An Overview of Esther

At our Mom's Matter Too Bible Study... we're starting to study Esther.  I'm posting those studies here, so that you can read along, so that we all have a reference point... and maybe someone that needs something that God had us go over will receive that message from Him through these words.  I do not take any credit for the words I am typing here... This "study" while we are doing it without a workbook, without videos, etc... is mostly based on and borrowed from Beth Moore's study on the book of Esther, Esther: It's Tough Being A Woman.  I wish I was as eloquent and well versed in the scriptures as she is, and am blessed to have been able to participate in the video course and learn something from her that I can now share with some of my favorite moms.  Other information was gathered from Webster Mirriam Dictionary, Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Word Biblical Commentary, and my NKJV Woman's Study Bible.

Esther an Introduction
Background.
 - Written in the late 5th century B.C.
   - Ahasuerus = Xerxes reigned 486-465 B.C.
 - Esther & Mordecai lived in Susa (Hebrew - Sushan) in current day Iran near the Iraqui border
 - Diaspora story - Diaspora is a scatter population with a common origin in a smaller geographic area.
 - The traditional purpose for the book of Esther is to explain the Jewish holiday of Purim - a celebration of deliverance.  The reading of Esther (the Megillah) is the central rite of the observance of Purim and attendance is mandatory, even for women.
 - Fro Christians, the book of Esther is an important reminder that God is never absent.  Even those living in a world hostile to the Christian faith may not always be aware of presence, but He is always there.

**The book of Esther is unique - there is a NO reference to God.**

Why Study Esther?
 - The book is an integral part of God's Word to us.
 - Psalm 138:2b I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name. - God's name may not be in it, but it is ALL OVER it.
 - It offers hope.
 - It reminds us of the providence of God.
  - Merriam Webster - providence - divine guidance or care; God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human DESTINY
  - Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary - "God attends not only to apparently momentous events and people but also to those that seem both mundane and trivial --- Indeed, so all encompassing is God's attention to events within creation that nothing --- happens by chance."
 - Ephesians 1:11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
 - Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
 - The Title bears a woman's name.  - It's tough being a woman, in another woman's shadow.
 - The emphasis on human responsibility.  According to Word Bible Commentary, the God inspired author of Esther lays on the stress on human contribution to the divine-human synergism (combined or shared energy).



Next week... We'll focus on Esther Chapter 2 :-)