so there is this girl. she lives a seemingly mundane life of routines and familiarity. she is one of those girls that may seem plain at times, but when truly beheld, she is absolutely beautiful. she is devoted to her faith, but sometimes feels that God is distant and does not know how to listen. however, she strives to be as obedient as she can.
sound like you, maybe? can you relate? such is like the incredible story of Esther. the book of Esther is but ten chapters, and is the only book in the Bible where God is not mentioned once. but His work is evident in every portion of the story.
if you haven't read the story of Esther, oh my goodness you should. it is a story about love, courage and an incredible example of the perfect plan God has in store for each of us.
in a short summary:
- Esther was chosen by the King Xerxes (also known as Ahasuerus) to be queen. however, in order to be considered, she had to hide from him that she was Jewish. meanwhile, one of the king's advisers (Haman) hated the Jewish people and had been plotting to annihilate them.
- eventually, Haman manages to persuade the king to destroy the Jewish people. it is then left to Esther to save her people. to go before the king, a king who has not asked her to be with him for days, a king who has no idea of her heritage, and plead for the lives of her people.
- what's the risk?: "All the king's officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned, the king has but one law: that he be put to death. the only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life." Esther 4:11
so what happens? how does this relate to our life? how can the story of Esther help with the odd, foreign and awkward transition that we are all currently in?
i wanted to choose a story and a book that didn't have any homework. i thought Esther by Charles Swindoll would be a great start for our Bible study blog. you would just buy the book and then we could discuss a chapter each week. so simple. and so fulfilling!
i am open to ANY suggestions. i just love the story of Esther and every time i read and reread Swindoll's interpretation i strive to be more and more like this heroine.
please let me know what you think! i am really open to whatever. i am excited about our first journey, and can't wait to begin our study and seeing how God uses it to flourish within our lives as our relationship grows and we grow closer to Him!
loveandprayers, always!
