This is one strange book in the Bible! First of all, no one really knows who wrote this book. Some scholars think it could have been Mordecai or perhaps the prophet Ezra, but that is up for argument. Second, no where else in the Bible is this book even mentioned. Third, this is the only book where the name of God is not even mentioned. Hmmm? Mystery Book? I don't know...On top of all that, other scholars think this book is a story...not a true one...a fairy tale! Hmmm? I thought the entire Bible was true...right?
So, here I am...reading the Book of Esther. What is known about this book is this story took place around 483 B.C., approximately 100 years after Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had attacked and defeated Judah and the beloved city of Jerusalem. Many Jews had been brought to Babylon as slaves (586 B.C.), and 70 years later the Babylonian armies were defeated by the great Persian Empire led by King Darius. Now, Xerxes, the King of Persia had granted the Jews the right to return to their homeland in Judah. The fact was, many Jews did not, but chose to remain under Persian Rule.
The writings in this book (which I myself think are true) indicate someone very familiar with Persian customs...Gleanings from Esther 1:1-9
" Here is the way it was. King Xerxes of Persia lived in his capital city known as: Susa. Xerxes was now a ruler of over 127 different provinces that stretched from India all the way to Ethiopia.
During the 3rd year of Xerxes reign, the King decided to give a banquet for all his foreign dignitaries: governors, princes, rulers, and the like, as well as officers, other officials, and ministers within the framework of his entire government.
This banquet would turn into one large exhibit of the huge wealth of the Persian Empire...and it lasted...6 months! It was a tremendous display of splendor, a most elaborate array of pomp and glory, showing the power and the majesty of this magnificent kingdom.
When the whole affair finally concluded, King Xerxes then decided to have another festival, this time for the local folk of the community, from the least to the greatest...for everyone who lived in the capital city of Susa and the surrounding area.This banquet was to be held in the courtyard of the palace garden and would last a total of 7 days.
Now, this courtyard was truly something to behold! The entire garden area was beautifully decorated with white luxurious cotton curtains draped with purple linens and cords with silver rings...all hung from marble columns.
There were gold and silver sofas, arranged on mosaic pavement that consisted of porphyry, marble, mother of pearl, and numerous other colored and valuable stones.
The drinks of the banquet were served in goblets made of gold, each one having its own unique design, and the wine was rich and pure...with "no end"! You could simply drink to your heart's delight. In fact, King Xerxes had pronounced an edict that stipulated there were no limits to the amount of wine a person could drink...you could drink as much as you like!
At the same time, Queen Vashti also gave a banquet...for all the women in the Royal Palace of King Xerxes as well.... "
So, here I am...reading the Book of Esther. What is known about this book is this story took place around 483 B.C., approximately 100 years after Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had attacked and defeated Judah and the beloved city of Jerusalem. Many Jews had been brought to Babylon as slaves (586 B.C.), and 70 years later the Babylonian armies were defeated by the great Persian Empire led by King Darius. Now, Xerxes, the King of Persia had granted the Jews the right to return to their homeland in Judah. The fact was, many Jews did not, but chose to remain under Persian Rule.
The writings in this book (which I myself think are true) indicate someone very familiar with Persian customs...Gleanings from Esther 1:1-9
" Here is the way it was. King Xerxes of Persia lived in his capital city known as: Susa. Xerxes was now a ruler of over 127 different provinces that stretched from India all the way to Ethiopia.
During the 3rd year of Xerxes reign, the King decided to give a banquet for all his foreign dignitaries: governors, princes, rulers, and the like, as well as officers, other officials, and ministers within the framework of his entire government.
This banquet would turn into one large exhibit of the huge wealth of the Persian Empire...and it lasted...6 months! It was a tremendous display of splendor, a most elaborate array of pomp and glory, showing the power and the majesty of this magnificent kingdom.
When the whole affair finally concluded, King Xerxes then decided to have another festival, this time for the local folk of the community, from the least to the greatest...for everyone who lived in the capital city of Susa and the surrounding area.This banquet was to be held in the courtyard of the palace garden and would last a total of 7 days.
Now, this courtyard was truly something to behold! The entire garden area was beautifully decorated with white luxurious cotton curtains draped with purple linens and cords with silver rings...all hung from marble columns.
There were gold and silver sofas, arranged on mosaic pavement that consisted of porphyry, marble, mother of pearl, and numerous other colored and valuable stones.
The drinks of the banquet were served in goblets made of gold, each one having its own unique design, and the wine was rich and pure...with "no end"! You could simply drink to your heart's delight. In fact, King Xerxes had pronounced an edict that stipulated there were no limits to the amount of wine a person could drink...you could drink as much as you like!
At the same time, Queen Vashti also gave a banquet...for all the women in the Royal Palace of King Xerxes as well.... "
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