Old Testament Book of Esther - Research Paper Example

? Old Testament book of Esther al affiliation Old Testament book of Esther Thesis introduction The of the Old Testament book of Esther is unknown, along with the audience intended. Nevertheless, the writer is narrating the tale of Esther, implying that he or she either was there to experience it, or heard the story from others. The author is knowledgeable since the structure of the recounting is well informed and well put down (Tull, 2003, p. 7). Nevertheless, Esther 9:20 makes it appears as if Mordecai is the author of the book. This is evident in the flow of the life story of Esther since it is laid out as a narrative, making it lack an audience. It would be rather logic to claim that the book was intended for Hebrews since Esther herself was Hebrew. All the same, the intended recipients of the book may well have been much broader. This makes the author of the book be assumed Hebrew as well, since Esther was Hebrew, and the text was originally written in Hebrew. The Old Testament book of Esther is about the life history of Esther, her encounters with religious leaders amongst other interactions. The book of Esther The book of Esther is in the outline of a brief tale, making it resemble the outline of the book of Ruth. Esther has been set up in the palace of Shushan, on one of the three centers of the Persian Empire. The narrative offers us a stunning image of the Jews in exile, of the unfriendliness of their Non-Jews in Persia (Tull, 2003, p. 19). The book also looks into the means by which Esther turned out to be the Queen of Ahasuerus (Xerxes), after putting her life on the line, for the sake of her people, the Jews. God provides fortunate care for her people in a magnified manner all the way through the book, even though the word “God” is not present in this book. Subjected outline Esther 1:1-12 Xerxes was depicting his immense power and revealing his property Esther1:13-22 The King looks forward to obtaining advice from his aristocrats, and Vashti has to undergo suffering for because of being disloyal to the King. Esther 2:1-18 A towering beauty competition is to be held to discover the new Queen. Esther was favored out of all the women who partook in the event. God’s providence in Esther’s life is made public. Esther 2:19-23 Mordecai revealed a scheme to murder the king and cautioned Esther about, the plot, who later on informed the King about it. Nevertheless, Esther gave Mordecai all the recognition for the information. Esther 3:1-15 Haman was lifted in the command chain and positioned on top of the majority of the most loyal men. Mordecai rejected going down on his knees before Haman and started a quarrel between Haman and the Jews of the land. A rule was established to murder all Jews on the date of March 7. Esther 4:1-6 Mordecai and the Jews surrounding Susa started to grieve and fast. Esther 4:7-17 Mordecai about the passing of the rules and advised her to put her life on life for the sake of her people. If she does not risk her life, another individual will, making her disprove her faith towards God. Esther 5:1-8 Esther depicts patience and some feasts prior to requesting the King to spare the lives of Jews. Esther 5:9-14 Haman and his spouse started to the scheme against Mordecai. Esther 6:1-14 King Xerxes reminiscences on Mordecai’s service and loyalty to the King and chose recompense him. Haman was deeply embarrassed the moment Mordecai was being rewarded. Esther 7:1-10 Haman is gradually held responsible for the tried genocide of Jews, and the King has him killed in a manner that Haman attempted killing Mordecai before. Esther 8:1-17 Mordecai was rewarded by the King and released under a regulation that Jews could protect their lives before the King. Following the passing of the decree, King Xerxes once again rewarded Mordecai by offering him Haman’s previous post, and every Jew renowned throughout the Kingdom. Esther 8:15-10:4 Right through all chapters of the book of Esther, the Jews are seen emerging and conquering all their enemies all the way through outside influence of King Xerxes, with the help of Mordecai and Esther. Mordecai was lifted to second in authority rightly below the King, and the Jews made a public holiday tor reminisce on the day they emerged and conquered adversaries. The four leading personalities in the Old Testament book of Esther include King Xerxes, a ruler of more than 170 provinces extending from India to Cush. Xerxes was an outstanding emperor displayed his property by his monumental quantities, which he regularly held feats and carnivals. Xerxes’ revealing of riches is the opening chapter of the book, playing a significant part in Esther’s story since it stressed the number of people Xerxes was disgraced before, when Vashti declined his orders. As a result, Vashti’s former wife disobeyed a command and was obliged to expel her and find a new spouse (Tull, 2003, p. 41). The second character comes in the book at this point. Esther was cousin to Mordecai and was identified for her angelic looks. To Mordecai, Esther was like a daughter, except that the daughter of Abihail was Mordecai’s uncle. When the king held the