Esther core group study esther is a nineweek study with an optional purim celebration at the end. Introduction to the book of esther during the seventy years the jews suffered their babylonian exile, god raised up several people to faithfully guide and direct his fallen people back to himself. It is this persian kingdom that forms the backdrop for the book of esther, and xerxes, the king of persia, plays a prominent role. 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. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. This final section provides optional discussion starters and. We can only imagine the thrills and challenges of adjusting. Session 3 esther 12 session 5 esther 810 our hope is that this study will allow you to engage with. The book of esther in the bible is a dramatic account which can give us. For many years brethren have used it in bible classes to study the gospels in chronological order. Esther bible story summary what christians want to know. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned.
Jesus christs life from the virgin birth to his ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection is the basis for the four gospels the books of matthew, mark, luke, and john. In 1934 annie became a missionary in china with oms. Study guide for esther 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. In this book ahasuerus, vashti, esther, mordecai, and haman seem to be doing all. Gods word is not just for our information, it for our transformation.
Pdf this paper examines the book of esther, deriving important insights. The only books of the old testament that do not mention the name of god are. A queen is deposed 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 kjv nkjv nlt niv esv csb nasb. Since ezra returned to jerusalem in about 475 bc, the book probably spans a period of ten years hughes 2001. The book of esther gives hope and confidence to anyone who needs to know that. Mordecais question to esther encapsulates the great lesson of this book. Weve created a 10day study guide for you, each day working through a chapter of the exciting story of esther. Esther introduction where does esther come in history. In this sixweek study, explore the subject of gods providence, walking verse by verse through the book of esther. Read below for some more fun and interesting facts on the book of esther. The niv study bible biblica the international bible. 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.
Esther note and ruth see resources are the only books of the bible centered around a woman. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. But for those who know the larger story of the bible, gods hidden hand can be discerned in these events, working to protect and preserve israel. Constable, provide commentary on all 66 books of the bible and contain over 12,000 pages of material in pdf format.
This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study. Ezra 7 begins in the seventh year of artaxerxes i longimanus i. Thus the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. 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. Come to your small group prepared to share and discuss your responses to. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned elsewhere in scripture. As christians, the book is part of our heritage if the jews had been wiped out, jesus would never. Their confidence and desire will grow as they learn. The study itself gives an overview of the first three chapters and sets the stage for. This incomparable biblical work was written by an unknown jewish.
Like the niv itself, the niv study bible is the work of a transdenominational team of biblical scholars more about the niv bible. Canonicity in the english bible esther appears adjacent to ezranehemiah with the historical books, but in the hebrew bible it is one of five short books the socalled megillot that appear toward. The canonicity of the book was questioned by some in ancient judaism and early christianity. The following is an excellent synopsis of the entire book of esther. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. During the seventy years the jews suffered their babylonian exile, god raised up several people to faithfully guide and direct his fallen people back to himself. Inductive study of esther historical background chronologically, esther falls in the middle of ezra, probably between chapters six and seven, around 485 bc during the early years of the reign of king ahasuerus creelman 1917, 291. With scripture memory, daily study, and group discussion questions, this resource is ideal for both individual and group study. The persians had swallowed up the babylonian empire, which in turn had annexed judea. It can be an independent study using only it and the bible pdf file size. It is this persian kingdom that forms the backdrop for the book of esther, and xerx es, the king of. This is one of the best books in the bible in which to study the workings of.
This study guide on the book of esther was written by thomas klock of harvest. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the book of esther and how it relates to us especially women today. He has strategically positioned you as part of his kingdom to bring salvation to your circle of influence. Tom constables expository notes on esther this is also available in the net. Although some of them faced the fearful prospect of martyrdom, they didnt back down from their devotion to the living god. Introduction to the book of esther during the seventy years the jews suffered their babylonian exile, god raised up. Have you ever wondered if god is really involved in the circumstances of your life. First of all, weve included an introduction to each book so that from the beginning you have a clear picture of where the author is headed.
During world war ii she spent 21 months in a japanese concentration camp as a prisoner. On the surface, it appears to be a story about survival, prejudice, and politics. Second, weve added notes which help make the ancient backgrounds of the text accessible and approachable. The book is set during the period after the babylonian exile in which the nation of persia present day iran ruled judah. Study guide for nehemiah 1 blue letter bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the bible easy and rewarding. They have sought to clarify understanding of, develop appreciation for, and provide insight into that word. Fulfilling lifes mission introduction why read this book. It is the only book of the bible that does not mention god specifically. Today marks the 82nd week i have spent obsessing over the book of esther. Biblenotes the entire holy bible is summarized with easyto. Id give anything to embark on this journey with you, but my journey as research assistant ends where yours begins. Esther bible study will give you a threepart look at the book of the bible that bears her name, and at its title character. Perhaps a short comment on reading poetry would be help ful.
