I am so glad you have joined me for our Book of Esther challenge. Our goal is to read and dive deep into the book of Esther over the next 5 weeks.
Day 1: Read Esther 1 and 2 as you would read a novel. I like to use The Voice translation for this.
Day 2: Read Esther 1 using your study bible. I like the New Living Translation for in-depth studying.
Day 3: Answer Questions for Esther 1.
What is the time and setting of the book of Esther?
How many provinces did King Xerxes reign? (Esther 1:1)
Who was his wife?
Why did the king want the Queen to come before him? (Esther 1:11)
What type of person is King Xerxes? What burned within the king? (Esther 1:12)
Did she obey the king’s command? (Esther 1:15)
What does his relationship with Queen Vashti tell us about him?
What will happen after the king’s decree is read throughout his empire? (Esther 1:20)
Day 4: Read Esther 2 using your study bible. I like the New Living Translation for in-depth studying.
Day 5: Answer Questions for Esther 2.
What was another name for Esther (Esther 2:7)
What else was given to her besides her allowance? (Esther 2:9)
Who obtained grace and favor in whose sight? (Esther 2:17)
Fill in the blanks: “So the matter became known to _______, who told
______ _________, and __________ informed the __________ in Mordecai’s name.” (Esther 2:22)
What happened to the gatekeepers? (Esther 2:23)
What was written in the chronicles, in the presence of the king?
How does this chapter frame Esther’s journey in the coming chapters? How might she be feeling?
Day 6: Digging Deeper. Answer the additional questions. Write down any observations that you have made while reading. Think about the Who, What, and Whys. Consider how these chapters made you feel.
How does the King misuse his authority and power? How should we treat those we have authority over?
What do you make of the Persian culture with its emphasis on outward beauty, submission of females to males, segregation of the sexes, harems, and the like seen in the Book of Esther?
How were women treated in that culture?
Why do you think Esther hid her Jewish identity? What does this tell us about the Persian society and the Jewish people in exile?
Does God ever use flawed and compromised people to serve His greater purposes? Can you name some examples?
Looking forward to Monday, when we will continue Esther’s story by looking at Esther 3 and 4.
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