Esther was possibly written between the first and second return of the Jews to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel, then Ezra. It was written to the Jews remaining in Persia, after the death of Persian King Ahasuerus, also known by the Greek name Xerxes. The author could have been a Persian Jew who saw or heard how Ahasuerus nearly wiped out the Jewish nation at the provocation of Haman, an evil captain of the king's princes - Esther chapters 1--4.
A Jewess, Esther, meaning Star, had remained in Persia. Although God is not named in this book, He is obviously working behind the scenes in the events that unfold. Esther became influential in Persia when Queen Vashti refused to display herself for King Ahasuerus at the palace at Susa, where he was throwing a raucous banquet. Vashti was deposed, and Esther's beauty caught the eye of the king, who chose her as his new queen. What he did not know was that Esther was Jewish--a fact that her cousin Mordecai advised her not to tell the king.
When Haman wanted to kill Mordecai and the rest of the Jews, Mordecai urged Esther that she alone was able to persuade King Ahasuerus to relent and spare the Jews - Esther 4:14; 8:17. In the end Haman was caught in the trap he had set for Mordecai and the Jews, while Mordicai was elevated to authority close to the king. The Jews were allowed to defend themselves from all of their enemies and many Persians were converted to their faith.
Esther's plea on behalf of the Jewish people before the king is reflective of Jesus' role as the protector and keeper of His sheep. In John 17, we hear Jesus' own plea before His Father on behalf of His people. In that priestly prayer, on the night before he died, Jesus prayed that His followers would be kept safe from the evil one.
No matter how strong evil becomes, Jesus is stronger.
God Bless
A Jewess, Esther, meaning Star, had remained in Persia. Although God is not named in this book, He is obviously working behind the scenes in the events that unfold. Esther became influential in Persia when Queen Vashti refused to display herself for King Ahasuerus at the palace at Susa, where he was throwing a raucous banquet. Vashti was deposed, and Esther's beauty caught the eye of the king, who chose her as his new queen. What he did not know was that Esther was Jewish--a fact that her cousin Mordecai advised her not to tell the king.
When Haman wanted to kill Mordecai and the rest of the Jews, Mordecai urged Esther that she alone was able to persuade King Ahasuerus to relent and spare the Jews - Esther 4:14; 8:17. In the end Haman was caught in the trap he had set for Mordecai and the Jews, while Mordicai was elevated to authority close to the king. The Jews were allowed to defend themselves from all of their enemies and many Persians were converted to their faith.
Esther's plea on behalf of the Jewish people before the king is reflective of Jesus' role as the protector and keeper of His sheep. In John 17, we hear Jesus' own plea before His Father on behalf of His people. In that priestly prayer, on the night before he died, Jesus prayed that His followers would be kept safe from the evil one.
No matter how strong evil becomes, Jesus is stronger.
God Bless
