Topical Bible: Prophecies Concerning Israel: Captivity of are Saved by Esther

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The narrative of Esther is a profound testament to God's providential care and deliverance of His people, Israel, during their captivity. The Book of Esther, set in the Persian Empire during the reign of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus), unfolds a dramatic account of divine intervention through the courage and faith of a Jewish woman named Esther.

Historical Context

The events of Esther occur after the Babylonian exile, during a time when many Jews were living in the Persian Empire. The Jewish people, though allowed to return to Jerusalem by the decree of Cyrus, remained scattered throughout the empire. This dispersion, known as the Diaspora, left them vulnerable to the whims of foreign rulers and local adversaries.

Prophetic Background

While the Book of Esther itself does not contain explicit prophecies, it is deeply connected to the prophetic themes found throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. The captivity and subsequent deliverance of the Jewish people echo the promises and warnings given by the prophets. For instance, the prophet Jeremiah foretold the Babylonian captivity but also promised restoration and protection for Israel (Jeremiah 29:10-14).

The Threat to Israel

The central crisis in Esther arises when Haman, an Amalekite and high-ranking official in the Persian court, plots to annihilate the Jewish people. His hatred for the Jews, particularly Mordecai, Esther's cousin, leads him to manipulate King Xerxes into issuing a decree for their destruction. This edict, sealed with the king's signet ring, seemed irreversible and posed an existential threat to the Jewish community.

Esther's Role in Deliverance

Esther, a Jewish woman who becomes queen, is positioned by God to intercede for her people. Mordecai's famous exhortation to Esther highlights the providential nature of her position: "And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14). Esther's bravery in approaching the king uninvited, risking her life, is a pivotal moment in the narrative.

Through a series of divinely orchestrated events, Esther reveals Haman's plot to the king, leading to Haman's downfall and the issuance of a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves. The Jewish people are saved, and the festival of Purim is established to commemorate this deliverance.

Theological Implications

The account of Esther underscores several key theological themes:

1. Divine Providence: God's unseen hand is evident throughout the narrative, orchestrating events to protect His covenant people. Though God's name is not mentioned in the book, His presence is unmistakable.

2. Covenant Faithfulness: The deliverance of the Jews in Esther is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel. Despite their dispersion and vulnerability, God remains faithful to His promises.

3. Human Agency and Responsibility: Esther's account illustrates the importance of human agency in God's redemptive plan. Her courage and willingness to act are instrumental in the salvation of her people.

4. The Reversal of Fortunes: The narrative highlights the biblical theme of the reversal of fortunes, where the plans of the wicked are turned against them, and the righteous are vindicated.

The account of Esther serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to save His people, even in the most dire circumstances. It is a account of hope and assurance that God is always at work, fulfilling His purposes for Israel and, by extension, His redemptive plan for the world.

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Esther 4:1
When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
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Esther 5:1
Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
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Esther 6:1
On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
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Esther 7:1
So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.
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Esther 8:1
On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy to Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was to her.
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Esther 9:1
Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)
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Library

The Antiquities of the Jews
... Of Syria And Pekah King Of Israel, Made War ... Befell Daniel In Media; And What Prophecies
He Delivered ... CHAPTER 6. Concerning Esther And Mordecai And Haman; And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... Who followed the rejected King of Israel, as his ... who will dare to speak the truth
concerning the sins of ... then, must be overthrown before the prophecies can be ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

Questions.
... What partial reformation took place in Israel? 14. ... 9. But what had been foretold
concerning Cyrus?"Is. xlv. ... 30. What prophecies were here fulfilled?"Ps. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... For as concerning his masses, prayers for the dead ... to their place: and the house
of Israel shall possess ... Now will be broken up those prophecies and promises ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

On the Interpretation of Scripture
... between the temporal and the spiritual Israel; or again if ... who maintain that the
roll of prophecies is completed ... such a question as that concerning the origin ...
/.../on the interpretation of scripture.htm