Parallels in the Books of Daniel and Esther, and the Themes of the Messiah Within Them
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| Esther by Jean-François Portaels Daniel by Horace Vernet (1789-1863) |
Reading Esther and Daniel Together
The Timeline
And the Lord said to Moses: “Behold, you will rest with your fathers; and this people will play the harlot with the gods of the foreigners of the land, where they go to be among them, and they will break My covenant which I have made with them. Then My anger shall be aroused against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured. And many evils and troubles shall befall them, so that they will say in that day, ‘Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?’ And I will surely hide My face in that day because of all the evil which they have done, in that they have turned to other gods.— Deuteronomy 31:16-18
The captivity in Babylon occurred because God's people had embraced the "gods" of the foreign nations. Perhaps those who stayed behind grew comfortable in their secular environment and did not want to return to face the challenges of starting over at home. Could their refusal to return have created an opening for evil to play its hand in the story of Esther?
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| Daniel and Esther are chosen by kings. Sweet Publishing |
Daniel and Esther Were Both Chosen
Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand who had the ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.
— Daniel 1:4
This scene hints at the coming Messiah, who would serve in the same capacity as Isaiah prophesied.
He (Jesus) warned them (the multitude) not to make Him known (to those who plotted to kill him), that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
"Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen,
My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!
I will put My Spirit upon Him,
And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.
— Matthew 12:16-18
Likewise, Esther was chosen to marry King Ahasuerus after Vashti was removed from her position as queen.
Then the king’s servants who attended him said: “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king ... Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti ... The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen ...
— Esther 2:17
Esther gives us a glimpse of the bride of Christ, chosen from this world.
He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.
— Ephesians 1:4
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| Esther is beautified, and Daniel follows God's prescribed dietary laws to remain fit and healthy. Esther by Edwin Long (1829-1891), Daniel by Otto Adolph Steinler (1872-1953) |
The Preparation
Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel ... whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king ...
— Daniel 1:3-4
Daniel's preparation included a test involving food decisions related to faith. According to the passage above, the king expected Daniel to eat his delicacies. Instead, Daniel chose to be faithful to his God-instructed dietary laws.
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
— Daniel 1:8
This scene links us to the beginning "garden" narrative, which involved a test that included food. Adam's faithless disobedience in partaking of forbidden delicacies starkly contrasts with Daniel's refusal to obey a human king regarding food, thereby remaining faithful to God.
Daniel, therefore, points to Jesus, the Messiah. He, too, would endure a test that included food during a contest with evil in a wilderness. Jesus was also advised by an overseer called the Holy Spirit.Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."...
... Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?" So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, and I hid myself." And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”
— Genesis 2:15-17, 3:9-12
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."But He answered and said, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’"— Matthew 4:1-4
Esther's preparation focused more on beauty, but it also mentioned food.
This young woman pleased him (Hegai, guardian of the women) and found favor with him. He quickly arranged her beauty treatments and provided her special food.
— Esther 2:9
This "special food" in Hebrew was called נהָמָ mânâh, which means an assigned portion. It sounds very much like "Manna," as in the special food God gave His people in the wilderness. Both words contain the same letters. Esther again portrays the church's dependency upon Christ, the living manna from heaven.
As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.”
— John 6:57-58
In terms of adornment, Esther underwent extensive preparations for beauty.
So it was, when the king’s command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai ... Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women. Thus prepared, each young woman went to the king ...
— Esther 2:8-9
Esther again characterizes the church as prepared for Christ. The New Testament expresses this in relation to the body of believers, who are adorned for their husband, Christ.
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem (metaphor for the body of Christ), coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
— Revelation 21:2
Like Esther, the body of Christ is under the Holy Spirit's guidance.
... the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
— John 14:26
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| Lamb, Stodmarsh, Kent, England by Keven Law |
Beautification—Without Spot or Blemish
Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking ...
— Daniel 1:3-6
The phrase "no blemish" is messianically linked to Jesus, the Lamb of God, who was without blemish and sacrificed for our redemption.
... you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
— 1 Peter 1:13-19
Esther is beautified and fragranced by oil and perfume.
... and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather all the beautiful young virgins to Shushan the citadel, into the women’s quarters, under the custody of Hegai the king’s eunuch, custodian of the women. And let beauty preparations be given them ... six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women.
— Esther 2:3
The church is also beautified and fragranced by the Holy Spirit, symbolized by the oil.
The writer of Hebrews discusses this beautification in terms of Christ's cleansing of our conscience through His spotless offering.
... how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
— Hebrews 9:14
Paul uses the husband-and-wife metaphor to depict the "bride of Christ" as prepared and presented without spot or blemish.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
— Ephesians 5:25-27
Paul expounds on the perfume part of the story in his second letter to the Corinthians.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and manifests through us the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.
— 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
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| The Sanhedrin's accusations before the crucifixion. James Tissot Brooklyn Museum |
False Accusations and a Plot to Destroy
Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king gave thought to set him over the whole realm. So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, "We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God."So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.— Daniel 6:3-9
Daniel instead continues his faithful practice of praying three times a day, as he always had.
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
— Daniel 6:10
As in Daniel's story, jealousy inspired the accusations the religious rulers brought against Jesus.
Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?"
Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing ... For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
— Matthew 27:18
Jesus refuses to deny that He is, in fact, the Messianic King the Jews had long been waiting for.
Like Daniel, in whom no fault could be found, they could find no fault with Jesus, as the book of John states three times.
Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all.
— John 18:38
Pilate then went out again, and said to them, "Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him."
— John 19:4
Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!" Pilate said to them, "You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him."