beauty competition, Esther was selected out of many women and immediately crowned his wife, and the new Queen of the land (Tull, 2003, p. 55). However, her ethnic group, Jewish was kept a secret to the people, as well as her family backdrop after Mordecai advising the King on the move, to prevent a negative reaction from the public. This contest is considered extremely crucial in the sense that there is a lot of room committed to it in Esther’s life story as the Queen. When Haman, the third leading character in the book, descendant of Hammedatha the Agagite, and an adversary of the Jews, was lifted to a senior post in the command chain, followed by aristocrats, by King Xerxes, he did not like Mordecai since Mordecai refuted kneeling in his charisma. The fourth, leading and final personality in the book is Mordecai himself, and he was the descendant of Jair, and a Jew from the ethnic group Benjamin. Mordecai refuted recognizing the Haman’s charisma when walking by, an initiative that angered the King. Mordecai was shortly rewarded by the King and offered a spot at Haman’s position after his assassination. Haman despised Jews after Mordecai’s humiliating act towards him. Enraged, he ordered that all Jews be attacked and murdered on March 7. This move is considered is significant in the bible since the pressure laid upon its meaning was gradually the cause of the death of Haman (Tull, 2003, p. 59). Mordecai informed Esther about the passing of the rule and recommended her to tell the King ad caution her people through risking her life for the sake of the Jews. This is an decisive factor in the book and life of Esther because she took the advice of Mordecai. Despite the anger of the King, he listened to Esther when he ordered the death of Haman and allowing the Jews to battle Haman’s men back (Tull, 2003, p. 60). The Jews heeded the ruling and defended themselves and eventually conquering them. In celebration of the incidences that occurred that day, the king declared it a local holiday, set aside for celebrating and banquets. Mordecai and Esther were also rewarded for safeguarding the lives of the Jews as well as the King’s. The honor offered upon Mordecai was significant since for the last two chapters of the book, it was extremely stressed. Nearly the whole of chapter nine is committed to Mordecai’s glory and the righteous deeds he did in the name of saving the lives of the Jews. Symbol The guiding symbol witnessed after reading the Old Testament book of Esther is equal rule amongst all people. Majority of the situations witnessed in the book can be categorized under spousal, family and loyalty criteria. Currently, the equal position of the husband and the wife is usually widespread and practiced. However, in the book of Esther, the narration of Vashti involved his rule by the King, and women in a similar manner as they were ruled by their husbands. The society described in the book appeared singularly sexist prior to the unity attained during the battle against Haman’s men. To illustrate the worth of women, Bible analysts assume that the means, by which King Xerxes passed the rule over his entire kingdom about the killing of Jews, was intentional. This is because Esther was the only person who did not know this decree was approved by the King (Tull, 2003, p. 67). Esther stands out as the guiding symbol of equality, even when she is locked within the walls of the palace and the most isolated place from all kinds of knowledge. The King chooses this pace as a way of portraying the inferiority women faced during in that society. God instead uses Esther as a vessel of portraying the equality of all genders regardless of the situation. This is evident when Esther convinces the King to let the Jews fight back. Concretely, Esther was willing to sacrifice her life for the sake of her people, preventing massacres and the extinction of a community. Another example of inequality and lack of consideration for women within that society is the fact that Esther was not permitted to enter the palace without being offered a right for entry. God used Esther’s beauty, and faith to show the significance of women’s help in solving general issues (Tull, 2003, p. 69). Conclusion The narrative of Esther is a historical report that implies that it is a chronological account trying to arrive at a recall of that era. The overall implication or objective of the book could just be the documentation of the events that took place during Esther and King Xerxes’ time. Nevertheless, like all other books of the Bible studies, concealed meanings are there for the reader to fathom the entire collection. Esther’s life encompasses patience and faith amongst the Jewish people, even as they underwent suffering and persecution. God’s divine intervention and provision are visible and evident towards the Jews through the passing of Kings and rulers who fight for the Jews, exalting his name. It is particularly crucial for us as God’s people, to realize he is able to do anything, given that we are faithful in him and everything he provides for us with (Tull, 2003, p. 74). References Tull, P. K. (2003). Esther and Ruth. New York: Westminster John Knox Press Read More