Bible studies in the book of esther esther chapter 3. We can only imagine the thrills and challenges of adjusting. In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. Biblical femmes fatales such as judith, delilah, and salome, using their charms to accomplish lethal hidden agendas, epitomize the male fantasy of predatory female. The book of esther in one sense is the most remarkable in the bible, and that is because the name of god is not mentioned in this book at all. Lifeguide bible studies, revised edition 9780830830398 by patty pell. Joshua and the call to live victoriously by faith the book of ruth the life of david the book of nehemiah the book of esther jonah the sermon on the mount gospel according to mark epistle to the romans galatians and the fruit of the spirit ephesians colossians philippians and the call to biblical fellowship titus and the call to. Scripture that same day king xerxes gave queen esther the estate of. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her.
It is a day of celebration where the book of esther is read in the synagogues. Actually, there are only two books in the bible named for women. Ruth and esther macarthur bible studies book 9 kindle edition by macarthur, john f download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. 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. The study extends for only three weeks, so there is no longterm commitment. It belongs to the third section of the judaic canon, known as the ketuvim, or writings. The book of esther, also known in hebrew as the scroll megillah, is a book in the third section ketuvim, writings of the jewish tanakh the hebrew bible and in the christian old testament. Ladies bible study on esther introduction the book of esther is one of the most exciting books in all the old testament and is nearly unique in employing a woman as its leading character.
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. 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. Although we are told nothing about those first years, we can be certain they were filled with wonder for this young woman swept into palace life. You can work through this bible study on your own or with your small group, and you can go through this in ten days. Esther, the jewish heroine of the biblical book that bears her name, bravely intervenes on behalf of her people to save them from destruction.
Weve created a 10day study guide for you, each day working through a chapter of the exciting story of esther. Book of esther, book of the hebrew bible and the christian old testament. Esther bible study with free printable bible study guide. Chapter one chapter two chapter three chapter four chapter five chapter six chapter seven s. There is not even a divine title or pronoun that refers to god. While god is never mentioned in the book of esther, his fingerprints are all over this true story. 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 belongs to the socalled five scrolls hebr. The student will become familiar with the history of the period and the events that set the stage for the developments of the intertestimental period that ended with the birth of messiah. Now he needs to pick a new queen and eventually manages to select esther a comely, young secretly jewish woman who is a. She becomes the queen five years before she is needed.
God works so that a young jewish woman becomes the queen of king ahasuerus or xerxes i. 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, 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. The bible project is a portland based nonprofit that utilizes shortform, fully animated videos to make the biblical story accessible to everyone, everywhere. On march 20th, the study begins and its absolutely free. Thats obvious, given that the book is named after her though she gets about the same amount of stage time as some of the other major characters like ahasuerus, haman, and mordecai. 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.
This series has more than titles on old and new testament books, character studies, and topical studies. Esther is the only book in the bible not to mention the name of god. Bible studies in the book of esther esther chapter 1. Esther bible study journal for women love god greatly. The author is unknown, but some biblical scholars conclude that it was mordecai, himself, who wrote the book of esther. Tom constables expository notes on esther this is also available in the net. The book takes its name from the beautiful, orphaned jewess who became the queen of the persian king ahasuerus. Best esther commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. Studying the book of esther, chapters no greater joy. The book of esther is a fastmoving narrative of events that took place. The book of esther show us that this is not the case.
What spiritual lessons can we learn from this book. Esther 6 was one of the most ironic chapters of the bible. Instead of studying beforehand, participants attend the group, learn from the material and discussion, and then build on that using five daily directed bible. One of the primary lessons that can be drawn from the life of esther is that the. Queen vashti as the book of esther of begins, queen vashti, one of the most beautiful women in the land, is secure in her position. Yes, god is in the book of esther, as are his specific purposes for his own people, and we can learn much from examining it carefully. The book of esther is one of only two books in the bible named for women. An introduction to the book of esther an argument of the book of esther selected bibliography of the book of esther j. 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 overview insight for living ministries.
Well, i can now tell you that i have found you the particularly nasty villain you have been. 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. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. Esther saves the life of mordecai and her jewish people. Study guide for esther 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. The bible book of esther is a dramatic account which can give us insight into gods special and purposeful plan for our lives. In the last study we were introduced to a rather lovely character by the name of esther. The esther bible study provides three separate discussion studies on this part of the bible. Learn about the life of queen esther who saved the jewish people in captivity from being. This revised lifeguide bible study features questions for starting group discussions and for meeting god in personal reflection, together with expanded leaders notes and a now or later section in each study. Ahasuerus had a case of providential insomnia, and called for a reading from the.
Purim is a jewish holiday which was established during the days of the book of esther to commemorate gods deliverance of the jewish people. Yet, though this is true in one sense, there is more to it than that. 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. You are welcome to copy the studies and share them with others. 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. Bible class book on esther outlines and questions bible class book on job outline of the book with questions for each section job. The book is set during the period after the babylonian exile in which the nation of persia present day iran ruled judah.
