Today, we continue our journey through the Bible with today’s study of Esther. May God show us what He wants us to learn? Psalm 19:14; “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.”
As we study the Bible alone or in a group setting, there are several questions we can ask ourselves to help us dig deeper. The five questions are as follows:
- What does the scripture say about God?
- Then what does the scripture say about me?
- Does something in this passage challenge me?
- What gives me hope in this passage?
- Is anything unclear to me?
I hope these questions help you as much as they help me.
Esther
- Author: Unknown. Possibly Mordecai (9:29). Some have suggested Ezra or Nehemiah because of the similarity of the writing style.
- Audience: The people of Israel.
- Date Written: Approximately 470 B.C. (Esther became queen in 479).
- Length: 10 Chapters
- Key Words: Banquet and victory
- Key Verses: “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (4:14)
- Key People: Esther, Mordecai, King Xerxes I, Haman
Summary of Esther:
The most obvious question raised by Esther comes from the fact that God is not mentioned, as in Song of Songs. Nor does the writer or any player in the story refer to the law of God, the Jewish sacrifices, worship, or prayer. So why would God never be mentioned when Xerxes receives over 175 references? Since God’s sovereignty succeeded in saving the Jews, why does He then not receive appropriate recognition?
Some of the following suggestions provide possible answers to these questions.
- Matthew Henry says, “If the name of God is not here, His finger is.”
- The Talmud Study Book suggests that God had hidden His face from Israel because of their sins, so He is not mentioned.
- It has also been implied that Esther is an extract from official court documents of the Persian courts.
Sections of the Book:
The book of Esther has three sections which are:
- The Feast of Ahasuerus (Chap 1-2:18)
- Esther’s Feast (Chap 2:19-7)
- The Feast of Purim (Chap 8-10)
Messages in Esther:
Although Esther does not mention God specifically, His sovereign protection over His people remains apparent throughout the book. God placed Esther in a vital position to impede Haman’s plan to destroy the Jews. Esther typifies Christ in her willingness to lay down her life to save her people. Esther also represents the position of Christ as Israel’s advocate. In all these events, God declares His love for Israel in His constant watch over the Jews: “Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber hot sleep” (Ps 121:4).
We also see God’s characteristics displayed in the following ways in the book:
- Provident – 8:5-17
Final thoughts:
We can learn many lessons from Esther that we can apply to our lives today. Here are several of them:
- God uses ordinary people to complete His works
- He places people in our lives to guide us spiritually
- God can turn trials into blessings
- Our prayers matter
- He gives us the courage to do anything/everything
- God remains faithful
- Pride will bring our downfall
All Lessons from the Bible
Each book of the Bible contains lessons for us to learn and historical information. We must study God’s Word to see what to do and what not to do in life. Paul reminds us of the importance of the words within the text in 2 Timothy 3.
2 Timothy 3:14-17; “14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Prayer
Grant me the understanding and knowledge of You and Your word. As I open my Bible to read the scriptures, it gives me wisdom and discernment. And even as I sit and listen to the pastor, preacher or apostle reveal what Your Holy Book is speaking into my life, help me see and understand. Help me know Jesus Christ and how He lived His life so I can follow in His precious footsteps.
I think the biggest improvement in my faith life made from my study of Esther has been the importance of being willing to risk it all to do what God has placed on my heart to do. Sometimes the “right thing” may not be the popular or easy thing, but it is nonetheless the right thing to do in a situation. If we are led to do something by God, then we must act upon that leading. God will determine the outcome. Ours is not to concern ourselves with the outcome but the obedience. Loved your insights ma’am.
100 amens JD. We must act upon God’s leading. When we don’t, we miss out on so many blessings. Thanks and Blessings
We can learn many lessons from the Bible. I like your list of lessons we can learn from Esther and apply to life today.
Amen Melissa and thanks for commenting. Blessings
I love your bullet-pointed list of takeaways from the book of Esther. We’re not quite synced up this time. I’ll be addressing her in a few weeks along with Daniel on my blog. It’s so interesting to read your Dad’s notes and the facts that you yourself add. This has been a great series. Thank you for sharing these.
Esther is one of my favorite books to study. Thanks for sharing these questions that require deeper thought. Blessings, Yvonne!
Thanks so much Barbara. Blessings
Thanks so much Melinda. I am looking forward to reading your take on Esther. I think my dad would love it. Blessings
Every time I read it, Esther’s courageous stand is such an encouragement to me!
Me too. We can all make a difference. Thanks Ava. Blessings
A great study, Yvonne. So many lessons and examples in this book. Thanks and God bless.
Thanks Nancy. Esther is such a wonderful example for all of us. Blessings
So good! I love how God can use ANY situation for His glory, and I think we can learn so much by Esther’s willingness to step up even in her fear. So inspiring.
Amen Jessica. We can learn a lot from this woman of God. Blessings
Thanks, Yvonne, for this wonderful study of Esther. I also like the questions you encourage us to ask ourselves when reading a passage from the Bible.
Thanks Annie. She is such a great example for all of us. Blessings
Thanks for this, Yvonne. I’ve always enjoyed the book and story of Esther. And I agree, God’s fingerprints and His underlying message of truth is seen between the lines. God bless!
Amen Karen and thanks. We can learn so much from this incredible woman. Blessings
The book of Esther is a favorite. Her willingness to risk it all inspires me.
Me too Jennifer. May we all have such amazing faith. Blessings