Study and discussion questions for book of esther by phd students from stanford, harvard, berkeley. So the king and haman went to dine with queen esther. Esther 3 7 free sunday school lessons note to the teacher. The book of esther is unique in that it is one of the only two books in the bible named for women the other, of course, is ruth. Back in deuteronomy, before god brought the israelites into the promised land, he outlined their history for them. Its also heavy on action, drama, and game of thronesstyle intrigue, while being notably lacking in legal codes, commandments, theologyall that kind of thing. Before we get started, i want to take the time and explain what the s. Did you ever hear a sermon or attend a study regarding her book. Studying the book of esther is well worth your time.
And on the second day, at the banquet of wine, the king again said to esther, what is your petition, queen esther. The book of esther is the last historical narrative in the old testament. Esther questions and answers all chapters new king james. In the jewish bible, esther follows ecclesiastes and lamentations and is read on the festival of purim, which commemorates the rescue of the jews from hamans plottings. The genre of the book of esther is narrative history. Scripture when mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into read more the book of esther bible study. King achashveirosh of persia holds two giant parties, and he has his wife, vashti, executed. The bible study of esther is the third one ive read in mr. And watch god silently weave all events for his glory. Early jewish and christian traditions suggest that among the people named in the book, mordecai, esther s cousin and guardian, was in the best position to record the events. The king, angry that queen vashti did not follow one of his commands 1.
Hence it belongs to the bestknown otbooks with the jews and it is also the book, which has the oldest copies. Its tough being a woman bible study book by beth moore provides a personal study experience five days a week plus viewer guides for the group video sessions of this indepth womens bible study of esther a profile in courage. Esther bible study book of esther bible study lifeway. For further information on the book of esther, see the bible dictionary, esther, book of p. In this sixweek study, explore the subject of gods providence, walking verse by verse through the book of esther. In terms of the events covered in the book, the narrative of esther covers 486 to 465 b. This lesson has the same format as our lesson planning sheet in preparing your lesson, we suggest that you. There are certain elements of the book of esther that are historically accurate. See list under precept ministries inductive study on esther the book of esther is unusual gods name is not mentioned once, yet gods hand is clearly present and active throughout the book, to the extent that many see the book of esther as a veritable treatise on the doctrine of divine providence see separate study. Scripture when mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into. The book of esther show us that this is not the case. Esther bible study esther bible study will give you a threepart look at the book of the bible that bears her name, and at its title character. It belongs to the third section of the judaic canon, known as the ketuvim, or writings.
Like any great story, the book of esther has good guys and bad guys, danger, and suspense. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. Esthers character was such that she played her part in a noble manner regardless of what was asked of her and without understanding the full scope of her part. We will also have a closed facebook group for this. God directs this material universe in which we live today by his providence. Read esther 2 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Scripture says mordecai recorded certain events in order to relate them to jews throughout the kingdom see esth. Have you ever wondered if god is really involved in the circumstances of your life. The book takes its name from the beautiful, orphaned jewess who became the queen of the persian king ahasuerus. What is book of esther about and why should i care.
Esther a persian word meaning star is the more familiar name of a jewish girl named hadassah which is hebrew for myrtle. The story told in the book of esther takes place during the rule of ahasuerus, who amongst others has been identified as the 5thcentury persian king xerxes i reigned 486465 bc. The study extends for only three weeks, so there is no longterm commitment. The story relates the intrigues and adventures that. Esther bible study journal for women love god greatly. In terms of when the books were written, we cant be certain. Esther bible study devotional reflections from the bible. Esther bible study part 1 the story of esther is one of the most exciting and inspiring in all the word of god. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. The megillah in depth studying the book of esther yeshiva heres a great tip. Read below for some more fun and interesting facts on the book of esther.
Fulfilling lifes mission introduction why read this book. Esther, as a little girl, was none of those things, but god used her in a powerful and unique way to save the lives of her people. Did you know that the book bearing her name in the old testament does not mention god even once. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned. If you would like to take this study a step further, the weekly homework is available to be used in conjunction with the study. After the death of esthers parents, she was raised by mordecai, an older cousin, who served in the persian rulers palace. This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study. The book of esther, like much of the bible, tells the story of gods involvement with his people. We love him because he first loved us, and he gave himself for us because he loves us. A search for a new queen results in esther cousin of the torah sage mordechai being taken to the palace, but not sharing her jewish identity. Nov 05, 2000 essentially what you are getting with this bible study are a distilled version of the macarthurs study notes from any one version of the macarther study bible. The author also displays an accurate knowledge of persian customs and palaces.
The megillah in depth studying the book of esther yeshiva. A story of the providence of god in a pagan land page 4 introduction to the book the book of esther is the only book in the bible that does not mention the name of god. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible. Study the bible online using commentary on esther 2 and more. The book of esther was read at the feast of purim to commemorate the great deliverance of the jewish nation brought about by god through esther. Early jewish and christian traditions suggest that among the people named in the book, mordecai, esthers cousin and guardian, was in the best position to record the events.
