Esther

Book of Esther

Written before 400 BC. It was written for Jews living outside of Israel, showing that God watches over his people no matter where they are.

Clever Choices

She could not enter the kings presence without invitation. She appeared in her royal robes in the courtyard opposite the throne room. She was offered half the kingdom and instead invited them to a banquet.

Esther's second banquet

When the triumph of the Jews over Haman reaches its climax in chap. 7.

Another decree

Because of the immutability of Persian law, Esther influenced Xerxes to issue this, allowing the Jews to defend themselves against those who might try to attack them based on Xerxes's previous decree.

Esther's wisdom and intercession

Because of this, Haman's evil intent was revealed, and he was executed.

Ester's name

Her pagan name derived from the Persian word for "star." It was a form of the Babylonian goddess Ishtar or Ashtar.

Xerxes Rule

486-464 BC. After Zerubbabel's return to Jerusalem in 538 BC and before Nehemiah's return in 444 BC. Son of Darius the Great.

Esther was elevated

Described in the 2nd chapter, Esther's role of queen in the place of Vashti.

Hadassah

Esther's Hebrew name meaning "myrtle."

10 years

Events cover this amount of time from 483 to 473 BC.

Lavish Suggestion

Haman was so upset, but even his friends and family warned him he could not win against Mordecai.

Eradicate the Jews

Haman, the king's adviser, hatched this scheme even though Mordecai foiled an assassination plot.

Providence of God

Is obvious throughout the book of Esther.

Queen Vashti

King Ahasuerus' (Xerxes) wife who would not walk naked.

Saving the Jews

Mordecai said she was made queen for this reason.

Instrument

Mordecai used his influence with Esther to convince her that she was the key God had chosen and strategically placed in a position of power to deliver the Jews during this dark hour.

First of two main parts

Records the threat or the risk to the Jews.

Festival of Purim ("lots")

Since Haman cast lots to determine when he would execute the Jews, they celebrated their victory over this procedure with feasting, rejoicing, and sending gifts.

Protecting from eradication His people

The book of Esther describes God's sovereign and providential work of this; the people living outside the land of Israel.

Eradication

The book of Esther describes how God sovereignly worked on behalf of the Jewish people in Persia to spare them from this so that the nation could fulfill her future covenantal and messianic purposes.

Deliverance and preservation

The book of Esther was read during the Feast of Purim, celebrating this. Jew's good stuff from Persia period.

Second main part

The book records the deliverance or rescue of the Jews.

Anti-Judaic thread

This of Gentile animosity runs through nearly every chapter as does the providential hand of the unnamed God of the Jews.

Name of God

The only book in the OT in which this does not appear.

Poop

The ultimate source of anti-Semitism.

Author's sources

They included writings of Mordecai, words of Esther, and the books of the Chronicles of Median and Persian kings.