The book of Esther describes how a genocide threatening the Jewish people was averted through the bravery of Esther, the wisdom of Mordecai and the unity of their people. It also reveals the God who quietly -and sometimes unexpectedly- works behind the scenes to order the events of our lives.

Debra Reid is director of open learning at Spurgeon's College, London. She is the author of Ruth and Esther and Psalms 73-150 in the Crossway Bible Guides, a contributor to several reference works, and has been involved in the publication of a variety of Bible editions and new translations.