— John 19:6
Daniel also typifies Jesus, following a similar pattern of planned destruction based on a law designed to trap Him. At the height of His ministry, Jesus entered "their" (the Pharisees') synagogue and noticed a man with a withered hand. He asked whether it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. The word "their" in the following Scriptural account is significant, given that there may not have been much that resembled God at that synagogue event. Jesus wasn't claiming it was a synagogue of God anyway.
Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the ("their" in Matthew) synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
— Luke 6:6-11
Mark claims that they planned to destroy Him.
Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.
— Mark 3:6
Their plot to destroy Him was relentless.
He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him
— Luke 19:47-48
The mission continues up until the crucifixion.
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
— Matthew 27:20
Remember that the Pharisees developed a complex religion by adding many extra details to God's instructions that were not included in the biblical text, thereby breaking a rule in itself.
Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.
— Deuteronomy 4:2
This scene again centers on obeying a law of human origin, specifically designed to trap people rather than to liberate them.
The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore, whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
— Matthew 23:2-4
In this case, the Pharisees were more interested in catching Jesus on a technicality than in the law itself. In Esther's case, Mordecai refuses to bow to or pay homage to the evil Haman, who was promoted and a descendant of one of Israel's ancient enemies.
King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were with him. And all the king’s servants who were within the king’s gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow or pay homage.
— Esther 3:1-2
Haman then makes a false accusation against all the Jews of the land.
When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay him homage, Haman was filled with wrath. But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai. Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus—the people of Mordecai.
— Esther 3:5-6
In Esther's case, the proclamation to destroy concerned all the Jews in the kingdom and was based on false accusations that they were not keeping the king's laws. It also contained the element of refusing to bow to a humanly contrived decree.
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people's, and they do not keep the king's laws. Therefore it is not fitting for the king to let them remain. If it pleases the king, let a decree be written that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who do the work, to bring it into the king's treasuries ... for whatever is written in the king's name and sealed with the king's signet ring no one can revoke.”
— Esther 3:8-9, 8:8
The Esther narrative can be illustrated with an account of accusations against the earliest Christ-followers. The Sanhedrin issued a command (a type of law) prohibiting Peter and John from preaching in Jesus' name, which they refused to obey.
So they called them (Peter and John) and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done
— Acts 4:18-21
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| Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives before His crucifixion. |
The Theme of Prayer and Fasting
Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting.— Daniel 6:18
Esther's account similarly does not directly mention prayer, but she calls upon all the Jews in Shushan to fast on her behalf.
Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise.
— Esther 4:16
Esther once again illustrates the believer's application. Paul encourages believers to remain steadfast in prayer despite persecution and the conspiracy of evil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints ...
— Ephesians 6:12-18
In contrast to both stories, Jesus doesn't fast, but He prays at His most significant moment of darkness.
Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”
— Mark 14:32
Before Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for His followers. The following is a small excerpt from a lengthy prayer that occupies the entire chapter. It captures the heart of the petition and connects with Daniel and Esther's themes.
Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name ... these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.— John 17:11
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| The tomb and the den Top image by James Tissot, Boston Museum Bottom image by Briton Rivere, Manchester Art Gallery |
The Deliverance
Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed ... Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?"Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you."Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.— Daniel 6:19-23
Daniel typifies the innocent Jesus's Resurrection from the tomb of death. Both accounts mention a stone seal.
Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
— Mark 16:1-7
Esther's rescue and resurrection occurred during the three-day fast, and the prayer episode is discussed in the section on prayer. The Apostle Paul provides the believer's application in his letter to the Romans.
... we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
— Romans 6:4
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| An angel instructed Joseph to name the child Jesus, whom the prophets called Immanuel. |
The Name Changes
To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar ...— Daniel 1:7
It is unclear whether Esther's name changed when she entered the kingdom or whether this was simply another name for her. The text states that she was raised under the name Hadassah. Some commentaries say that Mordecai changed her name to hide her Jewish identity.
And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah (myrtle tree noted for its humble beauty and fragrance), that is, Esther.
— Esther 2:7
As referenced earlier, Esther's name in Hebrew means "I will hide." The Babylonian definition refers to the Babylonian goddess Ishtar, meaning star, as with Daniel's renaming to Belteshazzar (Bel protects life). These two possible meanings could be an intentional play on words that suits both purposes and languages.
Although Jesus does not undergo a specific name change, Matthew associates two names with Him. Both names are mentioned when Joseph encounters an angel sent to speak to him about Mary's pregnancy.
... an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus (He is salvation), for He will save His people from their sins.”
— Matthew 1:20
The angel clarifies that Jesus is the messianic fulfillment of an ancient prophecy recorded in Isaiah, identifying Him as Immanuel.
So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
— Matthew 1:21-23
The name change also applies to the believer who overcomes.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”
— Revelation 2:17
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| Dominicus van Wijnen |
A Progressive Conclusion
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.— 1 Peter 2:9
We are to be vessels of honor and prepare for His good work.
"The Lord knows those who are His,” and “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” ... in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
— 2 Timothy 2:19-21
Like the attendants in the two narratives, Christ presents us as blameless.
... you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight —
— Colossians 1:21
The Accusations and Plot to Destroy section reveals that persecution is inevitable in the Christian journey.
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.
— John 15:20
Paul reassures us concerning this in his letter to the Corinthians.
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body ...
— 2 Corinthians 4:8-10
Prayer and fasting are also essential elements of our pilgrimage as we draw closer to the end of this age.
... the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
— 1 Peter 4:7
All of these should be considered, given our eternal deliverance.
... the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
— 2 Timothy 4:17-18
In the end, the overcomer is given a new name.
© 2020 TamarajoHe who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
— Revelation 3:12
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