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This book is named after the hero of the story, Esther, who is used by God to save Israel from the threat of complete annihilation. Israel found themselves on the very precipice of destruction. They were literally one step away from disaster.

This is a very important book to Israel. It is celebrated every year as the Feast of Purim. The word Purim is a Persian word meaning ‘lots.’ It comes from a part of the story where the enemy of Israel casts lots to determine the day in which Israel would be annihilated and every Jew murdered.

Purim is a festive and joyous occasion for Jews all over the world. The book of Esther is read both at night and in the morning of Purim. Whenever the name of their mortal enemy, Haman is mentioned in that reading, the Jews shake noisemakers. The children dress up in costumes, and everyone enjoys a festive holiday meal. Everyone gives gifts of pastries and other food to their friends and neighbors. Gifts of money, food or drinks are given to the poor.

The day before Purim is a fast day called the ‘Fast of Esther.’ It commemorates how Esther and the entire Jewish community fasted for 3 days before Esther approached the king of Persia to intercede for the Jewish nation.

In many ways, the story is about how the hand of God moves over the nations of the world, but also through the events of everyday lives. The history of nations is turned by the events of individual lives.

Although the book is about the story of Esther, God is the main character in the story. Interestingly, God is not mentioned by name or by any reference in this book. Yet it is irrefutable that the story is about the hand of God moving in nations, in individual lives, and in saving His people, Israel.

Faith is strengthened when you see how the hand of God moves. God’s power is on full display in this book. So is the nature of spiritual warfare. We need to strengthen our discernment spiritually to recognize how the hand of God moves in nations and the depth of spiritual warfare that was happening not only in those days but is also happening today.

The story takes place in the capital of Persia, modern-day Iran, just prior to the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. Israel had been defeated by Babylon who carried them away into exile those 70 years. But then Babylon itself was defeated by the Persians and Medes.

The story begins in Chapter 1 by declaring the expanse and power of the Persian Empire. It stretched from Ethiopia to India, reigning over 127 provinces. Leaders in Iran today long for the days of such power. And after all these years, they still harbor deep resentment against Israel. They are building coalitions of nations and provinces for the very purpose of destroying Israel.

We know much of the history of this king and of Persia. Here he is called Ahasuerus, he is also known as Xerxes, son of Darius I.

Darius is mentioned many times in the book of Ezra. Enemies of Israel arose against them as they were rebuilding the temple, but Darius strongly supported Israel and issued a decree that nothing should hinder the work of rebuilding the temple there in Jerusalem.

Darius is also infamous for his invasion of Greece which Darius wanted defeated and subjugated under his reign. However, his forces were defeated at the famous Battle of Marathon.

In fact, modern-day marathon races trace their origin to that battle. Nearing defeat, the Persian navy turned their ships toward Athens. Seeing this, a runner was dispatched to run the entire distance from Marathon to Athens nonstop with the news of their impending danger. Upon reaching Athens, the runner relayed his urgent news, collapsed, and died. The distance from the city of Marathon to Athens has now become the distance of all marathon races.

Darius attempted to rebuild his forces but died before this could be completed. His son, Xerxes, or Ahasuerus in the Bible restarted the preparations for a second invasion of Greece.

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