Esther

by Peter H W Lau

Overview

The Asia Bible Commentary Series empowers Christian believers in Asia to read the Bible from within their respective contexts. Holistic in its approach to the text, each exposition of the biblical books combines exegesis and application. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the Body of Christ in Asia by providing pastoral and contextual exposition of every book of the Bible.

Set in Persia, the book of Esther seems to show little interest in the temple, the Promised Land, prayer or other signs of the Israelite religion. Most peculiarly for a book of the Bible, there is no explicit mention of God! Yet there are many similarities with the setting of Esther and situations in Asia today, which open ways for God to speak into present realities. This commentary examines the book of Esther in its original context, and considers how to interpret and apply it in light of the rest of Scripture - both the Old Testament and the New.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781783685059
Publisher:	Langham Global Library
Publication date:	09/30/2018
Series:	Asia Bible Commentary
Pages:	152
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.33(d)

About the Author

PETER H. W. LAU first trained as a medical doctor before getting a MDiv from Sydney Missionary and Bible College, New South Wales, Australia, and a PhD in Old Testament from the University of Sydney. He has been lecturing at Seminari Theoloji Malaysia, Seremban, Malaysia, since 2010. He has also authored books on Ruth, Ezekiel and Psalms and serves as the Old Testament Review Editor for Themelios.

Table of Contents

1. Commentary
   
   1. Series Preface.
   2. Author’s Preface
   3. List of Abbreviations
   4. Introduction
   5. Commentary on Esther 1–10
   6. Bibliography
   
   
   
   
2. Topics
   
   1. The Hidden King
   2. Working for the King
   3. The Persecution Continued
   4. Identify Yourself
   5. Esther and Politics
   6. Irony
   7. Honor and Shame
   8. Land, Temple, Covenant, King, People
   9. Reversals
   10. Responding to Deliverance
   
   
   
   

Editorial Reviews

For many Christians, reading Esther is like entering a strange new land. Here is a book unlike any other in the Bible. But with Peter Lau's careful reading of the text to hand, they have a guide that will not only help them to find their way around, they will understand the ways in which this book continues to speak into contemporary life. A helpful guide, Lau attends carefully both to the context of the text and the experience of reading Esther in Asia today, showing how these two enrich our discipleship.

Rev David G. Firth, PhD

Old Testament Tutor and Academic Dean, Trinity College, Bristol, UK

This excellent commentary skillfully combines knowledge of the literary devices at work in the book of Esther, and knowledge of the cultural background from which the book was written, with a careful study of the text. The results of this process are applied specifically to the Asian context and written in language that a layman can understand. Without presenting literary analysis, exegesis, and application in different sections, as in many commentaries, this commentary exhibits a rare combined approach. It demonstrates the kind of integration which I hope will be the hallmark of contemporary Asian biblical and theological scholarship. The Bible is an integrated book and it is good for Bible commentaries also to reflect this integration.

Ajith Fernando, DD

Teaching Director, Youth for Christ, Sri Lanka

From the Publisher