The first words of this chapter are ahar ha-debbarim; this means “after these things”. In this lesson we will see examples of this process of God guides the lives of the main characters. Susa, also known as Shushan, was the capital of the Medo-Persian empire and it was from here that Daniel saw one of his visions (Daniel 8) as well as where Nehemiah began his public life (Neh 1:1-11). The saving work of Christ was directly tied to God’s saving work in the book of Esther. We’ll start with the 1st point, “God has a plan for your life.” 0000015316 00000 n
It … The ultimate in skin, beauty and day spa therapy! After all, this is a story, told by an expert story teller, and so it is structured in that fashion. You see, things aren't going well for the king. 2. Beware of the enemy's craftiness! Crown the Queen and let the celebrations begin! How did Esther initially hear of Mordecai’s distress? 2.1 Even When We Can’t See It, God Is Always Working. 0000016631 00000 n
Well, the things that had taken place in the first chapter, and the campaign to Greece where Xerxes was soundly defeated. 0000006204 00000 n
0000015935 00000 n
Now, lets dig into some lessons from Esther! 2 Lessons From the Book of Esther. But what may be new to you is that in this chapter we have some great little pictures and types of the preparation that believers go thorough for the true king, Jesus Christ. Clearly there is nothing that can please a man in such a state. Embrace your destiny.. At first Esther tried hiding from King Ahasuerus ’s guards to avoid marrying him, but... 3. You can do that here: Book of Esther Tonight on The Bachelor: Harem Edition. So at the battle at Thermopylae, only a few men could get in the narrow pass. Chapter 1 of Esther is not part of the main plot; rather some of the primary players are introduced and the scene is set. [6] ↩ Exo 30:23-25 Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane, 500 shekels of cassia--all according to the sanctuary shekel--and a hin of olive oil. It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 31 Days of Women from Scripture Day Twelve Lessons from Esther. 3 Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Has God called you by name? Lots of 'things' give temporary pleasure. The story of Esther is like an elaborate chess board, and God is moving the pieces of … During that time King Ahasuerus made his great, unsuccessful invasion of Greece and he came home a defeated man, wanting to cheer his heart through sensual diversions. 0000016802 00000 n
- Vss. Bible Studies in the Book of Esther. [3] ↩ The seven fold spirit is based on Rev 5:6 which itself is based on Isaiah 11:2-3. The first study concerned the invitation of the king. Let's have a look! (2) Then the king's attendants, who served him, said, "Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king. She would not again go in to the king unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name. SERIES ON ESTHER. Chapter 3 Chapter 4. You and I plan ahead for vacations, jobs that need to be done, schoolwork, and a host of other things. So Esther's preparation included myrrh just as our preparation involves bitterness and suffering. Vashti could never again be his queen. 0000008687 00000 n
MAN DOES NOT DO THINGS GOD'S WAY! 6 Outlines . (Psalm 75:6-7) Esther found grace and favour with the king because God was working behind the scenes to move the chess pieces into place for the challenging events that were still to come in this story. xref
The pomp and drunken revelry of the first scene has died down. 0000017361 00000 n
by I Gordon. These verses introduce us to two of the main players in the story that will unfold before us... namely, Mordecai and his beautiful cousin Esther (whose Hebrew name was Hadassah). 0000004466 00000 n
There is of course a small twist. There is no joy at home and he can't even get some pleasure from beating up on the Greeks. Does that mean He somehow controls or manipulates us? At this presentation, the final choice of the king would be made and the new queen would be crowned. November 16, 2018. 0000017100 00000 n
To this end, just as king Ahasuerus gave Esther gifts to enable and aid in her preparation, so the king of Kings has given us what we need for our preparation and sanctification. [2] ↩ It should be noted that in reality even a Miss Persia contest is not going to satisfy the heart of man in his search for fulfilment. 3. Here the royal life of Persian monarchs is … 2 Inductive Women’s Bible Study — Lesson 2 Esther’s story unfolds against such a vividly detailed backdrop that we can see every scene as if we were sitting in a darkened theater. GOD MAKES PLANS IN ADVANCE. And they were never free to marry another man, essentially living as a perpetual widow.'. The passage starts off 'after these things..' and from Esther 2:16 we find out that it is about 3 years on from the events of chapter one. But behind all the preparation and events occurring on the natural level was a God working in providence to arrange all the actors and participants that would grace the stage for the unfolding of a truly historic story. (14) In the evening she would go in and in the morning she would return to the second harem, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. Today’s woman can be found in the book of Esther. [4]. She knew what it felt like to be lonely. When I wrote my study on the book of Ruth [1] , I started by saying that it was a fantastic book that 'had it all - well, apart from a nasty villain, but we can't ask for everything. Introduction. God has the answer. You have a choice. 25:12; 2 Chron. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; He will swallow up death forever. 0000014901 00000 n
