Esther
Today I am going to share my bible study notes on the book of Esther. It's odd that so many women don't know a lot about the women in the bible beyond Mary. Today we will discuss a women whom God dedicated an entire chapter to her raise and triumph by partnering with HIM in saving the lives of her people (The Jews).
This accomplishment took preparation, a willingness to learn, and the courage and strength to lay down her life if needed. I consider Esther a book about Protection, Redemption, and the power of Fasting and Prayer.
Listed below is my personal breakdown of the book, it is meant to be a companion piece when you Read the book of Ester. I hope you enjoy. If you would like a hard copy of the chart, send me an email @ PraiseMovesDekalb@gmail.com , I would love to share. Smile
Today's Action Item: Read the Book of Esther
Main Point: God is our Protector & our Redemption
HISTORY
The story is from the Old Testament of the bible
The book of Ester is 1 of 12 consider Historical books of the bible
Location: Persia
Time Frame: 10 years (483-473 B.C.)
Author: Unknown
FUN FACT
Jews consider the book of Esther a comedy
MAIN CHARACTERS
There are 5 vital characters in the book
King Xerxes
Mordecai (Jew)
Esther (Jew orphan)
Haman (Vizier)
Hegai (King’s eunuch)
ALL SCRIPTURES are from the New King James version (NKJV) of the bible
-------------------------------THE SET UP-------------------------------
Key Events
Queen Vashti Dethroned (Chpt. 1)
Esther’s Preparation Year / Queen Esther Reigns / Mordecai Saves King (Chpt. 2)
Haman’s Plot / Pride & Prejudice (Chpt. 3)
Notes
King’s Elaborate Party - 180 day feast to show the king's riches Esther 1:4
King Xerxes Embarrassment - King was merry with wine, wanted to show off Queen’s beauty and her royal crown, he commander her to come, she refused Esther 1:10 - 12
Vashti Dethroned - Royal decree Vashti shall come no more before King and her royal position shall be given to another Esther 1:19 (Revenda's comments, the king must have loved her, because he did not kill her, plus Vashti had to be hard core, she refused to see her drunk husband, that could kill her just for coming into his presence without permission.)
Esther’s Family History explained - Mordecai’s adopted daughter/ Esther (both parents deceased) was taken to the King Esther 2: 7
Esther’s Preparation Year
The king was pleased with Esther, so her 1 year beauty cleansing preparation and training to spend the night with the king began. (6 months bathing in myrrh oil (remove any infections) and 6 months perfumes (she would smell great, the scent would be in her skin Esther 2:9
Mordecai instructed Esther not to divulged she was a Jew Esther 2:10
(Revenda's comments, we should all learn more about essential oils, they are natural and they reduce the amount of toxins we introduce in our bodies )
What is Myrrh?
The essential oil of myrrh is extracted from the resin. Myrrh, in the scientific nomenclature system, is called Commiphora Myrrha and is native to Egypt. While the resin was frequently used in incense and perfumes in ancient Egypt, and the oil obtained from it was used for healings wounds in ancient Greece.
Myrrh provides relief from inflammation of tissues caused by infections, protects from microbial infections such as fever and food poisoning, strengthens immune system and stimulates blood circulation, protects wounds from infections and heals quickly, strengthens gums, prevents hair loss, and helps in muscle contraction. Caution: To be avoided by pregnant women.
Esther’s Preparation, Training, and Obedience is Rewarded
Hegai advised Esther before going in to see the king. Esther 2:15
The king loved Esther and crowns her the new queen Esther 2:17
Mordecai Discovers a Plot to Kill the King - Two eunuchs plot to kill the king, Mordecai sends a message via Esther to the king Esther 2:22
Haman is promoted after the death of the two eunuchs – Pride Esther 3:1
Haman develops hatred of Mordecai and all Jews – Prejudice
The king commanded all servants to bow and paid homage to Haman, but Mordecai refused Esther 3:2
When ask why Mordecai refused, he did not listen to them and replied, I am a Jew. Esther 3:3-4 (Revenda’s question I wonder if he did not bow, because of the ten commandments, no other Gods before me, but Mordecai must have bowed in the presence of the king?)
Haman was filled (consumed) with wrath Esther 3:5 (Revenda’s comments, have you ever been angry, because you could not control the actions of another?)
