Not my best work ever...

But it was better than a zero.

For this week, write about a half-page each (no more than one page total) on the books of Daniel and Esther. You will need to answer how each book helps to shape Israel’s life and faith, especially given the difficulties they are facing. Why does Esther not mention God? Why is Daniel located in the writings rather than in the prophets? Include some reasons why you think each book is important and its reason for being included in the Scriptures.

I think that the difficulties facing Esther and Daniel were essential for the Israelites to continue in their faith throughout their trials at the hand of those who reigned over them. Both the stories of Daniel in the lion's den and Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego being cast into the furnace show the power of God to those who believe in him doubtlessly. To have continued faith when faced with a den of hungry lions or being burned alive, shows remarkable encouragement and puts the daily trials for someone else into a different perspective. I think that Daniel is included in the scriptures to show the Israelites that God does not forget any of his children. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were most likely seen as ordinary men, yet God protected them when they showed absolute faith in Him.

I think that Daniel is included in the writings, and not with the prophets, because the stories it tells are not foretelling of the future. They don't predict a great destruction that will take place if the people don't listen to what Daniel has to say. They are stories of faith and absolute obedience to the Lord. I can speak from personal experience that following dietary guidelines is easy when you are with peers of the same belief. But when you are the minority and must withstand pressures to forego what you believe to be right, it is much harder to stand your ground. I was never faced with imminent death, but it can seem that way when you are a teenager.

The story of Esther shows the Israelites that God rewards those that do not deny their faith, even when faced with death. Not everyone who refuses to deny their religion may be saved from physical death in this life, but they will most certainly be saved from a spiritual death if they have a pure heart with real intent. Esther had to survive a physical death so that she would succeed in saving the numerous lives of those, her people.

I think that the story of Esther is important because it shows loyalty to one's faith and God. I think that Esther's belief is so implied by her actions that deliberate mentioning was not necessary. The story talks about her being a Jew because those are "her people" that she must save. Esther's story shows courage when the easy thing would have been for her to keep silent and not risk her own life. She was rewarded for her courage by not only saving the lives of her fellow Jews, but her own life was spared by the king.