However, when king ahazuerus calls for the queen, and she. The story relates the intrigues and adventures that took place in xerxes court as a jewish exile named esther was elevated to queen and, with her cousin and guardian mordecai, worked to rescue their people from a plot to destroy them. Although we do not know who wrote the book of esther, from internal evidence it is possible to make some inferences about the author. Part of a larger story both these plots are episodes in a larger plot. Study the purim story from its original text, the book of esther, together with the classic commentaries. Hence it belongs to the bestknown ot books with the jews and it is also the book, which has the oldest copies. The book of esther is a fastmoving narrative of events that took place during the reign of a persian king, xerxes. Have you ever looked into the life of queen esther and her bravery in the bible. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. Chapter one chapter two chapter three chapter four chapter five. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The story in the book of esther begins when the jews are captives in persia under the powerful king ahasuerus. On march 20th, the study begins and its absolutely free. You can work through this bible study on your own or with your small group, and you can go through this in ten days, or over a tenweek or semester long schedule.
Chances are you were taught very little or almost nothing about esther, the woman who is one of only two the other is ruth females who have a book of the bible named after them. Book of esther, book of the hebrew bible and the christian old testament. Book of esther bible study chapter 6 the sleepless king and the providence of god book of esther bible study chapter 7 the downfall of haman the wicked. Ive always enjoyed reading the book of esther, god used a woman in captivity to help save her nation. Now he needs to pick a new queen and eventually manages to select esthera comely, young secretly jewish woman who is a part of his harem. The book of esther is a beautiful story of one woman who courageously gave of herself for the will of god and his people. Esther questions and answers all chapters new king james chapter 1. The author is unknown, but some biblical scholars conclude that it was mordecai, himself, who wrote the book of esther. Actually, there are only two books in the bible named for women.
Esther bible study free bible study guide and introduction time. The key personalities are esther, mordecai, king ahasuerus or xerxes, and haman. Despite the shortcomings in life, esther was able to find a greater scope and save a nation. Book of esther read, study bible verses online bible study tools. It is a work in progress, so keep coming back for the next saga in the life of queen esther of the bible. A chapter by chapter and verse by verse study of esther taught by pastor paul leboutillier of calvary chapel ontario, oregon. Esther bible study will give you a threepart look at the book of the bible that bears her name, and at its title character.
Whilst this might seem redundant, its actually very helpful. The book of esther has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so. The purpose of this short study is to offer information regarding this fascinating part of scripture. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. Because the book of esther is a story, the understanding the scriptures and studying the scriptures sections cover the entire book. Now he needs to pick a new queen and eventually manages to select esthera comely, young secretly jewish woman who is a. What lessons can we learn today from studying the book. If you are interested in joining this facebook group, go to the facebook page briarwood womens ministry esther study and request to be a member. Herbert lockyer describes her as the woman who saved her nation from genocide.
Weve created a 10day study guide for you, each day working through a chapter of the exciting story of esther. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to understand scripture. The events of the book of esther occurred between 483 and 473 bc. Something i hesitate to do in this current seasonread more. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. The old testament story of esther is a profile in courage and contains many modern parallels for todays overloaded and stressed woman. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage. Studying the book of esther, chapters no greater joy. The book of esther in the bible is a dramatic account which can give us insight into gods special and purposeful plan for our lives. Esther is the last of the historical books of the bible, so its main character is named esther that is, venus, the morning star, which sheds its light after all the others stars have ceased to shine, and while the sun still delays to rise. The homework begins with preparation for esther chapter 1.
I really like the life applications he has in his books. Scripture that same day king xerxes gave queen esther the estate of. This summary of the book of esther provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of esther. The book of esther is a story that is truly relatable drama that just about everyone can find relatable. You can work through this bible study on your own or with your small group, and you can go through this in ten days, or over a. The book of esther has a james bondish, tickingtimebomb plot. The book of esther home study 2 in studying the first chapter of esther did you notice the number 7 complete and total and a multiple of 7 are all related to the king in. Esther bible study with free printable bible study guide.
Ruth, the romance of redemption and esther, the romance of providence. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. The book of esther has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so in the days of persecution. Each session i create a study guide that goes along with the verses we are reading, this study guide is to help you interact with gods word and learn to dig deeper. Chapter one chapter two chapter three chapter four chapter five chapter six chapter seven s. Exploring two of the most memorable stories in the bible, this 12week study highlights the love and faithfulness of god displayed in the books of ruth and esther. Thus the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. Before preparing this lesson, esther bible study esther 3 7 please read our approach to planning a sunday school lesson. Watch our overview video on the book of esther, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In esther, god providentially uses two exiled israelites to rescue his.