The Mantle of Esther by Larry Christenson

The Bottom Line

Until I picked up Larry Christenson's book, The Mantle of Esther, I had never truly paid much attention to this Bible story. I have often quoted Mordecai's famous words to Esther, "And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14b) But I had never truly appreciated what Christenson focuses on, as the subtitle states, Discovering the Power of Intercession. Through the setting of this ancient story, the author takes you on a journey that not only allows you to discover what intercession is, but leaves you desiring to experience it in your personal life.

I absolutely loved it because it reminded me of watching old movies as a little girl, allowing the characters to grip my attention until I felt a sense of familiarity with them and the story. Christenson makes the book of Esther come alive. Instead of just reading an Old Testament book, I gave my full attention to the life of Esther as the story unfolded, yet at the same time was taught the fundamental principles on the power of intercessory prayer.

Description

• Genre: Prayer
• Release Date: 2008
• Author: Larry Christenson
• Publisher: Chosen Books
• ISBN: 978-0-8007-9428-6
• Format: Paperback, 155 Pages

I was so overwhelmed with the character of Esther that I cried and prayed along side her as she moved from event to event and my own reality and circumstances flashed before my eyes. Esther's predicament felt so real to me. Like her, I learned that there is no other way to come to God: "In utter dependence, she presents herself before the king, and there she discovers the awesome power of intercession."

Unlike a typical Bible study, Christenson walks readers through the book of Esther using the events of the story to literally open their eyes to the labor of prayer: “A spirituality that gets ensnared by sweet feelings, losing touch with the cross, has relinquished its identity.”

The author teaches on the different characters in the book of Esther, showing how they represent "types" in relation to God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. By explaining how the characters interact in the story, he brings the truth of prayer to light: “Like a many-faceted diamond, the story of Esther reflects truth of intercessory prayer, but it is not itself the source of the teaching ... the truth itself comes from the whole Scripture.”

I consider this book a must read for all who desire to be acquainted with the work of prayer.