Excerpt
“It’s precisely the inexpressible something that poetry is meant to help us see or feel. If it were merely expressible— if there were nothing ineffable about it—there would be no need for a poem. But everywhere in the Bible we meet reality that exceeds our comprehension. We must find a way to at least point or suggest or hint. It’s too wonderful—or too something—to keep to ourselves. So it is with the book of Esther. This book never mentions God. But he is everywhere – the invisible hand that moves empires for the sake of his people” (p. 8).
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About the Book
Having proven himself as a poet, John Piper has written another masterpiece, retelling the story of Esther. This two-part poem begins with Mordecai talking with his teenage cousin Hadassah (Esther), whom he is raising. He explains how her grandfather had a prophetic dream about freedom in the land of Susa, and how his aunt and uncle (Esther’s parents) began the journey. Esther’s mother, he explains, died in childbirth, and her father died only two years later. Part two fast-forwards to Esther looking back and explaining how she became queen to her son, and what God’s providential purposes were in saving the Jews. This moving story is complete with illustrations by artist Glenn Harrington, and will inspire faith in God through fictional poetry about the nonfictional story of Esther.
First Edition 2012
Crossway Books (Wheaton, Illinois)
Related Resources
- Ruth: Under the Wings of God (book)
- The Innkeeper (book)
- Holy Women Who Hoped in God (sermon)
About John Piper
John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is the author of more than 50 books including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. John and his wife, Noël, have five children and twelve grandchildren.