The marriage takes place after the second coming of Jesus Christ when His kingdom is established on earth. 0000016334 00000 n
The secret of the strength of the Persians was in numbers, but the individual Persian soldier was not as well trained as the individual Greek soldier. So, let's try out the quiz. Esther 2:12-15 Now when the turn of each young lady came to go in to King Ahasuerus, after the end of her twelve months under the regulations for the women--for the days of their beautification were completed as follows: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and the cosmetics for women -- (13) the young lady would go in to the king in this way: anything that she desired was given her to take with her from the harem to the king's palace. The nation of Judah has been taken into captivity, first by Babylon (Esther 2:6; 2 Chron. As a result the Greeks won a signal victory over the Persian army. Esther, who at the instruction of Mordecai kept her nationality secret, quickly pleases the king and is given further gifts of food, cosmetics and personal staff that would help to make her even more beautiful in view of her final presentation before the king. And fair enough too! Now I hope and trust you have accepted the first and are prepared for the second! True joy and contentment comes only from a relationship with God Almighty for we were created for Him and nothing else can truly satisfy in the long run. The lesson here is that God’s timing is always immaculate and the Book of Esther reminds the reader of this and Esther’s place on the throne at this exact time would save the Jews from extermination. 0000001896 00000 n
Instead of the seven maids that king Ahasuerus gave Esther, God has us the seven-fold Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth [3] and supply the inner strength required to perform the will of our king. Esther Chapter 1: The Invitation of the King. And he *said to me, "These are true words of God. This is a standard Hebrew grammatical way of providing a break in subject and of changing the scene. God has a Plan – Esther 4:14 4. 0000015466 00000 n
0000009266 00000 n
But will that succeed? A NOBODY CAN BE SOMEBODY WITH GOD; Esther was a nobody, she was an orphan girl, who was adopted by her cousin. She shall arise from humble surroundings and, under the direction of her cousin Mordecai, shall make a bid to be the new queen. (10) Esther did not make known her people or her kindred, for Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make them known. Thus, when the wise men brought gifts to the baby Jesus, they bought gold (symbolising deity & glory), frankincense (sinless perfection), and myrrh (a bitter herb speaking of death and suffering). A complete outsider has become the queen! 0000016447 00000 n
0000000016 00000 n
There are many more twists and turns that shall be the subject of the chapters and studies to come. Chapter 2. Introduction. My money was on that other lass! Chapter 9 Chapter 10. Esther 2:5-7 Now there was at the citadel in Susa a Jew whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite, (6) who had been taken into exile from Jerusalem with the captives who had been exiled with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had exiled. All the best! Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. 9 Life Lessons From Queen Esther 1. Well, I can't really hype it up... it's not like I'm telling the story to someone who doesn't already know the conclusion so yes, obviously she will succeed! Nothing is going well and nothing can cheer him up. On top of that, He misses queen Vashti. 0000003510 00000 n
6:25-28, 31). It will be the sacred anointing oil. [1] ↩ McGee notes: '"After these things." 0000015828 00000 n
