Esther 1 - Esther Introduction

Today we will begin a short study of the book of Esther. I had only casually read the book until I was asked several years ago to lead a group of ladies in our office in a Bible study. I really benefited from digging more deeply into the book and my prayer is that you will also.

Blessings,

Joe

Esther Introduction

I have chosen to share with you some thoughts from the book of Esther. It is the only book in the Bible in which God’s name is not mentioned and neither is prayer. Esther is not quoted at all in the New Testament. Yet, it is very practical from the perspective that it reveals how God works in our lives each day to accomplish His purpose. He works not only in the lives of Christians, but in the lives of non-Christians to carry out His will.

Probably the most well-known verse in the book is 4:14 where Mordecai says to Esther “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”

We can learn much from this verse and one of the most important lessons is that God has a purpose and a plan for each one of us. He usually reveals His plan one step at a time and as we follow His leading we accomplish His purpose. Although I don’t know God’s plan for your life, I do know the first step He wants you to take; that is to trust Him as your personal Savior.

God’s Word tells us in Romans 3:23 that we “all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.” We are all born with a sin nature and because of that are separated from God. Romans 6:23 explains that “the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life.” Because God is holy and just He cannot tolerate sin, but because He loves us He provided a way for us to have a relationship with Him and to spend eternity with Him. In Romans 5:8 we learn that “God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God’s love was so great that He was willing to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to the earth to pay the price for our sins by dying on the cross so that we might have eternal life. Jesus rose from the grave only three days after He died and is now in heaven preparing a place for those who trust Him as Savior so that we may spend eternity with him.

The critical question is how do we obtain that salvation. Romans 10:9-10 tells us that “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Ephesians 2:8-9 states “for by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” Finally, John 5:24 assures us that our future is secure “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

I made the decision to trust Jesus as my Savior when I was 12 years old; over 60 years ago. I have never regretted taking that step and encourage you to do the same if you have not previously done so. I know that I am going to spend eternity in heaven with God and I have a strong desire for you to do the same.