This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book or two of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll finish the Historical Books and move into the genre of Wisdom Literature.
What Is Esther? The book of Esther tells the story of how Esther, a Jewish girl, became queen of Persia. After her cousin Mordecai uncovered a plot to annihilate the Jewish people, he encouraged Esther to use her position to save her people from destruction.
How Esther Fits Into the Story: Without ever mentioning Him by name, the book of Esther speaks of the Lord’s presence and sovereignty in the lives of His people. God’s promise to give the Jewish people an eternal ruler remained, even in the face of threatened annihilation. Before man sought to devise their destruction, God’s invisible hand was always at work in the story of Esther and her people, securing their deliverance.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does God’s unnamed provision in Esther 4:1–14 change your understanding of how He works in your own life?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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48 thoughts on "Esther"
“Even when I don’t see it, You’re working.” ❤️
God is ordering things in my life for reasons beyond my understanding. When I surrender to Him, I am able to see His hand in His divine providence AND have the privilege to be a part of it.
I loved the part of how Mordeci encouraged Esther to use her position to create change! I’m reminded that God puts us in position to create change everyday and he gives us the boldness like Esther to go into a room with no invite that ended up changing the whole course of history! Not just for the Jews, but for the other continents and nations!
I’m reminded that God places us in “position”
Our God is a God who saves, rescues, and restores <3
God’s timing and plans are never late. We must believe when we pray and trust his timing.
Esther had always been one of my favorite Bible stories. It just shows that God uses anyone the fulfill his message to us all.
God’s sovereignty in the life of Esther reminds me of this verse: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV
Also missing Churchmouse and Tina, praying for you both! I always search for your post, I love, read and am very thankful for all who post in this great SRT community! Blessings to all!
Amen!
Hi Everyone,
I was thinking that you can go back and listen to the podcasts from the study of the book of Esther if you wanted. I heard them letting people know on a recent podcast that they could go back to one of the previous studies and dig deeper into this book or others that were studied. They were hoping this would wet people’s appetites to read more of the Old Testament books after reading the given passages. (I’m paraphrasing their words.) Have a lot of you gone back and just read a whole book or part of a book we looked at so far and if so, which ones? Hope everyone has a great day!
Churchmouse I miss your words! My husband and I scroll to find your comments each night!
First time leaving a reply. I have truly enjoyed the ART study’s!
Today it struck me that when Esther sent clothes for Mordecai to change into from sack cloth, he refused. There are times when we are uncomfortable with the way others are calling out to God, we want to fix it and make it not seem so bad. But, did we ever think that by doing that we have quieted our plea to God?! We need to be steadfast in our calling out to the Lord, no matter how uncomfortable we or others are about it.
Miri Am loved what you said.
Maura always enjoy learning from you.
Kelly I also need to learn to trust and have faith in God.
Sarah Joy I too need to walk with the Lord regardless of my fear or uncertainty. I hope you don’t mind if I pass this on.
Kenya K. so true so true.
Carleigh Bright you are so right about Mordecai. I had never thought of it that way. To continue along that train of thought had it not been for Mordecai’s belief and his raising Esther that way she would not have had the faith she had.
Angie as always you add to my knowledge of the Bible.
Kathy love what you said may I share some of it.
Donna Wolcott I too miss their comments.
Anna thank you for explaining it to me, now I understand it better.
Jennifer Anapol fully agree with what you said.
Krystle Scott I went back and read your comment from yesterday, wow love the info and never knew this. Thanks for passing it on.
Sarah Rose I know where you are coming from in a way. I too had restart part of my life last year after my niece and roommate died suddenly in a car accident in another state. I’ll tell you what got me through was my faith and my Christian community. Hang in there I’ll be praying for you.
B.H. your comment from yesterday was insightful and I would love to pass some of it on.
Even when you can’t see God working, he is working behind the scenes.❤️
We are studying the book of Esther at my church. I love seeing how God is working behind the scenes in this story. It reminds me that God is working behind the scenes in our world too. Even when we can’t see it, God is still working!
