17) The Book of Esther

ESTHER is one of two books in the Bible named after a woman. Ruth was a Gentile who married a Jew; Esther was a Jew who married a Gentile. Esther was a Jewish maiden under the captivity of Media-Persia who became the queen of Persia. God used Esther to protect His people from the destruction of Haman and his sons. Doctrinally, the book pictures the Rapture of the body of Christ by the removal of Queen Vashti and God's dealing with the Jews during the Great Tribulation. Haman and his sons picture the Antichrist and the workers of iniquity.

Mordecai pictures the Lord Jesus and/or the man child of Israel (Isa. 66:5-21; Rev. 12:5-6). The book contains 10 chapters and 167 verses.

Mordecai reveals an example of obeying God rather than man and the proper attitude of the public servant (10:3). Many Alexandrian scholars object to the presence of this book in the Bible because the words God and LORD are not found, but the book reveals more about the hidden workings of God than any book in the Bible. God works in the hearts of men through common events. The Lord God's providential and secret care over Israel and His children are completely evident in this account (Rom. 8:28; Phil. 1:6).

King James Bible.