King James Version

Book of Esther

 AUTHOR: Unknown. DATE: 5th century BC. CONTENT:  The book of Esther deals with a momentous event that took place after the Persians had destroyed Babylon and while many Jews were still living in the land of captivity. The story concerns a Jewess named Esther who had become the wife of the Persian King Ahasuerus. An evil advisor to the king, named Haman, sought the destruction of the Jews in order to gain control of their wealth, but Esther tactfully intervened and saved her people from the fate. Haman was executed, and after some civil strife things quieted down once more. This remarkable deliverance of the Jews was celebrated by a feast named Purim and it remains this day. THEME:  The providence and power of God are the central points of this book. God was protecting his people even in their captivity and was working all things together for their good. God's power is seen in the overthrow of Israel's enemies. It is important to note that God used human beings to accomplish his purpose here, rather than doing it himself. We must be ready at all times to do God's will when he so directs.