Yet commentary on the book of esther

Even though the name of god is not mentioned in it, no book of the bible teaches his providence more forcefully. John calvin never preached from the book and did not write a commentary on the book martin luther renounced the book, along with other apocryphal books saying, i am so great an enemy to the second book of the maccabees, and to esther, that i wish they had not come to us at all, for they have too many heathen unnaturalities. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. Esther went to see the king, although he had not invited her. The book of esther is read every year to the assembled congregations of the jewish people in.

Number 1 rated commentary esther an introduction and commentary tyndale old testament commentaries joyce g. Ahasuerus makes royal feasts for his nobles and people, esther 1. The book belongs to the socalled five scrolls hebr. I used frederic bushs word bible commentary on esther for places where i wanted. There is not even a divine title or pronoun that refers to god. But for the kings servants, this made no sense at all. The book of esther in one sense is the most remarkable in the bible, and that is because the name of god is not mentioned in this book at all. Presented here is a verse by verse exposition of the new testament. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. Mordecai is brought into prominence at the right time 6. Unfortunately, some have wrongly concluded that esther was just a piece of historical fiction. Though it was the queen that was guilty, the law must have its course. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old.

Baldwin rosscup is a bit less enamored with karen jobes commentary writing jobes will not be clear to some in her view that a biblical book can have legitimate errors in historical matters for the sake of poetic license, without. At first glance, the story seems to be one of royal intrigue, power, wealth and politics. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage. Haman had no doubt kept his intentions secret until the kings consent to them was not only granted, but placed beyond his power to recall the jews first heard of the terrible blow impending over them by the publication of the edict. Though vashti was by no means a follower of the true god, she had enough wisdom and modesty to know that this was. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned. The story of esther reads like a movie plot, with a beautiful queen risking her life to prevent genocide.

The challenge of reading megillat esther is to reveal the hidden messages veiled within the exciting plot. But the book of esther isnt without divine influence. What spiritual lessons can we learn from this book. On that night could not the king sleep how vain are all the contrivances of foolish man against the wise and omnipotent god, who hath the hearts and hands of kings and all men perfectly at his disposal, and can by such trivial accidents as they are accounted change their minds, and produce such terrible effects. He commanded to bring the book of records his mind being. The book of esther does not mention the name of god. It is certain, as bishop patrick says, that those who suggest that she committed a great sin to come at this. Think, for instance, of the wife who yearns to hear her husband say, i love you, or the young woman who has dated a young man for a long time and has not yet heard the word marriage or todays word, commitment. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. Yet archaeological and historical evidence demonstrates that this book is historical and accurate, and.

The book of esther in the bible is a dramatic account which can give us insight into gods special and purposeful plan for our lives. Esther commentary john gills exposition of the bible. Its main concern, the very reason for its existence, is to establish purim as a jewish holiday for all generations. Yet the book of esthers real story is not found in political intrigue or superior. It reads much like a novelette, and its story is as gripping as any novel one would read today. Vashti is sent for by the king, but refuses to come, esther 1. Yet most people today have never heard of john gill. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. Yet, the books theological message is powerful and shines through the daily faithfulness of esther as she faithfully obeys the god of israel and saves her people. Best commentaries and books on esther logos bible software. Some have suggested mordecai himself was the author, though the accolades for. 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. Commentary on esther 1 by matthew henry blue letter bible. Josephus retelling of esther in jewish antiquities book xi, chapter 6 is not yet discussed as kuratowskis.

The book of esther, also known in hebrew as the scroll megillah, is a book in the third section ketuvim, writings of the jewish tanakh the hebrew bible and in the christian old testament. In the book of esther, what is not said is vitally important. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. Adam clarke commentary on esther 17601832 clarke was methodist, wesleyan, arminian, e. Sadly, many who read and study esther including bible scholars who write commentaries on the book fill in the. The commentaries i consulted did not provide any scriptures that convince me that my interpretation is wrong and almost no scriptures to back up their conclusions, except the book of esther itself. The writer of the book of esther probably wanted his readers to realise that god is always in control. Prayer is not mentionedit wouldnt be, since god is omitted. The whole history of this book in its connected order, with the occurrences in the persian empire at that time, will be found in the introduction. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the jews. Title esther serves as the title without variation through the ages. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.

General the book of esther is never quoted in the new testament, and esther is not in a genealogy or even a casual reference. Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. It relates the story of a hebrew woman in persia, born as hadassah but known as esther, who becomes queen of persia and thwarts a genocide. Xerxes this is the ahasuerus of the book of esther. Queen esther came to the throne for just such a time 4.

Esther may seem like a strange book to preach through, particularly for those who. The book of esther may remind you of a classic, once upon a time childrens story with a wealthy king, his beautiful queen, and an evil villain. Though the king was very angry, yet he would do nothing but what he was advised was. This book and the book of ruth are the only ot books named after women. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading ezra, nehemiah, esther cornerstone biblical commentary book 5. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. He did not always interpret scripture l iterally and so was amillennial he interpreted revelation as a historicist which led him to interpret the.

He eventually chose esther as his queen, and by her influence the jews were saved from destruction. Yet esther, of all the biblical books outside of the torah, is the only one that addresses the origin of a new festival. The unknown author of the book of esther was most likely a jew very familiar with the. We might even think that he does not care about us. An exposition, with practical observations, of the book of esther chapter 1. The book of esther relates an episode in jewish history of intense interestto the entire nation at the time, since it involved the. For this reason, if for no other, esther should be considered a religious book. Now he needs to pick a new queen and eventually manages to select esthera comely, young secretly jewish woman who is a part of his harem. It is one of the five scrolls megillot in the hebrew bible. Ezra, nehemiah, esther cornerstone biblical commentary book 5 kindle edition by smith, gary, comfort, philip w.

Esther chapter 8 matthew henry complete commentary on. In esther nivac, karen jobes is our guide for an insightful and unexpected look at the book of esthera book brimming with practical lessons, but seemingly without a theology. Ezra, nehemiah, esther cornerstone biblical commentary. God is always active in esther, even though it is behind the scenes. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history. Like song of solomon, obadiah, and nahum, the nt doe. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. Esther is the last of the historical books of the bible, so its main character is named esther that is, venus, the morning star, which sheds its light after all the other stars have ceased to shine, and while the sun still delays rising. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. Mourning of mordecai, and of the jews generally, on hearing of the decree esther 4. Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. Book of prophecy that reveals gods magnificent plan of salvation through the person and work of jesus christ. Esther commentary, sermon, illustration esther commentaries.

A selection of the best commentaries and bible study resources on the book of. Sleep is taken from ahasuerus at precisely the right time 6. In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. Megilla, scroll, is related to the word ligalot, which means to reveal. Artaxerxes this man was son of xerxes and stepson of esther. But, though the name of god be not in it, the finger of god is, directing many minute events for the bringing about of his peoples deliverance. But while the characters might resemble a fairy tale, the book of esther depicts actual events that shaped jewish history and instituted the festival of purim.