The book is named for the star of the story, a young jewish girl named hadassah who was taken from her guardian, mordecai, and forced to compete for the affection of the king. 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. And as is our custom, we begin with an introductory overview. The close of the last study in esther chapter 6 saw the events drawing to. Something i hesitate to do in this current seasonread more. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage, divine timing and gods supreme love. Esther is the only book in the bible not to mention the name of god. All of these teachings are powerful and depict true courage and devotion. The focus of this lesson is an overview of esther introducing students to the main characters, places and themes. Esther is one of only books named for women ruth is the other. When i was young, i loved having a female bible character i could look up to, but as the years have passed, i love the story because it clearly displays gods love and protection for his people.
Frankly, i become a little annoyed with some of the college teachers today who are not. 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. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. Hadassah meant myrtle, and her persian name esther meant star. The book of esther provides many biblical lessons that can be applied towards life today. Bible studies in the book of esther esther chapter 1.
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 cant ask for everything. The book of esther, like much of the bible, tells the story of gods involvement with his people. Book of esther read, study bible verses online bible study tools. Studying the book of esther is well worth your time. The focus of this lesson is an overview of esther introducing students.
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 key personalities are esther, mordecai, king ahasuerus or xerxes, and haman. This caused some church fathers to question the book s inclusion in scripture. The book is unusual in that in the original version no name, title, or pronoun for god appears. There is not even a divine title or pronoun that refers to god. These notes are intended to help you to understand the bible better. 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. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. The genre of the book of esther is narrative history. Esther bible study with free printable bible study guide. Yet, though this is true in one sense, there is more to it than that. The book was written no earlier than 470 bc and probably no later than 424 bc, during the reign of xerxes son artaxerxes. The book of esther gives hope and confidence to anyone who needs to know that god is present, powerful, and personal. Esther note and ruth see resources are the only books of the bible.
Read below for some more fun and interesting facts on the book of esther. Today we begin our study of the book of esther, in earnest. Though unseen, he is on the scene accomplishing his purposes in this world. Have you ever wondered if god is really involved in the circumstances of your life. In the book of esther god used mordecai an ungodly man to rebuke esther into obedience. The study extends for only three weeks, so there is no longterm commitment.
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. We are going to meet some interesting people who are in the book of esther. Fulfilling lifes mission introduction why read this book. Now he needs to pick a new queen and eventually manages to select esthera comely, young secretly jewish woman who is a. He has strategically positioned you as part of his kingdom to bring salvation to your circle of influence. Ahasuerus had a case of providential insomnia, and called for a reading from the. Constable taught at dallas theological seminary for 45 years, and served as the chairman of its bible exposition department for years. This unlikely contestant for a beauty pageant was crowned queen of persia and renamed esther, meaning star. It is a good opportunity to refresh students minds who the jewish people are, gods covenant with his people and why the jews are living. Some bible scholars have suggested these possible authors. There is no mention of god, no pious lesson, and raises no disturbing questions its.
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. May 17, 2008 in the book of jonah, he used a storm to convince the fleeing prophet, jonah 1. This would place the story a few decades before the events in the book of. He now spends most of his time upgrading these notes. The purpose of this short study is to offer information regarding this fascinating part of scripture. Esther bible study chapter 1 the invitation of the king. Introduction from the niv study bible go to esther author and date although we do not know who wrote the book of esther, from internal evidence it is possible to make some inferences about the author and the date of composition. Ruth, the romance of redemption and esther, the romance of providence. What youll find in the study guide are questions for each chapter. Whats included in the grapevine esther bible study. The story of esther is quite unique in the bible, and as such it creates all sorts of interesting difficulties as youll soon.
The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. A comparison of basic islam to the bible extra resources audio messages these notes have been prepared by richard andres, former pastor of community bible fellowship quesnel british columbia, canada for thirtyfive years and present associate pastor at osoyoos baptist church, osoyoos british columbia, canada. 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. The jews lived under a death sentence that was sure to be carried out unless someone intervened.
The following lesson is the beginning of a new series teaching through the book of esther. The book takes its name from the beautiful, orphaned jewess who became the queen of the persian king ahasuerus. Tom constables expository notes on esther this is also available in the net. He taught the complete book, verse by verse, to his congregation there. 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. The close of the last study in esther chapter 6 saw the events drawing to a dramatic conclusion. As you study the book of esther in these nine lessons, you and your family will follow the life of a young girl who becomes the queen and saves her people through her courage. Jul 31, 2012 the story of esther is one of my favorite bible stories, so i am very excited to dig into it deeper with the kids.
Herbert lockyer describes her as the woman who saved her nation from genocide. Daniel hill when he was the pastor of southwood bible church in tulsa, oklahoma. Read esther commentary using wesleys explanatory notes. The book of esther is a beautiful story of one woman who courageously. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. In this sixweek study, explore the subject of gods providence, walking verse by verse through the book of esther.
He has made his notes available to grace notes for development into course materials. The book is set during the period after the babylonian exile in which the nation of persia present day iran ruled judah. Another very practical lesson to be gained from the book of esther is that the. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. Study guide for esther 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. Bible study magazine volume 11, issue 2, janfeb, 2019. We can only imagine the thrills and challenges of adjusting. Hadassah, a jewess, is the main character of the book esther 2. On march 20th, the study begins and its absolutely free. With scripture memory, daily study, and group discussion questions, this resource is ideal for both individual and group study. Another biblical theme in the book of esther is divine providence follows people god that use to serve his purposes, jonah 1.
Thus the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. This study guide on the book of esther was written by thomas klock of harvest. Learn about the life of queen esther who saved the jewish people in captivity. Click on a bible book below and the notes will open in a new page. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. Esther bible study journal for women love god greatly.
Chances are you were taught very little or almost nothing about esther, the woman who is one of only two the other is ruth females who have a book of the bible named after them. I disagree with that, so dont submit that one to me. The events in the book of esther occurred from 483. The author is unknown, but some biblical scholars conclude that it was mordecai, himself, who wrote the book of esther.
Gods name is never mentioned in this book but as we study the entire book we will see gods activity in each circumstance. This expositional bible study of the book of esther was written by dr. Esther helps you know and apply the encouraging and empowering truth of gods word. The book of esther has always been a favorite of mine. Weve created a 10day study guide for you, each day working through a chapter of the exciting story of esther. 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. One of the primary lessons that can be drawn from the life of esther is that the. Actually, there are only two books in the bible named for women. Mordecais question to esther encapsulates the great lesson of this book. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible. Intro to esther biblica the international bible society.