Esther: Wilder Than You Remember

This week, we're looking at the book of Esther. It's a story with all the twists and turns of a Disney animated movie (complete with cartoon villain), and about as much plausibility. It's a wild ride, and by the end someone's going to be killed on a fifty-cubit pole. But something important is missing...

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Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction
2:00 – Today’s Topic: The Book of Esther
3:06 – Historical Setting: Persian Period & Xerxes I
4:44 – Hebrew vs. Greek Esther (Septuagint Additions)
5:07 – The Famous Absence of God in Esther
7:03 – Esther and the Dead Sea Scrolls Mystery
11:06 – Names, Ishtar & Marduk, and Non-Historical Genre
13:28 – Vashti Refuses the King & “Persia’s Got Talent”
15:04 – Esther Becomes Queen
17:08 – Mordecai Overhears the Assassination Plot
19:02 – Enter Haman the Agagite (The Villain Appears)
21:02 – Casting Lots (Pur) & The Genocide Decree
24:23 – Mordecai Mourns & Esther’s Risky Plan
26:01 – “If I Perish, I Perish” (Court Tale Parallels to Daniel)
27:46 – Esther’s First Banquet
29:54 – Esther’s Second Banquet Setup
30:10 – Haman’s Rage & The 50-Cubit Pole
32:03 – The Turning Point: The King Honors Mordecai
35:03 – Reversal of Fortune: Haman Is Executed
38:11 – The Irrevocable Decree Problem
39:15 – The Counter-Decree: Jews May Defend Themselves
40:26 – The Slaughter & Survival of the Jews
41:55 – Mordecai Elevated to Power
42:30 – Origins of Purim & Divination Theory
44:18 – Modern Purim Traditions (Costumes, Celebration)
45:19 – Wrap-Up

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