The Book of Esther has more than five lessons but the points are that God sometimes does things without revealing them by words; pride will come just before a fall; when we please God we can find favor even among our enemies; God’s timing is always perfect; and finally, that if we devise evil for others, it can easily come back on us. This is why many presume that the book was written in the second half of the fifth century BC. Before making a life or death decision, she calls for the Jewish people to join her on a 3-day fast. Queen Esther’s actions on the the other hand were completely driven by her love and respect for her uncle, as well as her love of her people. https://www.insight.org/resources/bible/the-historical-books/esther Living in exile. The Persian King Xerxes kicked out his wife, Queen Vashti, after she refused his demand, and fell in love with Esther at a beauty contest. Publisher's Description By any assessment, Esther is a rather strange book to find in the Bible. 4:13). Jews today still read Esther during Purim. 4:4). God’s timing is providential. … 1:1; 2:11). She serves as President of the LJR Group, Inc. a public relations and crisis communications firm located in Irving, Texas. 1. He ruled over a vast empire that extended from India to Ethiopia (Esther 1:1).Esther was a descendant of the tribe of Benjamin, which had been part of the kingdom of Judah. King Xerxes ruled from his royal throne in the palace complex of Susa. Roman power exiled John to the island of Patmos (Rev. 2:17). But Esther was clear that in this particular situation, a heavenly response was needed for an earthly situation. Fourth, it was quite a stroke of good fortune that the king could not sleep and therefore ordered that the chronicles of memorable deeds should be read to him; that the scribe just happened to read about Mordecai and his heroic act; and that the king was alert enough to ask whether Mordecai had been rewarded for his deed (6:1–3). Even though God is not even mentioned in the entire book, he sovereignly and mercifully preserves his people in the midst of adversity. Note how the following “coincidences” work in the book to attain God’s purposes. Article Images Copyright ©, 6 Powerful Life Lessons from the Book of Esther, Don't Miss Out on Blessings because You're Controlled by Your Emotions, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Spiritual Growth and Encouragement for Christian Women, The Cross: The Believer's Motivation - In Touch - April 10/11, 4 Ways Esther Inspires Us to Step Out in Faith, A Prayer for Hard Days - Your Daily Prayer - April 7, Is Doubting a Sin? 460 and 331, after the reign of Xerxes I but prior to Alexander the Great's rise to power. Caesar executed Peter and Paul in Rome. Working for justice and compassion. Of course there is a scoundrel in the story, too. Its author is anonymous however; some believe Mordecai, (Esther’s cousin and guardian), wrote it. - Crosswalk the Devotional - April 8, 10 Things to Stop Taking for Granted after the Pandemic, 9 Ways to Make Your Marriage Extraordinary, 6 Prayers for Harmony and Unity in Our Nation, PLUS: How to Be the Kind of Friend Others Want and Need. They were therefore protected by his quiet yet overruling sovereignty from all pagan attempts to destroy them until the “fullness of time,” when Israel gave the Messiah to the world (Gal. Something to think about in our “modern age”. And if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16 NIV). 8:18–25; Phil. The events mentioned in Esther therefore happened between Ezra chapter 6 and chapter 7. Author: The author of the book of Esther is unknown.Some scholars suggest Mordecai (see Esther 9:20-22 and Esther 9:29-31). They do not inherit it now, as it lies broken in its present and fallen state, but they will enjoy the liberated and renewed world when all is accomplished in Christ (Rom. So what does she do? In this way, they anticipate the life of the new creation and bring a glimmer of light to a dark world. His assessment of purpose makes much sense. There was a divine purpose for all the decisions and details documented in this story, yet none of that becomes apparent until the end. Undoubtedly, this felt like “exile,” as Christians realized that they no longer fit in with the immoral and idolatrous culture around them. The main people in the book also are symbols for God, God’s Messiah, Israel and the Adversary, aka haSatan. The sovereign rule of God. First, how wonderful that Esther was so beautiful and that King Ahasuerus chose her from among all the young women of the kingdom to be his next queen (Est. The Book of Esther The subversive message of the Book of Esther Op-ed: Beneath its carnival pizazz lies a deeper message that hints at a multifaceted Judaism. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage, divine timing and God’s supreme love. 2:12; 4:12–13, 16, 19; 5:9–10). The Introduction is short, but succinct in getting you going on studying Esther. Mordecai, however, didn’t tell the king about a major detail—Esther’s Jewish heritage. She charmed King Xerxes so much that after deposing his prior queen, he could have chosen any woman he wanted—but he chose Esther. Esther needed direction. In one of the most poetic Biblical passages, Mordecai speaks of God’s purposeful timing: “Who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 NIV). Third, note that when Esther presented herself before the king (which, in Persian law, was punishable by death), she “won favor in his sight” and was spared and allowed to speak (5:2). in Persia. The Jewish people were saved, Haman was hanged on the same gallows that had been prepared for Mordecai, and Esther received Haman’s estate. Throughout the book, God is controlling, directing, and working through all the seemingly trivial circumstances in order to protect his people and accomplish his ultimate purpose of cosmic redemption. It was read at the Feast of Purim to commemorate the great deliverance of the Jewish nation brought about by God through Esther. Coincidences? Others remained in exile and began to build Jewish communities in the Persian empire. By any assessment, Esther is a rather strange book to find in the Bible. The contemporary church around the world has much to learn from the book of Esther concerning empire and living in exile. ; Date Written: Most likely written between B.C. God is not mentioned in the Book of Esther even once. Throughout the book, God is controlling, directing, and working through all the see… Understanding the Book. She acted in obedience and by doing so she saved a nation and received the best. Fifth, how ironic for Haman to walk in just as the king was considering how he might honor Mordecai for his deed (6:4–12). ), gives encouragement to the exiled Jews that they, although powerless in the Persian Empire, can, by the… Esther set forth a plan for action, and Mordechai dutifully obeyed. The genre of the book of Esther is Narrative History. Purpose of Writing. The book of Estheris noteworthy for its complete lack of any mention of God. Esther knew, of course, that going to the king unsolicited could be her death sentence. The main message of the book is both an encouragement and a warning: God’s chosen people live under divine protection, and to attempt to destroy His people will bring divine retribution. Second, how fortunate that Mordecai overheard the plot against the king and rescued him from assassination, and that Mordecai’s valiant deed of loyalty was recorded in the royal archives (2:21–23). However, Mordecai was clear when he said to Esther that she could be the one who saved the people, or not. Others propose Ezra or possibly Nehemiah because the books share similar literary styles. and details documents in this story yet none of that becomes. When Mordecai shares with Esther, she sends him the message … Following the fast she put on her best royal robes, approached the king, and told him of Haman's plot against her people. Lisa Brown Ross is an author and award-winning writer. Sometimes we must stand in courage, even when it is not popular to do so, and risk it all. The book purports to explain how the feast of Purim came to be celebrated by the Jews.
The Sea Of Trolls, Listen To Reba Mcentire He Gets That From Me, Christ On The Mount Of Olives, Songs About Traveling On A Plane, Gingerbread Man Superhero!, Alfredo Martinez Designer, Burning Rangers Characters, Perception In Organisational Behaviour, Small Acts Tv Series,
The Sea Of Trolls, Listen To Reba Mcentire He Gets That From Me, Christ On The Mount Of Olives, Songs About Traveling On A Plane, Gingerbread Man Superhero!, Alfredo Martinez Designer, Burning Rangers Characters, Perception In Organisational Behaviour, Small Acts Tv Series,