Introduction Of The Book Of Esther – Brave Young Queen —(BLB)— —(TecBib fillin)— —(BibRef)—

Esther

The Jews are rescued from certain annihilation by a brave young queen

By an unknown Jew living in Persia

Pretty Hadassah, evil Haman, and wise Mordecai meet and match wits in a royal drama amid feasting in the winter palace of the Persian king Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) in Susa. (Persia occupied the region of modern Iran).


An Assassination Plot

Haman, likely descended from the Jews’ early enemies the Amalekites, becomes obsessed with ridding the Persian Empire of Jews, especially his rival Mordecai, Hadassah’s older cousin and guardian.

When Queen Vashti is deposed, Hadassah becomes Queen Esther after an empire-wide search. Meanwhile, Mordecai overhears an assassination plot, thus saving the king’s life.

Following a series of plot reversals, Esther and Mordecai succeed in gaining the Persian king’s favor, and the king himself vanquishes their enemy Haman.


Changing The Course Of History

The Jews, ever the outsiders as they seek to establish and maintain a permanent earthly home, provide a study of contrasts with the antagonists. They counter the often-drunken feasting with fasts before they take action.

Against abusive power, they show courage and apply cleverness. The Persian men fear the independence of women and thus depose Vashti, but it is the boldness of her successor, Esther, that changes the course of history.


High Position In A Foreign Palace

Esther’s story evokes the recurring biblical theme of a promised remnant. Earlier, Joseph’s service to the Egyptian pharaoh allowed him to secure his family’s well-being and lineage during a deadly famine.

He told his brothers how God had put him in his position to preserve their family (Genesis 45:7). In a similar reversal, the Jews in Persia are able to defeat their tormentors because Esther also attains a high position in a foreign palace.

Although a remnant of Jews has already returned to Jerusalem, the remnant in Persia is still struggling to preserve their heritage.


Masks and Costumes

This event is the origin of the Feast of Purim (named after the pur, which is a “lot” or object used to make decisions). Jews still observe Purim annually to remember God’s deliverance on the day decided by lot to be their day of destruction.

During Purim, children especially enjoy wearing masks and costumes to enact an important aspect of Esther’s story: because the Jews were highly assimilated into Persian society, mistaken identity played a role in their survival.


The Hand Of GOD

God is not explicitly mentioned in the Book of Esther, but it is His work through Esther and Mordecai that saves the Jews. The reader senses the hand of God, as evil is thwarted, goodness is rewarded, and the Jews are once again saved from their enemies.

The human role in the salvation drama is highlighted in Mordecai’s famous challenge to Esther to risk her life for her people: “And who knows? Perhaps you have been made queen for such a time as this” (4:14).

Click chapter tabs to study in-depth. 

ESTHER CHAPTERS
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10


Esther 1:5

Kings in general, and Persian kings in particular, enjoy throwing lavish feasts and banquets for honored guests. It is their best opportunity to show off their wealth and power.

Occasions like this are useful for impressing and intimidating foreign agents, making treaties and deals, maintaining the illusion of greatness, making the powerless feel especially helpless, and even bullying would-be troublemakers.

It is during these occasions that much of the business of ruling is accomplished. But only men are allowed at this party.


Esther 3:3

The bad blood between the families of Benjamin and Agag goes back a long way to the time when Saul, a Benjaminite, destroyed the Amalekites and took their king, Agag, as his captive (1 Samuel 15:7–9).

Now the tables are turned, and Agag’s descendant exercises nearly supreme power over Mordecai and the other subjects of Persian power.

But, true to his Jewish teaching, Mordecai bows to no man nor pays him homage. That honor is reserved for God and Him alone.


Esther 4:15

Of all the books in the Bible, Esther is unique because God is never once mentioned explicitly. Still, for those who know God and who know history, God is in the story, behind it, above it, beneath it.

He is the main actor in history, even if He is not acknowledged. Here, Mordecai shows great wisdom. The Jews, God’s chosen people, will be delivered whether Esther involves herself or not.

Divine Providence has ways and means that go beyond human understanding. Still Providence has made Esther queen for a purpose, a purpose she cannot easily escape.


Esther 6:1

The Persians have a particularly grisly way of humiliating and killing those they hate. A tree is cut down and sharpened to a point at one end. In some cases, the condemned are killed, and their lifeless bodies are impaled on it.

