DAY 353: JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR – ESTHER 1-5
December 17, 2024
ESTHER 1-5
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DAY 353: JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Today we begin our journey through the book of Esther. The book of Esther, who is of the tribe of Benjamin, takes place after they had been taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar. Years after the sack of Jerusalem, the Medo-Persian Empire defeated the Babylonians, inheriting the Jewish captives. Esther is one of two books of the Bible in which God is never mentioned, yet His presence is throughout the entire account.
Take a moment and pray, asking for understanding of today’s reading. Read Esther 1-5. Let’s journey!
The Book of Esther is the story of how Esther became queen and saved the Jewish people from genocide. Interestingly, it is one of only two books of the Bible that makes no explicit mention of the Lord God, however, His presence is easily felt and seen throughout the entire story. It takes place 100 years after the exile to Babylon, during which time, some Jews had returned to their homeland, and Babylon had been defeated by the Medo-Persian Empire, within which Esther and her family chose to remain and live in a Jewish community.
Esther 1-5: When the queen refuses an order of King Xerxes, the queen is disposed and a search is conducted for a beautiful woman to become the new queen. Esther was one of the women selected to be brought to the palace, where she immediately gains favor, although she keeps her heritage a secret as instructed by her cousin Mordecai. She is eventually made queen. Mordecai stopped a plot to kill the king. Haman, an Agagite and honored noble, planned to destroy the Jews, convincing King Xerxes that they were a threat. Mordecai learns of the plot and goes to Esther for help. Esther fasted before approaching the king without permission and sought a dinner with the king and Haman. Haman became angry with Mordecai because he refused to bow to Haman. (Esther 1:1-5:14)
As mentioned earlier, the Lord God is never mentioned in this book. How and where can you see God at work throughout the story? What can this teach you? Does this change how you view God in your life?
Godspeace!
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