@dorothy, I think that question means… “In Esther we clearly see God’s hand and provision in the story, even though He is not always explicitly referenced. In your own life, have you had needs met or generosity bestowed upon you that you now realize was the hand of God?”
Thinking of you both, Churchmouse and Tina. Praying that you are well and hoping to “hear” from you soon. ❤️
The first question: 1. How does God’s unnamed provision in Esther 4:1–14 change your understanding of how He works in your own life? has thrown me for a loop. I’m not quite understanding what it is asking. Maybe one you, my sisters could reword it so I could understand it please.
Esther has always been one of my favorite books. I think because it shows how a shy woman with faith and courage can approach an insurmountable problem and conquer it. How she let God show her the path to take. It also shows how she was scared but over came that fear with God at her side. When I read Esther I praise God for all women like that.
Sisters have great and blessed day and please continue to pray for my sister, Carol, and nephew, Jake.
Through this reading this morning God has really reminded me that he has placed me where I am at for a reason and that he is sovereign over everything in my life!
How I love the story of Ester!!! A lesson for us all to seek God’s will, and act upon His lead.
I pray that I will always allow God’s gentle nudges to help me to do my part in showing people my Lord and Savior, and how their lives can be changed and fully enriched by His presence in their hearts.
Amen Sharon !
I am so comforted and challenged by Esther. Gods hand through all of her life is moving and yet sad. She experienced much loss prior to landing in the palace. And I’ve often wondered if the palace was a happy place for her or not. But God used her and she was willing to risk it all for him and for her people. May I be as willing…
Esther is one of my favorite books in the Bible. Even when we don’t necessarily feel God’s presence, or see/understand his plan, he is still there and his plans always prevail. “You take what the enemy meant for evil and you turn it for good.”
Amen Julie!
Agreeing that I also really miss Tina and Churchmouse… I’ve always felt that the reason your comments were so moving was because you allowed the Holy Spirit to flow through your life, bring hope and encouragement to the rest of us! Please, if you see this, rejoin us!! ♥️
Hi Ladies, (Forgive me I put this on yesterday’s reading accidentally.)
Please continue to pray for me / us…the situation with the adoptive family might be taking a yucky turn. As Jesus is my witness, I have shown only love & support but no one believes I am genuine and as such, it must be that I am “manipulative”.
What might be worse is that I think I might have upset / annoyed the social workers involved in the case (which I fear might affect our fostering future but,I may be getting ahead of myself). I hate that only one perspective is being taken.
I did not sleep last night and am carrying such a heavy weight.
Please pray God will do what is best, in each one of us… especially me “the chief of sinners” :'(
I was thinking the same thing. I miss Churchmouse and Tina. If you two are reading this please let us know you are ok. I’ll never forget a couple years back when you Churchmouse, checked on me❤️.
Me, too!
Dear Tina and Churchmouse, I miss your comments and pray that you are both okay. Have blessed day sisters.
Me too!!
I love the book of Esther. If you haven’t read “Hasaddah-One Night with the King” by Tommy Tenny—you should. It’s an awesome book.
1. I believe that God is always at work in my life. Sometimes I see Him working but most of the time He is going before me, fighting battles I don’t even know about yet. My responsibility is to stay at His side – not get ahead of Him or lag behind Him but stay right beside Him. I think that is why Mordecai had the kind of faith that he had. This passage makes me think of the song “Defender” by Francesca Battistelli. The chorus says, “All I did was praise, all I did was worship, all I did was bow down, all I did was stay still.”
2. When I got to Galatians 4:4-7, the words took my breath away. “When the time came to completion, God sent His Son…” Because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, the war has already been won. Every word of Scripture that we have read so far points to Jesus as the ultimate everything – the ultimate King, Defender, Savior, Warrior, Deliverer. Every single thing we need to get through this life can be found in Jesus.
Hebrews 1:3. “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Mordecai was already a government official and had been passed over for Haman’s job, but it comes to him in the end. I love discovering these details!
