Typology in the Book of Esther

1. Finding God in Hiding

a. The Deuteronomy Foundation:

-Deuteronomy 28-34: the curse of God’s distance from Israel for their sin.

-Deuteronomy 31:17-18 declares that when Israel falls into idolatry, God will hide his face from

them (remove his presence)

-The Jewish exile during the time of Daniel and Esther is the fulfillment of this curse and so to

explicitly include God’s presence would defeat the purpose of his distance. With every evidence of

the new Queen’s name in the book, we are reminded of God’s hiddeness. He may be hidden, but he

is not absent.

“Esther”אסתר “I will hide”אסתיר but with no vowels…

אסתר אסתר

b. The Exodus Connection - Connection to Exodus regarding national salvation.

- Exodus and Esther bookend the Old Testament timeline with National Redemption (Exodus being

the major formation of the nation, Esther being the final stage before the coming of Christ)

- Bookend the Jewish Calendar with salvation events (Passover is on the 15th

of the first month

Nisan; Purim is on the 15th

of the last month Adar.)

c. Esther as type of Christ

Shadow: Esther’s fast began on the 14th

of Nisan which is also the beginning of Passover.

Substance: Christ’s death occurred on the 14th

of Nisan

Shadow: Fasting in the Old Testament was considered an affliction and a sacrifice (the word for

fasting is also translated as “afflict yourself” multiple times: Lev. 23:27, 29; cf. Ps. 35:13; 69:10)

Substance: Christ was the sacrifice who afflicted himself for us (Phil. 2:1-8)

Shadow: End of the fast was on the third day – 16th

of Nisan

Substance: Christ rose on the 16th

of Nisan

Shadow: Esther “put on royalty” to approach the king.

Substance: Christ was glorified to ascend to the throne in heaven.

Shadow: Esther’s intercession to deliver her people was granted.

Substance: Christ’s intercession to deliver his people was granted.

Shadow: Gentiles are delivered by being brought into Israel because of Esther

Substance: Gentiles are delivered by being brought into Israel because of Christ

(It should also be noted that this occurred during the Exodus: see Exodus 12:38)