Category Archives: Esther

Brief Introduction to the Book of Esther

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Rick Wadholm

Seeing as it is Purim today (and in some places tomorrow), I offer this throwback post that inaugurated my brief series on the book of Esther.

Posted in Esther | Tagged | Leave a comment

Esther 9-10 – The Day of Reckoning and Rejoicing

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Rick Wadholm

9:1-4 – The day arrives.  After all that had been done and the joy of chapter eight, the actual day for the struggle of the Jews had yet to be decided though things were increasingly in the favor of the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Chronicles, 1 Kings, 1 Samuel, 2 Chronicles, Esther, Exodus, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joshua, Zechariah | Leave a comment

Esther 7-8 – The Plot of Haman Reversed

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Rick Wadholm

7:1-10 – Haman Hanged.  After the second banquet, the king once again asked what Queen Esther wanted (“petition” and “request”) and offered her whatever she should ask for.  Her answer was to ask whether he truly favored her or not … Continue reading →

Posted in Esther, Ezra, Psalms | Leave a comment

Esther 5-6 – The Tale Turns

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Rick Wadholm

5:1-8 – Esther’s Request.  After three days of fasting (by both the Jews of Susa and Esther and her entourage), Esther determined it was time to see the king.  The motif of three days of waiting for restoration/deliverance is found … Continue reading →

Posted in Esther, Genesis, Hosea, Jonah, Proverbs | Leave a comment

Esther 3-4 – A Time for Action

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Rick Wadholm

3:1-6 – Haman…the Agagite.  Whereas the last we read would have suggested that Mordecai should have been rewarded by the king, we find only the mention of another man who instead receives honors and acclaim from the king…and this man … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Kings, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, Daniel, Deuteronomy, Esther, Exodus, Ezra, Genesis, Isaiah, Joshua, Judges, Leviticus, Numbers, Proverbs, Psalms, Zechariah | Leave a comment

Esther 1-2 – Parties That Bring Change

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Rick Wadholm

1:1-3 – The stage is set.  According to Adele Berlin, chapter one “portrays the Persian court in all its decadent lavishness” and “sets the tone of the book” which is a “tone of excess, buffoonery, and bawdiness” (3).  This would … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Kings, 1 Samuel, 2 Kings, Daniel, Deuteronomy, Esther, Exodus, Ezra, Genesis, Joshua, Nehemiah | Leave a comment

Brief Introduction to the Book of Esther

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Rick Wadholm

This is a story of feasts or banquets (Esther 1:3, 5, 9; 2:18; 5:2-5; 5:8; 8:17; 9:17-19) and thus “the major purpose of the book of Esther is to provide the historical grounds for the celebration of the feast of … Continue reading →

Posted in 2 Maccabees, Additonal Esther, Esther, Romans | Leave a comment

Daniel 11 – The Vision of the Kings of the North and the South

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Rick Wadholm

11:2-4 – Persians and Greeks.  Why should there be note of telling “the truth”?  It appears to emphasize that because what follows is given as prophecy of kings and kingdoms that are yet to come, even though some of these … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Daniel, Esther, Ezra | 2 Comments

Daniel 1 – When In Exile….

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Rick Wadholm

<!–[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]–> <!–[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]–> Brief Introduction to the Book – Daniel was taken into captivity in the summer of 605BC while Jehoiachim son of Josiah was king of Judah some time after the Babylonians … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians, 1 Samuel, 2 Chronicles, 2 Kings, Additonal Esther, Daniel, Esther, Ezra, Genesis, Judith, Leviticus, Numbers, Proverbs, Romans, Tobit, Zechariah | Leave a comment