Calvary Chapel WestGrove s Women s Ministry 2017 5- Week SUMMER Bible Study Esther Lesson FOUR Esther 8:1-10:3 Looking Back Even though she feared for her life, wasn t it impressive how Queen Esther stepped out in faith and humbly approached the king even though she hadn t been summoned? What gave her such courage? Esther was a wise woman of God and she knew full well that this situation called for divine guidance, so three days of fasting needed to come first! Under God s timely and methodical leading, Esther carefully set out to lay the groundwork one banquet for the king and Haman, then a second. She played the part perfectly! If Haman thought he was something special as the king s right hand man before, now he confidently believes that he has the queen s favor as well. And on the other side of town, a gallows is being built for Mordecai?!! Long story short the cat is out of the bag. Esther s heritage is revealed, Haman is exposed, and guess who ends up hanging on the gallows? Looking Ahead Even though Haman is no longer a threat, a HUGE problem still remains. Remember the decree that gave carte blanche to the citizens of the kingdom to kill and annihilate ALL the Jews on the 13 th day of the 12 th month of Adar? Well it seems that this decree is irrevocable!! Oh no!! What now? Is there any hope for the children of God? God s intervention for His people has not yet come full circle. Mordecai now occupies the position of authority once held by Haman which includes possessing the king s signet ring. With permission and full support of the king, a second decree will go out. This time the tables are turned! With the right to now defend themselves, the Jews are the dominant ones, as the dread of them falls upon all those who hate them. What once appeared to be inevitable destruction now turns to joy and rejoicing for God s people. This week s Memory verse is Hebrews 4:16. Begin memorizing the verse(s) today. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you memorize this passage and for opportunities to apply it Hebrews 4:16 Write out Hebrews 4:16: Write this verse(s) on your index cards keep one with you and post the other one in a prominent place [1]
DAY ONE Pray, and read Esther 8:1-8 1. What did King Ahasuerus give to Queen Esther? (v.1a) A. How is Haman referred to? (v.1b) 2. What did the king give to Mordecai? (v.2a) A. How did Esther honor Mordecai? (v.2b) 3. Although Haman was now dead, his evil scheme was not. Describe Esther s emotional state as she spoke to the king this time, in comparison to the first two times. (v.3) A. What did she implore of the king? 1. Did she receive favor? (v.4) Explain It is delightful to see how the Lord directed the mind of the king. But oh! what is it to the tenderness of our glorious King, who everlastingly holds forth the sceptre of His grace to all His petitioners! Robert Hawker 4. Finding favor and now standing before the king,, what is Esther s ** request (v.5b) ** reason (v.6) A. What did King Ahasuerus take full responsibility for in v.7? 1. King Ahasuerus authorized Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew to do WHAT in v.8a: The result of this permission, whether the idea was suggested by the king, or occurred to Esther or Mordecai, was that authority was given to the Jews to defend themselves. C. J. Ellicott Time to practice our memory verse: : a. Why couldn t the king simply revoke Haman s decree? (v.8b) DAY TWO Pray, and read Esther 8:9-17 1. The king s scribes are called and Mordecai is given an exceptional privilege in v.9? Explain. A. To whom would this decree be delivered? 1. According to v.10, in whose name did Mordecai write? a. How was this decree ultimately made final and official? [2]
Something to Ponder: We might think of Haman as in the place of our enemy, Satan, and joyfully await the day God puts him away. But we still must deal with the righteous decree of God that demands our death: The soul who sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:4). In our sins, we not only have an enemy (Satan), but we also have a legal decree from a righteous God against us. God solves the problem, not by compromising His decree for eternal justice, but by fulfilling justice in taking the punishment we deserved - His counter-decree saves us; that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26). David Guzik Take a couple of minutes to pray for your loved ones that are NOT saved, and then pray for your enemies that are not saved God so loved the WORLD... it s not His will for any to perish and it should not be ours either, regardless. 2. According to v.11, what were the rights granted to the Jews in each and every city for one day... ** the right to and, ** to ** to and ** to the army of which might attack them, including ** and, and ** to their, A. What Day was this to take place? (v.12) How long did this give the Jews to become Battle-ready? Share your resource. We saw Haman s gallows used against him and now we see Haman s decree/edict (Esther 3:13) used as a guideline for Mordecai s revised decree/edict. Share your thoughts. 