The Message of Esther

The Bible Speaks Today: Old Testament

by David G. Firth

By any assessment, Esther is a rather strange book to find in the Bible. Not only is it, along with Daniel, the only book of the Bible to be set entirely outside of the Promised Land, it also shows no interest in that land. More than that, Esther is the only book in the Bible which definitely does not mention God. None of this should be taken as meaning that the book has no theological intention--on the contrary it has a developed theology, but it is a theology which operates precisely because it does not mention God directly. In this volume in the Bible Speaks Today commentary series, David Firth explores this paradoxically important book and its implications for our own contemporary context, where the reality of God's presence is experienced against a backdrop of God's relative anonymity and seeming absence.

Genres: Biblical Studies, Nonfiction, Christianity

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2010

Reviews

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bible Speaks Today series by IVP continues its high standard of excellence in this fine volume on Esther by David G. Firth. Firth is emerging as a preeminent commentator on the historical books of the OT. He writes with quality, consistency, and a conservative outlook that pastors or teachers will love and scholars will respect.

The Introduction is short, but succinct in getting you going on studying Esther. He explains the options out there on genre for the Book of Esther and he concludes it is “an historical work”. His assessment of purpose makes much sense. He devotes the largest portion of the Introduction to the main characters of the book. That was an effective approach that i enjoyed.

The commentary itself was outstanding. He kept the flow, saw the forest along with the necessary trees, and gave many valuable insights along the way. I highly recommend this volume.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Annie Riggins · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5) Like reading Esther alongside a thorough pastor and teacher. Although reading it over a long period of time might not have been the move for me; it made any dryness feel drier than it should.

Nevertheless, it draws Esther out as a book inviting us “to reflect on what it is to know God within this world — a world where the miraculous is rare and yet in which the faithful continue to experience the reality of God’s presence.”

[Jonathan Caldwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read of a well known story. Firth brings some things to light, especially major threads in the story. His applications are so-so. But it is a shorter read and has some value for the non-scholar.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Pastoral and Practical". These are the words you will be thinking when you finish "The Message of Esther" by David G. Firth, as it is one of the most well exit books on Esther that I have had the privilege of reading. This book is parts of the ever-growing series called "The Bible Speaks Today", produced by IVP Academic.  "The Bible Speaks Today" is a thoroughly Evangelical series which serves as an introduction as well as practicality explaining the Book of Esther through a thoroughly Evangelical perspective.

In the introduction, with regard to the dating of Esther, Firth argues well for an early date, I abet briefly, against critical arguments for older dating. His arguments systematically destroy any critical arguments that have been put forth to this time. His arguments are up today and even focus on the most critical and modern viewpoints, even ones that have just recently been published.

Firth is a excellent old testament exegete specifically and when it comes to Babylonian exile history, it shines in this volume.  Firth makes sure that the reader is getting an important look into the culture of the day and its influence on the text. Through this process Firth brings about conclusions which are gold for any pastor preaching exegetically through the Book of Esther.

Through exegeting the narrative portion of Esther, demonstrates why he is one of the greatest Old Testament scholar of the modern age, which makes this introduction to the Book of Esther a must-read by pastors preaching or Layman teaching through the Book of Esther either in the Pulpit or in the Sunday School room. I highly recommend this volume as an aid in either of these circumstances.

This book was provided to me free of charge from IVP Academic in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.

[Todd Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good read. This entire series has been helpful as I've preached through books. They're not exegetical at all. They are brief enough to read alongside other commentaries. However, there is enough meat to really benefit.

Well worth the time.

[Andrew Merritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book in preparation for a sermon I had the chance to preach last month. It was very helpful in solidifying my understanding and themes from Esther. Definitely recommend for anyone wanting to learn more about the book.

Here is a link to my sermon: https://youtu.be/ZBEL22h9cew

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This commentary was a great joy to work through and provided a lot of helpful insight into the text. It is a great devotional resource especially. I used this in conjunction with the NIV Application Commentary and the Tyndale OT Commentary, among others. I felt that between the three of them, I got a lot of useful insight and didn't feel that I was left with unanswered questions. It is also interesting to note that David Firth is the General Editor of the Tyndale Commentary on Esther that was authored by Debra Reid.

[Brian Macleod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful commentary from an easy to read series. Highly recommended and Firth makes interesting points that guide the reader to study further into the text and beyond.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Added to my library!