Book Of Esther

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The book of Esther is a narrative history. However, its author remains anonymous; many believe Mordecai, (Esther’s cousin and guardian), wrote it. The book was written around 470 B.C. in Persia. In 479 B.C., Esther became queen. The key characters in the book of Esther are Esther, Mordecai, King Ahasuerus (or Xerxes), and Haman. The purpose of the narrative is to demonstrate God’s love and sovereignty at all times and in all circumstances. It is a post-exile story about Jews who remained in Persia after most returned to Jerusalem following their captivity. Persia captures the land of Babylon and Esther miraculously becomes the queen of the land, and saves her people. In chapters one and two, Esther becomes the queen to Ahasuerus of Persia. King Xerxes specifically chose Esther to be his queen. “The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him (2:17).” Esther’s beauty and intelligence are the most likely reasons for this. In chapters three and four, Mordecai, who is Esther’s guardian, fervently refuses to bow down and worship Haman, a high official of the king. Mordecai’s actions infuriate Haman, which provokes the official of the king to form a plot to destroy all the Jews in the kingdom because of his arrogance. Mordecai gains knowledge of Haman’s plot and reports it to Esther. “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this? (4:14)” Finally, in chapters five through ten, Esther outwits Haman and takes her request to the king and pleas for the protection of her Jewish people from Haman’s malicious scheme. King Xerx...

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... beginning with Hegai and ending with Ahasuerus, to achieve her goals. As a Jew, a member of a minority community within a foreign empire, she has succeeded beyond all expectations, bringing her cousin Mordecai to power and achieving safety and security for the Jews. She has played her part with wisdom and skill throughout and has chosen to act according to what the author assumes, but does not state, is the will of God. As such, she is a role model for Hews living in dispersion and, indeed, for any oppressed minority. Esther is wholly admirable. She should be embraced as a heroine working to further God’s will in the world.
Source: "Esther." The New Interpreter's Bible: general articles & introduction, commentary, & reflections for each book of the Bible, including the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books.. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1999. 909 & 941. Print.

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