The Book of Esther recounts the remarkable journey of a young orphan girl, raised by her cousin Mordecai, who instilled in her a deep reverence for God. Though God's name is not explicitly mentioned in its ten chapters, His providence is strikingly evident as He orchestrates events to fulfill His purpose. Esther's story unfolds with her transformation from an ordinary girl to the Queen of Persia, chosen by King Ahasuerus for her exceptional charm and beauty, surpassing all other women. The narrative begins with King Ahasuerus hosting lavish feasts to display his wealth and power, followed by the dismissal of Queen Vashti for refusing his command. A decree brings young virgins to the palace, and Esther, presented by Mordecai, captivates Hegai, the eunuch, and ultimately the king, who crowns her queen. Trouble emerges with Haman's promotion and his hatred for Mordecai, who refuses to bow to him. Haman's plot to destroy all Jews, approved by the king, sets a dire challenge before Esther. Mordecai, learning of the decree, mourns deeply for his people in sackcloth at the king's gate, unable to enter the palace grounds in such attire. His genuine grief moves Esther, though initially hesitant, to act after Mordecai warns her that even as queen, she is not safe from Haman's scheme. Trusting in divine deliverance, Mordecai urges her to approach the king, despite the risk to her life. Esther, overcoming her fears, calls for a three-day fast among the Jews in Shushan and resolves to submit to God's will, risking everything to save her people. Esther's humble self-sacrifice and Mordecai's unwavering faith exemplify love and concern for others, pushing past personal fears to benefit their brethren. Their actions do not go unrewarded, as God elevates Mordecai to a position of great authority and wealth in Persia, while Esther remains the favored queen, her influence and power increasing. Their story illustrates the power of submitting to God's purpose, showing that He lifts up those who humbly live with outgoing concern and self-sacrifice.

The Book of Esther recounts the remarkable story of how Queen Esther ascended to the throne in Persia and, through her wise trust in God, preserved her people from extinction. At the heart of this narrative is Mordecai, a mid-level government official in the Persian court, who emerges as the true hero of the account. His life exemplifies day-by-day faith and patient endurance in living according to God's way, even amidst unfair circumstances. The story begins with King Ahasuerus of Persia dethroning Queen Vashti for refusing to appear before him at a banquet. In search of a new queen, he issues an edict for beautiful young virgins to be presented to him. Among them is Esther, a young Jewish woman raised by her cousin Mordecai, who serves in the king's palace at Shushan, sitting within the king's gate. Mordecai, having instilled wisdom, tact, humility, and grace in Esther, advises her to conceal her Jewish identity as she enters the palace. Even after she is chosen as queen, Mordecai remains vigilant, checking on her welfare daily while maintaining discretion about their relationship. During his duties, Mordecai uncovers an assassination plot against the king and informs Esther, who relays the information to Ahasuerus. Though the plot is thwarted, Mordecai receives no reward for his loyalty. Years later, Haman, an Amalekite and the king's favored prime minister, rises to power and demands that all bow to him. Mordecai refuses, prioritizing his loyalty to God over submission to Haman, whose lineage God had declared enmity against. Enraged by this defiance, Haman convinces Ahasuerus to issue a decree for the extermination of all Jews in the empire and the confiscation of their wealth. Upon learning of the decree, Mordecai mourns deeply, donning sackcloth and ashes outside the king's court. When Esther discovers his grief, she sends emissaries to understand the cause. Mordecai reveals the dire situation and urges her to approach the king to plead for their people, despite the Persian law that forbids uninvited approaches to the king under penalty of death. His steadfast resolve and faith in God's purpose shine through as he encourages Esther to act, reflecting his lifelong commitment to patient endurance and trust in God's timing.

