As jews around the world hale the commencement of the joyous month of adar and prepare for taanit esther fast of esther, the fast that ushers in the subsequent purim holiday, one may wish to reflect on the book in the holy scriptures that is at the center of the holiday of purim that is the source of all the fanfare during this month. This book tells us where we came from and where we are going. Even were the book historical, it is beyond belief to find eternal truths in the words attributed to an ordinary man. Book of esther bible survey why doesnt the book of esther mention god.
However, this doesnt invalidate esther vilars observations, which are a little extreme at times but also based on accurate observations. The book contains several historical, chronological and cultural details, which would lead us to believe that it is intended to be read as actual history, rather than as a parable. The book of esther describes the jewish heroine esther, who saved the jewish people in persia from annihilation during the reign of king xerxes i ahasuerus of persia, who ruled from 486 to 465 bc. The book of esther is the story of gods covenant faithfulness to a people who had long been in captivy because they were covenant breakers. Now he needs to pick a new queen and eventually manages to select esthera comely, young secretly jewish woman who is a. Today, that query may not loom quite as large in america, but it definitely does in many other places throughout the world the middle east, burma, the congoand about a dozen or more. The book of esther is one of only two books in the bible named for women. However the application and prayer is combined for both chapters. Now that you have an overview of the book in mind, you can apply what you know to interpret specific passages in esther. In 2012, a graphic adaptation of the book of esther was illustrated by j.
Ill never forget the day a woman told me about this jewel of a book. The book of esther described part of the jewish diaspora that stayed behind in persia and did not return to jerusalem during the restoration. It has been well said that the book of esther is a record of wonders without a miracle, and therefore, though equally revealing the glory of the lord, it sets it forth in another fashion from that which is displayed in the overthrow of pharaoh by. Her observations will help both men and women recognize the toxic behavior of some women that is otherwise ignored by a politically correct society. Last week i read a quote about idolatry in the new book by andi andrew titled fake or follower. Waldman and appeared in volume one of the graphic canon, edited by russ kick and. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. Jan 02, 2020 the book of esther records the institution of the feast of purim and the obligation of its perpetual observation. The book of esther this is the most recent movie production of the book of esther.
We can only imagine the thrills and challenges of adjusting. An exposition, with practical observations, of the book of esther. The key personalities are esther, mordecai, king ahasuerus or xerxes, and haman. Utilize observation, interpretation, contextualization, and application to dissect the meaning of this passage. Interest in the book of esther has been both negative and positive.
The book of esther was read at the feast of purim to commemorate the great deliverance of the jewish nation brought about by god through esther. It introduces us to our creator and reveals his character and his plans for his creation. Home content index books of the bible esther questions about esther. Mordecai reminds esther that perhaps she has been made queen for the purpose of saving her people. The scripture and observations for each chapter will be labeled, and are separate. Intro to esther biblica the international bible society. Provide each person with the participants guide, included at the end of this study. The book of esther records the institution of the feast of purim and the obligation of its perpetual observation. Opposition to the book of esther is not a modern phenomenon.
Although we do not know who wrote the book of esther, from internal evidence it is possible to make some inferences about the author and the date. While esther is primarily theological history, at least one writer observed similarities with wisdom literature. In fact, god is not directly mentioned by name in the book of esther. Early jewish and christian traditions suggest that among the people named in the book, mordecai, esthers cousin and guardian, was in the best position to record the events. This unlikely contestant for a beauty pageant was crowned queen of persia and renamed esther, meaning star. She couldnt say enough about taking it along with her to the park each day to read while her children played. Changing configurations in the social organization of a blackfoot tribe during the reserve period the blood of alberta, canada with observations on northern blackfoot kinship by esther s. The book of esther focuses on a ten year period 483473 b. It has been well said that the book of esther is a record of wonders without a miracle, and therefore, though equally revealing the glory of the lord, it sets it forth in another fashion from that which is. Thechronological span for the book of esther is about 10 years. Being the best of friends, the three would amuse themselves and play together in their waterhole.
Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. We love him because he first loved us, and he gave himself for us because he loves us. Mordecais question to esther encapsulates the great lesson of this book. What are the most commonly asked questions about the book of esther. Be careful to not jump ahead to interpreting the observations, or assigning them meaning. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. The book refers to the book of books, the holy bible. Esther is the only book of the hebrew bible not represented among the dead sea scrolls. The book of esther was likely written between 460 and 350 b. Ruth, the romance of redemption and esther, the romance of providence. In the jewish bible, esther follows ecclesiastes and lamentations and is read on the festival of purim, which commemorates the rescue of the jews from hamans plottings.
The book deals with how esther, a jew who was selected by king ahasuerus as the new queen after removing the previous queen vashti. The book of esther is a 20 movie starring jen lilley as queen esther and joel smallbone as king xerxes. In addition to the masoretic text the accepted hebrew text of the bible, two greek versions of the story survive. The providence of god is abundant throughout the book. Scripture says mordecai recorded certain events in order to relate them to jews throughout the kingdom see esth. The following lesson is the beginning of a new series teaching through the book of esther. Biblical stories were written under the inspiration of holy spirit to teach us about god. Esther then ask the jews to fast about this for three days and three nights esther 4. Esther nor did he include it among his commentaries. The book of esther as a manual for jewish survival. The focus of this lesson is an overview of esther introducing students to the main characters, places and themes. The events in the book of esther occurred from 483.
