Book 17 of 39 in the Old Testament — Providence & deliverance.
Esther tells the story of a Jewish woman who becomes queen of Persia and later risks her life to save her people from Haman's plot to destroy them. Though God is never mentioned by name in the book, his providence is evident throughout — in the timing of events, the reversal of Haman's plan, and Esther's courage at the decisive moment. Her cousin Mordecai's famous words, ‘who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this,’ capture the book's theme of hidden providence.
“And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.”King James Version
Esther is chosen queen, setting up her later role in saving her people.
“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”King James Version
Mordecai suggests Esther was made queen “for such a time as this.”
“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”King James Version
Esther resolves to approach the king uninvited, saying “if I perish, I perish.”
“Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:”King James Version
Esther pleads with the king for her life and the life of her people.
“As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.”King James Version
The Jews establish Purim to celebrate their deliverance from Haman's plot.