“Tebeth”: The tenth month corresponding to Dec. / Jan. “The seventh year”: Ca. So we have seen that Esther, though a foreigner to the Medo-Persian kingdom, rose from complete obscurity to be queen alongside her king. 5-7. 1 Later when King Xerxes' fury had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her. God uses unusual events to accomplish his plans. Previous Next . ESTHER. ... My fun summary of Esther Chapter 1: In a land so far away… Cue Game of thrones music There was this beautiful and wealthy kingdom that stretched out from India to Ethiopia.. (that’s like half of Asia btw). Esther 2:16 indicates that there was a four-year span between chapters one and two. Believers in Jesus Christ are said to be espoused to Jesus Christ, the king of Kings. 1. Whether a newborn Christian or an elderly saint longing to be home at last... God desires and looks for your development and continued preparation for the day that you are called by name to stand before Him. CHAPTER 2. Esther 2 -There are a few years between the time of Ahasuerus’ extravagant banquet (Esther 1:3) and the beginning of chapter two (Esther 2:16). *If you would like to read the whole book of Esther online. The first study concerned the invitation of the king. Both are precious gifts! And what a year it was! As mentioned earlier, we are currently in a time of preparation for our King. If he chose them from the 400 others to be his queen, then she would be his companion (until she displeased him). b. Satan has a plan for your life. (3) But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. (11) Every day Mordecai walked back and forth in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and how she fared. Dig a … But as Blaise Pascal famously said: ''There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus'. The wise men of Persia have one little suggestion. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.". Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross. He cares too much for us to allow that. I know this based on Verse 7, that says it is the "12th year of the king". So Paul encourages us to remain pure to Christ Jesus, and not be led astray by the ever-increasing deception that abounds. Oh... What a shock! “Then the … 0000016749 00000 n
(3 pts).a Vashti, What she had done, and what had been decreed against her..q According to Esther 2:2 Fill in the blanks. This period doesn't just last one year though... it takes one lifetime. In Chapter 2, Verse 16 the text said in effect Ester became queen in the seventh year of the king. 0
0000016145 00000 n
1-4. %%EOF
In normal life, people tend to work most of their life and then retire in their latter years. Esther 1 -2. But thank God that He is willing to be in us that which His will and word asks of us! During this period, Xerxes fought the Grecian war. PROMINENT LESSONS ABOUT PROTECTION - Chapter 2. Chapter 1 Chapter 2. Book Summary: God’s name is not mentioned in this book but the pages are full of God who hides himself behind every word. Esther 2:16-18 So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. The day of great celebration had come and the joy of the king would resonate throughout the kingdom! - Vss. [2], Introducing Mordecai and his good looking cousin. There are some lessons not listed here since I was on a time frame. 0000002032 00000 n
But remember, no one knows Esther is Jewish. Esther then ask the Jews to fast about this for three days and three nights (Esther 4:15-17). And yet, in the prophecy of Isaiah 60:6, which mentions the gifts brought to Jesus at His second coming, only gold and frankincense are presented to the king. All of this is a fantastic glimpse is it not, of the day when the marriage of the Lamb shall come and the whole earth will be filled with the rest, joy and peace of the Messianic kingdom. "�j4����Kb������b1��١���#��*դQ��=�n�t
B^�*�`y$ڞٕ�$,
��ـ�h*�:�Ǽ�Z]BO�Ϛ�=�����;M�*�(-#��3M\�
����&Y��O����Z��H�xT�����{�y�7��
���*��;��Ja����,��t�r:�
{�Vj������BT{3}��\
The Book of Esther provides many biblical lessons that can be applied towards life today. 0000002682 00000 n
God has a plan for your life. As chapter 2 ends, Esther is queen and Mordecai is responsible for saving the king. As for the 399 who lost, they were banished to the harem where they stayed the wife or the concubine of the king, but rarely if ever saw him afterwards. It is seven different aspects of the one Holy Spirit whom the King, Jesus Christ, has sent to all believers just as He promised: ' And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.' (22) Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. After what things? 0000015688 00000 n
She was a salve of which her people were in exile. Given that the Bible often uses understatement in such matters, it is fair to say she was a bit of a stunner! 2 Timothy 2:20-22 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. The scripture tells us that ' exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. Chapter 7 Chapter 8. So Esther and the other 'contests' were given one year of preparation after which they were called by name to come before the king. (18) Then the king made a great feast, the Feast of Esther, for all his officials and servants; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces and gave gifts according to the generosity of a king. %PDF-1.5
%����
It is the word of God that informs us of the will and ways of God. It was an unfortunate defeat for Xerxes, but God was overruling. The Chosen Life: Studies in Esther Esther Ch. 0000014830 00000 n
2.4 God Takes What The Enemy Means For Evil and Uses It For Good. 2.2 God Is the Hero Of Every Story, But You Have An Important Role to Play. x�bbg`b``Ń3�
���ţ�A` `p
0000009880 00000 n
