Esther historically happened before Ezra and Nehemiah. Esther was a Jewish girl who became one of the wives of Xerxes, the father of Artaxerxes. Because Esther had been queen, this may have been the reason Artaxerxes was so favorable to Ezra’s and Nehemiah’s requests. Esther may have had a different name in Persian literature.
Esther is the only book in the Bible that does not mention God, yet its story has a miraculous ending against all odds. When everything seems hopeless and yet turns out good, we call that the Providence of God, meaning God is working behind the scenes to accomplish His purpose. There are many instances of God’s providential work throughout the Bible.
Outline:
1A. Esther becomes queen and saves the King’s life. Chapters 1-2
2A. Esther saves the lives of the Jewish people. Chapters 3-10
Key verses: Esther 4:13-14 “Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: ‘Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this’?”