Some say the Book of Esther is a ‘chick flick’, one for the girls. It’s all about a princess and one massive beauty pageant where the winner gets the ultimate crown and becomes queen. Of course, the most beautiful of them all, Esther, wins and then she saves not just the day but the whole Jewish nation. Typical chick flick! But is this book really that shallow? 

I know what you’re thinking. We all remember the Sunday school lessons, don’t we? The short story of Esther, the young Jewish girl—virtuous, brave and beautiful—who saved the day for God’s people. Well, it’s not quite the squeaky clean story you remember.