The story of Esther takes place during the exile and is a reaffirmation of the grace God shows to the Jews even in their exiled condition. This book is unique in all of Holy Scripture in that God is not mentioned at all, yet its place in the Holy Canon is indisputable in most scholar's opinion. The love of God for His chosen people, even in their fallen condition is demonstrated through the ascendancy of Esther as queen and the protection of Mordecai and all the Jews in the Persian kingdom through the pagan king Xerxes.
Because queen Vashti dishonors Xerxes, she is deposed and a search is made for a new queen. Esther beauty and gracious qualities immediately endear her to the king as soon as he sees her. Because her uncle Mordecai informs the king of a plot against the king's life, Mordecai is given protection. This all sets up a show down between Haman, the king's right-hand man, and Mordecai when Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman. Through trickery and treachery, Haman has the king issue a decree to persecute and destroy all the Jews in the kingdom. But Haman's hubris will ultimately prove to be his downfall when Esther boldly petitions the king to allow her to make a dinner for the king and Haman.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
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