In the book of Esther the big idea is salvation and deliverance comes not so much by human effort but by God’s divine providence. While God is not directly mentioned by name we are given many clues to his presence and participation in the events of the book. Even before we are introduced to the villain, Haman, and made privy to his plan to exterminate Mordecai and the Jews (Esther 3:1-3) we witness God’s divine providence in placing Esther and Mordecai into a position of influence to thwart Haman’s murderous plan. This providence first appears in chapter 1 with the undoing of Queen Vashti (1:10-22), it continues in the next chapter with the decision to hold a contest among virgins to replace her (2:1-8), and it concludes with Mordecai overhearing …show more content…
In addition, it appears the human characters in this book are also well aware that something beyond themselves is shaping the events. We read of Mordecai’s belief that Esther has “come to the kingdom for such a time as this” (4:14) and even if she refuses to participate that the deliverance of the Jews would then come from another source. This confidence suggests his recognition of God’s participation behind the scenes in which He is actively orchestrating events that would ultimately lead to Haman’s defeat and Israel’s victory. Also, Esther’s call for a fast reveals her confidence in God rather than her own ability to win the king’s favor. Even the wife of Haman recognized that if Mordecai was indeed a Jew that defeat would come to her husband (6:13). From God’s chosen human instruments of influence to those who oppose God in this book, both are aware of his divine …show more content…
In completely downplaying their role I feel I could send an improper message that we have no role or responsibility in what God is doing in the world. While it's obvious that God’s divine providence was the ultimate reason for His people’s deliverance, Esther and Mordecai's’ willingness to take initiative and reach deep and find the courage to be used by God to overcome the threat of the enemy is significant. Let us not forget that Mordecai and Esther could of responded differently, they could've chosen fear over courage or flight instead of fight but their willingness to choose courage and fight played a part in the salvation and deliverance of their people. Let this remind us that divine providence does not negate our responsibility to act with obedience, courage and resolve when our circumstances call for it. In conclusion, this book once again reiterates the common theme we see throughout scripture that our God will divinely intervene to fulfill his promise and in doing so, will use those who are
Heroics must have ran into the family. Esther also displayed valor, when it came to going before the king unannounced. This was a risky move, if the king did not acknowledge Esther; she would be killed on the spot. Ignoring imminent danger Esther went before the king and not only was acknowledged, but saved her people in the process.
The standards that young adults are held to in America are exceedingly high. While they are extremely different for men and women, everyone is subject to them, and they can be difficult to handle. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield is expected to be much more of an adult than he is mentally. He resorts to defence mechanisms such as aggression and isolation to try to deal with the pressures he is put under. In The Bell Jar, Esther Greenfield lives life in a society that expects her to be less than she is.
Nurse Esther was the nurse that would listen to Ishmael’s stories and she helped him become the person he was meant to be instead of the kid soldier. She was important because she makes Ishmael feel relieved by telling his stories. She was always there for him after he was brought to the hospital. She was like his brother Junior.
Haman is eternally recorded in God’s Word as being deceitful, manipulative, and conceited. His attempt in eradicating the Jewish people in the Old Testament book of Esther manifests his arrogant and hostile attitude. So why exactly did Haman wish to exterminate the Jews during his time? The answer falls upon one individual that did not bow to Haman’s pride.
The king told her he would never hurt her or her people. The king went out to the square where Haman planned to execute the Hebrews and commanded him to stop. King Artaxerxes told his soldiers to hang instead of the Hebrews Haman and his sons for their evil intents and deeds. Mordecai replaced Haman as Prime Minister and Josh was a General for the King. Esther and the king lived happily in the kingdom. The Hebrews were saved by one brave girl who, was promoted to status of queen because of her excellent
Running a successful empire is not easy thing to do; Persian kings faced many problems such as advisors abusing their power and social issues. Advisors of Persian kings had a great deal of influence on the kings and were trusted with power over the empire. These attributes that came with the job of being an advisor to a Persian king created an opportunity for corrupt advisors to do as they saw fit; right or wrong. In the Book of Esther one of king Achashvairosh’s advisors Haman took advantage of his power and influence over the king to authorize the eradication of all the Jews in the empire and pillage of their property. The reason that this came about is that “All of the king’s servants in the king’s court would kneel and bow in religious worship to Haman, because the king had commanded it, but Mordechai would neither bow nor kneel.” (Five Years Later, 2)
This paper will analyze the "Divine Purpose" as it appears in the various "highways of prophecy" in the New Testament, and show how those "highways" may be followed to a deeper and fuller appreciation of God's message.
