Redemption in Esther

The book of Esther does not mention God. However, God is very much at work in the events described in the book. In these events, God redeems His people through the courage and faith of Esther and her cousin Mordecai.

The book is set in the Persian capitol of Susa. The Persian king Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon and allowed the first group of Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the Temple. A later Persian king, Darius I the Great, reaffirmed the decree of Cyrus and the Temple was completed. King Ahasuerus (Greek name Xerxes I) in the book of Esther was the son of Darius I.

God's people faced extinction as the narrative unfolds in the book. Yet, in a surprising plot twist, a beautiful young Jewish girl named Hadassah (Greek name Esther) became queen in Persia. In a further plot twist, the evil Haman convinced Xerxes to order the extermination of all Jews in the Persian Empire by describing them as a rebellious people who threatened the empire. However, God's hand was working through Mordecai and Esther to redeem His people. Mordecai reminded Esther, “For if you keep silent at this time, liberation and rescue 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?” (Esther 4:14). Mordecai knew that God is the Redeemer of His people. He still redeems.

Ben