5.13 Esther 1-2

Joel Nagel

5.13.2020

Esther 1-2

These chapters set the stage for the amazing story of Esther who lives in Persia during the time of Jewish captivity. It’s a marvel that this story even appears in the bible since it never even mentions the name of God. Yet, you can see the clear difference between Godly people and the ungodly. The stage is set in these chapters for the drama that will soon unfold. It’s easy to be distracted by the sexism of the king and culture but this is not a section teaching us how to be Godly. It’s showing us just how powerful this king who reigns from India to Ethiopia is and how difficult it will be for the female hero of this story to triumph. Esther is chosen as the former queens replacement and her uncle Mordecai uncovers an assassination plot. He asks her to keep her Jewish heritage secret.

Key Verse:

Esther 1:1 “Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces…”

This verse describes a VERY powerful king ruling a vast empire. He’s rich. He has wise advisors. He dictates cultural norms. And he’s about to be rescued by a Godly woman who serves an even greater king.

I think that it’s easy for us at times to be intimidated by powerful people or to fear them. This could be powerful people in our families, at our jobs, or in our culture. It helps to know that we serve the most powerful king of all!

I feel like I’ve been growing in speaking truth to power and caring less what people think about me but I have a long way to go. This perspective about the king of Persia helps!

I see Jesus in all of this because in his life he faced all kinds of powerful people. He never backed down or tried to please them over the true king, his Father. Ultimately, those in ‘power’ put him to death but his greater power became evident just three days later in the form of an empty tomb and a changed world.