I love the book of Esther so much. I never made the connection before between the verse about Esther and the one spoken by Joseph in Genesis. Love that!
Whenever I read the book of Esther, my heart and mind go back to when my boys were little and we watched our, “Jesus movies,” by Nest Entertainment. One of our favorites was the story of Queen Esther. I even used it (yes, cartoon version) in our sophomore Sunday School class. It was so well done, they loved it. The grace and merciful spirit of Esther portrayed in the children’s video is how I picture her as I read my Bible. So often it is the grace and mercy of Jesus that people see in us that either draws them (as it drew the King to Esther), or repels them because of their evil (as it did Haman). We can accomplish lots of worldly successes, but it is the heart of our actions that makes us truly beautiful, or not. It is the heart that draws or repels.
Thank you also SRT for adding the Genesis 50:20 verse. It is one of my favorites. I once heard a speaker say, It is all about which side of the ;semi-colon you chose to live on. The verse is: “20 You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.” Whatever happens in our lives, we have a choice to dwell on the side evil planned against us, or to trust that God’s plans for us are good and we can trust Him, dwelling on the side of His goodness. (I actually had that verse & thought put on cups for each of my teenage girls and the Saturday ladies I study with.)
God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. I want to live on His side of the semi-colon. Even in the struggle. Especially in the struggle. I will trust Him. (These are not just words or platitudes…I’m still struggling every time I get in the car since my accident. I pray. I remember who my God is and then I drive, trusting His care and goodness…praying the whole way or singing His praises. I know it will get better in time. I just wanted to be transparent. I am very much in love with God, trust Him completely, and yet still have my Haman’s to battle, as we all do, sisters. We can trust God. We are loved.)
1. Esther 4:1-14 shows us that God is going to do what He says He is going to do with or without us. God’s Will will always be done. In this passage we are Mordecai acknowledge this. He tells Esther that if she doesn’t appeal to the king, then the Jews will be saved another way. This shows that Mordecai not only knew of God’s covenant with David, but he trusted and believed in it. Esther is known as the heroine in the story for having courage to approach the king when she had not been called for; however, it’s really important that we also acknowledge the faithfulness of Mordecai to God.
2. Esther shows us the redemption story because God’s Will was sovereign. He was in complete control the entire time; because of this, His covenant with David to bring about the Messiah could be fulfilled. Through Esther and Mordecai, God’s people were saved!
The story of Esther makes it abundantly clear that God is always at work, even when we don’t see Him. I think sometimes when things aren’t how we expected or what we want them to be, we can forget that God is still running the show. And instead of whining or wishing something was different, we can believe that God has us here “for such a time as this!” And that His hand is working underneath it all. We see it all the way through the Bible in the most unlikely places that Gods plan always wins.
Praying for you ladies today to find this truth!
Esther comes to remind us that we are always living in “such a time as this”. Be faithful in your time!
MAURA, wow, my friend you got an early start today!!! I hope your spirit is feeling refreshed and encouraged!!
Isaiah 41… I highlighted the same verses you did without realizing it!! I agree that God is making Himself and His faithfulness known, but I also noticed opposition in this chapter… almost like an argument or discussion that was going on… one side recognized God as the ultimate authority and one side didn’t…like two warring sides of a single conversation… Isaiah 41:21 First God speaks then Jacob’s king replies… God kept declaring His Great and Mighty faithfulness making Himself CLEARLY known, so that the people would know exactly Who He is and what He provides. And that idols, or things that we put in the place of God, have NO place at all in our lives, they provide NO answers or dwelling places only God can provide those!!! At least I think that’s what it was saying? I also found it interesting that Jacob (Israel) was called a worm. What do you think that means? I noticed too, that Isaiah 41:15-16 made reference (in a way) to the verses we read yesterday about the flowers and grass withering and fading…but in today’s reading instead of withering they were made into sharp edges, that blew things away!! Almost like God was giving us discernment and a means to crush what isn’t of Him… does that make sense? I thought Isaiah 41:28-29 summed up the “conversation” nicely!! There is no confusion in God, only clarity!!!
