Matthew - Introduction

Matthew is the first gospel that appears in the New Testament. It is very comprehensive, giving a pretty full account of the birth of Jesus (Luke giving somewhat more information), and covering, of course, the cross and resurrection. It includes the Sermon on the Mount. Perhaps its main feature is that one of its aims is to demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah promised in the Old Testament, and it was possibly aimed at Jewish Christians. It was probably written by Matthew the apostle. T is one of the synoptic gospels, some believe it used Mark as source material, along with the supposed source Q (a collection of Jesus’ sayings, though its existence has not been proved. Date for the gospel range from  the 650s and 60s to the 70s, though no one really knows. The gospel was written in Greek, and includes numerous references to the Old Testament, commensurate with his purpose.There are various ways of looking at Matthew, but many take five main discourses of Jesus as the framework. So we have:

Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7)

Commissioning of the apostles (chapter 10)

Kingdom parables (chapter 13)

Kingdom life (chapter 18)

The olivet discourse (chapters 24,25)

While writing these notes I am reading the following commentary:

TNTC commentary on Matthew - Rt T France, IVP (2015)

Esther 9 & 10 - Remembering

9:20

Mordecai saw this as a great time for rejoicing in how God has saved them.  Haman had sought to destroy the Jews, but had failed utterly. The people were to remember what God had done for them. One of the great dangers is that we forget what God has done for us. Remembering what He has done is vital for having a right relationship with Him. Esther cooperated with Mordecai in establishing this as a key time of celebration.

10:1-3

King Xerxes also remembered and honoured Mordecau, his acts were written in the official records, he was held in high esteem.

Esther Chapter 9 - Tables turned

9:1-4

In response to Esther’s request the king’s edict was carried out. On the day when the enemies of the Jews had hoped to attack them, it was they who became the victims. They were attacked by the Jews. The nobles, satraps and governors helped the Jews. Mordecai also became more powerful.

9:5-19

Many people were killed by the Jews. Now we might have an element of revulsion about this, but the key point is that Satan’s plan was turned completely around.  It is dangerous to attack Israel, for God will act on their behalf. At times He will judge them, as he did with Assyria and Babylon, but God always wants to bring them back to himself. The king reported the news to Esther and invited her to make another request; she asked for the Jews in Susa to be allowed to repeat their actions. This request was granted. There is emphasis on the fact that the Jews did not lay their hands on the plunder. After the killing they had a day of feasting and joy.

Esther 8 - Freedom for the Jews

8:1-17

Haman’s plans and work were completely undone and reversed, just as one day Satan’s plans will all be undone.The king gave Haman’s estate to Esther. Mordecai was also honoured. Esther’s prime concern was for the well being of the Jews, and this too was granted. So the Jews were allowed to protect themselves against anyone who might try to attack them. 

The edict was sent throughout the land and there was great rejoicing among the Jews. “And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them,

Esther 7 - Haman gets his just deserts

7:1-10

So the king and Haman went to Esther’s banquet. During the banquet the king asked Esther what her request was. She asked for her people to be spared, talking about the edict to kill all the Jews. The king wanted to know who had issued such an edict. Esther revealed that it was Haman. The king was angry and Haman was afraid, knowing where all this was going to lead, he pleaded with Esther for mercy. This just made the king even angrier. So Haman ended up being impaled on the gallows he had set up for Mordecai, so Haman was killed.

Esther 6:1-14 - Mordecai is honoured

6:1-14

God was working in the situation. The king could not sleep and decided to read the book of the chronicles. There he read about how Mordecai had exposed a plot to kill the king, and then found out that nothing had been done to reward Mordecai. Haman happened to be around and the king called him in to ask how a man who the king wants to honour should be honoured. Haman thought the king was talking about him. Pride distorts our thinking. So Haaman answered thinking that he was choosing a reward for himself. The king then tells Haman to do all these things for Mordecai. Haman followed these orders. However he was distraught and went home and told his wife and friends what had happened. His advisors and wife warned him against doing anything stupid, for it was futile to oppose the Jews. 

Esther 6 - Haman gets angry

5:1-8

So Esther went to see the king. He was pleased to see her, and asked what her request was, indicating that he would be willing to grant it. She did not ask directly for the Jews to be saved, but to have a banquet, and that Haman should be there. The king was agreeable. So the banquet went ahead, the king knew that Esther the banquet was not the real request. She said she would make known her “real” request at the banquet,

5:9-14

Haman was happy, but this changed when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate. As usual Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, but Haman restrained his anger. He felt honoured to be invited to the king’s banquet, and boasted about it to his family and friends, he also vented his anger about Mordecai. His wife urged him to set up an enormous gallows for Mordecai. Haman was pleased with the suggestion.