ESTHER

Theme: Providence

Author: Unknown, Mordacai?

Time: 5th Century BC

  • Esther - star, secret, hidden

Key Scripture:

Esther 4:14 ESV

14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Structure:

Chapter 1: Vashti is dismissed

  • The lower kingdom of Israel was taken captive by Babylon. Persia defeated Babylon and now are the ruling power

  • Artaxerxes during a banquet refused to entertain and so was dismissed

Chapter 2: Esther Made Queen

Chapter 3: Haman’s Evil Plan

  • Haman hates the Jews, and Esther is a Jew

Chapter 4-7: Esther Saves her people

  • Esther counteracts to expose the plan to kill Jews. King kills Haman

Chapter 9: Victory of the Jews

  • Jews are allowed to attack their persecutors

Chapter 10: Mordecai prospers

Purpose of the Book:

1. To show that God took care of the Jews that did not return to restore the temple with Ezra and Nehemiah

  • Some were sent to rebuild the wall and temple. The remaining Jews are the book in Esther

2. God’s hand is seen by his ability to guide and protect Esther and the Jews

  • God isn’t used a single time in the book. The theme of God is the hand and providence of God. You don’t see God but the effects and hand of God.

3. God is sovereign over all political affairs

  • There is no political environment God is not sovereign over.

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EZRA & NEHEMIAH