Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
Esther 6-10
6:13 His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him (Haman), “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!”
(From Constable’s Commentary) Haman’s “friends evidently realized that unseen forces were maintaining the blessing that they had observed following the Jews.”
These people realized that despite the Jews misfortune of being a captivity people, blessing and protection still followed them and Haman won’t be able to stand against Moredecai. Likewise those around us should see the blessing and protection of God over our lives.
6:13 His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him (Haman), “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!”
(From Constable’s Commentary) Haman’s “friends evidently realized that unseen forces were maintaining the blessing that they had observed following the Jews.”
These people realized that despite the Jews misfortune of being a captivity people, blessing and protection still followed them and Haman won’t be able to stand against Moredecai. Likewise those around us should see the blessing and protection of God over our lives.
7:7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden.
7:10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.
When the king found out that Haman had plotted against the Jews, he was furious. Even though Haman didn’t know this included Esther. Yet the king felt tricked by Haman, and his fury only subsided after Haman’s was killed.
The king wasn’t God-fearing but he was still angry at injustice. Our sense of justice comes from being made in the image of God.
7:7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden.
7:10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.
When the king found out that Haman had plotted against the Jews, he was furious. Even though Haman didn’t know this included Esther. Yet the king felt tricked by Haman, and his fury only subsided after Haman’s was killed.
The king wasn’t God-fearing but he was still angry at injustice. Our sense of justice comes from being made in the image of God.
8:7 In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.
Such a great reversal!
In becoming Jews, they must have acknowledged the One true God, despite their motivation. God’s plan was always that other nations would see the blessing of living under God’s government and join his people – here it happens.
8:7 In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.
Such a great reversal!
In becoming Jews, they must have acknowledged the One true God, despite their motivation. God’s plan was always that other nations would see the blessing of living under God’s government and join his people – here it happens.
9:2 The Jews assembled in their cities in all the provinces of King Xerxes to attack those determined to destroy them. No one could stand against them, because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them.
The Jews were allowed to attack those who were determined to destroy them. Yet even though they were given permission (v. 11) they “did not lay their hands on the plunder” (v. 10, 14, 16). The Jews wanted security, not material possessions.
9:2 The Jews assembled in their cities in all the provinces of King Xerxes to attack those determined to destroy them. No one could stand against them, because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them.
The Jews were allowed to attack those who were determined to destroy them. Yet even though they were given permission (v. 11) they “did not lay their hands on the plunder” (v. 10, 14, 16). The Jews wanted security, not material possessions.
10:3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.
Esther was written by a storyteller who seems determine to leave out any overt mention of God, yet we still his fingerprints all over the story.
10:3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.
Esther was written by a storyteller who seems determine to leave out any overt mention of God, yet we still his fingerprints all over the story.