We are going to follow the events of the ‘post-exilic period’ as chronologically as we can. The temple was finally completed in 516BC which was 22 years after the first contingent of Jews had returned to Jerusalem. Between the end of Ezra chapter 6 and the beginning of chapter 7 there is a 58-year gap. Ezra would arrive with another contingent of Jews from Babylon in 458BC. In this intervening period there occurred a remarkable set of events in the Persian capital, Susa (about 400km west of Babylon) where a large Jewish community had remained since the Babylonians deported them there in 586BC. The story revolves around a Jewish orphan girl called Esther. Esther was raised by her cousin Mordecai, a minor government official and covert leader of the Jewish community. Esther’s story is similar to that of Daniel; she goes from being an unknown Jewish exile and ends up in a place of high prominence. She becomes the queen of Persia, wife of the king, Xerxes (Hebrew: Ahasuerus). The purpose of the story is to show that God was still with his people, even in this distant land, protecting them and blessing them. It shows God’s relentless faithfulness to his people. God is with us even when we are not with him. Even when we wander away, he still looks after us. You cannot escape from God’s love for you. But we shouldn’t take this for granted. It is a great slight against God that we should continue to benefit from his favour and care without acknowledging him. Recognise what God does for you and be responsive to him.
Praise and thank God for what he does for you.
Read Esther 1:1-2:18
