Analysis of the Book of Esther
The story of Esther is about the faithfulness of the Jewish people in exile and God’s commitment to deliver His people by using Esther to fulfill this plan. The story of Esther does not specifically mention God; however, His presence is demonstrated through His actions, coincidences and irony.
The Book of Esther
The story of Esther is a narrative history, by an anonymous author. The book was written sometime between 460 and 331 B.C., some 100 years after the Babylonian captivity. It is a post-exile story about the Jewish people that stayed behind after most returned to Jerusalem after the captivity. Although they were free to return to Jerusalem under the decree of Cyrus, many had probably become established …show more content…
Esther hosts two feasts, for Ahasuerus and Haman with the intent to persuade the king to rescind the order to kill the Jews. During the first feast, she asked them to attend another the next evening, which she indicates she will ask a question of the king. Coincidentally, Mordecai again offends Haman that evening and, at his wife 's suggestion, has a gallows built to hang him. Each of these individuals needed to be at the specific locations they were for all of the pieces of the plan to fall into place. This does not occur by chance, but instead by divine intervention as further supported by the king’s insomnia the same night. During the sudden bout of insomnia, the king orders the court records to be read to him. These records include the event in which Mordecai, God’s faithful servant, saved the king by preventing a murder plot. This reminder prompts the king’s desire to recognize …show more content…
Instead of annulling the decree, the King reverses it, permitting the Jews to attack their enemies. In total, the Jews, who take no plunder, slaughter approximately 75,000 Persians. Esther sent a letter instituting an annual commemoration of the Jewish people 's redemption, in a holiday called Purim (lots). “These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.” Esther 9:28 (NIV). This annual festival commemorates God’s salvation of the Jewish people, similar to their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The Lord raised up Esther, as he raised up Moses and many others to deliver his people from destruction. God recognized the faithfulness of Esther and the Jews, the fasting, the bravery of Esther and the use of a powerful position by using the people to fulfill his
The story of Esther is about the faithfulness of the Jewish people in exile and God’s commitment to deliver His people by using Esther to fulfill this plan. The story of Esther does not specifically mention God; however, His presence is demonstrated through His actions, coincidences and irony.
The Book of Esther
The story of Esther is a narrative history, by an anonymous author. The book was written sometime between 460 and 331 B.C., some 100 years after the Babylonian captivity. It is a post-exile story about the Jewish people that stayed behind after most returned to Jerusalem after the captivity. Although they were free to return to Jerusalem under the decree of Cyrus, many had probably become established …show more content…
Esther hosts two feasts, for Ahasuerus and Haman with the intent to persuade the king to rescind the order to kill the Jews. During the first feast, she asked them to attend another the next evening, which she indicates she will ask a question of the king. Coincidentally, Mordecai again offends Haman that evening and, at his wife 's suggestion, has a gallows built to hang him. Each of these individuals needed to be at the specific locations they were for all of the pieces of the plan to fall into place. This does not occur by chance, but instead by divine intervention as further supported by the king’s insomnia the same night. During the sudden bout of insomnia, the king orders the court records to be read to him. These records include the event in which Mordecai, God’s faithful servant, saved the king by preventing a murder plot. This reminder prompts the king’s desire to recognize …show more content…
Instead of annulling the decree, the King reverses it, permitting the Jews to attack their enemies. In total, the Jews, who take no plunder, slaughter approximately 75,000 Persians. Esther sent a letter instituting an annual commemoration of the Jewish people 's redemption, in a holiday called Purim (lots). “These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.” Esther 9:28 (NIV). This annual festival commemorates God’s salvation of the Jewish people, similar to their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The Lord raised up Esther, as he raised up Moses and many others to deliver his people from destruction. God recognized the faithfulness of Esther and the Jews, the fasting, the bravery of Esther and the use of a powerful position by using the people to fulfill his