A Thorn Between the Roses: Esther, Jonah, and Ruth

Queen. Preacher. Pagan. As characters with Biblical biographies, these three – Esther, Jonah, and Ruth – stand alone. Although many other lives are narrated throughout the Bible, only the life stories of these three are recounted in books named for them. Esther became a queen because she was beautiful. After the pagan king “fired” the previous queen , he went looking for a replacement. Physical beauty was the sole criterion, and Esther the Jewess was selected. Her story of humility, fear, p...