Reflections on the book of esther

The events in esther took place about fifty years after babylon fell. The king did extend his golden scepter, and he spared esthers life. In the book of esther, although god is never mentioned by name, he is there in the background. However, when king ahazuerus calls for the queen, and she.

There is much contention as to whether esther has a say in her situation. Esther and gods good purposes by ali as nicole has already mentioned, the two of us shared some personal reflections on the book of esther at the end of equip conference 2009. It relates the story of a hebrew woman in persia, born as hadassah but known as esther, who becomes queen of persia and thwarts a genocide. The book of esther tells a story of the deliverance of the jewish people. You can read the remainder of the book of esther to see what happened. This is very revelant to our daily lives because though we do not see god,we know that god is working in us and in our lives everyday. Reflections reflections is based on my personal devotional journals from a daily practice of reading through the bible chapter by chapter. Esther, an orphaned girl, became queen of persia and delivered her people from ruin. The additions to esther are an excellent example of a process that occurs throughout the bible. Even though the name of god is not mentioned in it, no book of the bible teaches his providence more forcefully. Jerome, the whole book, including the greek additions, was included in the canon of scripture by the. In the book of esther, coming out is not just about saving oneself but also about saving others. Although the book of esther was questioned by some early christians, even st. A coming out story for lent the book of esther in the hebrew scriptures is a story of how queen esther, the jewish wife of the persian king ahasuerus, implores the monarch to retract an edict that orders the annihilation of all the exiled jews in the empire.

Topics addressed include the absence of any religious motif in the book, the categorization of the work as either historical or wisdom literature, and its. The book of esther offers free, online access to study passages, for biblical studies, contained in the words, text and verses of the roman catholic scripture of. Mordecai and esther, hebrew cousins, appear on the stage as the flawed heroes of the story. Purim book of esther tells a neverold tale of hatred against gods blessed servants march 14th, 2009. Esther 6 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. And many people of other nationalities became jews because fear of the jews had seized them. The other side of the story comes to light with the promotion of haman the agagite. It is a work in progress, so keep coming back for the next saga in the life of queen esther of the bible. Hadassah, more famously known as esther meaning star, is the heroine of the biblical book of esther. The book of esther has a james bondish, tickingtimebomb plot.

This will become a very important fact later in the book of esther but for now, the lesson is that when gods hand is on someone because their ways are pleasing to him, he gives them favor in the sight of. She is the author of 12 books, written specifically for women. Unlike daniel, there seems to be no concern on the part of esther to keep the dietary laws. Queen vashti as the book of esther of begins, queen vashti, one of the most beautiful women in the land, is secure in her position. Reflections from an unexpected life is more accessible than ever before. Do not think that because you are in the kings house you alone of all the jews will escape. The book of esther is one of the most problematic members of the biblical canon. Esther is never quoted in the new testament, nor is there even a casual reference to it. Jerome, the whole book, including the greek additions, was included in the canon of scripture by the council of trent. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. The book of esther provides a reallife prognosis of how we as humans today should approach lifes obstacles and challenge ourselves on a daily basis.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. There were hangings of fine white cloth, of green and of blue. It is one of the five books called megilloth rolls and is placed beside the pentateuch in importance. This reflection on gods providential hand in making esther queen is but one side of the story. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. It will always prove profitable in the long run to obey god. The book of esther, also known in hebrew as the scroll megillah, is a book in the third section ketuvim, writings of the jewish tanakh the hebrew bible and in the christian old testament. Book of esther dramatic reading for purim available for download april 26th, 2009 esther s legacy a historical look at numerous assaults against jews and the response from bystanders march 15th, 2009. By placing her own face on the nameless mass of the despised, esther moves the king from enmity to sympathy, and he removes the israelites genocide sentence. The book of esther takes place in susa modern day iran in the court of a persian king, xerxes or ahasuerus.

A book of the bible which makes no mention to the name of god. The book of esther reflects this idea, by referring to vashti as queen vashti 1. Morris discovers in the book reflections of happenings which occurred earlier in this kings reign, in 175172 b. Reflections on esther october 19, 2012 october 19, 2012 nelima a couple of years ago, i had a series in which i blogged about books of the bible as i read through them. But a new book, god and politics in esther by yoram hazony, aims to draw political lessons from this ancient story, some of which are harrowingly relevant to the increasingly polarized american political landscape, and to other nations facing the politics of pessimism. Esther was a young jewish orphan who grew up without a mother or father esther 2. Let me share a brief background with you on the book of esther. Right place, right time articles bible reflections. Esther is encouraged by mordicai to conceal her jewishness. Queen esther devotional reflections from the bible.

