Date: 5th century BC
Contents
This book tells us about the period when Jewish people still lived in Persia, after returning to their country. Not everyone returned. For over a thousand years, the Jewish community in the area of the former exile was the largest outside the territory of Judah.
The Persian king married Esther, a Jewish woman, who discovered the conspiracy of Prime Minister Haman against her people. Genocide was common in ancient times and still occurs today. When Esther and her cousin Mordochai told the king the plot, Haman was deposed. Mordecai took his place. Everyone involved in this plan was killed. The Jewish people narrowly escaped a massacre. To commemorate this event. The feast of Purim was instituted by Esther.
Theological Themes
Some have objected to including this book in the Bible. The reason is that it is not a specific reference to God and the name of God is not mentioned there. Yet the book of Esther has religious content, albeit under the surface. The main message is that normal life is unusual, charged with eternal meaning. Events follow a pattern of cause and effect. Through it God weaves His mysterious purpose. Human choices are important and have far-reaching consequences, good or bad. The book of Esther says: Look around you and don’t let the apparent reality threaten you. There’s more going on than you think.
Main features
- Esther becomes queen (1:1-2:23),
- Haman’s Plot (3:1-15),
- The disclosure of Haman’s plot (4:1-7:10),
- The consequences of Esther’s courageous action (8:1-10:3).
Valuable lessons
1. God is sovereign and in control of all things.
2. God is always faithful to His promises.
3. God can use anyone to accomplish His will.
4. We need to be obedient to God.
5. We need to be prayerful.
6. We need to be faithful to God.
7. We need to be courageous.
8. We need to put others before ourselves.
9. We need to trust in God.
10. We need to have hope in God.
