Esther
Title: Esther – from Persian sitareh
– star. Her Hebrew/Jewish name was Hadassah – myrtle (with a star-like
flower). Most likely, she is not an author; she is the protagonist of the
book.
Date of
writing: Right after
the events of the narrative. There are at least three letters going out within
the plot of the book. At the end of the book the commemorating feast is
established – Purim. Therefore, in the culture of writings, there is no reason
to think that the recording of the events took decades or even centuries,
unless one believes it is not a historical book but a fairytale.
Date of Narrative: There are some chronological
studies done in relation to dating the book. I agree with Dr. James B. Jordan (https://biblicalhorizons.com/biblical-chronology/8_08/)
At least two things to consider:
1. Both Ezra 2:1-2 and Neh. 7:6-7 say that Mordecai
was one of the men of Israel who returned to Jerusalem and Israel after the
exile. Which makes him quite advanced in years.
2. Neh. 2:6 mentioned the queen – most likely Esther.
20th year of the king means 8 years after the events of the book of
Esther (cp. 3:7).
Therefore,
it couldn’t happen/written around 400 BC. The date should be closer to 510s BC.
Structure:
There are
basically two stories which are somewhat parallel to each other. In the middle
of each story the king remembers something important, and it turns the course
of history. NB: “to remember” in the Bible is not simply to bring to memory, it
is to notice and act upon it.
Part 1 (1:1 – 2:18)
A. The Great Feast
(1:1-9)
B. Vashti’s disobedience (1:10-12)
C. Advice of the wise men (1:13-22)
D.
The king needs a queen (2:1) – the king remembers
C’. Advice of the wise men (2:2-4)
B’. Esther’s submissiveness (2:5-17)
A’. Esther’s Accession
Feast (2:18)
Part
2 (2:19 – 10:3)
A. Mordecai (2:19-23)
B. The Attack
on God’s People (chapters 3-4)
C. Esther’s
First Feast with Haman (5:1-8) – Haman is well fed
D. At the
King’s Gate (5:9-14)
E. The
king has a sleepless night (6:1) – the king remembers
D’ At the
King’s Gate (6:1-14)
C’ Esther’s
Second Feast with Haman (7:1-10) – Haman dies
B’ The
Deliverance of God’s People (chapters 8-9)
A’ Mordecai:
Main
themes:
* Godly witness
* Supremacy of the king
* God works
through people
Main
Characters:
Ahasuerus,
Vashti, Memucan, Mordecai, Hadassah/Esther, Haman
Reflection
in other parts of the Bible: There is a chronological parallel between the Greater Chronicles (esp.
Ezra and Nehemiah) and the Book of Esther. The spoil from the defense (9:10,
15, 16) goes to the completion of Temple-Jerusalem project back in Judea.
Also, notice
the parallels between the king Ahasuerus and God. His word is strong (should
not be disobeyed and cannot be changed) and nobody can come to his presence
unless being called. His throne room resembles the Holy of holies.
Relevancy
of the Book: We are
saved not by our schemes or even conspiracies, but by the faithful God who
single handedly may overturn the schemes and evil plans of those who want to
harm the Bride of Christ – the Church.
Memory verses: 3:15-16
– Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be
found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three
days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will
go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”