The story of Esther is no different from other well-crafted narratives. In fact, it is more important because this story is one that God has included in His Word for our learning. When He constructs a story, He does not do it haphazardly. He constructs it in a way that we are going to get the most out of it. Those stories are there in the Old Testament not just to entertain us. He wants to instruct us, to give us instruction in His way of life and the way He works. In doing so, He also gives us intangibles like hope and comfort, and He teaches us patience through these things. We can understand that, as we move on our path toward the Kingdom, He is going to act in certain ways, just like He acted toward those people who were doing the same thing in Old Testament times. These were real stories. These are true stories that He gave. But they are stories that are full of instruction that are going to uplift us, they are going to instruct us, that are going to give us the tools that we need to move forward in our own times of distress, as happens from time to time. Structure is very important to Esther so that we get out of it what we need to get out of it. Three Act Structure is a Western tradition and the book of Esther is not Western. The book of Esther is Eastern, Middle Eastern. The whole Old Testament is not Western, it is Oriental, it is Eastern. Knowing that the Old Testament stories have this Oriental or Middle Eastern approach, we can assume that the plot of Esther will not strictly adhere to the Three Act Structure. However, we can see it in that light. It will work as a three act play, as it were. The first three chapters, that is Act One. The author describes the setting of the story. It is in the court of the powerful and wealthy king, Ahasuerus of Persia. We find out right away that court intrigue is the rule there and they do a lot of feasting and drinking and that starts to lay some themes out. That is chapter 1. Chapter 2 introduces Mordecai and Esther and it tells us how Esther has been inserted into the Persian court because of Queen Vashti's rash disobedience. At the end of chapter 2, we have Mordecai uncovering a plot, telling Esther, and she in turn tells the king, and the assassination plot is diverted. Mordecai comes out looking very good. Chapter 3 introduces the villain, which is Haman. The first thing that we are told about is that he has a problem with Mordecai because Mordecai will not bow to him. That, of course, is the inciting incident, that Haman is elevated to vizier and Mordecai refuses to bow. The turning point comes at the end of the third chapter in which Haman maneuvers the king into granting him pretty much dictatorial powers and he then uses that power and the money to exterminate the Jews; they put out the edict to exterminate the Jews. That is the end of Act One. Act Two, remember that is the middle build in the story, that is where all the conflict starts to take place. In Esther, it is only two chapters long. It is very short, even though it is normally a longer part of the whole. Chapter 4 relates how Mordecai tells Esther of the Jews' plight. She says she desires to help and then they come up with a plan to go before the king to request some mercy. Here, we learn that even though Mordecai up to this point has seemed to be the main character, we find out that Esther is really the protagonist. She is the heroine of the story. At the end of chapter 4, Mordecai is said to do what Esther tells him. Chapter 5 contains the drama of Esther's successful appearance before the king against his command. She had to go and touch the golden scepter before she was allowed to go in. If he had refused that she would have died on the spot. But he says, Come forward, ask me what you want, up to half the kingdom. She says, I want you to come to a banquet, you and Haman. He says, Oh, great! I love drinking parties! He and Haman decide to go and it ends on a very solemn note with Haman talking with his wife

The Book of Esther stands out in the Bible for its emphasis on plot and characterization, which are vital to understanding its narrative. God desires that we read His Word with depth to gain wisdom about Him and His plan for mankind, striving for His happy ending. In Esther, these literary elements are elevated as major factors in how we engage with the book. Scholars have long debated its genre, questioning whether it is a historical chronicle, a fictional drama, a comedy, a parable, a morality play, or an allegory. Regardless of genre, its place in the canon of the Old Testament affirms its significance as part of the Word of God, offering lessons through its story and characters. Plot and characterization are integral to grasping the author's intent in Esther. The characters, particularly Mordecai and Esther, are central to the narrative's development. Mordecai is introduced as a certain Jew, living in Shushan, a capital of the Persian Empire. The author portrays him as either a typical or ideal Jew of the Diaspora, an exile descended from those taken with Jeconiah. His actions suggest he is an ideal example, living as a man of God should despite being in a foreign land. Identified as a Benjamite, linked to Saul through ancestral names, Mordecai stands out as a paragon of virtue, unlike other Benjamites with tarnished reputations in biblical accounts. Descended from the upper classes exiled by Nebuchadnezzar, he is depicted as above average—educated, skilled, and adept at navigating high society and government. His Babylonian name, derived from the god Marduk, contrasts with his inner faithfulness, highlighting his ability to thrive under oppression while remaining true in heart. Mordecai's kindness is evident as he adopts Esther, raising her as his own daughter, showcasing his sacrificial and giving nature. Mordecai's character remains steadfast throughout the book, showing little growth because he is already close to perfect from the start. He serves as the standard by which other characters are judged, acting as a type of God in a narrative where God is not mentioned. His refusal to bow to Haman, an Agagite, reflects his stand for righteousness, possibly due to knowledge of Haman's unworthiness or involvement in a plot against the king. By the end of the book, Mordecai rises to great honor and power in the Persian kingdom, recorded in the chronicles, remaining steady and wise, a pillar for Esther to rely upon. Esther, the book's namesake and chief character, also bears a Babylonian name linked to the goddess Ishtar, while her Hebrew name, Hadassah, meaning myrtle, connotes beauty, peace, and joy. Described as lovely and beautiful, an orphan raised by Mordecai, she embodies inner and outer grace despite her low beginnings. Her hidden Jewish identity, a major theme, reflects a broader biblical motif of God concealing His people for protection. Initially passive, a pawn in the hands of others, Esther grows significantly throughout the narrative. From being taken into the king's harem and receiving favor, she transitions to active agency, using her position as queen to expose a plot against the king and later to save her people. Her growth transforms her from a powerless orphan to a powerful figure, akin to a queen in chess, demonstrating the development God seeks in His people. The theme of hiddenness extends beyond Esther to God Himself, whose name is absent from the book. Yet, Mordecai and Esther's actions suggest they know He is present, working invisibly behind the scenes. While Xerxes and Haman remain unaware of His maneuvering to deliver the Jews, Mordecai and Esther act in faith, striving to bring good out of evil, trusting in His unseen guidance.