May we all have a really clear, discerning and wonderful day!! Love you ladies!! And am praying for each of you!!
MAURA—love you, sweet sister. Always appreciate your posts and have been thinking of you and praying for you this week as you come to mind. ❤️
Haven’t been as active in the comments for this study but so grateful for God’s Word and all of you in this community.
Seeing moves toward reconciliation with my sister these past few weeks so thank you for those who were praying. ❤️
Grace and peace, sisters.
Love this response Mira Am! The boldness Mordecai had was so encouraging and shows we can trust God and have big faith EVEN when are feelings are in contradiction to what we believe God can do.
Ladies- please pray for me today! I have recently been homeschooling my children, as God had provided a way for me to work full time and do so. That is in jeopardy now. I am scared but I KNOW that where God guides, He provides. This story of Esther is such a blessing (isn’t God’s timing impeccable?)! Please pray for me today to trust and let go of worry and fear of the unknown. Pray that God will bless my efforts to raise and educate my children as He led me.
Also- I just got word that a mother of two young boys I know, Stacy, just unexpectedly lost her husband last night. Please pray for that family.
Thank you all! Y’all are such a blessing!
1. “God will make a way when there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me. He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side. With love and strength for each new day – He will make a way. He will make a way.” (Worship song lyrics from a few years back.)
And often times His way requires me walking by faith regardless of my fear and uncertainty.
2. God’s redemption plan did not come in the time or the way that people expected. However, He provided. He has offered a way of salvation.
I love Esther 4:13-14 where Mordecai says “if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come for the Jews from another place.” He knows God will deliver his people. He now wants Esther to have the opportunity God has given her to have a hand in the deliverance. God doesn’t need us to do His work, but what an amazing opportunity for us to see first hand what miraculous things He’s doing when we’re obedient. Happy Thursday sisters!
@LINDAK-great news! Will continue to pray.
1.God is always working to bring His purposes and promises to pass. My ideas as to what that looks like for me does not always align with His so His ways are sometimes a mystery (seeming at times to be unfair). This is where my trust and faith in Him grows. Will I rest in Him or strive to do things my way?
2. God’s plan for redemption will not be stopped by the wicked! He protected the promised seed of David through a marginalized orphaned girl.
A thought about yesterday…WE are the temple of God, together. Like Paul’s illustrations of the body having different parts and Peter noting we are living stones, together we form God,s temple on the earth. Oh, that we would be in unity to show His glory and not be in disrepair.
Hello Sisters, the story of Esther, and God’s provision it always strikes when we see Mordacai’s faith in 4:14 “If you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s family will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.” Mordacai knows that the deliverance will come, even if Esther doesn’t step up and defend her people. But, Mordecai speaks truth to her and let’s Esther know her purpose in what is happening. And, I think how thankful I am for those people in my life that speak truth to me, that point me to the Lord, consistently reminding me to seek His wisdom. That I could always walk in His purpose for me is my prayer.
ERB, Isaiah 41, seemed to me that God was telling of his might and asking where is the power of these man made objects that were being made into idols. But, over and over He says he will be with us, And, that they are nothing. 41:9-13 I am sorry I am drifting off to sleep going early in the morning to walk with a friend. I will watch for your insight my friend. His joy to your day all my sisters. The song There is Power in the name of Jesus just came to my mind.
Goodnight Ladies, may His love pour into you and flow out into your day and those He puts in your path.
Good morning sisters! I’m always amazed how we can read a piece of the Word and see something we didn’t see before. I always saw Mordecai pleading with Esther but today I saw his faith instead of his fear. Despite the threat of annihilation he says “relief and deliverance will come” because he has such faith that the Lord will rescue them. I always thought perhaps Esther acted out of fear in response to “don’t think you will escape” but now Instead I see faith and that is SO beautiful!!! It’s prompting me to think how can I challenger my fears to them into faith