One of the dominant themes in the Bible is how the weak overcome the strong. Esther illustrates this dynamic by how she channels the strength of others against themselves. The authority and emotional volatility that makes the King a fearsome tyrant becomes the means by which Esther brings salvation to her people. The massive ego of Haman that drives his murderous crusade against the Jews becomes the cause of his downfall. Words and indirect influence enable Esther to act with great agency in a world with the cards stacked against her. Yet she’s not alone. Remember Esther means “hidden” which not only describes her concealed Jewish identity, but also the hidden way in which God works in the background on behalf of his people. In chapters 7-8, Esther’s hiddenness gets exposed which places her at the mercy of the “hidden” sovereignty of God. The stakes rise as the various threads of the narrative come together in surprising and unexpected ways. This is Understanding Esther.

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