![]() ![]() Although he accepts the historicity of the book, he sees it as a parable or allegory of the spiritual life. Bible expositor Ray Stedman takes this approach. ![]() Still others view the book of Esther as a parable, or rather typology, in which God is hidden in the book through the various characters. There is little support to this view that the book is mere propaganda. ![]() These works also confirmed other features of court life found in the book, such as the palace in Susa and the large harem. Ahasuerus (Xerxes), the king whose drinking parties and fits of rage are recorded in the book of Esther, is verified by extra-biblical ancient histories. In fact, there is ample evidence supporting the historicity of the book. “Even when we do not acknowledge or remember God, He is active in caring for us.”īut no evidence exists that the biblical account is historically unreliable. In his view, “God forbid that God should appear in such a story!” He interprets the book as an illustrative tale of national defense and struggle against Hellenism. According to Waskow, Esther was intended as a fictional explanation of the Jewish holiday of Purim. One author, Arthur Waskow, dates the book in the Hellenistic period (in between the Old and New Testaments), long after the alleged events of the book. Some view the scroll of Esther as merely nationalistic propaganda. But, if so, why would Esther have been included in the biblical canon? So, we are back to the original question-where is God in the book of Esther? “Esther Is a Book of Propaganda” It’s as if God would be too embarrassed to be found in it. falls far below the general level of the OT., and even of the Apocrypha.” Īccording to this view, the scroll of Esther is bankrupt of any virtue. Paton writes, “There is not one noble character in this book. According to Paton’s view, the king in the book, Xerxes, was a sensual oppressor and Esther is a manipulator who used her beauty to advance herself, Mordecai was insolent in refusing to bow to Haman, and the whole book was merely about vengeance. According to Old Testament commentator Lewis Bayles Paton, the book is too profane for God to be in it. Some view the book of Esther as morally bankrupt. Proposed Explanations for the Book of Esther “Esther Is a Profane Book” Haman’s scheme was ultimately thwarted and, to this day, Jewish people celebrate Purim (the festival of “Lots”) every late winter/early spring because of this great deliverance. The book tells of a Jewish girl, Esther, who became the queen of Persia, her cousin Mordecai who advised her, and Haman who plotted to destroy the Jewish people. So, it cannot go unnoticed that in the biblical book of Esther, God, who is central to the entire story, is not mentioned even one time. Can you imagine someone writing a history of the birth of the United States, including the Revolutionary War, the constitutional convention, and the first federal government, and omitting any mention of George Washington? That would be inconceivable! ![]()
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