The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 156

Ver. 32.- Valuable less= from unpromisi,ng materials. '' The book." The Book of Esther is secular in its tone, has no mention of the name of God, and no recognition in the Gospels or Epistles ; still it is of great value. I. It gives A VALUADLE PICTURE OF LIFE at a certain period of the world's history. The luxury of an Oriental court, the tyranny of rulers, the emptiness of regal pomp, the danger from conspiracies, the plottings of politicians, and misery of oppressed peoples, are well depicted in this hook. Hints a.re given of the means provided for dissipating ennui by reading· ( eh. vi. 1 ), of the correct recording of public events ( eh. ix. 32), and of the facilities provided for rapid communication (eh. viii. 10-14). II. It gives A CLEAR INDICATION OF THE WORKING OF Goo IN THE INTERESTS OF MEN. 1. In a nation outside the pale of the covenant people. 2. In preserving at a most critico.l period the nation selected by himself to be the means of keeping up a know- ledge of the unity of the Godhead and the hope of a Messiah. Hence, if God's name is not mentioned, his working is seen. A.s the name of the Queen of England is not written in full on all tho ships, forts, guns, carriages, &c., but only a V. R. or the broad arrow, so the name of God may not be mentioned in the whole Book of Esther, yet his cipher is in every chapter, verse, and word. The shady parts of the Bible are to be studied as well as the bright; its valleys are to be explored as well as its heights to be scaled.-H. Ver. 1.-The antagimisrns of nations. "In the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them. Though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them." This passage tells a history of vicissitude doubly remarkable. It may be put thus : there was, in the first instance, a great reverse of fortune in the experience of each of two nationalities. But this did not end all. At the same time it constituted a striking reversal of the mutual relations of thooe two peoples. In the first instance the people who had been exalted are cast M~  l 64 THE BOOK OF ESTHER. [err. rx. 1-32.