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The
name Esther means "Star". She was also
called "Hadassa" in Hebrew which means
myrtle. Esther is mentioned fifty six times
in the Book of Esther in God's Holy Word.
The
theme of this Book is the great deliverance of the Jews
from extermination during the time of the Babylonian
captivity.
The
purpose of the Book was to show by whom and how this
great deliverance of the Jews in all lands came about; to
record the beginning of the Feast of Purim; and to
reveal the historical background of the liberator of the
Jews from captivity-Cyrus, who was son of Esther and
Darius the Mede.
Ezra,
the scribe, was author of the Book of Esther which is
the17th book of the Bible. It has 10 chapters; 167
verses, 5,637 words. There is no distinct message
from God within the this book, also no promises or
prophesy.
It
has been observed by many that within this book; the
name of God is not found. In the ancient Hebrew
text which the Bible was written, it is said there were
five places where the name of God was hidden, being
abbreviated as JHVH for JeHoVah, four times, and EHYEH
(I Am that I am) once. These letters were used as
acrostics in certain statements, and in three of the
MSS. In the original scroll, they were written
larger than the rest of the text so they would stand out
boldly. The scriptures in which these Hebrew text
occur are 1:20, 5:4, 5:13, 7:6, and
7:7.
Esther
was a godly woman who was chosen by God to help bring
deliverance to the Jews and save them from
extermination. She was chosen by the King as
the most beautiful and talented virgin in all the
empire, to be Queen.
It
was God's plan and favor in all these events for the
preservation of His chosen people during this
period in
History.
This
was so the Messiah could come through the line of the
Jewish people and restore man's dominion in the fullness
of God's appointed time and plan.
We
notice several things about Esther and her presentation
to the King. Esther had a year's preparation with
oil of myrrh and other sweet odours as was the custom
for purification of women in those days. Also much
prayer and fasting was observed by all the people.
When she was presented to the King, she obtained his
favor and he set the royal crown upon her
head. We might compare her preparation to
our being prepared to present our petitions to our Lord
by our praises unto Him. Praise and worship is
also a sweet fragrance unto the Lord.
The
courage of Esther is shown in this Book . She was
chosen for the Kingdom "for such a time as
this", as stated by Mordecai. The Jews fasted
and prayed for her as it was contrary to the law to
approach the King without being summoned. She knew
she faced her death by approaching him if he had
not called for her. The preservation of the Jewish
people meant more to her than her own life. She
told them if she perished, she would perish.
Esther chose to obey God in spite of the danger involved. This showed remarkable courage.
Prayer
and fasting changed the course of events and helped
cancel the scheme of wicked Haman. He had planned
to kill Mordecai and wipe out the entire Jewish
race. God had other plans and what the enemy
meant for harm, Jehovah God reversed
and made something good as the outcome.
When
Esther approached the King, at risk of her life, she
obtained his favor. He held out his golden
sceptre to her, she drew near and touched the top
of it. Then she used the wisdom God had given her
to make one simple request. She only
asked that the King and Haman attend a banquet prepared
by her. This invitation was accepted and
thus begin the course of events to save her
people.
The
very gallows which Hamon had planned to hang
Mordecai were used to hang Hamon and the other enemies
of the Jews in Shushan.
The
Jews were saved and Mordecai became great in the King's
house so that his fame went throughout all
countries. They had gained the victory over all
their enemies.
The
Feast of Purim or (lots) is still observed
today by many and was instituted yearly to commemorate
the Jewish deliverance under Queen Esther.
Esther's
devotion to God, prayer and fasting gave her the victory
over the enemy and saved the Jewish people at this
time. We can look into this story and
see the hand of God working in behalf of His
people. We can also know God still moves today
when godly men or women seek Him as Esther.
Faith
in our Lord results in our prayers being answered
and the enemies of our soul also being defeated.
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