Coming–Written Study of Esther

I am two chapters in to my new writing project, a devotional telling of the book of Esther. I am posting the introduction I wrote for the book here, to ask for prayer as I complete the project, and also to advertise it, so that there might be a potential audience forming. Here’s that intro: The God of Hadassah and Mordecai A Walk of Faith through the Book of Esther By Dave Bunnell Introduction Esther is an ancient book, yet one clearly written for such a time as this. It reads like a screenplay telling a story, even though it would be millennia before films came to be. As its drama unfolds with twists and turns, foreshadowing of events, and gripping drama with characters you’ll root for pitted against powerful villains who seem to have the upper hand, you’ll surely get enjoyment of the kind you wish Hollywood produced more often. But don’t read it merely for that. Don’t let it be an escape from the stresses of your own life the way you might use a novel or movie. This gripping story was written by God for you so that it could speak into your life and help you trust Him more. However close you are to Him now, Esther’s story can draw you closer, if you let it. It is often pointed out that the Old Testament book of Esther never explicitly mentions God by name. And yet, its right to belong as a book in the holy scriptures is unquestionable. When you read the book, you’ll notice that God Himself is not absent from the events that unfold–nor inactive, nor reluctant to take charge of the story. In fact, His involvement in the story as its main protagonist is stark and obvious. His control of both world events and individual destinies intertwined with each other is so complete that we find Him moving kings and powerful people to do things that will solve problems that won’t even be known to anyone but God until years later. From that, we learn that the God who made us is already prepared to solve the problems we make, long before we even conceive of the mistakes to make them. He isn’t merely able to swoop in at the last minute and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, but to plan elaborate solutions that involve multiple actors doing multiple things over time with various competing motives–with all parties doing what they want in the moment, whether wise or unwise—and everything coming together for His perfect plan for His people in the end. His Name might go un-proclaimed in this book, which is admittedly uncharacteristic of the Bible; yet there is no book that will do more for your awareness of His presence and activity in your life and in all of the circumstances that affect you and your loved ones, now and in the future. The God of Hadassah (Esther) and Mordecai weaves together threads of every kind on His loom to make a tapestry of His world so complex and yet so simple that you simply couldn’t believe the events of this book actually happened unless guided by an all-powerful and all-wise King of the universe. The events of the book of Esther are too convenient for any fiction writer to put forth to his audience. And yet, history attests that the words of the book are entirely true, requiring a God who takes the meaning of the word “sovereign” to a higher place than you ever imagined. The book of Esther is interesting and entertaining to say the least. Anyone with the impression that the Bible is a boring tome has never read Esther. It’s drama is so delicious to the ear, the heart, and the mind, that even when you come back to the story for the tenth time, already knowing the end from the beginning, you’ll find it deeply enjoyable. Justice and mercy reign together in a story where innocent underdogs triumph utterly over the most evil and powerful of bullies. Family tension, romance, the power of physical beauty, courage, violence, pride, politics, kingdoms, great wealth, bribery, revenge, and turning of tables on one’s enemies – it sounds like a list of varied themes that couldn’t possibly fit together in one story. And yet, it does in the book of Esther. Each verse has pertinent information as what seem like unrelated events all affect each other and God triumphs over His enemies on behalf of His children in the end—and in a way that changed world history and led to the eventual eternal salvation of Christians like you and me. And if you, by chance, don’t already know Him and the wonders of His becoming your personal God and Savior, I hope you’ll read this looking to find out who He really is, as He has presented Himself in His word. The God of Hadassah and Mordecai is too mighty, too wise, too great, too glorious, too desirable, and too important to your future for my words to do these things justice. But this book can show you enough to help you learn to find God working in your life, leading you to understand these things as you experience Him for yourself, in a way that merely reading what I write couldn’t do for you. Let’s begin.