Maybe at first glance, but upon closer study of esthers life. Reflections my personal feelings of esther the book of esther is a very important book of the bible even though god is not mentioned anywhere. Esther then ask the jews to fast about this for three days and three nights esther 4. You have redemption taught in the book of exodus, and the love side of redemption taught in the book of ruth. She was born and raised in the splendid capitol city of susa esther 2. You can easily search and access topics or scripture references, making bible study easier than ever before. The article presents an examination into various themes found in the old testament book of esther, focusing on the depiction and interaction of religion, wisdom and history in the narrative. The drama of queen esther being chosen over all of the other women in the court is a fairy tale coming true. Reflections of christ in the book of esther paul r. Introduction how should we view the women in esther. The book is one of triumph over seemingly dire circumstances, something everyone can learn from. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. To give you a few brief snippets of the conference, for those who were unable to attend, carmelina reid gave the first talk titled the god who delivers. Mordecai learned of a plot to kill king ahasuerus and so he made it known to the king through esther.

There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, motherofpearl and other costly stones. This identification of haman as an agagite is thought by many to indicate that he was a. Esther was the daughter of abihail, and her guardianmentor was mordecai. Perhaps the charms of esthers conversation the day before gave occasion to his heart to reproach him for neglecting her, and banishing her from his presence, though she was the wife of his bosom, for above thirty days.

Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. The book of esther in the bible is a dramatic account which can give us insight into gods special and purposeful plan for our lives. After several special banquets for the king and haman, esther finally revealed hamans plot and made known her request for her people. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the jews will arise from another place, but you and your fathers family will perish. As interesting a story as the book of esther makes, it is more than a story.

Author ann platz elegantly demonstrates in queen esthers reflection the lessons that are learned of heart, home and hope through the story of this noble woman of the bible. It is an account of gods providential care for his people. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. The least likely was chosen by god to step up in order to save. Following vashtis disposition as queen esther 1, king ahasuerus better known as xerxes looks to fill his harem and replace her 2. Van gorder esther the book of esther is one of the most beautiful stories in all literature. As queen, esther hides her religious identity and maintains her jewish practices keeping kosher and observing the laws of shabbat and family purity in secret. There is espionage, deception, an evil villain, and a lovely woman. Reflections from an unexpected life logos bible software.

The analysis of this biblical text furthers our understanding of the issues and challenges confronting the groups that produced it. Its also heavy on action, drama, and game of thronesstyle intrigue, while being notably lacking in legal codes, commandments, theologyall that kind of thing. Jews have traditionally considered esther a national hero, but already early in the twentieth century some readers began to deplore her as passive and devious. Esther reflection book of esther hebrew language names scribd. It is one of the five scrolls megillot in the hebrew bible. We hope that you find the complete content of the esther helpful to your bible studies and for references which allow you to read the books and individual verses of the book of esther. Feel free to share your questions, comments and reflections from the daily readings. He was a jew residing in the city of susa, a prominent man who served at the. Esther bible study devotional reflections from the bible. The book of esther is one of the most beautiful stories in all literature.

What is book of esther about and why should i care. The book of esther constitutes a piece of literature emanating from the jewish communities of antiquity, which tells the mainly fictional story of a young jewish. There is no mention of prayer nor dependence upon god in this book. Please check the reference to make sure it is correct. Though his people had rejected him for other gods and he had. This lesson picks up where yesterdays lesson on vashti left off the nation of judah has been taken into captivity, first by babylon esther 2. We are shown a persian emperor, ahasuerus loosely based on xerxes, 485464 b. Esther, for the chance of winning wealth and power, takes her place in the herd of maidens who become concubines of the king. Okay my friends, here is a place to dialogue regarding the book of esther. The lesson here is that gods timing is always immaculate and the book of esther reminds the reader of this and esther s place on the throne at this exact time would save the jews from extermination.

Esther went before the king prepared for the worst case scenarioshe got the very best. This is one book of the bible you could easily read while marinating in a bubble bath, without feeling particularly. The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage. Unlike the pope, ahasuerus does not indulge in any selfreflection and. So the great doctrines of our christian faith are taught in certain books of the old testament. A queen under control when esther s words were reported to mordecai, he sent back this answer. Messianic symbols, message in the book of esther hallel.