以斯帖記 緒論 & 第一章 Esther Intro & Chapter 1
- 馬克牧師
- May 12
- 8 min read
各位弟兄姊妹平安！我們最近要開始一起研讀《以斯帖記》這本非常有趣的書。
每次要分享一段聖經故事，我們都會先來了解一下當時的時空背景、故事發生的地點，還有人物角色。這樣我們才能更深入明白這段經文要傳達的是什麼。
嚴格來說，《以斯帖記》並不是一本標準的歷史書。雖然它的背景、像是波斯帝國的國王和書珊城（Susa）等都是歷史上真實存在的，但書中所描述的末底改、以斯帖，以及整個故事的情節，其實在歷史上並沒有明確的證據可以完全證實。不過，這樣的記載仍然非常有價值。
也因為這樣的背景，早期聖經正典在編輯的時候，曾經有爭議——這本書到底該不該被納入聖經？最後的共識是：這本書雖然沒有明確提到上帝，也看不到神直接的作為，但它傳遞了非常深刻的信息，尤其是在猶太人流亡異地的處境中，這段故事提供了極大的鼓舞和提醒。所以最後被收納在聖經的正典之中。
當時的猶太人因國破被擄，先後經歷了巴比倫和波斯的統治。他們身處在一個不信神的國度，被外邦的王所統治，《以斯帖記》告訴我們：即使不在自己的國家、看不見神明確的作為，神依然掌權，祂的旨意仍在進行。對於當時流亡異邦異國的猶太人來說是珍貴的提醒。就如今天的基督徒一樣，可能你所在的國家社會並非是尊敬上帝，敬拜上帝的政府，但你可以像是當年的猶太人一樣 – 依然敬畏上帝，並且相信上帝在這樣的屬世背景之下依然有祂的旨意運行著。
這本書的作者很可能是一位熟悉波斯文化的猶太人，也可能是一位歷史學家、學者，甚至是當時宮廷中的高官。在以色列亡國後，猶太人便開始積極整理歷史和舊約的文獻，為未來的信仰傳承打下基礎。
所以，我們不能因為這本書看起來缺少神蹟或沒有提到 “神” 這個詞，就覺得它不重要。反而，它讓我們看到：很多看似巧合的安排，其實背後都有神的心意。就算我們看不見祂，祂仍然又真又活，在掌管一切。
整個故事就像是一部架構在真實歷史背景上的歷史小說，裡面的人物可能有虛構的成分，但情節卻非常精彩，有啟發性，甚至帶點幽默感。所以我們可以抱著這樣的心態，輕鬆且認真地來讀這本書，看看它想對我們說些什麼。
我們來到《以斯帖記》的第一章。這一章一開始就提到了亞哈隨魯王，也就是歷史上的薛西斯王（Xerxes）。這個時期正是波斯帝國的鼎盛時期，而薛西斯正是當時著名的波斯君王之一。
他最為人所知的事蹟之一，就是遠征希臘。在他父親大流士一世在西元前490年於馬拉松戰役敗於希臘城邦，他就心心念念要復仇，想要征服希臘城邦，把希臘納入波斯帝國的版圖。如果你有聽過「斯巴達300壯士」這個故事，那你其實已經對這段歷史有印象了。這也是波希戰爭中很著名的一段 -發生在薛西斯時代的一場戰役——溫泉關之戰。
當時，波斯大軍橫跨愛琴海來到希臘，而在斯巴達這個城邦裡，斯巴達國王列奧尼達斯帶領了298名斯巴達勇士在溫泉關這個狹窄的山口英勇抵抗波斯的入侵，雖然最後還是不敵對方龐大的人數優勢，但這三百人為其他希臘城邦爭取到了重要的準備時間，並且讓波斯帝國的大軍銳氣嚴重受挫。這是一場300對上十萬波斯士兵的經典戰役，後來也被改編成電影《斯巴達300壯士》。
所以在我們讀《以斯帖記》的時候，不妨也把這些歷史背景放在心中。這不是單單一個關於宮廷的故事，它發生的時代充滿了動盪、戰爭與政治張力，而亞哈隨魯王——就是這位在國際上也頗有「知名度」的薛西斯王的時代背景。
從《以斯帖記》第一章開始，我們就看到故事設定裡，亞哈隨魯王是一位非常好大喜功的君王。開場就提到，他花了180天，也就是將近半年的時間，舉辦一場盛大的慶典，把自己的尊榮、財富、宮殿的輝煌，甚至所有的寶藏全部展現出來，給來自波斯帝國各地的首領、諸侯們看。
這樣的舉動，可能是為了炫耀他的帝國強大，他自己的尊榮和富足，也有可能是為了提振士氣，為即將遠征希臘的戰爭做準備。他想讓全國上下都看到波斯的強大，好讓大家在面對戰爭時有信心。從這裡我們也能看出故事中這位皇帝的性格——愛面子、衝動、甚至帶點昏庸的味道。
而這場慶典的高潮之一，就是王喝酒喝到正高興的時候，突然想要把他最「珍貴」的收藏——他的王后瓦實提，帶出來給大家看。他下令要王后戴著王冠出現在眾人面前，炫耀她的美貌。這個舉動不但失禮，也非常不合當時的體統。王后身為王室成員，是不該隨意出現在外人面前、更不用說成為眾目睽睽下的「展示品」。
瓦實提王后拒絕了王的命令，這看起來像是出於禮節、也是一種自尊的反應。但王喝醉了，誰勸也沒用，最後他視這為「抗旨」，事情就鬧大了。
當時波斯是一個由多民族、多文化組成的帝國，但主導地位還是以波斯人文化為主，家庭制度也偏向父權。而王后的「抗命」讓王的謀士們擔心——如果這件事傳開了，那全國的婦人可能都會「起而效尤」，開始不聽丈夫的話，造成整個社會秩序的混亂。
所以這些謀士就建議王廢掉瓦實提，並且另立新后，還要發出詔書宣布所有家庭都要「以丈夫為主」。這樣的決定，其實為接下來以斯帖進入宮廷、成為王后的劇情鋪設了背景，也成為整個故事的開端。
感謝各位的聆聽，第一章介紹完了故事的時空背景和為女主角設定了劇情原由，我們明天繼續看第二章的故事，以斯帖被立為皇后。願上帝祝福各位。
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, peace be with you!
