In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Jesus Christ -Yeshua] was in the beginning with God.

ESTHER

The Book of Esther is the twelfth and final book of the twelve books of history. The story of this Jewish girl with a Persian name takes place between the first and second stage returns of the Jews back to Judah as told in the Book of Ezra. Specifically, the events of Esther occur during the reign of Ahasuerus (Hebrew name for the Persian ruler, Xerxes I) from 485-465 BC. These events pertain to the Jews who had decided to remain in Persia rather than return to Judah.

Even though some Jews in Persia had refused to return to Judah, God showed His concern and care for them by using the faith of an ordinary Jewish girl. Her love for God and her people allowed God to raise her to the status of Queen of Persia by marriage to King Ahasuerus. Her faith gave her the boldness to address the king when she discovered an internal plot within the court to destroy the Jews in all of Persia. Persian court protocol did not allow anyone, including the king’s queen, to approach him without his calling. At the king’s discretion, that person could be put to death. Furthermore, the king did not know that his queen, Esther, was Jewish. However, King Ahasuerus loved Esther more than all the other women. When she approached him with a request, he offered her anything including half of his kingdom. As a result, she revealed to the king the plot to destroy her people. King Ahasuerus granted her plea to spare the Jews by issuing a decree on her behalf.

The parallel of this story for us today is in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. He offered Himself as a sacrifice so that we could boldly approach the throne of God in our times of need.

Esther 1-4: The rise of Esther; her discovery of the plot to destroy the Jews

Esther 5-8: The plot revealed to King Ahasuerus; the king’s decree

Esther 8-10: Israel’s victories and celebration