OT Survey II Esther

Background on Esther The book of Esther takes place between the first and second returns to the Promised Land, from approximately B.C. The book of Esther takes place between the first and second returns to the Promised Land, from approximately B.C. Persia was the dominant world empire, and their royal leaders are prominent characters in the book. Persia was the dominant world empire, and their royal leaders are prominent characters in the book. Esther is a Jewish exile brought up by her cousin Mordecai in the capital city of Susa. Esther is a Jewish exile brought up by her cousin Mordecai in the capital city of Susa.

Key Characters Ahasuerus (aka Xerxes) – Persian King who ruled from 486 to 465 B.C. Ahasuerus (aka Xerxes) – Persian King who ruled from 486 to 465 B.C. Haman – an Agagite and Ahasuerus’ chief officer. Haman – an Agagite and Ahasuerus’ chief officer. Mordecai – an exiled Jew living in Susa. Mordecai – an exiled Jew living in Susa. Esther – a beautiful Jewish maiden who was raised by Mordecai and who becomes Queen in the Persian Empire. Esther – a beautiful Jewish maiden who was raised by Mordecai and who becomes Queen in the Persian Empire.

Timeline for Esther

Geography of Esther

Outline of Esther

The Providence of God The Providence of God Emphasized by the structure of the book. Emphasized by the structure of the book. Implied in 4:14: “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” Implied in 4:14: “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” Extends to the bedroom of the world’s greatest ruler (cf. Prov 21:1 – The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes). Extends to the bedroom of the world’s greatest ruler (cf. Prov 21:1 – The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes). “But the real turning point of the story was…a combination of providential coincidences: the king just happened to ask for the royal records to be read; the section read happened to be about Mordecai’s good deed; Haman happened to be in the palace the next day; Haman happened to misread the king’s intentions;; etc. The author’s moral: the security of God’s people is ultimately in the hands of God himself” (David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament, p. 164). “But the real turning point of the story was…a combination of providential coincidences: the king just happened to ask for the royal records to be read; the section read happened to be about Mordecai’s good deed; Haman happened to be in the palace the next day; Haman happened to misread the king’s intentions;; etc. The author’s moral: the security of God’s people is ultimately in the hands of God himself” (David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament, p. 164). Major Themes

The Hiddenness of God The Hiddenness of God Though not explicitly recognized (or even mentioned), God is still at work. Though not explicitly recognized (or even mentioned), God is still at work. The Jews and their enemies The Jews and their enemies “The fear of the Jews (cf. 8:17; 9:2) can only be explained by the fact that their enemies acknowledged that their was a supernatural hedge about them, a God who intervened on their behalf and who could enable them to prevail no matter the odds against them” (Eugene Merrill, A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament, p. 207). “The fear of the Jews (cf. 8:17; 9:2) can only be explained by the fact that their enemies acknowledged that their was a supernatural hedge about them, a God who intervened on their behalf and who could enable them to prevail no matter the odds against them” (Eugene Merrill, A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament, p. 207). Reversal Reversal

Reversal 3:1-2 King Ahasuerus promoted Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite. He advanced him in rank and gave him precedence over all his other nobles. And all the king’s officials at court bowed down and did obeisance to Haman, for so the king had commanded. 9:3-4 [Mordecai] had come to occupy a position of great power in the palace, while his fame was spreading through all the provinces…Mordecai was growing more and more powerful. 10:3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank only to King Ahasuerus himself and was preeminent among the Jews. 3:10 Then the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. 8:2a Then the king took off his signet ring which he had taken from Haman and gave it to Mordecai. 4:1 Mordecai...tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, went out into the city, and raised a loud and bitter cry. 8:15a Then Mordecai went out from the king clad in a royal robe of violet and white, wearing a large gold turban and a purple cloak of fine linen.

Major Themes The Jews and their enemies The Jews and their enemies Reversal Reversal The Feast of Purim – a celebration of God’s protection of Israel from her enemies. The Feast of Purim – a celebration of God’s protection of Israel from her enemies.

Purpose Statement for Esther Even when the Jews were not faithful to Yahweh and were out of the land, He providentially cared for them and saved them from annihilation, because of His covenant commitments to Abraham and his descendants. Even when the Jews were not faithful to Yahweh and were out of the land, He providentially cared for them and saved them from annihilation, because of His covenant commitments to Abraham and his descendants.

Next Week: Introduction to the Wisdom Literature and the Book of Job