Esther *Scratch & Dent*

“Now listen, children, young and old,
God multiplies ten-thousandfold
The little power that we bring.
He makes our winter weakness sing
Of his full summer’s strength, and burns
The rags of shame to ashes, turns
The course of history, blocks
The haughty schemes of strutting cocks,
And brings the prophecies of men
To naught. And rising up, he then,
Against all high conspiracies,
And proud imperial machines,
Makes orphans into kings and queens.”

Capturing our imaginations and hearts, John Piper introduces us to Esther the poor orphan and Esther the Persian queen—creatively musing about what could have been in the midst of what really was. Using poetry to tell a moving story, Piper awakens wonder in us as we experience the beginnings and endings of Esther’s life and see throughout the purposeful hand of God.