Music is an important part of our worship today, isn’t it? To be honest, I can’t really imagine going to church on a Sunday morning or making it through a whole week without participating in sacred music in some way—whether listening or singing—can you? The Jews during Ezra’s day sure could. Babylon had silenced their songs for nearly 70 years and God decided that this was long enough. When He finally opened their mouths to sing again, I doubt that hell itself was able to shut out the sound!
Scandals abound in a drama cast in the ancient Persian Empire. In the midst of political intrigue and betrayal, a beautiful orphan girl suddenly becomes the leading character, as God’s providence rescues His people from certain death. At first glance, Esther is the heroine and Mordecai the master manipulator. Take a closer look, however, and you’ll discover that behind the scenes, God is pulling the strings as His sovereign providence unfolds.