The main characters in the Book of Esther are Ahasuerus (king of Persia), Vashti (deposed queen), Mordecai (captive Benjaminite), Esther/Hadassah (niece of Mordecai) and Haman (Jewish enemy). This book does not mention the name of God, yet He is all around, over and through the book. The book is the source of the Jewish celebration of Purim, a time of celebration and food plus costumes for children.
Practical Lessons of Permanent Value from Esther
• Divine Sovereignty — God exercises control over His creation and His people.
• Hope in Darkness — God has a plan for brighter days, even during darkest times.
• Spiritual Influence — God’s Spirit moves within all political processes.
• Present Providence — God actively works in the present to bring His good.
• God’s Perspective — Human notions of power, prestige and position may differ from God’s perspective.
• Unwavering Trust — Trusting in God is consistently the right choice.
• Guided Behavior — Seeking God’s guidance leads to right behavior.
• Divine Praise — When God acts decisively, our response should be praise, thanksgiving and worship with great rejoicing and vigor.
• Inner Courage — Standing for faith in God, integrity and righteousness requires a brave, volitional act from within.
• Personal Care — God cares for all His people, even in seemingly discombobulated circumstances. Whether in the grand sweep of history or our own small worlds, His providence extends to each of us.
Esther is the story of faith in God, the triumph of His people through His grace and the wonder of awe that comes to us when we stand with total trust in His care. This story encourages us to trust our lives to Christ.