Conspiracy against Jews
Mordecai feared the Jews, yet he still wanted to harm Mordecai, so he would have to create a plan to kill them all Esther 3:6
Mordecai went to the king siting Jews laws are different and they do not respect the King’s law, let us destroy them and share in the profits. The king agreed Esther 3:8 - 9
-------------------------------THE CONFRONTATION-------------------------------
Key Events
Esther Agrees to Help (Chpt. 4) / Esther’s Banquet (Chpt. 5) / Mordecai Honored (Chpt. 6)
Haman Hanged (Chpt. 7)
Notes
Esther Agrees to Help (Esther 4:14)
Esther’s Fear Esther 4:10 – 11
Mordecai’s Warning if Esther did not help Esther 4:13 – 14
Esther seeks God’s protection for herself and her people - Esther’s Requirement of Mordecai (Corporate Prayer and Fasting) Esther 4:15 – 16
Esther’s Banquet
Part 1: Esther saw the king and had his favor (she did not die) Esther 5:3
Part 2: A change of environment/venue – the Banquet Day 1, food is the way to a man’s heart, King was in a good mood, reassuring the King’s favor (happy day) Esther 5:3; Esther 5:6
A view into Haman’s Pride: He makes assumptions and believes he has created the perfect ploy against Mordecai (he believes in his own success and abilities) and went to brag to his family and friends about his special invitation from the Queen, and prepped the gallows for Mordecai. Esther 5:12-14
Mordecai Honored
God at work (while Haman was prepping the gallows) In a dream, the King was reminded that Mordecai saved his life and was never rewarded. The King asked Haman for advice on how to honor someone Esther 6:6-9 (My comments: Psalm 138:7 - Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.)
Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai the Jew who sits within the king’s gate! Leave nothing undone of all that you have spoken.” Esther 6:10 (My comments: The king knew about the plot to kill “All” Jews, yet he woke from a dream and desired to “Honored” a Jew with the highest praise. World view, it makes no sense, but remember God’s ways are not our ways)
So Haman took the robe and the horse, arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!” Esther 6:11 (My comment: Poetic Justice - the fact of experiencing a fitting or deserved retribution for one's actions.)
A warning to Haman from His Family, wife “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall. Esther 6: 13 - 14
Haman Hanged
Part 3: Banquet Day 2 – Time for Esther to break the news- I’m a Jew Esther 7:3-4
The King’s displays anger toward Haman, Haman cries out to Esther and escalates the situations as Haman begs Esther for his life, yet in the process he disrespects Esther and the King by falling across Esther’s couch Esther 7:7-8
Haman hanged on the gallows, he had prepared for Mordecai (My comments reinforces that God is our protector)
-------------------------------THE RESOLUTION-------------------------------
Key Events
Esther Saves the Jews (Chpt. 8)
Jews Tormentors are Destroyed / Feast of Purim (Chpt. 9)
Mordecai honored (Chpt. 10)
Notes
Esther Saves the Jews
Mordechai and Esther were appointed over the house of Haman. Esther 8:1-2
Esther fell down at the feet of the king and implored him to counteract the evil of Haman Esther 8:3
The king gave Mordechai and Esther full power to do as they pleased to revoke the plot against the Jews Esther 8:8
Jews were permitted the right to … to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assault them, both little children and women, and to plunder their possessions, Esther 8:11-12
Many feared the Jews, so they became Jews Esther 8:17
Tormentors Destroyed
The Jews destroy their tormentors, they were helped by officials, satraps, governors, all doing the king’s work helped the Jews. Esther 9:3
Mordechai rose with honors in the king’s palace Esther 9:4-5
Esther requested the sons of Haman (qty. 10) be hanged as well Esther 9:13 (my comment, reminds me of Shaka Zulu movies, “Never leave an enemy behind or it will rise again to fly at your throat.)
Feast of Purim
Mordecai the day of celebration, called the feast of Purim (2 day feast) to be celebrated every year. Esther 9:20 and Esther 9:28
Mordecai honored
For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen Esther 10:3
Today's Action Item: Read the Book of Esther - just saying, when we talk about others, if we curse them, I think we curse ourselves and when we bless them, we bless ourselves. Think about it. (An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth)
Genesis: 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
Deuteronomy 19:21 You must show no pity for the guilty! Your rule should be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Thank you Jesus, you PAID the price for me!
