Overview
After seventy years of captivity in Babylon, God stirred the hearts of Persian rulers to permit the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. This restoration, beginning around 538 BC, was a remarkable fulfillment of God's promises through the prophets. Esther lived during this era of return, serving as queen during the reign of Ahasuerus and preserving the Jewish nation from destruction.
Key Scriptures
"The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works" (Psalm 145:17, ESV). "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, 'The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah'" (Ezra 1:2, ESV). "So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days" (Nehemiah 6:15, ESV).
Application
Trust that God works behind the scenes to accomplish His purposes, even when circumstances seem uncertain or hostile.