Churchill once said of Russia, “it’s a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” One might feel the same about the book of Esther. And, before you say that you have it figured out, consider:
Calvin’s solution was to ignore it. He did not preach on it so far as we aware.
Luther, never one to be shy about such matters, said that Esther has too many “heathen unnaturalities.” He wanted it to go away, and said as much.
Karen Jobes rains on the parade of how many interpret Esther:
Beyond the fact that the book of Esther is conspicuously nonreligious, the two main characters, Esther and Mordecai, do not seem to reflect the character of other great biblical heroes and heroines. Unlike Daniel and his friends, Esther shows no concern for the dietary laws when she is taken into the court of a pagan king. Instead of protesting, she conceals her Jewish identity and plays to win the new-queen beauty contest. Esther loses her virginity in the bed of an uncircumcised Gentile to whom she is not married, and she pleases him that one night better than all the other virgins of the harem. When Esther risks her life by going to the king, she does so only after Mordecai points out that she herself will not escape harm even if she refuses to act. Furthermore, Esther displays a surprising attitude of brutality. She hears that the Jews have killed five hundred people in Susa, she asks that the massacre be permitted for yet another day and that the bodies of Haman’s ten sons be impaled on the city gate. As a result, three hundred more Gentiles die. Karen H. Jobes, NIVAC commentary on Esther, page 20.
So, what’s the solution?
Hint: You won’t find the answer by looking at a list of the words in Esther.
Dr. Chris Miller pointed out in our Old Testament Survey class that God is not mentioned anywhere in the book of Esther.
Erin – -you are on the right track. You must come from a good family.
The point of Esther…
God preserves and protects His covenant people, upholding His promises to accomplish His grand redemptive plan to bring a people to Himself, even when His people are in a pagan nation and forget His statutes. God preserves His covenant even when His people do not.
Allen, that is a really great summary. Really good. I wouldn’t say it much different. I might add the word, “providentially,” to the mix. Given that God is not explicitly mentioned, it is import I think to recognize the Hidden Hand of providence.
Thanks for commenting.
Chris,
You are right, much of it is done providentially and that would be a good edition.
Reading your book right now (my personalized signed copy!) and thoroughly enjoying it and learning from it. Thank you for your ministry brother.
Allen, that is very encouraging. Thanks so much for passing that along.