We’ve arrived at my favorite part of summer: summer women’s Bible studies! I look forward to this all year because this one night per week connects me to other women of different ages, experiences, education, and levels of faith, and brings all of us together over God’s word. Out of many, one!
Each week several different Beth Moore studies are offered at the homes of church members throughout the city. Groups of women gather by geographic location to watch a one-hour video lesson by Beth and then discuss the week’s “homework.” In between the weekly group sessions are individual lessons for each person to do at home each day of the week. This year I am hosting a group of 10 to learn about Esther.
Esther is a small book in the Old Testament tucked in between Nehemiah and Job. Chronologically it takes place in Persia several centuries after the Kings (David, Solomon) and after the first group of exiles leave Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem. In other words, Abraham > Moses > Conquest of Canaan > Judges > Kings (David) > Prophets > Exile to Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar II.
Shortly after Nebuchadnezzar, the Persians took over. During the time of Esther, Persia was ruled by Xerxes the Great, who is known for amassing one of the largest armies in ancient history for a failed attempt to invade Greece. A contemporary of Esther is Daniel, who foretold the invasion of the Medo-Persian Empire by the Greeks. The Persians would be taken over by the Greeks, led by Alexander the Great, just a century later. Another interesting note is that modern-day Persia is called Iran.
The book Feasts of the Lord notes that during this Persian rule, the Jewish Diaspora (dispersion) that remained in Persia had learned to fit in with the culture and avoid anti-Semitism. In fact, the name “Esther” is not her given Hebrew name; it is a Persian tribute to the pagan goddess Ishtar that was used to hide her Hebrew name, Hadassah. At this point in history the anti-Semitism had grown to the point of persecution. The villain in the story, Haman, plots and schemes on how to eliminate the Persian Jews. Enter Esther and her uncle Mordecai to foil the plot and save the Jews. As much as the story is about their loyalty to serving God, the story of Esther is a story of God faithfully delivering his people from annihilation.
As much as I love geography/history/culture facts, I’m more excited to hear what God needs to say to me through this study. From what I gather reading the cover, this study will focus on Esther’s courage and the parallels we can apply to our lives today. Most importantly, it will lead us to a deeper understanding of the One who protects us.
