by Julie Helms

Created on: April 29, 2009

The Book of Esther is often disparaged as being a work of fiction and not a truthful, inspired retelling of history. Part of this criticism stems from the complete lack of any mention of God or prayer. Part of it comes from the style of the telling which gives an interesting cast of characters, plot twists, amazing coincidences and a truly gripping climax and conclusion: all necessary ingredients to a perfect fiction.

This would be a superficial evaluation. Upon delving deeper one discovers exactly how connected this book is to the rest of the Old Testament and the constant hand of God working in the lives of these Jews living abroad. The lack of any mention of God seems to symbolize the Jews distance from their Creator at this point in history. He does not speak to them in burning bushes, whirlwinds, columns of smoke or fire, yet He is obviously present at each and every turn of events in the story of Esther. The story is all about God working out his will among His people.

An important thread that connects the Book of Esther to the rest of the Old Testament is a fascinating genealogy. Let's back up the story more than a thousand years. . .

In Rebecca's womb fight the twins of Isaac: Jacob and Esau. Upon inquiring of the Lord she learns "Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples from within you will be separated;" (Gen 25:23)
Jacob grows up and is renamed Israel. Esau marries two Canaanite women and a daughter of Ishmael to spite his parents. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob and loses his firstborn blessing through trickery. A prophecy from the Lord in Malachi tells us ""Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated." (Mal 1:2) The conflict is set.

Fast forward a few hundred years to Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. The first attack on the travelers comes from a tribe called the Amalekites. Amalek is the grandson of Esau and these are his descendants. God gives the win to the Israelites, but saves the fullness of His anger toward this tribe for a later time. Moses prophesies, "The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation." (Ex 17:15) The stage is set for a future of struggle between these people.

A few hundred more years pass and Saul is now king of the Israelites. He is ordered by God to carry out the complete annihilation of the Amalekites as the fullness of time for their sin has come. Saul falters, allowing some of them to live including the Amalekite king, Agag. For this Saul loses his kingship and ultimately

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