Who Wrote This Book: The author is unknown but is believed to possibly be Mordecai or Nehemiah. The book is named after the main character Esther, a Persian word for Star.
Date of Writing: The events described in the book begin with the third year (1:3) of the reign of Ahasuerus and close with his twelfth year (3:7). This was approximately 483-474 BC. Esther became queen in 479 BC (2:16).
Written To: The book appears especially designed for the Jews of the dispersion in the various parts of the Persian Empire (9:20).
Why it was Written: To show God's providential care for His people even in the dispersion; also to show the origin of the Jewish feast of Purim (3:6-7; 9:26-28) and the providential deliverance of the Jews from destruction through the agency of Esther and Mordecai. Esther is like Joseph and David: God had each one hidden away and when the time was right He brought each forth to implement His plan.
Esther is as exciting a story as you would read from any library concerning ancient times. Carson United Methodist Church also has the video in the church library titled “One Night with a King” (the story of Esther). Esther came from a poor background and rose to become Queen and save the Jewish community from extermination during her reign. She allowed God (and God through Mordecai, her cousin) to guide her.
Although the Book of Esther is short and can be read in one sitting, it is a story that has everything to make it exciting for any age: espionage, murder, armed conflicts, heroes and heroines, assignations and intrigue. Interestingly enough, though God is never mentioned in the book, you can see His character, His faithfulness and how He provides for those who trust Him, even through events most would see as tragic. Notice the allusions to God’s involvement in the life of His people (4:16) as you read. The movie in the church library is a reenactment of the book of Esther. It has the entire story of Esther as recorded in the Bible; however, as with all movies that are biographical, some of the characters’ actions and dialogue are speculative. You are encouraged to either read the Book of Esther, or, at a minimum, watch the movie.
Esther 3:6: Yet having learned who Mordecai's people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes. (NIV)
Esther 4:8: He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and He told him to instruct her to go into the king's presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.
Esther 4:14: For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? (NIV)
Esther 7:10: So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king's fury subsided.(NIV)