3. According to v.13, it says that a copy of the edict was to be issued as in each and every province was published to all the people WHY? Define: AVENGE A. In your own words, explain the difference between avenge and revenge? 4. Describe the honors that were given to Mordecai. (v.15a) Haman was not only cut off, the Jews were not only commissioned to defend themselves, but Mordecai was arrayed in Haman s robes, received his ring, and occupied his offices and house. So God gave him beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness. And so he promised to do for His poor and afflicted Christian church. Joseph Sutcliffe A. How did the city of Susa respond to the decree? (v.15b) B. Describe what the Jews were experiencing. (v.16) 1. What decision did many among the peoples of the land make? (v.17b) a. Why? [3]
Time to practice Hebrews 4:16: DAY THREE Pray, and read Esther 9:1-10 1. What time had finally arrived? (v.1a) A. What had the enemies of the Jews hoped for? (v.1b) 1. What actually happened? (v.1c) Define: MASTERY 2. Using v.2, in the space provided, create a Front Page Headline A. Who were the Jews assembled to lay hands upon? B. What word is used to describe the reason why the Jews enemies did not harm them? Define DREAD 3. Who assisted the Jews? (v.3a) A. Why? (v.3b) The word dread has been used three times in four verses. Perhaps you are dealing with an issue in your own life where you have yielded to dread /FEAR. Whatever it is, confess and repent of it before the LORD. Share it with ONE friend, and ask her to keep you in prayer in regard to this. Now select one of the following verses, or choose one on your own, and begin quoting, with the intent of memorizing, and practicing it today. God will change your thinking. He loves you. Take time to read the promise IN CONTEXT. Read and memorize Isaiah 41:10. Read Proverbs 1:20-33 Memorize v.33. If you re able, share your progress next week!! 4. What are we told about Mordecai in v.4? A. Under his leadership, briefly describe what the Jews did to their enemies, specifically to those at the citadel in Susa.(v.5-10a) 1. They were given permission to plunder their enemies. Did they? Yes No "The Jews had a right to take the spoil, but they waived it, because they were fighting for survival, not for material gain. They were not the aggressors in this conflict, but they were defending themselves from their enemies who sought to slay them. James Burton Coffman Perfect time to practice Hebrews 4:16: [4]
DAY FOUR Pray, and read Esther 9:11-22 1. When the king received the report of what took place in Susa, what did he say to Esther? (v.12) Use your own words Bottom-line it A. What limit has been removed from the height of what he will grant to her? 1. What was her petition, and additional request? (v.13) A. Did he agree? Explain. (v.14) The question is asked as to why Queen Esther wanted to extend the Jewish assault a second day and to hang the ten sons of Haman who were already dead. Some suggest that Esther wanted to extend her wrath against the house of Haman by humiliating them. Others suggest that Esther wanted to instill enough fear in those people who remained loyal to Haman that they would not retaliate against the Jews in the future. Gary Everett What are YOUR thoughts on this?? 2. Describe what took place on the second day in Susa. (v.15) A. According to v.16, on the thirteenth day of Adar, what did the remainder of the Jews do, and not do? 1. What does v.17 & 18 tell us in regard to the ** 14 th Day? ** 15 th Day? What can you discover about why those AT the feast would send portions of food to others. Share your resource. 3. According to v.20, what did Mordecai do? A. Why do you believe it was necessary for Mordecai to record these events? 1. What did he oblige them to do? (v.21) Define: OBLIGE a. Why? (v.22) Write out Hebrews 4:16: DAY FIVE Ask someone if you may share Hebrews 4:16 with him or her. If you did share with your group Pray, and read Esther 9:23-10:3 1. Were the Jews obedient to that which Mordecai had written to them? (v.23) Yes No Silly question but it seems to just fit right here WHAT is YOUR favorite Holiday, and WHY? [5]
2. V.24-25 reminds us of what could have happened had the LORD not been involved with His people they may not have mentioned Him in this Book, but THEY were always on His mind! Read Genesis 50:19-21. Write out v.20: Take a moment and consider a few times that you were delivered from your enemy - just as clearly as the we watched the Jews be delivered from Haman s evil scheme. Briefly share ONE of yours. 3. What was their feast called, and how long was it to be celebrated? (v.26-27) A. How long was this custom to be celebrated? (v.28) 4. Summarize v.29-10:3, also share what most blessed you in regard to: * What is Mordecai remembered for? * What is Esther remembered for? * What was the king remembered for? * What was Haman remembered for? Time to write out your Memory Verse: "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14 In closing, please take a few minutes to re-read the verse above. What is YOUR understanding of it now, in regard to YOUR OWN PERSONAL WALK with your Lord? [6]