__The Book of Esther is one of two books of the Bible to be set entirely outside of the Promised Land, and the only book which does not mention God at all.__  
  
In this cogent, readable study, David Firth explores The Message of Esther, to help us better understand this paradoxically important book and its implications for our own contemporary context. With clear insight, he lay out how the reality of God's presence is experienced against a backdrop of God's relative anonymity and seeming absence, and shows us how that speaks into the lives of Christians today.  
  
A revised volume in the trusted Bible Speaks Today series of commentaries, The Message of Esther offers an accessible and thought-provoking exposition of Esther's story, that considers its meaning for both its original audience and for Christians in the twenty-first century.  
  
Used by Bible students and teachers around the world, The Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for students and preachers who want to deepen their understanding of Scripture as it was first written as well as its continued relevance today.  
  
This beautifully redesigned edition has been sensitively updated to include modern references and use the NIV Bible text.  
The Message of Esther is perfect for anyone looking for a stimulating, accessible commentary on Esther that will help them apply its lessons to their everyday life.

Contents  
General preface ix  
Author's preface xi  
Chief abbreviations xiv  
Select bibliography xv  
Introduction 1  
1. Some parties and their aftermath (1:1–22) 19  
2. Providence in the passive voice (2:1–23) 30  
3. Power and corruption in high places (3:1–15) 41  
4. Risking all (4:1–17) 52  
5. A tale of two banquets (5:1–14) 63  
6. A funny thing happened (6:1–13) 73  
7. An awkward dinner (6:14 – 7:10) 84  
8. Revoking the irrevocable (8:1–17) 94  
9. Days of deliverance (9:1–19) 105  
10. Remembering deliverance (9:20 – 10:3) 116

David G Firth

GENERAL PREFACE

Author’s preface

Chief abbreviations

Select bibliography

Introduction

1. Which Esther?

2. Genre and purpose

3. Main characters

4. Reading Esther in the light of the canon

Esther 1:1–22

1. Some parties and their aftermath

1. Three parties (1:1–9)

2. Queen Vashti's refusal (1:10–12)

3. The royal council (1:13–22)

Esther 2:1–23

2. Providence in the passive voice

1. A study in contrasts (2:1–7)

2. Esther becomes queen (2:8–18)

3. Discovery of a plot against the king (2:19–23)

Esther 3:1–15

3. Power and corruption in high places

1. Conflict between Haman and Mordecai (3:1–7)

2. Confusion from a decree (3:8–15)

Esther 4:1–17

4. Risking all

1. Mordecai in mourning (4:1–3)

2. Esther's first response (4:4–9)

3. Breaking through to commitment (4:10–17)

Esther 5:1–14

5. A tale of two banquets

1. Esther's first audience (5:1–8)

2. Haman's folly (5:9–14)

Esther 6:1–13

6. A funny thing happened . . .

1. The king's sleepless night (6:1–3)

2. Haman traps himself (6:4–9)

3. Mordecai honoured, Haman falling (6:10–13)

Esther 6:14 – 7:10

7. An awkward dinner

1. Unmasking Haman (6:14 – 7:6)

2. Dealing with the king's anger (7:7–10)

Esther 8:1–17

8. Revoking the irrevocable

1. The elevation of Mordecai (8:1–2)

2. Esther's intercession (8:3–8)

3. Issuing a counter-decree (8:9–14)

4. The response to the decree (8:15–17)

Esther 9:1–19

9. Days of deliverance

1. The day of vengeance (9:1–10)

2. The events in Susa (9:11–15)

3. Events in the provinces (9:16–19)

Esther 9:20 – 10:3

10. Remembering deliverance

1. Mordecai's letter (9:20–28)

2. Esther's letter (9:29–32)

3. Mordecai's greatness (10:1–3)

Notes

The Bible Speaks Today: Old Testament series

The Bible Speaks Today: New Testament series

The Bible Speaks Today: Bible Themes series

NIV Bible Speaks Today

In Persia in the fifth century BC, the Jews were threatened with genocide. The book of Esther describes how this crisis was averted through the bravery of Esther, the wisdom of Mordecai and the unity of the Jewish people.  
However, Esther is a rather strange book to find in the Bible. It is set entirely outside the Promised Land, and shows no interest in it. Furthermore, it is the only book in the Bible that definitely does not mention God, and it avoids any obviously religious language.  
Nevertheless, the book does have a developed theology. David Firth brings this out as he engages insightfully with the narrative. He shows how it invites us to reflect on what it is to know God within this world, where the miraculous is rare and yet in which the faithful continue to experience the reality of God's presence. This is of particular importance for those living out their faith within post-Christendom.  
Godâ€™s saving purpose in Christ is richer than Esther imagines; but Esther asks us how we continue to see God's work this side of the cross of Christ, and what our own part is within the ongoing story of his deliverance.

Message of Esther

Navigation Bar

Header Default

Download the Christian360 App to read eBooks and listen to Audiobooks bought at Christian360

Download the App

Message of Esther

Description

Need support?

Customer reviews

Download the App

Download the App