Consider the following occurrences which at face value appear to be inconsequential. Providence is that preservation, care and government which god exercises over all things that he has created, in order that they may accomplish the ends for which they were created isbe, p. Divine providence in the book of esther ernstaugust bremicker. God directs this material universe in which we live today by his providence. One of the great examples of this is the book of esther. Through esthers story we see a picture of what theologians call the providence of god. To condense the entire the story of the book of esther into one sermon would be impossible. The gospel according to esther the gospel according to the old testament bryan r. If you were with us last lords day evening in chapter 1, you would have seen one such sudden reversal. For in it we learn about the remarkable preservation of the jewish people. When i wrote my study on the book of ruth 1, i started by saying that it was a fantastic book that had it all well, apart from a nasty villain, but we cant ask for everything. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned elsewhere in scripture. There may be no clearer example of divine providence in the bible than the case of the jewish girl, esther, who became queen of persia and was gods.
Yet we ourselves are familiar with not experiencing divine intervention in our secular world. Divine providence in the book of esther introduction. In my eyes, the biggest theme in the book seems to be the belief in and the presence of gods control. Esther is a book of the bible i very much enjoy, but its also an odd one.
The book of esther is one of the most beautiful stories in all literature. The spurgeon center providence as seen in the book of esther. Not one time does the name of god appear in the book of esther. When we speak of gods providence, we mean that god, in some invisible and inscrutable way, governs all creatures, actions, and circumstances through the normal and the ordinary course of human life, without the intervention of the miraculous. Now if you would, take your bibles and turn with me to the book of esther chapter 2. Though the word god does not appear even once in the book of esther, yet his overruling providence is so manifestly present that we might title the book. Providence is the overall theme of this old testament book. If youre using a church bible, youll find that on page 410 and 411.
You are probably aware that some persons have denied the inspiration of the book of esther because the name of god does not occur in it. Back in deuteronomy, before god brought the israelites into the promised land, he outlined their history for them. Some of the smallest details mentioned in the book turn out to be indispensable links in the chain of events. Providence as seen in the book of esther answers in. A story of the providence of god in a pagan land page 4 introduction to the book the book of esther is the only book in the bible that does not mention the name of god.
The book of esther and gods providence jack wellman. May 17, 2008 in the book of jonah, he used a storm to convince the fleeing prophet, jonah 1. Thank you for your interest in these free sermon outlines from tony evans. In the book of jonah, he used a storm to convince the fleeing prophet, jonah 1. Esther the book of esther is one of the most beautiful stories in all literature. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned. As most of us are probably aware, the book of esther in the bible is known for not mentioning god by. He directs the actions of every person for his greater purpose. In the book of esther, god tells us a story in which he is hidden from view. The book of esther gods name is not mentioned one time in the book of esther, however the biggest theme of the book is the belief in gods control over everything that happens to his people both in the history of the peopleasawhole. With scripture memory, daily study, and group discussion questions, this resource is ideal for both individual and group study.
Providence as seen in the book of esther charles h. It doesnt matter because you can see gods divine fingerprints over everything that happens. The biblical book of esther presents a powerful exhibition of gods providence. The purpose of the book of esther is to display the providence of god, especially in regard to his chosen people, israel. In the days of ahasuerus, king of persia, and in the days between the building of the temple and the wall around jerusalem, israel found themselves in. With them, you will be able to see how, in the book of esther, god wanted to show how his providence, his invisible hand, works behind the.
With them, you will be able to see how, in the book of esther, god wanted to show how his providence, his invisible hand, works behind the scenes to bring about his purposes in history. Mar 01, 2020 and yet, neither his name nor his words are found anywhere in the book. He let esther tell the king to strengthen her position and the whole story was written in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king v2123. The significance of the book of esther is that it testifies to the secret watch care of jehovah over dispersed israel. Its also intriguing to me because esther takes place in the same time frame as ezra and nehemiah. As mentioned, this book has a special place in the hearts of jews.
