Esther

The 17th book of the Old Testament: Remember to read the actual book of the Bible, come here and recap, and participate in the discussion.

The Book of Esther tells the story of a young Jewish woman, Esther, who becomes queen of Persia and, along with her cousin Mordecai, saves her people from annihilation orchestrated by the evil Haman. 

Here's a more detailed summary:

• • Esther's Rise to Power:

    Esther, an orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai, is chosen as the new queen after King Ahasuerus banishes his previous queen, Vashti. 

     
  • Haman's Plot:

    Haman, a high-ranking official in the Persian court, becomes enraged when Mordecai refuses to bow to him. He plots to destroy all the Jewish people in the empire. 

     

• Mordecai's Warning:

  Mordecai, learning of Haman's plot, urges Esther to reveal her Jewish identity to the king and plead for her people's safety. 

   

• Esther's Courage:

  Esther, despite the risk to her own life, agrees to intervene and risks her own life by appearing uninvited before the king. 

   

• Revealing the Plot:

  Esther reveals Haman's plot to the king and exposes his wicked intentions. 

   

• Reversal of Fortune:

  The king, enraged by Haman's treachery, orders Haman's execution and reverses the decree to destroy the Jews. 

   

• Jewish People Defend Themselves:

  The Jews are allowed to defend themselves against their enemies, and they successfully repel Haman's supporters. 

   

• Purim Established:

  To commemorate their deliverance, the Jews establish the annual festival of Purim, a joyous celebration that remembers the events in the Book of Esther. 

   

• Themes:

  The story of Esther highlights themes of courage, faith, and God's providence, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.