Hes a bit more minor leaguethe faygo to their fanta, if you will. The book of ester is a very special book in the bible, so here are 11 important bible verses from the book of esther. In the book of esther god used mordecai an ungodly man to rebuke esther into obedience. God is not mentioned in the book of esther, but that doesnt mean he isnt there. And mordechai inscribed these things and sent letters to all the jews. Thus, to a listener, mordechai taking esther lebat could have carried either or both of these meanings. His name is mordecai, and we read the essential part of his life in the book of esther. The most popular traditions are mordecai a major character in the book of esther, ezra and nehemiah who would have been familiar with persian customs. Why does mordecai, who is known as the jew, refuse to bow down to haman, putting his people in peril. The book ends with mordecai as the kings chief minister. Esther a2 classic bible study guide 2 introduction the book of esther is a graphic narrative, which relates how gods people were preserved from ruin during the fifth century b. Then esther spoke to hathach and gave him a message for mordecai, saying, all the kings servants and the people of the kings provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one lawall alike are to be put to death.
For he was in charge of a very charming and good hearted cousin named esther, or hadassah. Summary of the book of esther genuine leather bible. Esther 4 niv mordecai persuades esther to help bible. Esther was the daughter of abihail, and her guardianmentor was mordecai. What does it mean that esther was appointed for such a time. The earliest source for this may be josephus, who writes. Mordecai was revealed to be the foster father of esther. The story of esther, mordecai, haman and king ahasuerus, is a drama which. The book purports to explain how the feast of purim came to be celebrated by the jews. The book of esther is also rich in types and patterns which expound for us, the purpose of god in redeeming mankind from the power of sin. Queen esther was challenged by her cousin, mordecai, to go before the king and make an appeal for the lives of the jews. In 2012, a graphic adaptation of the book of esther was illustrated by j. But mordechai feared the day when esther would be called to the palace.
The persian monarch mentioned in the book of esther is xerxes 485465, known from other sources as ahasuerus see niv marg. Five powerful leadership lessons from the book of esther. Lightfoot s thinks that nehemiah is the same, whose name the following book bears. Immediately after, ahasuerus and haman attend esthers second banquet. For instance, the book of esther may need never have been. Apr 20, 2008 characters in esther mordecais confidence in god esther 4. Mordecai a stepfather sermon by glenn branham, esther 2. One source says that he regarded esthers lot as very unfortunate.
In the story of esther, youll meet a beautiful, young queen who risked her life to serve god and save her people. It is apparent through mordecais actions at the beginning of the book that he is extremely alert to his surroundings. Nov 28, 2019 the book of ester is a very special book in the bible, so here are 11 important bible verses from the book of esther. Many of the scarlet threads we find in scripture are represented by men. The book of esther does not specifically name its author. When king xerxes searched for a new queen, the most beautiful women in the persian empire were taken to the susa palace. Mordecai was like a father to his cousin, queen esther pexels. This chapter presents an exegetical analysis of the book of esther, focusing on the characteristics and actions of esther and mordecai as they related to navigating the crisis of possible jewish. The book of esther is one of only two books in the bible named for women. This book is the story of how godly queen esther came to. Esther 1 revised standard version catholic edition rsvce mordecais dream. In adherence to mordecais instructions, esther did not reveal to anyone that she was a jew. He gives us various lessons, all of which are valuable to walking in gods plan for our lives. The least likely was chosen by god to step up in order to save.
Esther, the beautiful jewish wife of the persian king ahasuerus, and her cousin mordecai persuade the king to retract an order for the general annihilation of jews throughout the empire. However, his plot was foiled by the heroism of the jewish queen esther and. It is up to mordecai s niece esther to win the affection of. Nov 26, 2012 the festival of purim was established by mordecai to remind jewish people how they were saved by queen esther and mordecai from extermination. The story itself is implausible as history and, as many scholars now agree, it is. Xerxes i, and her cousin mordecai persuade the king to retract an order for the general. Although god doesnt really appear in esther, its implied that mordecai refuses to bow down to haman in the street because a jew is only permitted to bow down before god. The greek septuagint remedied this situation by adding six passages which include the name of god. Esther 110 new living translation nlt the kings banquet.
As esther was an orphan, her cousin mordechai brought her up. One key figure in the book of esther, a man named mordecai, is someone we should know and learn from. On that day, king ahasuerus gave the house of haman, the jews enemy, to esther the queen. The book of esther in hebrew is secular in nature, in that the name of god, the temple, and prayer are not mentioned. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Waldman and appeared in volume one of the graphic canon, edited by russ kick and published by seven stories press. Except for her, jerusalem might never have been rebuilt, and there might have been a different story to tell all future ages. Esther bible story summary what christians want to know. What i want to do is to give you a brief overview of the story, and then i want to look at an unsung hero in the story. The genre of the book of esther is narrative history.
