ESTHER Week 1, Introduction Today we begin our study of the Book of Esther, in earnest. And as is our custom, we begin with an introductory overview. Last week we viewed an instructional film about Esther that gives us a good mental picture of the context and general happenings in…

ESTHER Week 2, Chapter 1 Chapter 1 of Esther is not part of the main plot; rather some of the primary players are introduced and the scene is set. After all, this is a story, told by an expert story teller, and so it is structured in that fashion. Here…

ESTHER Week 3, Chapter 2 The reason that I chose to present you with the Book of Esther is its historical and chronological position in Israel’s history. It bridges the exile to Babylon with their return to Judah and rebuilding of the Temple that we find becoming fruitful in Ezra…

ESTHER Week 4, Chapters 2 and 3 As we left off last week in Esther chapter 2, Esther was now residing in the royal harem in Susa (she and her adoptive father Mordechai were already living in Susa at the time). We noticed that the Bible gives us no implication…

ESTHER Week 5, Chapters 3 and 4 We got started in Chapter 3 of Esther last week, but spent most of our time discussing the issue of the identity of Haman (the wicked villain in our story). In verse 1 we hear: CJB Esther 3:1 Some time later King Achashverosh…

ESTHER Week 6, Chapters 4 and 5 If there is one theme woven through the Book of Esther that brings it all together it is that of God’s determination to preserve the Jewish nation from extinction, and thus the reason for the celebration of Purim. Never before in the history…

ESTHER Week 7, Chapters 5 and 6 We are in Esther chapter 5 and as we began to examine it last week we found Esther in the inner courtyard of the palace, going there unannounced and uninvited. Esther has forced this confrontation with the king at the urging of her…

ESTHER Week 8, chapters 7 and 8 We cannot get away from the reality of the Spirit of Amalek playing a significant role in our story of Esther and the intended annihilation of the Jews by Haman. I coupled this biblical incident with the modern day conundrum that dominates so…

ESTHER Week 9, Chapter 8 We ended last time about halfway through chapter 8 and things are moving very rapidly now. Like it is with so many Bible characters, when we take the Scriptures for what they actually say and add in the cultural context and known history of the…

ESTHER Week 10, Chapters 9 and 10 END We’ll conclude our study of Esther today. For me, Esther has been an excellent example of what happens when serious students of the Scriptures (you) take the time to examine God’s Word and accept it for what it says within the context…