Seeing God's Presence Through His Promises: A Biblical Theology of God's Presence in the Book of Esther

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to provide examples of sermons from the book of Esther based upon a biblical theological perspective. The first chapter defines biblical theology and its value to the church, and then describes the sermon series that follows in subsequent chapters. Following that introductory chapter, seven sermons are developed, each one essentially addressing a chapter of the book of Esther, with the last of the seven being a treatment of the final four chapters as the resolution to the story. Each sermon aims to demonstrate that God’s promises, as well as his redemptive work in an earlier period of exile, serve as the lens through which the author understands and tells Esther’s story. As a result of the interpretive perspective of the author, God’s presence is discerned by how his past promises explain Esther’s unfolding drama, even as God remains unmentioned. Correspondingly, this project proposes that God’s presence is seen through his promises in the book of Esther.