There are many questions when dealing with the book of Esther. Why is God not mentioned? There is no reference to prayer...why such a hateful vengeance? But we must stop and ask why this book is contained in holy writ? Certainly it must be "Christ and Him crucified as all of scripture is. We must look at the total picture to see the message of the Gospel and let its light shine to us in its historical perspective and relevance.

We need to know the history in order to understand this book of the Bible. The Babylonian captivity (about 600 BC) takes place (Jeremiah's lamentations) and much of Israel has been brought into captivity and she was destroyed by the Chaldeans and a large number of the Jews were deported and among them Albanus and even Daniel while many "less" were left behind. After many years the core of the Jews are returned (about 50000) to Jerusalem and are to build the temple. It took them approximately 100 years to build the temple and it is with this time that we are dealing with Esther. The people are being chided but being encouraged to continue in the building of the temple. In the 3rd year of Ahasuerus rein he has a feast to show the greatness of the Persian empire and calls on wife Vasti to show her off but she refuses to come to the drunken party and the king divorces her at the advice of his counsel which makes room for Esther. Women in the kingdom are rounded up and included is Esther who is under the care of Mordecai who will not bow to Haman. Haman then finds out he is a Jew and takes vengeance with a decree to destroy all of the Jews within the kingdom (even as christians are always accused of not being part of the earthly kingdom.) The king reads the roles and sees that Mordecai had revealed the plot against him, saving his life, and hanging Haman on his own gallows. Mordecai is rewarded and esteemed and Esther also pleads causing the king to overturn another Persian decree which the Jews take full advantage of killing their enemies.

Many see the story and see Esther and Mordecai as the story. Are they of great faith hiding their identities or not engaging in prayer? Understand that Esther hid her identity and stood for consolation to a most wicked king! We do not justify the scriptures and then do not emulate Esther and Mordecai either. Did others in scripture not compromise their faith and ways? They belonged to the nation of Israel and were Jews and Haman's scheme was to destroy the "kingdom." But, the Lord, His Word and promises never fail! And the spirit of anti-christ is shown in Nebuchadnezzar and Haman and will show itself till the end of time. But God's promises will NEVER fail! We see what the seed of the dragon wants to accomplish. It is all the same and is to destroy the Kingdom, to devour the children of God, and prevent the King and Christ from coming.