The relative position of the different parts of the palace and gardens fit in exactly with the account in this book. The vain and capricious character of Ahasuerus-- the Xerxes of history-- his extravagant feast, the Persian names of the courtiers, the golden couches, the sceptre, the seal, the scribes, the posts, are all matters of history, if space permitted to examine them in detail.
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In the account of the king's feast ch. The pillars of marble have been found in the court of the garden, and it is clear that the pavement was a mosaic, as described in v. There have been various attempts to trace elaborate types in the Book of Esther, but the simple fact stands out that here was one who was willing to lay down her life for her people. It is here that we find Christ in the Book of Esther. A picture of Him who was not only willing, but who actually did lay down His life for us, and through whose intercession salvation is assured to us.
But the great practical lesson for us, in this book, is the all-importance of using God-given opportunities. The power of life and death lies in these opportunities both to ourselves and to others. Mordecai was so sure of God's working that he sent Esther this message: We may be tempted to think that our opportunities are so insignificant, our circle of influence so small, that they are of little importance; if we were a great queen, like Esther, it would be a different matter.
But ''who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? See to it that thou dost not miss thy opportunity. God has a purpose for each one of our lives. He has placed us where He can best use us for His glory. If we fail just there, it may be that He will work out His purpose in some other way; but we shall suffer untold loss.
Like Esther, we must be ready to take our life in our hand and risk everything in His service. The book of Esther is one of the most beautiful stories in all literature. Even though the name of God is not mentioned in it, no book of the Bible teaches His providence more forcefully. The book covers a period of about 12 years, falling somewhere between the events recorded in the sixth and seventh chapters of Ezra. The setting is the court of Xerxes, the king of Persia.
Ruth and Esther
The Bible refers to him as Ahasuerus. The record of Luke 24, particularly the journey of the risen Christ with the two disciples to Emmaus, states that ''beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them, in all the scriptures, the things concerning Himself'' Luke Where in the book of Esther, this book without the mention of God's name, do we find teachings about Christ? I recommend that you read again the entire book to refresh your mind about the historical account.
Before we consider where Christ is found in the book of Esther, we will consider some practical matters. An unseen hand is at work behind all human affairs. Who shapes the destinies of nations-- politicians? As a lad, I was fascinated by the operation of a certain machine in the Union Station in Pittsburgh. As we waited for an arriving train, we would stand at the desk in the ticket office and watch a machine with an electric pen attached. A roll of paper was located beneath that pen, and periodically it would begin to write.
Some miles distant, somewhere up the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, a station- master or yard-master would be writing down the position of trains and their time of arrival on a similar scroll. The corresponding electric pen in the station would move in the exact handwriting of the originator. I was always amazed at that apparatus. Similarly, the providential hand of an Almighty God is behind the destiny of nations.
Ruth & Esther: Women Of Faith, Bravery, And Hope
James Russell Lowell wrote,. All things move by the knowledge of Almighty God, and according to His ordained plan and purpose. The book of Esther is a confirmation of Psalm This is illustrated in the turn of events of the story of Esther. The rejection of a Gentile queen, the choice of Esther, and the finding of the records led finally to the exaltation of Mordecai and the sparing of the Jewish race. Providence is not blind fate.
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The word ''providence'' means, ''foresight coupled with activity. The book of Esther sets forth two great doctrines: Both are at work here. Haman made his plans and Mordecai was busy with his political maneuvering, yet all was done within the boundaries of God's direction. Another very practical lesson to be gained from the book of Esther is that the prosperity of the wicked is unsafe and unsatisfying, and that it ends in adversity.
The experience of the psalmist is recorded as follows: But then he continued in verses 16 and 17, ''When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end. We often see the adversity of the good alongside the prosperity of the wicked.
We would tend to ask why, but the book of Esther shows us clearly that the trial of faith results in final victory for the righteous. The book of Esther presents us with a picture of God's current relationship with the Jews. The Jewish people, as a whole, have been out of their land for years.
During this time, they have been under many Gentile rulers. Satan repeatedly has had a ''Haman'' planning their destruction. But all along, God has been in the shadows watching over His covenant people Israel. Even though, in their present unbelief, they may refuse to recognize His hand, He continues His watchful care over His ancient people. Haman, the Jew-hater from the cursed seed of Amalek [cp. The ''man of sin [will] be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God'' 2Thessalonians 2: Haman was hanged on the gallows; the man of sin will be cast into the lake of fire.
It appears to me that Esther foreshadows that faithful Jewish remnant in the days of the tribulation. Notice an expression that appears in chapter 5, verse 1, ''Now it came to pass on the third day This speaks of the national resurrection of the remnant of Israel in the last days. Esther's Jewish name was Hadassah, meaning ''myrtle. God will take the remnant of believing Israel out of great suffering and trial and bring the nation to the place of exaltation.
He was a despised Jew for whom the scaffold was built. The same scaffold proved to be the undoing of his enemy, and Mordecai was exalted to the throne. How forcefully this speaks of Him who is greater than Mordecai, and who will bring peace to His earthly people and the nations of the world.
Mordecai was the revealer of secrets. In Christ are hidden all the secrets of wisdom and knowledge, and He ''of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption'' 1Cor 1: Mordecai was elevated to the throne. He delivered Israel and was next in authority to the king. By the wonder-working providence and grace of Jehovah, salvation was interposed on behalf of the nation and the world.
Yes, the story of Christ is foreshadowed once again in the Old Testament in the account of Esther. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Lists with This Book. This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Mar 31, Dorine rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Good study about two brave and resourceful women in history.
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It took us six months of Sundays to get through this because it generated a lot of discussion among ourselves. We always get our money's worth out of our bible study guides. We're a mixture of men and women forty-years-old and up who enjoy digging into a subject. I've studied Esther before, but I still find her fascinating. This study helped clarify her life a bit more. MacArthur makes you think, engage, and become better for it. Aug 22, Kelley rated it liked it.
I like MacArthur's workbooks because they include the passages in them, along with the kind of textual notes you'd find in a study Bible. Super portable and a nice way to dig in without toting lots of resources. He also does a nice, brief historical introduction at the beginning of each passage. But generally books like this leave me wanting more. It's a fine start for an overview, but a lot of the study questions answer themselves, leaving me wondering how I'm supposed to fill four blank lines I like MacArthur's workbooks because they include the passages in them, along with the kind of textual notes you'd find in a study Bible.
It's a fine start for an overview, but a lot of the study questions answer themselves, leaving me wondering how I'm supposed to fill four blank lines with, "Yes, he does" or something like that. We finished a study of Ruth in our Bible study last fall and we're moving on to Esther in the spring. Ruth," "The Wings of Refuge: Expositions of the Books of Ruth and Esther. Not quite what I expected.
Ruth & Esther: Women of Faith, Bravery, and Hope by John F. MacArthur Jr.
MacArthur can go deep, but this book isn't intended to be that kind of book. Your use of the site and services is subject to these policies and terms. Add to Your books. No current Talk conversations about this book. You must log in to edit Common Knowledge data. Esther, Queen of Persia.
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