Price: $10.00
 |
Esther |
| Audio Bible Commentary, with outlines, 5 lessons |
Esther was a Persian queen. This book had trouble being included in the Hebrew canon: (1) probably because it does not mention: (a) any name of God; (b) the Temple; (c) the Law of Moses; (d) sacrifice; (e) Jerusalem; or (f) prayer (although implied). (2) the Dead Sea Scrolls which were found in 1947 have copies (in whole or part) of every book of the OT except Esther; (3) Esther, like Ruth, is not quoted in the NT; (4) it has gotten mixed reviews from commentators; (5) it was one of the disputed books discussed at Jamnia by the Pharisees after AD 70; (6) the author of "Ecclesiasticus," also called "the Wisdom of Ben Sirah" who wrote about 180 BC, never speaks of Esther at all; and (7) it seems to have been included in the Jewish canon to explain the origin of the non-biblical feast of Purim (9:28-31). In II Maccabees 15:36 Purim is called "the Day of Mordecai." The message of this book was to encourage faithfulness in God especially during times of persecution.