The Book of Esther is a remarkable book for two reasons;

 

1. God’s name is not mentioned in the entire book!

2. It clearly shows God’s provision and protection for His people, both then and now.     

 

This is a story about the Jewish people who were in captivity in Persia.  The Persian Empire was the dominate power during this time frame. (I will leave out some key parts of this story, knowing that you have the resources to research)

 

      It begins with King Xerxes in search for a new queen and this young Jewish girl was one of many to go into the care and training to become the next queen.  She was instructed by her Uncle Mordecai to not let anyone know she was a Jew. 

 

     Mordecai later overheard a couple guards that they were going to murder the King.  He tipped off the right people and the two guards were caught and the King was saved.  Hang onto this thought.

 

     King Xerxes honors Haman, elevating him to 2nd in command over all the kingdom.  It was customary for all to kneel down when Haman passed by to honor him, but Mordecai would not.  This angered Haman so he devised a plan that would totally eliminate all Jews, and with the Persian Empire stretching throughout most all of Asia, Europe and Middle East, that would have eliminated all Jews.

 

     Haman was so angry that Mordecai would not bow down to him that he decided to build a gallows to hang him on. 

 

      Mordecai heard news of the plan to kill all Jews because it was sent to all provinces of the Persian Empire, for a time designated a few months out.  Mordecai secretly went to his niece, the Queen, and let her know of the plan.  Esther invited the King to a banquet along with Haman.  The King mentioned to Haman that he was invited to a banquet with both the King and Queen and he was overjoyed. 

 

     That night the King had trouble sleeping and decided to review the records and discovered that he had not honored the person yet that foiled the assignation attempt on him, so was deciding how to do this.  He invited his top official, Haman in to ask him how he would honor this person that the King  is delighted in. (Haman was sure that the King was planning on honoring him so he said), put on him a  royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head.  Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor! 

 

     So the King said, Go at once, “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.

 

Shortly after that embarrassing incident, Haman went to the banquet with the King and Queen.  It was here that Haman’s plot to eliminate the Jews was spelled out to the King, and that his favorite Queen was also a Jew, along with Mordecai.  The king had Haman hung on the gallows that he had built for Mordecai, and Mordecai was elevated to the position of High Official.  He at once sent out a decree to all the Persian provinces for all Jews to protect themselves against any forces against them. 

 

     This is the second biggest event in the history of the Jews, next to Moses leading them out of slavery, to the Promised Land.  That Exodus was filled with actions from God every inch of the way, while the book of Esther tells us that even without the mention of God, He is at work for the good of His people. 

 

     Esther is an easy read, five short pages, and the script is so good that it has even been made into a movie.