v. Read and enjoy the following passages for they speak of this coming great day of celebration to which Esther chapter 2 is but a small picture. He led a great army against the Greeks. In this age, we find favour with the king through faith and come into a time of preparation for the wedding to come. Ask for a volunteer to retell the important lessons learned from this chapter about the king’s signet ring and the Lord’s provision of protection for His people. Themes By Chapter. Rashi 's Commentary: Show Hide. The LORD has spoken. endstream
endobj
417 0 obj<. How about a 'Miss Persia' contest they ask with smiles on the faces. Next » Chapter 3. 0000015142 00000 n
To this our once-sad king agrees and the contest begins! 420 0 obj<>stream
We must turn to secular history for the campaign of Xerxes against the Greeks, since the Bible gives us no record of this campaign. (21) Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. But as Blaise Pascal famously said: ''There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus'. Also, there are other lessons, bulletin boards, projects, etc. Curriculum Target Age: Kindergarten – 5th Material Needed: Esther Chapter 2: The Preparation for the King. Once the party is over and the lights are out... Esther 2:1-4 After these things when the anger of King Ahasuerus had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her. Now, it is fair to say that on a natural level, Esther was obviously beautiful (as we read about in verse 7), and this probably influenced the king to some degree. (17) The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 0000015411 00000 n
GOD PLANS AHEAD . [5] So keep going and don't lose heart! Added to his misery was the absence of his queen and the fact that the law of the Medes and Persians could not be altered - even by the king himself. It should also be noted that myrrh was associated with death and embalming. No myrrh is to be found then for the suffering of Jesus and His bride are finished forever! But without this later gift of the Spirit, the former gift of His Word would lead only to frustration and despair. After his defeat he returned in deep dejection to his palace. After these things: This is broader than just the events of the previous chapter. Take this quiz to test your knowledge about the characters and events of Chapter 2. This second study involves the preparation for the king. startxref
0000005040 00000 n
The gospel illustration in this soon becomes apparent. 0000003882 00000 n
Our preparation is not through oil of myrrh and spices, but through the training of the Holy Spirit. 416 54
0000017046 00000 n
Well, apparently almost nothing. Here are five lessons in personal transformation that we can learn from Esther’s life: 1. Esther took the suffering that she experienced as an orphan and used it to make her stronger. There are 4 major lessons we learn from the book of Esther: 1. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.' (7) He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle's daughter, for she had no father or mother. This book is placed between chapters 6 and 7 of Ezra. Read the questions carefully and answer. 0000015036 00000 n
We shall explore those and be reminded again of that which we will likely experience as we move forward in this Christian life. The king also proclaimed a holiday and gave gifts throughout the provinces. Now, the search is on for a new queen. This lesson picks up where yesterday’s lesson on Vashti left off.. History records for us that the king had recently returned from a failed military mission against Greece [1] . (John 14:16-17), [4] ↩ Guzik comments on the reality of this contest saying 'It sounds wonderful - a year of constant spa treatments. 0000016855 00000 n
Esther chapter 2 KJV (King James Version) 1 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.. 2 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:. Esther 4:14 Day Two: Exploring the Text Esther Hears the News Read Esther 4:4–12 Well known British official Edmund Burke once said, “All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Mordecai was a good man and did what he could; now it was Esther’s turn. 'Well, I can now tell you that I have found you the particularly nasty villain you have been desperate for. Show content in: English Both Hebrew. This symbol, as we have with Esther's preparation of myrrh and species in the passage before us, is a picture of the Holy Spirit's presence upon those that are consecrated to the Lord. Week 2, Chapter 1. Esther 5:1 "Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on [her] royal [apparel], and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house." He also encourages Timothy (and in extension, all of us) to be a vessel of honour for his master, free from youthful lusts, by pursuing righteousness, faith and love. Rev 19:7-9 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." The Bible tells us that Esther was 'beautiful of form and face'. 416 0 obj<>
endobj