King ahasuerus gave his ring to mordecai the ring he had previously given to haman when haman became the kings righthand man. Mordecai was esthers adoptive father, mentor, confidante, cheerleader, and fellow leader to stand for the rights of their jewish community. He was a jew living in the city of susa, a great man, serving in the court of the king. A wakeup call from the book of esther, israeli entrepreneur michael eisenberg writes that the book is not the story of a man mordecai who wants to grow close to his god, his people, and his land, but the story of an ambitious man who wants to become the second in command to the king, and sends his niece. It is more likely, however, that esther is really an immoral woman with low standards that god uses. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage. In book of esther xerxes i, and her cousin mordecai persuade the king to retract an order for the general annihilation of jews throughout the empire. The threat is averted by two jews, esther and mordecai. The talmud says mordecai prophesied in the second year of darius.
May 17, 2008 in the book of jonah, he used a storm to convince the fleeing prophet, jonah 1. Esther asked the king to allow the jews to defend themselves against the people of haman, the agagites. The book of esther may not explicitly mention the name of god in its pages, but it undoubtedly showcases gods hand upon his people. The book of esther in the bible is a dramatic account which can give us insight into gods special and purposeful plan for our lives. Esther s uncle, mordecai, appears first as an adoptive father, whose solicitude for esther leads him to the kings gate, where he foils a plot to assassinate the king. But it is also a wonderful story of courage and faith. Esther was a jewish woman who was selected by the persian king ahasuerus to be his wife. So lets take a look at mordecai and his role in exposing the plans of the enemy. Why did the writer of esther mention the kings gate so many. The beauty queen of obedience the term diva wasnt fashionable when i was growing up.
Now there was in the citadel of susa a jew of the tribe of benjamin, named mordecai son of jair, the son of shimei, the son of kish, 6 who had been carried into exile from jerusalem by nebuchadnezzar king of babylon, among those taken captive with jehoiachin king of judah. The mention of mordecai and his benevolence in esther 10. The key personalities are esther, mordecai, king ahasuerus or xerxes, and haman. However, the talmud in baba batra 15a ascribes the book. In the second chapter of esther, we find mordecai sitting at the kings gate when he overheard a plot to kill the king. Another biblical theme in the book of esther is divine providence follows people god that use to serve his purposes, jonah 1. He took esther as the new persian queen, not knowing she was an israelite. Mordecai informed esther of law and advised her to speak with the king. Now there was in the citadel of susa a jew of the tribe of benjamin, named mordecai son of jair, the son of shimei, the son of kish, who had been carried into exile from jerusalem by nebuchadnezzar king of babylon, among those taken captive with jehoiachin king of judah.
Esther, book of three things are predicated of mordecai in the book of esther. The book of esther in the bible contains the whole entire story of esther and mordecai. Yeah, he knows how to foil an assassination plot, he knows when to strap the sackcloth on, he knows when to weep and wail in front of the emperors gate, and he. Queen esther was given rule over the house of haman. Therefore astyages is one of the possible candidates for king ahasuerus mentioned in esther. We also see inanimate objects symbolizing our redeemer. Mordecai story book of esther old testament bible story for. Esther and mordecai under xerxes of persia amazing bible. Esther and mordecai had not returned to the land and did not seem interested in complying with the prophetic command to return. According to rashi on chapter 9, verse 20 of the book, mordecai was the author. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her.
The righteous jew mordecai and the despicable haman square off for control of the young persian king xerxes. As you know, god is not named as a participant in the book of esther but the verses that we. Mordecai, uncle of the main character, and someone who has a lot to teach us. He was one of the captives whom king nebuchadnezzar of babylon had brought from jerusalem with king. The massacre had been plotted by the kings chief minister, haman, and the date decided by casting lots purim. The authorship of the book of esther is a subject of debate. The book of esther is fraught with anxiety as it tells the story of the precarious existence of jews in the diaspora. It is impossible to guess what might have happened to the hebrew nation had there been no esther. Let me share a brief background with you on the book of esther. Grand old holy tells us the story of queen esthers wit and how she saves the lives of mordecai and fellow jews from. He was esther s adoptive father, mentor, confidante, cheerleader, and fellow leader to stand for the rights of their jewish community.
Book of esther, in the hebrew bible and the christian old testament. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. Megillat esther, the book of esther in the form that we have it in the hebrew bible, provides the story of the origin of purim, the blueprint for its celebration, and the authorization for its observance in perpetuity. The book of esther is the only one not found in the dead sea scrolls. Read about mordecai, who he was in the bible, and his importance to esther and the jewish nation. Esther is a character who most frequently is portrayed as a godly, virtuous woman whos character we should look up to and respect. He has been believed by many to have been the author of the book of esther. The prayers of esther and mordecai are especially noteworthy. Mordecai is one of the main personalities in the book of esther in the hebrew bible. Some rabbinic circles also affirmed that mordecai wrote the book of esther 5. Was it realy feasible for mordecai or ester to return to.
