The book of esther gives us a fascinating historical narrative of god s providential activity amongst a failed attempt to annihilate exiled jews in the persian empire. The book of esther and gods providence april 25, 2018 jack wellman patheos explore the worlds faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality. Jane roach uses insightful commentary, application questions, testimonies, and hymns to walk readers through the compelling story, introduce characters, and identify gods. Providence as seen in the book of esther charles h. Apr 25, 2018 the book of esther and gods providence april 25, 2018 jack wellman patheos explore the worlds faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality. Even though the name of god is not mentioned in it, no book of the bible teaches his providence more forcefully.
With them, you will be able to see how, in the book of esther, god wanted to show how his providence, his invisible hand, works behind the scenes to bring about his purposes in history. The answer is that they underpin the central message in this book, which is the providential care of god for his people. Providence in the book of esther template magnify him. I dont think it was an oversight that god is not mentioned in the book of esther. Esther bible study chapter 5 prayer and the power of the. God doesnt control mans freewill but he sees ahead what people will do and overrules all situation.
Finally, the book of esther may not mention god because the emphasis is on god s providence. Finally, the book of esther may not mention god because the emphasis is on gods providence. Free sermon outlines from tony evans on the book of esther. While there are no direct miracles, the book is full of the miraculous hand of god working all things out for his glory. It is the only book in the bible where gods name is not mentioned at all. While there are no direct miracles, the book is full of the miraculous hand of. The removal of queen vashti for rebellion against the king, making way for a new queen. A robust treatment of esthers defects would surely include the books famed failure to mention the name of god or to recognize divine providence.
Before god created the world, he had a plan, scheme, to save sinful mankind eph. The sleepless king and the providence of god by i gordon. While there are many hidden intents of thought in the book of esther i affirm that the strongest theme in the book of the bible is that of gods providence. The purpose of the book of esther is to display the providence of god, especially in regard to his chosen people, israel. Providence as seen in the book of esther answers in. In this sixweek study, explore the subject of god s providence, walking verse by verse through the book of esther. With scripture memory, daily study, and group discussion questions, this resource is ideal. Exploring gods providence for his chosen nation of israel throughout the old testament book of esther. The book of esther teaches us that god is at work in the details. The book of esther and gods providence jack wellman. In my eyes, the biggest theme in the book seems to be the belief in and the presence of gods control. The unseen hand of providence bible study magazine.
Some of the smallest details mentioned in the book turn out to be indispensable links in the chain of events. There is no such thing as chance or blind fatebut there is a providence which guides and governs the world. Israels history is filled with irony and tokens of gods providence. The providence of god in his government of the world is a subject of deep importance to the christian, for by proper views thereof he will learn to see gods activities in the daily works of his hands. In this sixweek study, explore the subject of gods providence, walking verse by verse through the book of esther. In the book of esther, gods name is never mentioned, but you can clearly see the fingerprints of gods sovereignty throughout the book. In the book of esther, as much as in any other part of the word of god, and i had almost committed myself by saying more than anywhere else, the hand of providence is obviously to be seen. The name of god does not actually appear in the book of esther, yet the hand of god is everywhere. This study challenges us to trust in gods guiding hand over the smallest of details in our everyday lives and to rest safely in his providence. Dec 28, 2016 exploring gods providence for his chosen nation of israel throughout the old testament book of esther. Divine providence in the book of esther ernstaugust.
The book of esther is one of only two books in the hebrew bible that never mention god the other is the song of songs. The providence of god is his care of and provision he makes for his creatures, with his supervision and superintendence of them. Nov 26, 2019 god is a reality to them by the eye of faith, in which they can see him. Providence is the overall theme of this old testament book.
And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for. Esther the book of esther is one of the most beautiful stories in all literature. God is a reality to them by the eye of faith, in which they can see him. The book of esther gives us a fascinating historical narrative of gods providential activity amongst a failed attempt to annihilate exiled jews in the persian empire. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned. The foolishness of a king, the reaction of a queen, the fear of selfseeking officials, are all revealed to be part of the great divine plan.
Although we do not find the name of god mentioned even once in the book of esther, throughout the book we are conscious of god working things together behind the scenes to accomplish his purposes. Did you know that god is not referred to even one time in the entire 10 chapters of esther. Thank you for your interest in these free sermon outlines from tony evans. Divine providence in the book of esther ernstaugust bremicker. Hitlers attempts to exterminate the jews resulted in the modern nation of israel. God sets esther on the throne as queen, saves mordecai from hamans.
The purpose of the book of esther is to see the providence of god even when his name is not mentioned. Colin jones adds throughout the book of esther we are encouraged to see the providential dealings of god through their gracious outcomes. The book of esther is the most truetolife biblical example of god s providence precisely because god seems absent. We can read the theological message of gods providence in esther only by reading the book within its larger context of the biblical canonand, therefore, within. Dec 14, 2016 exploring gods providence for his chosen nation of israel throughout the old testament book of esther. The book of esther was likely written between 460 and 350 b. The providence of god in the book of esther lesson 3. Even in the most pagan corner of the world, god is ruling all things to the benefit of his people and to the glory of his name.
