Esther: Social-Historical Background

WHY STUDY ESTHER TODAY?

In an ever-increasingly hostile world, Christians need to find confidence in God’s providence. God’s rescues are timely, but this does not mean we are to be passive waiting for the rescue! In the Divine-Human cooperative, God calls us to godly character and action.

THEME & KEY VERSE

To gain confidence in God’s providence when actively living in a hostile world. (4:14)

AUTHORSHIP

“Based on Esther 9:20, many think the author was Mordecai,” but others think his self-promotion in Esther 10 would undermine his authorship. Ezra is a contemporary and may have been the author, but it is safest to say that the author is anonymous.

AUDIENCE, DATE & TYPE OF WRITING

Esther is a narrative and was written to encourage the Jewish people and “explain to them how the Feast of Purim originated.” Some scholars place the date between 460 (after Xerxes I’s reign) and 331 B.C. (before the rise of the Greek empire under Alexander the Great).”  However, “if the book was written during the days of King Xerxes, then the date would most likely be around 475 B.C.”

OUTLINE

  1. Introduction - God’s Providence over Positions (1:1-2:23)

A. Queen Vashti’s Harassment & Deposition (1:1-2:2)

B. Esther’s Rise to the Throne (2:1-18)

C. Mordecai Foils the Plot Against the King (2:19-23)

2. God’s Providence Over Wicked Schemes (3:1-9:19)

A. Haman Plots to Kill the Jews (3:1-15)

B. Mordecai and Esther Plan to Save Their People (4:1-17)

C. Esther Received by the King and Prepares to Expose Haman’s Plot (5:1-8)

D. Haman Prepares to Hang Mordecai (5:9-14)

E. Mordecai is Honoured and Haman is Humiliated (6:1-13)

F. Esther Brings about Haman’s destruction (6:14-7:10)

G. The Jews Win the Right to Defend Themselves (8:1-17)

H. The Jews Completely Destroy Their Enemies (9:1-19)


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Timely Rescue Series

Audio Files & Study Questions

 

God is Sovereign Over History and the Nations | September 17, 2023

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Love God, Connect with Others, Serve the Community | September 10, 2023

Work and Rest in God | September 3, 2023

Seek the Welfare of God's People | August 27, 2023

Justice Prevails | August 13, 2023

Deferred Reward | August 6, 2023

Selected For Significance | July 9, 2023