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God Behind the Scenes in Esther |
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Although God’s name is not mentioned in the Hebrew text of Esther He makes Himself known in these ways: |
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Indirect References |
Esther, who worshiped God, became queen. |
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4:14 |
God's existence and his power over the affairs of people are assumed. |
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4:16 |
Fasting was a distinct spiritual activity usually connected with prayer. |
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Divine Incidents The book of Esther is |
2:21, 23 |
Mordecai overhears a death plot and saves the king's life. |
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filled with divine interventions |
6:1 |
Xerxes can't sleep and decides to read a history book. |
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6:2 |
Xerxes reads the exact page needed for the moment, reminding him of an unpaid reward to Mordecai. |
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7:9, 10 |
Haman's plan is exactly reversed—the intended victims are the victors. |
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Why was God's name hidden in the book of Esther? There were many gods in the Middle East and Persian Empire. Usually, their names were mentioned in official documents in order to control the peoples who worshiped those particular gods. The Jews were unique in being the people of one God. A story about them was naturally a stow about God, for even the name "Jew" carried with it the connotation of one who worshiped Yahweh. |
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