King Ahasuerus promotes the wicked Haman to a position of great authority, demanding that all his servants bow down and pay homage to him. However, Mordecai, a faithful Jewish man and Esther's cousin, refuses to bow to Haman, infuriating the vengeful advisor. Learning of Mordecai's Jewish identity, Haman devises a plot to exterminate all the Jews throughout the Persian Empire. He casts lots (purim) to determine the day for their destruction.
When Mordecai hears of Haman's sinister plan, he mourns and pleads with Esther, now Queen of Persia, to intercede with the king on behalf of their people. Esther is initially hesitant due to the law that anyone approaching the king without invitation risks death, but Mordecai reminds her that she too will not be spared from Haman's wrath.
Esther bravely resolves to approach the king and calls for a three-day fast among the Jews to seek divine guidance and courage.
We begin this episode with a first person monologue from Eve, just after being cast out of Eden with Adam. Despite her shame and...
The book of Job explores the difficult question of God's relationship to human suffering and invites us to trust God's wisdom and character. Scriptures...
The death of Jezebel, the infamous queen of Israel, occurred during the reign of Jehu, who had been anointed by God to execute judgment...