So the selected young ladies are gathered together and each is taken in turn before the king. So he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and food, gave her seven choice maids from the king's palace and transferred her and her maids to the best place in the harem. If that interests you, you have come to the right place. Who would have thought? In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious. 479 – 478 B.C., Four years had elapsed since Vashti’s fall from favor. 0000017307 00000 n
We like the idea of making hay while the sun shines and then putting the weary old feet up in our latter years when strength and health fade. That which we have seen is only the first of many scenes that will unfold in this story. 0000002540 00000 n
0000016684 00000 n
Lots of 'things' give temporary pleasure. 0000001711 00000 n
Esther In the Providence of God Lesson 2 Day One: Surveying the Chapter “After these things . Think also about your story. 0000006758 00000 n
by I Gordon. 0000003000 00000 n
And the matter pleased the king, and he did accordingly. for a lot of the lessons, and you can use the search bar on the right if you are interested to see if more posts are available. Yet the destiny of these women should also be considered: one evening with the king. 0000004723 00000 n
What can you do for such a man? Except for her, Jerusalem might never have been rebuilt, and there might have been a … Now the young lady was beautiful of form and face, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter. You had better get used to this idea for the preparation for the king will continue to the day you die and go to be with Him. In this regard, it should be noted that it was myrrh and spices that were added to the 'anointing oil' [6] in the tabernacle which was poured out upon all objects and priests who ministered within the tabernacle. Esther Chapter 2 – John Karmelich 1. 3. Give a list of possible lessons and ask the children to raise their hands if it was part of this chapter of Esther. ", Isaiah 25:6-9 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine-- the best of meats and the finest of wines. Bible Studies in the Book of Esther. True joy and contentment comes only from a relationship with God Almighty for we were created for Him and nothing else can truly satisfy in the long run. Esther 2:16 tells us that Esther became queen in Xerxes' seventh year; and, as the great feast mentioned in the previous chapter was in his third year (Esther 1:3), we must understand a time lapse of some four years in between Esther 1 and Esther 2. 0000002479 00000 n
Both lived in Susa after the exile from Israel. Esther Chapter 1 Bible Study: The Invitation of the King, Esther Chapter 2 Bible Study: The Preparation for the King, Esther Chapter 3 Bible Study: Haman the Madman, Esther Chapter 4 Bible Study: If I Perish I Perish, Esther 5 Bible Study: Esther's Prayer and the third day, Esther Chapter 6 Bible Study: The sleepless king and providence of God, Esther Chapter 7 Bible Study: The Downfall of Haman the Wicked, Esther Chapter 8 Bible Study: The Two Eternal Laws, Esther Chapter 9 & 10: A Victory to Win & A Day to Celebrate. [5] ↩ And what makes it interesting is that God desires our advancement in faith until the day we die. Paul wrote it like this: 2 Corinthians 11:2-3 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. Esther Chapter 5. 0000007414 00000 n
0000015634 00000 n
Ch. 36:9-10) who was then taken over by the Medo-Persians (Jer. A day when the grace and favour of the true King towards His bride will overflow to the entire world! 1. In that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. We can also take comfort that just as the king called Esther by name, so the king of kings knows His own by name. Esther … Isa 11:9-10 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. 0000017253 00000 n
1 After these events, when King Ahasuerus's fury subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done, and what had been decreed upon her. If you haven’t read the book of Esther I highly recommend it! The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. This is a very brief overview of Esther. 0000001419 00000 n
But there is more going on here than just pure beauty. (Esther 10:2-3) Halley's Bible Handbook says in its overview of the book of Esther: It is impossible to guess what might have happened to the Hebrew nation had there been no Esther. The obstacle is the way. (9) Now the young lady pleased him and found favor with him. Esther 2:8-11 So it came about when the command and decree of the king were heard and many young ladies were gathered to the citadel of Susa into the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken to the king's palace into the custody of Hegai, who was in charge of the women. So the queen was crowned and a great marriage feast was prepared. Esther - Chapter 2 « Previous Chapter 1. (3) "Let the king appoint overseers in all the provinces of his kingdom that they may gather every beautiful young virgin to the citadel of Susa, to the harem, into the custody of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let their cosmetics be given them.