Esther

By: Jeffrey Mathews


Esther before Ahasuerus

By Artemisia Gentileschi

Outline of the Book of Esther
(from the New American Bible)

I.) Introduction
II.) Elevation of Esther
III.) Haman's Plot Against the Jews
IV.) Vindication of the Jews
V.) Epilogue

Esther was a young Jewish woman who lived in the fifth century B.C. She was the niece and adopted daughter of Mordecai, a Jew who served in the court of the king of Persia, Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes). Esther and Mordecai were from the tribe of Benjamin. They had been captives whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had taken from Jerusalem with Jeconiah, king of Judah.

Mordecai had a dream in which all the just would fear for their survival, but they were saved by a great river. He tried hard to understand the meaning of this dream, but knew through his actions he could help avert disaster to his people. Mordecai learned of a plot to kill King Ahasuerus. He informed the king, who had the plotters killed. The king rewarded Mordecai by appointing him to serve at the court. Haman, who was in high honor with the king, was upset with Mordecai for his appointment and for Mordecai’s refusal to pay homage to him. Haman sought the death of Mordecai and all the Jews. He convinced King Ahasuerus to order the execution of all the Jews in the Persian Empire. In the meantime, King Ahasuerus removed Vashti as queen. He sought a new queen, and Mordecai sent his niece Esther to be considered with the other virgins to be the new queen. Esther was chosen.

Esther prayed and asked for the prayers of others to save her people. She used her beauty and grace to convince King Ahasuerus to save her people from destruction.

Queen Esther spoke to and for the Jews of Persia, and all the Jews in the 127 provinces of the Persian Empire from India to Ethiopia.

The Jews were in danger of being exterminated, all in a single day. The direct cause of this order was because of Mordecai’s refusal to pay homage to a man (Haman), rather than to God alone.

Her message was to persevere in prayer and to ask for the prayers and sacrifices of others remain faithful in honoring God alone. Because the date for the massacre of the Jewish people was chosen by lot, or pur, the Jewish holiday celebrating God's reversal of their extermination is called Purim.

One Great Quote
"She glowed with the perfection of her beauty and her countenance was as joyous as it was lovely, though her heart was shrunk with fear".

--Esther Chapter D, Verse 5

Review Questions