IBLIOLOGY : A Study of the Bible.... (August 16, 2014) Bible Survey : Esther Introduction: 1. Author: Uncertain, but possibly Mordecai (9:20). 2. Recipients: The Jews in the various parts of the Persian Empire (9:20). 3. Date: Events described in the book begin with the third year (1:3) of the reign of Ahazuerus (Xerxes) and close with the twelfth (3:7). This was approximately 483-474 BC. Esther became Queen in 479 BC. 4. Purpose: To show God’s providential care for his people even in their dispersion. 5. Theme: The providential deliverance of the Jews from destruction through the agency of Esther and Mordecai. 6. Key Word: “Jews” – the term “Jew” is derived from the word Judah. Since most of the returning exiles were of the tribe of Judah, the title Jew was applied to them, and extended in later years to all Hebrew people. Note: The name of God is not used even once in this book but His hand is as clearly seen in this book as in any other in the entire Bible. “Ruth was a Gentile woman who married a Jew. Esther was a Jewish woman who married a Gentile.” Esther 1 Verse 12 – Queen Vashti refused to obey the King. Verses 16-19 – The wise men, thinking that Vashti’s actions could cause national problems thought it best to remove Vashti as Queen. Esther 2 Verses 5,7 – Esther was being raised by her cousin, Mordecai. Verses 8-10 – Esther was taken into the King’s harem, but Mordecai instructed her not to reveal that she was a Jew. Verses 15,16 – Esther becomes Queen 4 years after Ahazuerus’ divorce from Vashti. Verses 21-23 – Mordecai reveals a plot to kill the King thus saving his life. 49 Esther 3 Verse 2 – Mordecai refused to bow before Haman. Verses 5,6 – This enraged Haman who then decided to kill all the Jews. Verses 1-15 – The King allows Haman to order the execution of Jews all on one day. Esther 4 Verse 8 – Mordecai attempts to get Ester to speak to the King. Verse 11 – For Esther to approach the King without being summoned could mean death. Verse 14 – Mordecai was convinced that God would somehow save the Jewish nation, whether through Ester or otherwise. Verse 16 – Esther’s reply: “If I perish, I perish.” Esther 7 Verses 1-4 – The King and Haman go to Esther’s second banquet where Esther asks the King not to destroy her people. Verse 7 – Haman was pleading for his life before Esther and the King assumed that he was assaulting her and thus ordered Haman’s execution. Verses 9,10 – Haman hanged on his own gallows. Esther 8 Verse 8 -- A decree from a King could not be revoked under Persian law, but a counter-decree could be issued. Verse 11 – the counterdecree written by Mordecai gave the Jews the right to defend themselves and to plunder the spoil of any who would attack them. Verse 17 – Many Gentiles became Jewish proselytes for fear of the Jews. Esther 9 Verses 1-16 – The Jews, instead of being destroyed, killed 75,000 of those who hated them. But they did not take any plunder. Verses 25,26 – The Jews established the Feast of Purim to celebrate their victory.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 04:55:13 +0000
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