We are about to begin studying the Book of Esther together—a book that is both fascinating and rich in meaning.
Whenever we study a passage from the Bible, it’s important that we first understand the historical and cultural context, the setting, and the key figures involved. This helps us better grasp what the Scriptures are trying to communicate.
Strictly speaking, the Book of Esther is not a typical history book. While its setting—including the Persian Empire, the king, and the city of Susa—is historically accurate, the details of the story, such as Mordecai, Esther, and many of the events, do not have solid historical confirmation. Even so, the message of the book remains profoundly valuable.
Because of this unique background, there was some debate among early church leaders about whether Esther should be included in the canon of Scripture. Ultimately, consensus was reached: although the book does not directly mention God or show explicit divine intervention, it powerfully conveys God’s providence—especially for the Jewish people living in exile. In the end, it was recognized as worthy of inclusion in the Bible.
The Jewish people at the time had been conquered and exiled, first by Babylon and then ruled by the Persian Empire. They were living in a foreign land, under a king who did not know or worship their God. Yet the Book of Esther reminds us: even when God seems invisible, even when His name is not mentioned, His will is still at work. For those exiled Jews, this was a crucial reminder. And for Christians today, living in societies that may not honor or worship God, this message still speaks: we can live like the faithful Jews of old—fearing God, trusting in His purposes, even in worldly systems.
The author of Esther was likely a Jew well-versed in Persian culture, possibly a historian, scholar, or even a royal official. After the fall of Israel, Jewish leaders worked diligently to preserve their history and Scriptures for the sake of future generations.
So we should not dismiss this book simply because it lacks overt miracles or the mention of God’s name. On the contrary, it reveals how what may seem like mere coincidences are often divine appointments. Even when we can’t see Him, God is still very much alive and in control.
The story reads almost like a historical novel—set in real history, filled with dramatic, even humorous, events, and characters who may or may not be based on real people. But its message is inspiring, insightful, and deeply meaningful. So let’s read it with both attentiveness and joy, open to what God may want to say to us through it.
We begin in chapter one of Esther, which introduces us to King Ahasuerus—known in history as King Xerxes. This was the golden age of the Persian Empire, and Xerxes was one of its most famous rulers.
One of the key events he is known for is his invasion of Greece. After his father Darius was defeated by the Greek city-states at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, Xerxes vowed to take revenge and complete what his father had started—to conquer Greece and bring it under Persian control.
If you’ve heard the story of the “300 Spartans,” you already know a part of this history. This dramatic episode took place during Xerxes’ reign and was one of the most famous battles in the Greco-Persian Wars: the Battle of Thermopylae.
In that battle, the massive Persian army crossed the Aegean Sea to invade Greece. At the narrow pass of Thermopylae, King Leonidas of Sparta and 298 Spartan warriors made a heroic stand against the invading forces. Though vastly outnumbered and ultimately defeated, their resistance gave other Greek city-states time to prepare and greatly diminished the morale of the Persian army. This 300-against-100,000 battle has become legendary—and was later adapted into the film 300.
So when we read Esther, it’s helpful to keep in mind that it takes place during this turbulent and politically charged time. It’s not just a palace drama—it unfolds in a world of warfare, empire, and shifting powers. And its king, Ahasuerus, is none other than the historically renowned Xerxes.
From the very first chapter, we see what kind of king Xerxes was. He loved grandeur and extravagance. He held a lavish celebration that lasted 180 days—almost six months—during which he showed off the glory of his kingdom, his wealth, and his royal treasures to officials from across the empire.
Why would he do this? Possibly to boast of his power and riches—but also, likely, to boost morale in preparation for his coming campaign against Greece. He wanted everyone to be convinced that Persia was strong, and that their king was mighty.
We begin to see his personality—image-obsessed, impulsive, and arguably lacking in wisdom.
One of the key incidents during this feast was when the king, full of wine and pride, wanted to parade what he considered his most prized possession—his queen, Vashti. He ordered her to appear before the drunken crowd wearing her royal crown, so he could show off her beauty.
This command was not only inappropriate, it violated royal decorum. A queen was not meant to be paraded like an object for entertainment.
Queen Vashti refused. It was a dignified, even courageous act—perhaps one rooted in self-respect and propriety. But the king, drunk and enraged, saw it as defiance.
Now, Persia was a multi-ethnic empire with strong patriarchal values. The king’s advisors feared that if Vashti’s refusal became widely known, women throughout the empire might follow her example—disobeying their husbands, challenging social order.
So the king’s counselors urged him to depose Vashti, find a new queen, and issue an official decree affirming male authority in all households. This decision sets the stage for the introduction of Esther and the unfolding of the entire story.
Thank you for listening. With chapter one, we’ve now laid the foundation—the historical context and the dramatic setup for Esther’s rise. Tomorrow, we’ll continue with chapter two, where Esther is chosen to become queen. May God bless you all.
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