Simply going before the king without being invited could result in her own death. Mordecai persuades esther to help when mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out. The book of esther tells a story of the deliverance of the jewish people. The book of esther is a 20 movie starring jen lilley as queen esther and joel smallbone as king xerxes. Analysis of the old testament book of esther 1060 words 5 pages. But there a couple of problems with this view, first in order for mordecai to have been alive at this time, his great grandfather, grandfather, and father all had to have been in their fifties at the time their sons were born and mordecai would have been advanced in years at the time of the book of esther. No traditional rabbinic text claims that mordechai was esthers uncle, but the idea has both popular currency 7 and support in early texts. Introduction to the old testament book of esther related courses. Do you know any parents who do not enjoy pictures of their children and delight to show them to their friends.
Esther 6 niv mordecai honored that night the king bible gateway. Esthers uncle, mordecai, appears first as an adoptive father, whose solicitude for esther leads him to the kings gate, where he foils a plot to assassinate the king. So, hes pious apparently, though it is weird that god isnt explicitly mentioned. In this time in history they are under the control of the persians, living far from the promised land. Jan 02, 2020 esther had been orphaned as a child, and her cousin, mordecai, cared for her. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. The book takes its name from the beautiful, orphaned jewess who became the queen of the persian king ahasuerus.
Gods providence in the book of esther 1616 words bartleby. The book of esther is about a jewish girl adopted by her uncle, mordecai, after her parents died. Esther, an orphaned girl, became queen of persia and delivered her people from ruin. The life of mordecai might seem secondary in the extraordinary story of esther in the bible, but mordecai was more than just her uncle who welcomed her as his own daughter.
Mordecai s genealogy in the second chapter of the book of esther is given as a descendant of kish of the tribe of benjamin. Oct 05, 2015 the account of esther in the old testament provides us with some humbling facts about leadership. For mordecai the jew was second to king ahasuerus, and was great among the jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his kindred. Esther 4 new international version niv mordecai persuades esther to help.
Xerxes, the persian king, rejected his wife queen vashti, and fell in love with esther at a beauty contest. Mordecai is a lot like daniel or joseph, except hes not quite as awesome or good at interpreting dreams or anything like that. The jewish historian josephus names mordecai as author of the book. The sages understand this to mean that mordechai and esther wrote the book of esther. Esther was also taken from mordecais home into the susa palace. Mordecai learned of a plot to kill the king and continue reading summary of the book of esther. Mordecai instructed esther not to tell anyone that she was a jew and esther obeyed him.
In time, esther won the favor of king xerxes, and he crowned her queen esther 2. Nov 14, 2016 in the second chapter of esther, mordecai sits at the kings gate so that he will be updated on esthers wellbeing. Josephus affirmed that mordecai wrote the book of esther 4. Esther introduction united states conference of catholic bishops. But hamans plans include something horrible for mordecai and his people. It is necessary for those who desire to be useful to the souls of their neighbours not only to tell them, as occasion requires, what it is their duty to do, but to repeat their admonitions, to enforce them by reasons, and to obviate those objections which rise up in their minds. In the book of esther, mordecai is continually found sitting at the kings gate. The story takes place while gods people are in exile. Grand old holy tells us the story of queen esther s wit and how she saves the lives of mordecai and fellow jews from persecution by haman. The biblical book of esther tells the story of how a wicked man, haman, tried to destroy all the jews in ancient persia. To most parents it would have been a rare honor and a great privilege to have a daughter married to the king. A favoured representative of the chosen people read the whole book of esther many of the scarlet threads we find in scripture are represented by men. Esther 4 niv mordecai persuades esther to help bible gateway.
When he learns of the edict against the jews, he encourages esther to confront the king. He had banished his former wife and chose esther through a contest. According to the megillah, esther is the daughter of mordechai s uncle, and thus, esther and mordechai are first cousins. As she walked into the courts of the king, the most dramatic scene in the book of esther unfolded. Addition a mordecais dream in the second year of the reign of ahasuerus the great, on the first day of nisan, mordecai son of jair son of shimei son of kish, of the tribe of benjamin, had a dream. We used words such as stuckup, bigheaded and uppity to describe those who had an air of superiority, who thought they were the center of the universe and who believed they were entitled to the best life had to offer. Kish was also the name of the father of king saul, and the talmud accords mordecai the status of a descendant of the first king of israel.
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