We dont see any great, grand miracles, signs, or wonders in the book of esther. The book covers a period of about 12 years, falling somewhere between the events recorded in the sixth and seventh chapters of ezra. God never violated anyones free will, yet everything happened as he had planned. The biblical book of esther presents a powerful exhibition of gods providence. As most of us are probably aware, the book of esther in the bible is known for not mentioning god by. God has always promised to preserve the jewish people e. In the days of ahasuerus, king of persia, and in the days between the building of the temple and the wall around jerusalem, israel found themselves in a time of great peril. A story of the providence of god in a pagan land page 4 introduction to the book the book of esther is the only book in the bible that does not mention the name of god. The book of esther has no mention of the name of god. The word providence comes from the latin word provideo. Providence in the book of esther template magnify him together. He directs the actions of every person for his greater purpose. And yet, neither his name nor his words are found anywhere in the book. The providence of god in the book of esther lesson 2.
God masterfully orchestrates and weaves together every detail of our lives in jawdropping ways. You are probably aware that some persons have denied the inspiration of the book of esther because the name of god does not occur in it. The book of esther and gods providence jack wellman patheos. The story of esther is the story of the unseen providence of god. This shows that mordecai believes in gods providence, as there would seem to be no other way to understand this statement. Study questions what can you expect from god when he calls you to live by faith, giving your life on behalf of his kingdom and people. Bible studies in the book of esther esther chapter 6. Jan 02, 2020 finally, the book of esther may not mention god because the emphasis is on gods providence. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. Download this template to keep track of your observations of the ways of providence as you read through the book of esther. God may graciously give powerful, immediate deliveranceor he may give grace to persevere. The book of esther gods name is not mentioned one time in the book of esther, however the biggest theme of the book is the belief in gods control over everything that happens to his people both in the history of the peopleasawhole. We saw in the last study that everything is reaching an exciting climax and before the day is out, someone will be a goner. The book of esther and god hidden and revealed lutheran forum.
For those who expect god to work in nothing but a miraculous way, it is a wholesome corrective. In esthers story, gods involvement is implicit rather than explicit. For example, when esther asks the jews to fast, we can assume this included prayer est. The book of esther is the most truetolife biblical example of gods providence precisely because god seems absent. Jane roach uses insightful commentary, application questions, testimonies, and hymns to walk readers through the compelling story, introduce characters, and identify god s. Even more so, mordecais behavior places all jews in persia. It would harp on her lack of consideration for classic old testament doctrines such as covenant and circumcision and point out that ultimately she would never be quoted in the new testament, either. You can see that esther is a deeper book than meets the eye, but what purpose do these literary devices serve. Excerpt from esther queen of destiny by john martin. Sermon on esther sermon outline discussing gods providence in the amazing story of esther, persias queen.
But at the end of the story, what we see is the great miracle providence. Providence as seen in the book of esther though it was turned to the contrary, that the jews had rule over them that hated them. Even though god is not on the front page of esther, his fingerprints are all through the book. There may be no clearer example of divine providence in the bible than the case of the jewish girl, esther, who became queen of persia and was gods. One of the great examples of this is the book of esther. Of course, the real hero of purim is the lord, the god of israel who will not allow his people to be destroyed or his purpose to be thwarted. Mordecais belief in the providence of god would certainly be based on an accurate understanding of the hebrew scriptures. Sermon on esther sermon outline discussing god s providence in the amazing story of esther, persias queen. However, upon reading esther, it is pretty obvious that gods presence is felt and hinted at throughout the story. Through esthers story we see a picture of what theologians call the providence of god, meaning that in some inscrutable and invisible way, god is moving all of history toward its final end in christ through the normal and ordinary course of human life, even without. Lets look for the obvious hand of god, acts of providence in this book.
In the book of esther, god tells us a story in which he is hidden from view. The book of esther is almost entirely characterised by divine providence. Book of esther bible study chapter 5 prayer and the power of the third day book of esther bible study chapter 6 the sleepless king and the providence of god book of esther bible study chapter 7 the downfall of haman the wicked. For traditional jewish commentators, the absence of god s name did not mean that god was absent from the book. Gods providence in esther chosen people ministries. For traditional jewish commentators, the absence of gods name did not mean that god was absent from the book. As most of us are probably aware, the book of esther in the bible is known for not mentioning god by name even once. We continuously see in the book of esther gods grace shown towards those who call on him.
It is the only book that does not mention the name of god. In this great book, more than any other book of the bible, we see the providence of god. This has astonished many readers but the reason for it is that he is not dealing with his earthly people in a direct and visible way in the events recorded in this book. Gods provision for his people based on his foreknowledge he sees the need before we do. It is the only book in the bible where god s name is not mentioned at all. Consider the following occurrences which at face value appear to be inconsequential. The puritan writer thomas watson has the following notes on providence writing that.
Bible studies in the book of esther jesus plus nothing. The book of esther is one of two biblical books that never mention god. The fate of gods chosen people is at the very center of the story, but god seems to. God working through normal people in their normal circumstances to accomplish his plan.