Author Takes Look at Book of Esther Section by Section

Readers will be better leaders when they study life of biblical queen.

Longwood, FL (PRWEB) January 20, 2008 -- The biblical book of Esther appears in the Old Testament, and it recounts the deliverance of God's chosen people, the Jews, from their persecution by the Persian Empire and explains the historical origins of the Jewish festival of Purim. The book of Esther hold the dubious honor of being one of only two books in the entire Bible that does not mention the name of God, and as such, Jewish theologians long debated whether or not to even include it in the Bible. Even today, the book of Esther is all but ignored by publishers of modern commentaries. In a market that is rife with a variety of wide-ranging topics, one book of the Bible with incredible historical relevancy is notably absent. In Esther ($13.99, paperback, 978-1-60477-438-2), the third installment in the Loken Expositional Commentary, author Israel P. Loken dissects the biblical text in a section-by-section exposition that is designed for both the layperson and the serious scholar.

Says Loken, "I hope readers will gain a deeper understanding of the book of Esther. The study of the Scriptures can transform lives. The reader will become a better leader as he studies the life of one of the great leaders of the Bible."

As a college professor for more than 10 years--both at College of Biblical Studies and Dallas Theological Seminary--the Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, native has taught through the entire Bible more than 10 times, and this has yielded a plethora of new insights with each additional reading. "My goals in life are to teach God's Word on the college level and write commentaries," Loken says, noting that "I am living my dream!"

Xulon Press (http://xulonpress.com), a part of Salem Communications Corporation, is the world's largest Christian publisher, with more than 4,000 titles published to date. Retailers may order Esther through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors. Salem Communications is the country's leading Christian communications company with interests in radio, Internet, and magazine publishing.

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