Esther

Esther

Historical Background and Purpose

It is not known who wrote the book of Esther; however, it is known that the events described in the book of Esther took place during the reign of King Xerxes of Persia (486 BC - 465 BC).  More specifically, the events described in this book took place between 483 - 473 BC.  Prior to King Xerxes, King Darius I of Persia had allowed the Jews to return to their homeland.  However, only a small remnant of the Jews (approximately 50,000) chose to do so.  The vast majority of the Jews decided to remain in Persia.  King Xerxes gave a great banquet for his people and he became very upset with his queen, Vashti, when she refused to come when he (as King) called for her.  Her refusal led to King Xerxes banishing her from his kingdom.  King Xerxes then sought a new queen.  Esther became his next queen (in 479 BC).  Later on, King Xerxes appointed Haman to be his top official (see Esther 3:1). When Mordecai the Jew refused to bow down or show him respect, Haman became filled with rage and sought to kill Mordecai as well as all of the others Jews throughout King Xerxes’ empire (see Esther 3:5-6).  Mordecai the Jew learned of Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews.  Mordecai the Jew then informed his younger cousin, Queen Esther, of the plot.  Queen Esther then informed King Xerxes of the plot.  Queen Esther was a Jew who risked her own life in order to save her people, the Jews, from certain death.  According to the introduction in the Sourceview Bible, the book of Esther was written “As a history, to record the events leading to the establishment of the Jewish observance of Purim (9:24-32), and as a dramatic reminder to the Jews of God’s protection.”

Character and Nature of God

The book of Esther clearly demonstrates God’s sovereignty, God’s faithfulness, God’s providence, and God’s worthiness of our praise and worship.  Even though the name of God is not mentioned at all in the book of Esther, it is abundantly clear that God was working behind the scenes in order to accomplish His will.  Throughout the entire book of Esther, there were a series of coincidences that just happened to take place at just the right time. For example, Mordecai the Jew just happened to be the older cousin of Hadassah (Esther) who just happened to be chosen as the next queen.  Mordecai the Jew just happened to be at the right place at the right time when he overheard of the plot to assassinate King Xerxes.  It just happened that he was not rewarded for saving the life of the king until just the right time.  These examples and others throughout the book of Esther clearly demonstrate that God was working behind the scenes to accomplish His purposes.  God clearly used Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther as well as others in order to save the Jews from certain annihilation.  God demonstrated His sovereignty as well as His faithfulness and His providence in the book of Esther.  God also demonstrated that He is indeed worthy of our praise and worship.

God's Redemptive Plan for Mankind

In the book of Esther, God saved his people, the Jews, from near certain annihilation at the hand of wicked Haman during the reign of King Xerxes of Persia.  God worked in and through the lives of people (such as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther) in order to accomplish His purposes.  God did not allow His people to be destroyed.  God did not allow Haman’s wickedness to go unpunished.  God blessed Mordecai the Jew for honoring him.  God saved the life of Queen Esther.  God saved the life of Mordecai the Jew.  God saved the lives of His people, the Jews.  God in His sovereignty saves His people.

Personal Application / Point of Passion

In the book of Esther, it is very clear that God was working behind the scenes in order to accomplish His purposes.  For example, it appears very clear that one of God’s purposes was to save the lives of His people, the Jews.  In order to accomplish this purpose, God repeatedly placed just the right people in just the right place at just the right time.  Whether we are aware of it or not, God continues to do the same thing today.  God continues to place just the right people in just the right place at just the right time in order to accomplish His good purposes.  I take great comfort in the fact that God (not man) is sovereign and God loves His people.  My personal application for the book of Esther is to simply do whatever God is leading me to do.  By being faithfully obedient to God, I am demonstrating my trust in God and His ability to accomplish His good purposes both in me and through me.  I will encourage others to do the same trusting that God will accomplish His purposes in and through them as well.  God will accomplish His purposes!