We need the sustenance and assurance from not only loved ones in life, but also from others. This is demonstrated when Jay Cee, Esther's present boss asked Esther what she wanted to do with her life. Esther did not have any solid idea as to what she
Also seen in the Old Testament, Esther parallels Joseph by assimilating from being a passive commoner to a queen, the highest royal position for a woman. Her life entirely changes when she marries King Ahasuerus
The book of Esther is full of mysteries that has grasped the attention of Biblical scholars and audiences throughout ages and still presents some challenges to the contemporary audiences. It is important to understand the purpose and theme of the book in order to better understand the text in its context. Many Christian scholars and audiences’ alike eisegesis the text instead of using exegesis therefore there have been many misconceptions regarding Esther. The book of Esther is a very important book for it is the only book in the bible to be without the name of God in its entire text. Though there is no reference to God or Torah in the text does not necessarily mean that God is not revealed through circumstances and challenges faced by His
The second person that illustrated the theme of the book was Esther’s mother Raya. Raya showed this by always keeping a positive attitude, which raises the spirits around her. For instance, in the novel her husband went off to war, his entire battalion was wiped out and everyone had given up hope of him returning except for her. She kept saying, “Be sure to get some farmer’s cheese, the kind he adores.” Her positive attitude paid off in the end after everyone thought she was grief ridden she proved them wrong when he returned. In addition, her positive attitude did pay off again when he husband was thought to be lost in a when he did not return for work. Everyone was starting to be worried and lose hope but she continued to hope and believe and tell the others to and he returned again. That is how Raya illustrated the theme of the book by maintaining her positive attitude and encouraging others around her with it.
Esther was an orphan who was raised by her cousin Mordecai (Leath, 2010). There came a time that she would go from orphan to queen. Esther lived in Persia, where King Ahasuerus ruled. A day arrived that Queen Vashti refused to obey King Ahasuerus and was soon replaced by Esther (Leath, 2010). During this time, the King held ultimate power and everyone was subject to the king’s authority. Consequently, Queen Vashti displayed disobedience by not obeying the King and was punished by being removed as queen (Leath, 2010). However, the removal of Queen Vashti paved the way for Esther and she was purposefully placed in position as queen. This seized
The book of Esther is a story of a young, beautiful, Jewish girl who ultimately became queen. At the time, King Ahasuerus reigned over the Persian Empire. He threw lavish banquets for his officials as well as all the people in Susa. The night of the seventh banquet, he called for Queen Vashti so he can flaunt her in front of the people but she refused to come. He sought council on how to handle the queen’s actions, he gave a decree and then ordered her to leave the kings presence and her position is to be given to someone more deserving.
The book of Esther tells the faithfulness of one woman and her uncle. It is only one of two books that contain the heroism and bravery of a woman heroine. The story of Esther accomplishes two profound things, the first: “To demonstrate God’s providential care of his people, even those outside the land of Israel, and 2) to commend the observance of the feast of Purim by relating how it originated” (Breneman 289).Unlike the rest of the Bible the story of Esther does not directly state or talk about God, but instead shows God’s plans for all of our lives and how in all frightening moments of life, He remains faithful to those who trust and have faith in Him. “In spite of the omission of any name for deity, there is no other book in all the
At first read the book of Esther is a story of a Queen who was able to achieve a heroic act that saved her people from being destroyed. However as you examine the story it’s more than a historic story of triumph, but through the actions of the characters in the story it becomes a blueprint for many aspects of leadership. By examining the different dimensions of the leadership traits of King Ahasuerus, Haman, Mordecai and Esther will represent the different facet of developing into a leader.