Esther is the only book in the bible not to mention the name of god. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. After the death of esthers parents, she was raised by mordecai, an older cousin, who served in the persian rulers palace. When the turn came for esther the young woman mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle abihail to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what hegai, the kings eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. Ruth, the romance of redemption and esther, the romance of. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. An introduction to the book of esther an argument of the book of esther selected bibliography of the book of esther j. Bible studies in the book of esther esther chapter 1. God directs this material universe in which we live today by his providence. Tom constables expository notes on esther this is also available in the net. On march 20th, the study begins and its absolutely free. 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. 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. 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.
Have you ever wondered if god is really involved in the circumstances of your life. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. The key personalities are esther, mordecai, king ahasuerus or xerxes, and haman. 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. 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. The book of esther, also known in hebrew as the scroll megillah, is a book in the third. The events in the book take place from 483 bc to 473 bc, during the first half of the reign of king xerxes. Book of esther read, study bible verses online bible study tools.
Herbert lockyer describes her as the woman who saved her nation from genocide. I really like the life applications he has in his books. Now he needs to pick a new queen and eventually manages to select esthera comely, young secretly jewish woman who is a. Fulfilling lifes mission introduction why read this book. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.
Did you know that the book bearing her name in the old testament does not mention god even once. Before we get started, i want to take the time and explain what the s. In this sixweek study, explore the subject of gods providence, walking verse by verse through the book of esther. His presence permeates much of the story, as though he were behind the scenes coordinating coincidences and circumstances to make his will happen. The book of esther has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so in the days of persecution. Niv study bible, introductions to the books of the bible, esther, zondervan, 2002. Something i hesitate to do in this current seasonread more. Hence it belongs to the bestknown otbooks with the jews and it is also the book, which has the oldest copies. Esther a persian word meaning star is the more familiar name of a jewish girl named hadassah which is hebrew for myrtle. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible. Ive always enjoyed reading the book of esther, god used a woman in captivity to help save her nation. Esther questions and answers all chapters new king james chapter 1.
The book of esther has a james bondish, tickingtimebomb plot. The study extends for only three weeks, so there is no longterm commitment. It also reveals deep and abiding spiritual truths about gods power to deliver us from danger and oppression, even when despotic rulers plan to do evil to gods people. Hadassah, a jewess, is the main character of the book esther 2. The bible study of esther is the third one ive read in mr. The genre of the book of esther is narrative history. Esther learns of the plot as well and, at great personal risk, decides to accept the role of confronting the king about the plot and begging for his mercy. What lessons can we learn today from studying the book.
Esther bible study with free printable bible study guide. Although we do not know who wrote the book of esther, from internal evidence it is possible to make some inferences about the author. Studying the book of esther is well worth your time. Esther is the heroine of the purim story, in which the jewish people who live in the sprawling persian empire are saved from haman s evil scheme to annihilate them. What is book of esther about and why should i care. You can do these studies yourself, but they are designed for group use as well. Watch our overview video on the book of esther, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study. God masterfully orchestrates and weaves together every detail of our lives in jawdropping ways. She was taken to the king of the persian empire to become a part of. Join beth in a very personal examination of this great story of threat and deliverance as she peels back the layers of history and shows how very. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. Although we do not know who wrote the book of esther, from internal evidence it is possible to make some inferences about the author and the date of composition.
In esther, god providentially uses two exiled israelites to rescue his. Chapter one chapter two chapter three chapter four chapter five chapter six chapter seven s. 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. Jan 25, 20 the book closed with a brief tribute to the impact one life can have when courageously surrendered to god and his providential purposes. It is clear that the author was a jew, both from his emphasis on the origin of a jewish festival and from the jewish nationalism that permeates the story. 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. The old testament story of esther is a profile in courage and contains many modern parallels for todays overloaded and stressed woman. Esther bible study chapter 1 the invitation of the king. We love him because he first loved us, and he gave himself for us because he loves us.
Its also heavy on action, drama, and game of thronesstyle intrigue, while being notably lacking in legal codes, commandments, theologyall that kind of thing. Scripture that same day king xerxes gave queen esther the estate of read more the book of esther bible study. Esther bible study part 1 the story of esther is one of the most exciting and inspiring in all the word of god. When i wrote my study on the book of ruth 1, i started by saying that it was a fantastic book that had it all well, apart from a nasty villain, but we cant ask for everything. Story of esther in the bible as scripture reveals, esther is a jewish woman living in persia and reared by her cousin mordecai. 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. The esther bible study provides three separate discussion studies on this part of the bible. Studying the book of esther, chapters no greater joy. The book takes its name from the beautiful, orphaned jewess who became the queen of the persian king ahasuerus. Weve created a 10day study guide for you, each day working through a chapter of the exciting story of esther. Its tough being a woman bible study book by beth moore if youve ever felt inadequate, threatened, or pushed into situations that seemed overpowering, this is the bible study for you.
Yet, though this is true in one sense, there is more to it than that. The author is unknown, but some biblical scholars conclude that it was mordecai, himself, who wrote the book of esther. Thus the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. The book of esther, like much of the bible, tells the story of gods involvement with his people. 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. Chapter one chapter two chapter three chapter four chapter five chapter six the book of esther bible study. This study guide on the book of esther was written by thomas klock of harvest christian fellowship in 2005. Did you ever hear a sermon or attend a study regarding her book. This book particularly teaches us the invisible care of god for those of his people who preferred to stay in the land of exile although they could have returned to palestine since the days of king cyrus of persia see book of ezra. Scripture 7 so the king and haman went to queen esthers banquet, 2 and as they were read more the book of esther bible study. The bible is filled with accounts of men and women who trusted in god and took courageous stands to live for him.
Esther bible study will give you a threepart look at the book of the bible that bears her name, and at its title character. And on the second day, at the banquet of wine, the king again said to esther, what is your petition, queen esther. Have you ever looked into the life of queen esther and her bravery in the bible. The close of the last study in esther chapter 6 saw the events drawing to a dramatic conclusion. Charles swindoll stated, esther is a story of triumph that grew out of tragedy, ecstasy out of agony, celebration out of devastation. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to understand scripture. And watch god silently weave all events for his glory. So the king and haman went to dine with queen esther. Esther a2 classic bible study guide 2 introduction the book of esther is a graphic narrative, which relates how gods people were preserved from ruin during the fifth century b. The book of esther tells a compelling story, dramatic and exciting, with clearly defined heroes and villains. The events of the book of esther occurred between 483 and 473 bc. Scripture says mordecai recorded certain events in order to relate them to jews throughout the kingdom see esth. Pretty laid back, ask questions, give insights, share comments on the scriptures from other authors with source. The dramatic saga was written down so that jewish people could read about the amazing turn of events every year on the holiday of purim, the anniversary of the jews victory over their enemies.
Back in deuteronomy, before god brought the israelites into the promised land, he outlined their history for them. Study and discussion questions for book of esther by phd students from stanford, harvard, berkeley. Although some of them faced the fearful prospect of martyrdom, they didnt back down from their devotion to the living god. Esther questions and answers all chapters new king james. Esther bible study book and audio cd set this bundle includes one copy of the esther bible study book and the esther audio cd set.