Martin luther denounced this book together with the apocryphal 2 maccabees, saying of them, i am so great an enemy to the second book of maccabees, and to esther, that i wish they had not come to us at all, for they have too many heathen unnaturalities. In them we learn that xeres is imposing taxes, his accomplishments and the detailed account of mordecais rank are recorded for all time, that mordecai was second in command to. And king ahasuerus imposed tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea. Read about esthers decision to act on behalf of her people in esther 4. A woman of strength and dignity, by charles swindoll thomas nelson, 1997. These chapters are combined for this post because chapter ten is so short. Public reading of the book of esther participants will often gather to listen to a reading of the book of esther. The book of esther intrigues positively, too, one reason being its containing rationale for the celebration of the feast of purim, the popularity of which can be accounted for in part by the fact that it constitutes the only worldly holiday in the jewish calendar for the expression of the lighthearted side of life harrison 10951096. Observations of michel tapie jenkins, paul and esther on. The book of esther as a manual for jewish survival mosaic.
He may not always do it in the way we think he should, but the book of esther shows that he is in control even when we dont see him. It is clear that the author was a jew, both from his emphasis on the origin of a jewish festival and. Mar 22, 2016 the book of esther as a manual for jewish survival the political vision and theological insight of esther speak compellingly to the dilemmas and opportunities of the present age. Oct 12, 2018 observations from esther 10 we have finally reached the end of the book.
Esther presents us with an unusual opportunity to study the early growth and interpretation of a biblical story. Purim in 20202021 when, where, why, how is celebrated. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. It is believed to have been written between 464330 bc. There are four observations, also called mitzvah, observed on this day. How the providence of god watched over the jews that had returned out of captivity to their own land, and what great and kind things were done for them, we read in the two foregoing books. It was written to memorialize, to commemorate the gods deliverance that formed the basis of the feast of purim. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. Not one time does the name of god appear in the book of esther. Now all the acts of his power and his might, and the account of the greatness of mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of media and persia.
Esther is addressed to the multitudes of jews who did not return to judea. Observations from esther 10 we have finally reached the end of the book. The book of esther is the third part of the old testament and of the hebrew bible. Book of esther, book of the hebrew bible and the christian old testament. T he story of esther reads like a novel and is full of great spiritual lessons. The genre of the book of esther is narrative history.
In talking about the exodus and aaron making the golden calf for those questioning what happened to moses, she said, when it comes to idol worship in our own lives, some of us need to go cow tipping. Esther this tv movie version of the esther story stars academy award winner f. It belongs to the third section of the judaic canon, known as the ketuvim, or writings. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible.
Scope the events of the book of esther took place during the persian period of. In the story of esther, youll meet a beautiful, young queen who risked her life to serve god and save her people. The lesson here is that gods timing is always immaculate and the book of esther reminds the reader of this and esthers place on the throne at this exact time would save the jews from extermination. Interestingly enough, in the new testament no allusions to esther exist gordis 361. Although we are told nothing about those first years, we can be certain they were filled with wonder for this young woman swept into palace life. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. How do you deal with someones insidious plot to murder you and everybody like you.
It shows us what separates us from a right relationship with him, and why our relationships with other people are so easily marred. The book of esther shows how the hand of god can move in a supernaturallynatural way. Though unseen, he is on the scene accomplishing his purposes in this world. Well, i am greatly challenged, on some occasions, in all honesty, as you well know, to get through one verse.
Public reading of the book of estherparticipants will often gather to listen to a reading of the book of esther. Fulfilling lifes mission we flounder without a mission leaders guide part 1 identify the issue note to leader. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. It is a good opportunity to refresh students minds who the jewish people are, gods covenant with his people and why the jews are living. Observations may seem obvious at first, but they open the door to the meaning of any part of the bible. Esther bible story summary what christians want to know. The book of esther provides one possible answer to that question, tough cookie though it is. And this morning i made it through a whole chapter, and tonight well take a whole book. This usually takes part in the evening, and then again the following morning. We pick up and finish today with esther chapter 10.
And this is in our continuing series on 12 unlikely. Esther 1 matthew henrys commentary on the whole bible. The book is named for the star of the story, a young jewish girl named hadassah who was taken from her guardian, mordecai, and forced to compete for the affection of the king. The purpose of the book of esther is to display the providence of god, especially in regard to his chosen people, israel. Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month of adar, on the thirteenth day, the time came for the kings command and his decree to be executed. Monthly essays observations editors picks subjects. This summary of the book of esther provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of esther. See list under precept ministries inductive study on esther the book of esther is unusual gods name is not mentioned once, yet gods hand is clearly present and active throughout the book, to the extent that many see the book of esther as a veritable treatise on the doctrine of divine providence see separate study. Waldman and appeared in volume one of the graphic canon, edited by russ kick and published by seven stories press. It is clear that the author was a jew, both from his emphasis on the origin of a jewish festival and from the jewish nationalism that permeates the story. You want to open your bible, if you will, to the book of esther. Although we do not know who wrote the book of esther, from internal evidence it is possible to make some inferences about the author and the date of composition. Interestingly, of all the books in the bible, the book of esther is the only book that does not explicitly mention god. The political vision and theological insight of esther speak compellingly to the dilemmas and opportunities of the present age.