Esther

1. Write one paragraph explaining the historical background and purpose of the prophet.

The book of Esther was written after the release from Exile in Persia during the reign of King Xerxes (1:1). We do not know who the author was, but we now that Mordecai recorded the events (9:20) and from the references to Jewish customs we know they were a devout Jew (9:20-32). The Original Readers are the people who are scattered throughout the lands with no temple or protection. These Jews are still in Persia and didn't go back to Jerusalem as the Lord had asked. But we see through the story of Esther that God remained faithful to them and saved their whole people through one young lady.

There was a decree set to kill all of the Jews and completely destroy them (3:8-9) but God saved them through the favor of the newly appointed queen (7:3-4)

2. What does this book show you about the character and nature of God?

God is not mentioned at all in the book of Esther yet it's an amazing story of His hand and redemption of His people. We see that even though they didn't leave the land like they were supposed to, they were still His people and He had promised to protect them and He did! What a faithful God!

And we see that He's kind of funny in the way He does things. I don't know if funny is the right word, but Haman (the one who asked for the decree for the destruction of the Jews) had set up a pole to impale Moredcai (Esther's uncle) on (5:14), and the King ended up using it to impale Haman (7:9) when he found out that he was the one was wanting to kill the Jews.

3. What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

I think it's interesting to look at the position Esther was put in and see how God seems to have put her there for the redemption of all the people. When Queen Vashti was banished from the presence of the King it was because she refused to parade for the men. What the Bible doesn't tell us, but history does is parading for the king meant naked with only her crown in front of all the men. Historians say that she was also pregnant when the request was made. What a vile King! The preparations Esther had to go through were all about appearance. There were several months worth of treatments she had to go through before she “was taken to the king's bed...” this means what it reads. History tells us that Esther was 14 years old when she was chosen by the King. So a King, out of his own selfish gains, received Esther as his queen. However, the Lord had an immense amount of favor on Esther and the King greatly loved Esther. Because of this, when Mordecai told her about what Haman was doing, she was able to step in and bring the freedom for her people. God is that big! He can use a nasty vile situation, and turn it around for the glory of His name and redemption of His people!

4. Personal Application

I've had a lot of words spoken to me about Esther and had visions and promptings from the Lord about Esther. For me, this story holds a lot of impact and seeing again the authority and favor that Esther had from the Lord to redeem her family from the hands of oppression puts new fire in my spirit and passion to continue to fight for the calling that the Lord has placed on my life in regards to the family. He has told me that I fight on behalf of my family and stand in the gap, that I am an intercessor for them and has often told me that I am an Esther. Knowing this, and seeing the success that Esther had because of the hand of the Lord on her I have that much more excitement and anticipation for what's to come as I press in to the Lord and allow Him to use me to bring His plans to fruition.