King's command. This meant that even if evidence of innocence to the contrary of a ruling came up, even
the King himself could not overrule his own edicts and orders. This is seen when Darius must stand by and watch
Daniel, his friend and confidant, be thrown in the lion's den for worshipping the God of Israel, according to
the an ill-considered requested law. Here, Esther is the one requesting a second counter-command which also cannot be changed. The war against the Jews could not be changed, but neither could the order allowing Jews
to pick up arms and defend themselves. Esther risks her life to obtain this second command. An interesting note: in both cases, the foreign, pagan Kings were so taken with the faith and demeanor of these 'certain Jews':
Mordecai, Esther and Daniel, that while they had to allow their own orders to prevail, they did not participate in them or agree to them: even the Kings could not overrule their own orders, a precedent of 'infallibility ' not even met later in the Roman Church.
Strategy NOTE No exact figures are given about how many rose up against the Jews, but the whole Medo-Persian Empire and its governing officials were involved on one or the other side, even in Shushan in the Palace. This territory then covered India to Ethiopia. Also, since over 75,000 were slain by the Jews in self defense, there still must have been quite a number of anti-semitic "Hamanites" who rose up also..