Others are hung on the pole as a mode of torture and execution. It is erected in some public place as an example for others, and the 75-foot pole described here is high enough to be seen over most buildings and small trees.

Soon birds and insects begin eating away at the dead or dying. Political enemies, criminals, and dissidents often end their lives this way.

The threat of public death and humiliation has kept many from disobeying the law, but not Mordecai.


Esther 8:9

Although Haman is dead, the order to kill all the Jews in the Persian Empire is very much alive. Once the king has signed an order, it cannot be reversed. Such kings never reverse themselves; it is too risky.

So a new order must be written and sent to the far reaches of the empire; and Mordecai, the Jew, is just the person to do it.

Now that he has been elevated to the supreme position where he has use of the king’s signet ring, he can exercise royal power.


Esther 9:18

According to custom and Persian law, the Jews have every right to seize the assets of those they kill in this battle. But it is important to note that they do not.

The reason for this odd behavior may well lie in history: Hundreds of years earlier, Saul and the Israelites defeated King Agag (the ancestor of Haman) and helped themselves to the plunder, violating God’s clear directive.

That violation brought them irreparable harm. So now, when they have the opportunity, the Jews leave the Agagites’ assets alone. Obedience deferred is still obedience.


Esther 10:1

In all of Jewish history, Esther’s story is unique. Her meteoric rise from common Jewish girl to queen of the vast Persian Empire is evidence that God can use some unlikely characters. In this case, He uses Esther to halt a terrible injustice and to settle an ancient score.

To be used by God in any capacity, however, requires courage; it requires taking a risk. In Esther’s case, she risks her own life in order to save her people, and in a greater sense to ensure that the story of redemption continues.

The world has always endured times of great injustice, times of great need. Yet God is at work, transforming sorrow to joy, shame to honor, and injustice to justice. Each person is called to impact the age in which he or she lives.

 



 

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10 thoughts on “Introduction Of The Book Of Esther – Brave Young Queen —(BLB)— —(TecBib fillin)— —(BibRef)—

  1. Hey,

    Nice introduction, it seems like you know a lot about the book.  Anyway, this book seems interesting. I would perhaps like to give it a try. Enhancing your menu could be helpful.

    Thanks for the detailed review and also for letting me know about the plot.

    With regards,

    Faiz

  2. Hello there! 

    Thanks a lot for this Holy Bible story. Like your URL rightly say, we all need God in our lives. Seeing that the world is evolving and people are actually neglecting the way of Christ, bringing up the story of Esther is really nice. She was a really fierce woman and I hope everyone who come across this article learn from her. 

    Thanks a lot

    1. Thank you so much for utilizing a portion of your time for the reading and accurately commenting on this blog. I agree wholeheartedly with your comment.

      You are most certainly welcome for the sharing of this Study Session.

      Have an Abundantly Blessed Day! 

  3. Hello Dear, 

    A big thanks to you for sharing this article on Esther the brave Young Queen. Esther is one of my favorites in the Holy Bible, her boldness and her courage is definitely something to learn from. 

    It’s very clear from her story that  to be used by God in any capacity, requires courage; it requires taking a risk.

  4. Hello there! 

    This is an amazing review on this book. The book of Esther is one of those books where I learned how to be brave no matter the condition on ground and also our positive attitude is the key to handling difficult situations, just like Esther.

    Thanks for sharing this with me, its interesting.

    1. Hello,

      Thank you for committing a portion of your time to read, comment, and considering this Study Session to be useful. I really appreciate your remarks and it definitely pleases me to learn that this is considered an amazing review to you.

      You are most certainly welcome for the sharing this interesting information.

      Wishing you all the best!

  5. Hello there! 

    Your understanding on the story of Esther is astonishing and I am blessed for reading this. Before now, I only knew the surface of the story of Esther and her brave spirit but now I can beat my chest anywhere that I know the whole event that happened in that book via you article.

    Thanks!

    1. Hello, 

      Thank you for considering this an astonishing Study Session, and I am very pleased that it has been of great help to you as well. It is with great honor and humbleness, that I am feeling deep in my soul to be of any assistance in bringing assistance with understanding about the Holy Bible. 

      Enjoy Your Journey and Stay Blessed My Friend!

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