Scripture quotations are from the esv bible the holy bible, english standard version, 2001 by. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to understand scripture. Studying the book of esther is well worth your time. The dead sea scrolls contain fragments of each old testament book, with the exception of esther. Bible study guide for esther, old testament david padfield.
The jews lived under a death sentence that was sure to be carried out unless someone intervened. This free bible class book does not have to be used in connection with the fourfold gospel. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage, divine timing. An introduction to the book of esther an argument of the book of esther selected bibliography of the book of esther j. Biblenotes the entire holy bible is summarized with easy. Introduction to the book the book of esther is the only book in the bible that does not mention the name of god. The key personalities are esther, mordecai, king ahasuerus or xerxes, and haman. About 480 bc, during the rule of xerxes i, when the persian empire was at its height, spanning 127 provinces. Daniel hill when he was the pastor of southwood bible church in tulsa, oklahoma. Constable taught at dallas theological seminary for 45 years, and served as the chairman of its bible exposition department for years. You can work through this bible study on your own or with your small group, and you can go through this in ten days. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage.
The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. All this context is quite significant to the book of esther. The book takes its name from the beautiful, orphaned jewess who became the queen of the persian king ahasuerus. Esther helps you know and apply the encouraging and empowering truth of gods word. This expositional bible study of the book of esther was written by dr. You can work through this bible study on your own or with your small group, and you can go through this in ten days, or over a. The bible is filled with accounts of men and women who trusted in god and took courageous stands to live for him. But haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.
See list under precept ministries inductive study on esther. Esther is a type for jesus, a shadow, a queen who is willing to lay down her life to save her people. Yet, though this is true in one sense, there is more to it than that. This study guide on the book of esther was written by thomas klock of harvest christian fellowship in 2005. Covering facts of the bible the seeker bible study. Prayer is not mentionedit wouldnt be, since god is omitted. All confess the authority of the bible as gods infallible word to humanity. Though unseen, he is on the scene accomplishing his purposes in this world. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible. I have a few things id like to leave you before i reluctantly turn the last page of a cherished chapter in my life. There are articles with each study, opening questions, textual questions and application questions.
There is not even a divine title or pronoun that refers to god. Jesus taught to love others as much as yourself and to love god as the one and only god. You can work through this bible study on your own or with your small group, and you can go through this in ten days, or over a tenweek or semester long schedule. T he story of esther reads like a novel and is full of great spiritual lessons. Now he needs to pick a new queen and eventually manages to select esthera comely, young secretly jewish woman who is a.
Herbert lockyer describes her as the woman who saved her nation from genocide. Click download or read online button to get commentary on ezra nehemiah esther and job bible study notes and comments book now. A quote from my bible commentary that i wrote in my study guide. Susa, where the story of the book of esther takes place, was the capital of. 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.
After such royal treatment, mordecai simply came again to the kings gate. 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. He has made his notes available to grace notes for development into course materials. He may not always do it in the way we think he should, but the book of esther shows that he is in control even when we dont see him. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the book of esther and how it. Canonicity in the english bible esther appears adjacent to ezranehemiah with the historical books, but in the hebrew bible it is one of five short. The book of esther, like much of the bible, tells the story of gods involvement with his people. His was a far different response from hamans upon being invited to esthers dinner party in verse 5. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. As in past years, this study guide focuses on leading each student through the book of the bible we are studying.
The book of esther gives hope and confidence to anyone who needs to know that god is present. The story of esther turns on a series of seeming coincidences. 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. The genre of the book of esther is narrative history.
Commentary on ezra nehemiah esther and job bible study. 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. P dear lord, please help me to be a epaprasto tell others about you and then leave. Forwardsources summary of the old testament summary of the new testament keypoints of the old testament keypoints of the new testament old testament notes bookbybook.
The book of esther is unique in that it is one of the only two books in the bible named for women the other, of course, is ruth. Constables notes on esther 2020 edition from late in the second century b. He taught the complete book, verse by verse, to his congregation there. The author is unknown, but some biblical scholars conclude that it was mordecai, himself, who wrote the book of esther. The reader is left to discover gods hand for himself.
Read esther commentary using wesleys explanatory notes. When it was read in the synagogue during the feast of purim a feast commemorating the jews deliverance by esthers doing, the men. Before each session read the selected passages in your bible, read over the text notes, and answer the discussion questions. The book of esther gives hope and confidence to anyone who needs to know that god is present, powerful, and personal.