In the book of Esther you will notice that it is the only book out of the 66 that does not mention the Lord. But you can faithfully see Him as He arranges strange coincidences, and juggles circumstance for His purpose…

Week One
Esther: Chapter One

This week’s Focus: Pray to the Lord for your purpose, hold Him to His promises and ask Him to make provisions for you to carry out that which he has placed within you.

What is the name of the Persian king in the Book of Esther? (Esther 1:1)
_______________________________________________________

Who is Xerxes?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

When does the Reign of Xerxes of Persia begin?
_______________________________________________________

For 180 days the King of Persia puts on a feast. What is his motive to show out?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

The essence of these feasts, is of course, pride; the king wants to impress his own subjects with his own wealth and power and majesty and generosity. This is typical of the way that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them (Matthew 20:25). When faced with challenges, do you try to impress others on your perceived strengths and resources? If so, why?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

In verse 5 we see that the king had a seven day drink fest. Who was this “party for?” Where were the ladies?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

What is the name of the Persian queen who lost her position to Esther? What does her name mean?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

How do you picture the palace?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

What point did Xerxes prove?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

How do you picture this atmosphere? Have you ever been caught up in something like this? How did you feel?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

The king has displayed his opulence and his power, now in a drunken stupor. He wants to bring in his beautiful wife to display her like some kind of trophy. She surprised him by doing what?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Although it does not say, why do you think she responded this way?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

How did King Xerxes, react?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Who were the seven?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

What advice was the king given by Memucan and why?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

What did this mean for Vashti?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

What do you think about Vashti’s action? Why?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

It is possible that Vashti was pregnant. Would you have made the same decision she did and why?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Do you see God in the shadow of this? How?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

{mospagebreak title=Esther Chapter 2}

Purpose, Promise, and Provision

Week Two Esther: Chapter Two

This week’s Focus: God is there in the smallest details. Ask Him to reveal those areas that would seem insignificant but are all working together for your good.

We read in verse one that when the wrath of the King was appeased, he remembered Vashti. What does it mean “he remembered Vashti?”

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Why couldn’t the king ask Vashti to come back?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

In this chapter, we begin to see the purpose and plan of God. The Heroine of our story’s life is about to change unbeknownst to her. What was her actual name?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

What was the name of Esther’s older cousin who had cared for her?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

What do we know about Esther and why was her older cousin caring for her?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Where were they from?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

There was obviously a beauty pageant. How were the contestants chosen? How do we know Esther was a favorite? Who was Hegai?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Have you ever had an unexpected event like this where you knew only God could have orchestrated it? Explain.

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Why didn’t Esther reveal her nationality?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Did Mordecai have access to Esther?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

How long was Esther in preparation and what did in consist of?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

What was the routine for each woman?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

How would you have felt being Esther in this situation or even one of the other women?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

How do you feel you may be in preparation right now?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

How many years before the events in chapter one until this point?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Esther won the heart of king Ahazuerus. He loved her more than all the others combined. Why?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

God placed Esther in a position of influence even before the Jews faced the possibility of destruction. Why do you think this was so?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Two of the king’s officers plotted to kill him. How did this involve Mordecai? Why do you think it was significant?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

God once again is setting the stage for doing something incredible. Look back at you life and identify a time where God used an unrelated issue to reveal or work towards His purpose.