Highlights of the Old Testament briefly looks at each book of the Old Testament-- its overall message, how it relates to the other books of the Bible, and what it reveals about God and His great plan. Part 1: History covers the five books of law (the Pentateuch)-- Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, and the twelve books of history--Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. Throughout these books God's holiness, righteousness, justice, mercy, and love are revealed. If your heart and mind are open, you will come to better know Him who loved us and sent His Son to save us.

The book of Esther tells the dramatic story of how the destruction of the Jews was averted through the bravery of Esther, the wisdom of Mordecai, and the unity of the Jewish people. Yet Esther is a rather strange book to find in the Bible. Not only is it 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 that definitely does not mention God, and it avoids any obviously religious language. Nevertheless, Esther does have a developed theology. In this BST volume, David Firth explores this paradoxically important book and its implications for our own context, where the reality of God's presence is experienced against a backdrop of God's relative anonymity and seeming absence. Using brilliant satire and subtle scriptural allusions, the book of Esther offers us a model for dealing with a world where Christians are frequently a minority voice. It calls us to courageously engage society and be at the forefront of standing for justice, all while trusting in the God who is always at work. Part of the beloved Bible Speaks Today series, The Message of Esther offers an insightful, readable exposition of the biblical text and thought-provoking discussion of how its meaning relates to contemporary life. Used by students and teachers around the world, The Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for those studying or preaching the Bible and anyone who wants to delve deeper into the text. This edition features lightly updated language and a new interior design.

"Interpretation Bible Studies (IBS) offers solid biblical content in a creative study format. Forged in the tradition of the celebrated Interpretation commentary series, IBS makes the same depth of biblical insight available in a dynamic, flexible, and user-friendly resource. Designed for adults and older youth, Interpretation Bible Studies can be used in small groups, in church school classes, in large groups presentations, or in personal study. Each volume focuses on ten key passages from a book of the Bible and can serve as the basis for a ten-session study or be easily modified for shorter or longer schedules. Featuring maps, illustrations, definitions of key terms, interesting biblical facts, questions for reflection or discussion, as well as a leader's guide in each book with suggestions for group use, IBS combines a great heritage of scholarship with a fresh approach to biblical study."--BOOK JACKET.

What if the way the book of Esther has been taught to us in church and retold to us in films, cartoons, and romance novels has missed the original point of the story? Far from being models of piety and devotion, Esther and Mordecai seem indifferent to the faith of their ancestors. How then did this story become part of the Bible and gain the broad acceptance that it has? If the church should not neglect the story, how should it be read? Esther and Her Elusive God calls Christians to avoid the common attempts to make Esther more palatable and theological, and to reclaim this secular story as Scripture. Readers will be encouraged to see in Esther a profound message of God's grace and faithfulness to his wayward people.

Highlights of the Old Testament, History (Genesis-Esther) is a 13-lesson study. Each lesson contains a commentary and a week¿s daily study questions (except for the final lesson which contains the final commentary only.)Highlights of the Old Testament briefly looks at each book of the Old Testament¿ its overall message, how it relates to the other books of the Bible, and what it reveals about God and His great plan. Part 1: History covers the five books of law (the Pentateuch)¿ Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, and the twelve books of history¿Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. Throughout these books God¿s holiness, righteousness, justice, mercy, and love are revealed. If your heart and mind are open, you will come to better know Him who loved us and sent His Son to save us.