Ahasuerus

So Esther arose, and stood before the king.

With Haman’s plot against the Jews looming, Esther put on her royal robes at the command of Mordecai and stood in the inner court of King Ahasuerus’s palace in front of the king’s rooms. And the king was sitting on his royal throne. Esther’s entrance was a seriously huge deal, since she had not beenContinue reading “So Esther arose, and stood before the king.”

The Work of God in King Ahasuerus

Theologians discussing the book of Esther often summarize its purpose like this: All people can benefit from reading Esther, as it reminds us that even when it appears that God is absent, he is still at work in our lives and will not abandon his promises while we are living in a confusing and broken worldContinue reading “The Work of God in King Ahasuerus”

Esther’s Banquet

I am so hostile to this book [2 Maccabees] and Esther that I could wish that they did not exist at all, for they judaize too greatly and have much pagan impropriety. Martin Luther Poor Luther. The book of Esther is indeed peculiar and perplexing, particularly to us Gentiles. But part of the genius ofContinue reading “Esther’s Banquet”