In this sixweek study, explore the subject of gods providence, walking verse by verse through the book of esther. The book of esther is almost entirely characterised by divine providence. The book of esther and gods providence jack wellman patheos. The gospel according to esther gospel according to the old testament. The book of esther is the most truetolife biblical example of gods providence precisely because god seems absent. It is gods commentary on all that he has done, and on all that man has done, since the finishing of the works of creation. The book of esther is the story of gods covenant faithfulness to a people who had long been in captivy because they were covenant breakers. One of them is that the name of god is not mentioned once. The book of esther provides us with the greatest illustrations of the providence of god. Free sermon outlines from tony evans on the book of esther. Thechronological span for the book of esther is about 10 years. Finally, the book of esther may not mention god because the emphasis is on gods providence. Providence as seen in the book of esther though it was turned to the contrary, that the jews had rule over them that hated them. Divine providence in the book of esther ernstaugust.
In the book of esther god used mordecai an ungodly man to rebuke esther into obedience. In fact, the concept of providence is actually enhanced in esther because god chose not to put his name in the headlines, but rather everywhere between the lines. However, god selected esther for a particular purpose at a particular time in the history of his chosen people. The providence of god is something which we may not often consider or.
Excerpt from esther queen of destiny by john martin. Hadassah was her given jewish name, but she went by esther. This study challenges us to trust in gods guiding hand over the smallest of details in our everyday lives and to rest safely in his providence. Providence medical groupesther short providence oregon.
Literary clues to gods providence in the book of esthera. When we speak of gods providence, we mean that god, in some invisible and inscrutable way, governs all creatures, actions, and circumstances through the normal and the ordinary course of human life. Nov 26, 2019 excerpt from esther queen of destiny by john martin. The book of esther was likely written between 460 and 350 b. The book of esther records the institution of the feast of purim and the obligation of its perpetual observation. It was written to memorialize, to commemorate the gods deliverance that formed the basis of the feast of purim. The book of esther is unusual gods name is not mentioned once, yet gods hand is clearly present and active throughout the book, to the extent that many see the book of esther as a veritable treatise on the doctrine of divine providence see separate study. Jun 06, 20 in the book of esther, as much as in any other part of the word of god, and i had almost committed myself by saying more than anywhere else, the hand of providence is obviously to be seen. Bobdeffinbaugh graduated from dallas theological seminary with his th. Its story is an illustration of the divine providence.
The book of esther is the only book in the bible that does not mention god by name. In the days of ahasuerus, king of persia, and in the days between the building of the temple and the wall around jerusalem, israel found themselves in a time of great peril. Providence in the book of esther template magnify him together. I have received help and encouragement from this amazing book about the power of gods providence. I also intend to provide my explanation of how even though gods name is. The book covers a period of about 12 years, falling somewhere between the events recorded in the sixth and seventh chapters of ezra.
A complicated chain of events and actions is so governed as to work out the. The title for our series of studies in the book of esther is sudden reversals. One peculiarity of this book of esther is that the name of god nowhere occurs in it. New king james version for if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the jews from another place, but you and your fathers house will perish. Overtones of divine providence in the book of esther part 1. The book of esther is amazing in a number of respects.
Sermons on esther first presbyterian church, jackson. It is providence, not coincidence, that is obviously at work in the events of esther, and the hand of god is everywhere evident in this book. Literary clues to gods providence in the book of esther by. An appreciation of providence is one of the benefits that come to growing christians when they read the book of esther. And yet, neither his name nor his words are found anywhere in the book. Providence in the book of esther template magnify him. Another biblical theme in the book of esther is divine providence follows people god that use to serve his purposes, jonah 1. Drawing insight from the book of esther, evans shows how god leads us along pathways to purpose, just as he worked in esther s circumstances, appointing her to the throne and empowering her to save the jewish people. For traditional jewish commentators, the absence of gods name did not mean that god was absent from the book. It is an altogether providential occurrence, although rather oddly, god never gets a mention in the book.
