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Information about the book of Esther:
This book of Esther is a very important historical book. It tells of the Hebrew nations'
deliverance from annihilation in the days following Babylonian captivity. If the Hebrew nation had
been wiped out of existence 500 years before Christ came into the world, it would have made a
difference in the destiny of man. No Hebrew nation! No Christ! No salvation! It is impossible to
guess what might have happened if Esther had not become queen. Yet as God rules the universe, He
is able to bring to pass His purpose and plans, in spite of men. Even though it was out of an evil heart
that caused the king to divorce queen Vashti, yet God's providence worked in a good way to replace
her with a queen that would benefit His decrees and purpose. I don't think God was responsible for
the evil divorce of the king, but it is certain that He brought good to pass even in the face of evil.
Another interesting point is the fact that nowhere in this book is the name of God mentioned, but
throughout the Book of Esther, God's providences are seen at work.
Esther's position in history:
Esther, a Jewess, became queen of Persia about 478 B.C. She saved the Jews from massacre
about 473 B.C. Thus Esther appeared about forty years after the Temple was rebuilt and about thirty
years before the wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt.
Facts about Esther:
Esther means "good fortune". Her other name is Hadassah (Esther 2:7). Esther was an
orphan (Esther 2:7) and she was cousin to Mordecai (Esther 2:7). She became the wife of King
Ahasuerus (Esther 2: 16-17). No children are recorded in their 13 years of marriage but there is one
stepson named Artaxerxes (Ezra 4:5-7).
She was such a wife as to be adored by husband after five years of marriage, from the
seventh year of his reign (Esther 2:15), to the twelfth year of his reign (Esther 3:7). Notice that she
found “favor in his sight” (Esther 5:2). Most noteworthy, she was willing to lay down her life for
her people (Esther 4:16).
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