The Book of Esther

The Book of Esther

Dear Friends,

I hope you enjoyed our read through 1 and 2 Peter and found that ancient wisdom useful for your lives of discipleship today.  From tomorrow morning we will spend a few weeks reading through the Book of Esther.  Esther relates the story of a Jewish woman in Persia. Born as Hadassah but known as Esther, she became queen of Persia and thwarted a genocide of her people. The story forms the core of the Jewish festival of Purim, during which it is read aloud twice: once in the evening and again the following morning. The books of Esther and Song of Songs are the only books in the Hebrew Bible that do not mention God.

The book is fast paced, appalling in its brutality in places and full of danger, intrigue and patriarchal figures that either make you want to laugh or cry.  Women are central to the story but we see the ways in which they had to act in order to maintain their own safety.  Eunuchs are ever present as bit part players that join in the palace plots.  

Esther is a change of style from the material we’ve been reading, is very enjoyable and has much to offer us as we marvel at the political intrigue and plots in our own time.

with every good wish

Andy

The Rev’d Andy Braunston,
Co-ordinator, Daily Devotions from the URC