In this essay i will prove that gods sovereignty over his people is clearly established in the book of esther. The lord intended by the narrative of esthers history to set before. Although his name is never mentioned, we see his providence in each page of this wonderful little book. Even in the most pagan corner of the world, god is ruling all things to the benefit of his people and to the glory of his name. The book of esther is one of only two books in the hebrew bible that never mention god the other is the song of songs. The gospel according to esther gospel according to the old testament kindle edition by gregory, bryan r download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Sermon on esther sermon outline discussing gods providence in the amazing story of esther, persias queen. Indeed, it seems rather strange to talk about the theological. The purpose of the book of esther is to see the providence of god even when his name is not mentioned. This has astonished many readers but the reason for it is that he is not dealing with his earthly people in a direct and visible way in the events recorded in this book. You are probably aware that some people have denied the inspiration of the book. The story of esther is the story of the unseen providence of god.
Esther introduction scofield reference bible commentary. However, upon reading esther, it is pretty obvious that gods presence is felt and hinted at throughout the story. Study questions what can you expect from god when he calls you to live by faith, giving your life on behalf of his kingdom. The word providence comes from the latin word provideo. Jan 02, 2019 bible study book the story of esther appears to be a series of coincidences that deliver the jews from certain death. A story of the providence of god in a pagan land page 4 introduction to the book. Although we do not find the name of god mentioned even once in the book of esther, throughout the book we are conscious of god working things together behind the. Esther is the conclusion of a story line that was precipitated 600 years before she lived by the disobedience of king saul. The christian is warranted to refer to his god the most trifling, as well as the most momentous occurrences of everyday life.
Bible studies in the book of esther esther chapter 1. Download this template to keep track of your observations of the ways of providence as you read through the book of esther. Mordecai overhears and foils a plot against the kings life. Esther bible study chapter 1 the invitation of the king. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. I dont think it was an oversight that god is not mentioned in the book of esther. Gods providence in esther chosen people ministries. The book of esther teaches us that god is at work in the details. From providence to purpose 9781433686603 by tony evans. She says, the book of esther is perhaps the most striking biblical statement of what systematic theologians call the providence of god.
The name of god does not once occur, but in no other book of the bible is his providence more conspicuous. These principles about providence are based on the story of esther, especially. Even though the name of god is not mentioned in it, no book of the bible teaches his providence more forcefully. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this. We cannot tell from the book of esther when she took on this name. Though it was turned to the contrary, that the jews had rule over them that hated them. Inconspicuous providence the gospel according to esther esther surprises us by never mentioning god or his intervention. A little preking saul history is needed to understand why his disobedience was so incredibly colossal. Besides, esther never intentionally sought out the crown, but rather, it was gods divine providence that brought her there. The providence of god is abundant throughout the book.
In my eyes, the biggest theme in the book seems to be the. The book of esther is the only book in the bible that does not mention the name of god. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. The old testament book of esther is much loved by many, especially by jewish readers. As most of us are probably aware, the book of esther in the bible is known for not mentioning god by name even once.
It is probable that it was part of hiding her jewish identity at the command of mordecai. The story of esther shows us that even though god is never mentioned in this book, there are so many coincidences in this book that it is clear, without saying it, that god is at work behind the scenes helping esther. I think it is his sense of humor, as well as a revelation that his providence sometimes works through unexpected circumstances and seeming coincidences. Bob is a pastorteacher and elder at community bible chapel in richardson, texas, and has contributed many of his bible study series for use by the foundation.
Rabbi gottlieb demonstrates gods involvement in every aspect of the purim story, focusing purim 12 overtones of divine providence in the book of esther. Gods providence in the book of esther 1616 words bartleby. I think it is his sense of humor, as well as a revelation that his providence sometimes works. The english word providence has its origin in the latin word pro video. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this. Since god himself moved the authors of scripture to write, one should expect to. The book of esther answers that same question affirmatively for the jews who did not return, but who continued to live in places other than israel that is, in diaspora. God is never directly mentioned through the whole book, but you can see his fingerprints all over the book, which makes for a great sunday school lesson on providence. It is the only book that does not mention the name of god. The name of god does not actually appear in the book of esther, yet the hand of god is everywhere. The unseen hand of providence bible study magazine.
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