Esther— God’s Providence
06.08.22
Who knows whether you are come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14b)
This little book takes its name from the chief character, whose Hebrew name Hadassah meaning myrtle. Her name was changed to the Persian name Ester which likely means star. This is one of two books named after women. Ruth was a Gentile who married a Jew. Esther was a Jew who married a Gentile.
The book gives no hint as to who wrote it. But whoever it was knew the Persian culture well. The account has all the marks of a person who was there for he described the events as an eyewitness. He was most likely a Jew. Suggested authors include Ezra, Nehemiah, or Mordecai.
The events of Esther occur just prior to the period of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Persia was the power of that day, having overthrown Babylon. The King is Ahasuerus, or Xerxes, who reigned from 485-465 BC.
The central theme of this book is the providence of God. It tells the story of a beautiful Jewish girl whom King Xerxes of Persia chose to be his queen. When Haman, one of the king’s counselors, plotted to murder all the Jews, Queen Esther’s cousin Mordecai persuaded Esther to try to save her people. Risking her own life, she appealed to the king and rescued the Jews.
Although the name of God does not appear in this book, the theme and purpose of the book is to show God’s providential care of His people in their trials and persecutions. God’s presence is evident on every page. He is in control. Providence means ‘to see before.’ God knows what is going to happen. He works behind the scenes to overrule the enemy.
There are three feasts featured in the book. The first is the feast of Xerxes. At this feast his queen, Vashti, was deposed, and a search began for a new queen to replace her.
The second feast is Esther’s feast. Haman has determined to destroy the Jews. Esther is determined to save her people. The feast was preceded by several days of fasting and prayer by Mordecai, Esther and other Jews. At the feast Esther courageously spoke to her husband, her king, announcing that she is a Jew, a member of the ethnic group wicked Haman is striving to exterminate.
The final feast is the Feast of Purim. Jewish people since that day have celebrated the destruction of Haman and God’s provision of deliverance for them.
Esther provides a fitting picture of Christ in that she was willing to put herself in the place of death for her people’s salvation. She also acted as an advocate for them just as Christ serves as High Priest for those who know Him.
A suggested reason for the absence of the name of God in the book is the disobedience of the Jews. Once the Decree of Cyrus was made for the Jews to return to their land, not one Jew should have remained in Persia. However, millions of Jews were far too comfortable and did not want to face the rigors of pioneering in Israel. They elected to stay in Persia, and so God did not allow his name to be linked with them in the Book of Esther. He did, however, not forget them, as we see His care and protection in this wonderful story.
Haman’s anti-Semitic hatred is by no means unique in history. Recall how various men have tried to exterminate the Jewish population: Pharaoh, King Herod, Hitler, and currently, radical Islam. God has not forgotten His people, and one day Jerusalem will be the capital of the world. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!