Vv 6-7 His family had been among those who, with King Jehoiachin of Judah, had been exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.This man had a very beautiful and lovely young cousin, Hadassah, who was also called Esther. When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her into his family and raised her as his own daughter.
If you ever wondered where the story of Esther fitted into the Bible, here you have it; it was during the exile, around the year 474BC, a few years before Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. It is a Bible story in which God is never mentioned – not even once! For the Jews however, it recalled their deliverance from a Holocaust-type experience, and gave rise to their Feast of Purim which was celebrated this year on 17th March.
If you are not aware of the story of Esther, make an opportunity to read it some time soon. God’s hand is very much in evidence in saving the nation from destruction.
—