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Monday 24 November 2014

Esther - Introduction

Two  OT books to go! Esther is unique in that it is the only book in the Bible that does not explicitly mention God!
The book gives unique insights into the Persian empire, and is sent the period 483 to 473 BC. As mentioned in comments on Nehemiah, Ezra and Zechariah, most Jews had not actually returned home to Israel, despite the words in Isaiah and Jeremiah.
As well as God not being mentioned, the book of Esther is not quoted in the New Testament either. Nor have any copies been found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. Moreover, there is no reference to practices of the Law, though I guess it would have been difficult for them to follow Jewish practices in Persia.
In the book we see God protecting His people. So this is despite their disobedience, and is not done through "spiritual giants". Quiet trust and quiet decisions to do God's will are often far more powerful and effective than elaborate shows.
Then there is the question of why the book was written. It was probably written in Israel based on reports of what had happened, or by someone who was actually an eye-witness. The purpose may have been to encourage the people in Israel that God was still working among their fellow Jews in far off lands.

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