Hadassah, a jewess, is the main character of the book esther 2. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible. The hatred haman had for mordecai had only intensified as he saw the king exalt mordecai and not himself before the adoring crowds. May, 2016 a chapter by chapter and verse by verse study of esther taught by pastor paul leboutillier of calvary chapel ontario, oregon. Women of faith, bravery, and hope macarthur bible studies. The book of esther is a beautiful story of one woman who courageously gave of herself for the will of god and his people. They create videos, podcasts, and study guides that explore the bibles unified story by focusing on its overarching themes and each books literary design. 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 contemporary and applicable.
The book of esther is one of the two books in the bible where gods name is not mentioned. It is a work in progress, so keep coming back for the next saga in the life of queen esther of the bible. For over three decades lifeguide bible studies have provided solid biblical content and raised thoughtprovoking questions. Although no meaning is attached to his name in strongs concordance due to its nonhebrew origin, willmingtons complete guide to bible knowledge states it means dedicated to mars. Mordecai, the cousin of esther, is a jewish official in the royal court of persia at shushan 2. The cast of characters this book, unlike most in the bible, is written in a literary format, and we can take a literary look at it as well as seeking the practical things we can glean from it. You will also find options for commentaries on esther that help pastors, teachers, and readers with application of the bible, commentaries that approach the scripture versebyverse, classic christian commentaries, and much more. Esther a persian word meaning star is the more familiar name of a jewish girl named hadassah which is hebrew for myrtle. Herbert lockyer describes her as the woman who saved her nation from genocide. 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 this incident with vashti. The close of the last study in esther chapter 6 saw the events drawing to a dramatic conclusion. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Women of faith, bravery, and hope macarthur bible studies macarthur, john f.
The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage, divine timing and gods supreme love. Esther hadassah esther is the heroine, the main character. Ruth and esther macarthur bible studies book 9 kindle. Esther bible study book of esther bible study lifeway. In the story of esther, youll meet a beautiful, young queen who risked her life to serve god and save her people. In addition to the teacher and student books, you will also need a bible, colored pencils, a whiteboard or large paper and colored dry erase markers. A 10day bible study on the book of esther ibelieve contributors without ever mentioning god directly, the hand of god is all over the story of esther, displaying the providence and faithfulness of god even in the face of eradication. Did you know that esther is mentioned more times in the bible than any other woman. Esther bible study chapter 1 the invitation of the king. 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 author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. These videobased bible studies are designed to get groups discussing the. Studying the book of esther is well worth your time. Esther esther group bible study book is a sixsession study that tells the story of esther, a woman who was used of god to stand against unholy people to preserve the jewish people and their culture and tradition.
Like any great story, the book of esther has good guys and bad guys, danger, and suspense. The book was written no earlier than 470 bc and probably no later than 424 bc, during the reign of xerxes son artaxerxes. It is one of the five scrolls megillot in the hebrew bible. We have prepared this home bible study for you to do by yourself or in the fellowship of other women. 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. Discover the basics of the book of esther with the esv study bible from crossway, video from the bible project, audio from mark dever, and more. Daily discipleship guide csb is designed to cultivate a deeper understanding of scripture through daily bible reading. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. Although some of them faced the fearful prospect of martyrdom, they didnt back down from their devotion to. The bible is filled with accounts of men and women who trusted in god and took courageous stands to live for him. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading ruth and esther macarthur bible studies book 9. The book describes a mortal conflict between haman, the enemy of the jews, and a jew called mordecai. Prayer is not mentionedit wouldnt be, since god is omitted. With scripture memory, daily study, and group discussion questions.
Oct 04, 2007 yes, god is in the book of esther, as are his specific purposes for his own people, and we can learn much from examining it carefully. Something i hesitate to do in this current seasonread more. He has strategically positioned you as part of his kingdom to bring salvation to your circle of influence. Instead of studying beforehand, participants attend the group, learn from the material and discussion, and then build on that using five daily directed bible studies through the week.
Fulfilling lifes mission this study takes an indepth look at how to fulfill gods mission for our lives. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned. This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study. The purpose of this short study is to offer information regarding this fascinating part of scripture. However, when king ahazuerus calls for the queen, and she. Learn more helps for ministering during covid19 bible studies old testament studies.
Bobdeffinbaugh graduated from dallas theological seminary with his th. In this sixweek study, explore the subject of gods providence, walking verse by verse through the book of esther. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to understand scripture. A 10day bible study on the book of esther by ibelieve contributors.
Home bible book studies bible characters old testament esther. A study of the historical books of ezra, nehemiah and esther along with the contemporaneous minor prophets, haggai, zechariah and malachi. You can do these studies yourself, but they are designed for group use as well. 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. 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. Bob is a pastorteacher and elder at community bible chapel in richardson, texas, and has contributed many of his bible study series for use by the foundation. Esther bible study part 1 the story of esther is one of the most exciting and inspiring in all the word of god. The events of the book of esther occurred between 483 and 473 bc. Esther bible study free bible study guide and introduction time. The king was very angry at this and his rage grew hot.