Esther's Zeal & The Feast of PurimFirst, I would like to share that I do not hold a postion of clergy, pastor, minister nor evangelist. I have never studied Theology nor taken religion classes in any school.
I do not represent nor am I certified in any specific field. My only resource is Holy Inspired Written Word of God ...The Bible. One thing for certain I believe and stand on -- ALL Mankind IS precious.
The Biblical Truth on Record: The greatest message of Esther is a divine providence, by which God can rule and overrule in affairs of men and work events out according to his will. The king had a sleepless night at exactly right time - night before first banquet (Esther 6:1). God could easily cause that. The king had book of records brought before him and read. The result was that Mordecai was honored on very day that Haman planned to hang him. Then at second banquet Esther, was in a postion to plead for her life and lives of her people. (Esther 7).
It will help to think of Daniel or Esther when ever in a hard place. But remember most of all that Lord is your helper as he was theirs.
Key Words in Esther 4:10-17; 9:20-22, 26 and 27: Hatach, commandment, unto Mordecai, one law of his, golden sceptre, I have not been called, Think not, enlargement, from another place, fast ye for me, and 15th day, Purim and such as joined themselves unto them.
The identification of Hebrew name Ahasuerus with Xerxes was determined via of Babylonian form of name. Ahasuerus is mentioned in one verse in Book of Ezra 4:6 and in period of his reign comes chronologically during part of 57 years which elasped after events recorded in Ezra 6 and before those of Ezra 7.
The book of Esther was written in Persian period around 406 - 359 BC, by a Susan Jew who was familiar with palace, and with Persian history, and with Persian customs.
Esther, Persian name of HADASSAH, daughter of Abihail, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjamite. Esther was a beautiful Jewish maiden, whose ancestor Kish had been among captives led away from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar when Jehoiachin was taken captive. She was an orphan without father or mother, and had been brought up by her cousin Mordecai, who had an office in household of Ahasuerus king of Persia, and dwelt at "Shushan palace." When Vashti was dismissed from being queen, and all fairest virgins of kingdom had been collected at Shushan for king to make choice of a successor to her from among them, choice fell upon Esther. The king, was not aware, however, of her race and parentage.