The scene is laid in Shushan (Susa), some 250 miles east of the city of Babylon and 75 miles east of the Tigris River, and 130 miles north of the Persian Gulf. King Ahasuerus (Xerxes, B.C. 485-465), was king of Persia and reigned at this time over one hundred and twenty seven provinces, extending from India to Ethiopia. 

It will be recalled that Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, had carried away from Jerusalem, Jeconiah (Jehoiakin), the King of Judah, together with a number of Jewish captives, which at this time would seem to have been widely scattered throughout the domain of the Persian empire.     The time was about four centuries B.C. The heroine of the story is Esther, one of the Jewish exiles, who rises from the most humble walks of life to become a queen, and thereby ultimately rescuing her people from wholesale destruction, planned by Haman, the favorite courtier of the king.     

One must take into account the circumstances of her life and the conditions of her time. 

ESTHER
Queen of Persia's broad domain
Why this anguish and despair!
Blending tears like falling rain --
Sighs and words of hopeless prayer!
Round thee stands a waiting train,
Wealth and beauty, rank and power;
All to bring relief in vain,
Queen of sadness in this hour.
For a voice has gone abroad,
Stern and fearful, filled with doom;
Israel's exiles to the sword,
Sword and brand to Israel's home.
Lo, that high expressive brow!
Was there e'er a heart so true?
Hark what words the purpose show --
I will save or perish too.
To the sovereign I will haste;
Robe your Queen in purity;
Crown me as in triumphs past;
Maidens to the Throne with me.
Queen, thy holy aim is won --
God o'er rules the stern decree,
Sends a pardon from the throne,
Israel saves and honors thee!
By Rob Morris

"God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines,
With never-falling skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His gracious will."