Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — Esther 5 and 6

Study 5 From the Book of Esther is:  Esther  5 and 6

      1-    Mordecai could reasonably have expected a substantial reward for saving the king’s life (2:21-23). However, his service was acknowledged only after a long delay and by an apparent coincidence. In what ways does this help us to understand delays and disappointments in our own life? Cf. Ps. 37:7; Is. 55:8, 9

       2-    Consider the developments in the story of Haman as illustrations of such verses as Ps. 34:15, 16; Pr. 16:18. What ought we to learn from such a record?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — Esther 4

Study 4 From the Book of Esther is:  Esther  4

      1-    The Jews mourn Haman’s decree, but for Ester the situation requires personal action. Consider (a) what factors influenced the decision she reached (see particularly verses 4, 8, 13, 14, 16), and (b) whether verse 14 is relevant to your own immediate situation.

       2-    Esther made careful preparations to enter the king’s presence. In our own approach to the King of kings, what parallels and contrasts can you find? See also 5:1, 2; cf. Ps. 33:8; Heb. 10:19-22.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 3 — Esther 2:19 – 3:15

Study 3 From the Book of Esther is: Esther 2:19 – 3:15

      1-    Mordecai made no secret of his Jewish faith, yet advised Ester to remain silent. What does this teach us for our own witness? Why did Mordecai not obey the king’s command? Cf. Ec. 3:1, 7b; Dn. 3:8-12, 16-18; Acts 5:28, 29.

      2-    What do we learn of Haman’s character in chapter 3? See particularly verses 5:9 and 15. To what was he blind in the schemes that he made?

Notes

            1-    2:19. ‘Sitting at the king’s gate’: the phrase may imply that he was in the king’s service in some way.

           2-    2:21. ‘Who guarded the threshold…’: i.e., of the king’s sleeping apartments.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — Esther 2:1-18

Study 2 From the Book of Esther is:  Esther 2: 1-18

        1-    By what steps did Ester become queen? Consider the events and the timing in terms of God’s overruling care for His people. See Note on verse 16; cf. Rom. 8:28; Is. 65:24

        2-    How far should a Christian conform to the laws and customs of his country? Cf. Dn. 1:8; 1 Pet. 2:13, 14.

Notes

1-    Verses 5, 6. ‘Who had been carried away …’: this refers not to Mordecai, but to Kish his grandfather. 

2-    Verse 16. Cf. 1:3. Four years had elapsed since Vashti was deposed.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — Esther 1

Study 1 From the Book of Esther is: Esther 1

       1-    Read this chapter in the light of a2 Cor. 4:18 and 1 Jn. 2:16, 17. What choice do such considerations force upon us?

        2-    What may we learn of the characters of Ahasuerus, Vashti and Memucan, as seen in this chapter? Pr. 20:2; Jas. 1:19, 20; Eph. 4:26, 27.

Notes:

           1-    Verse 11. Persian women were usually present at feast, so this would not be taken as a personal affront to Vashti.

           2-    Verse 14. ‘Who saw the king’s face…’: i.e., belonging to the inner circle of the king’s counsellors.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — The Introduction to the Book of Ester

Study 0 From the Book of Esther is: The Introduction of the Book of Esther

The book of Esther is a swiftly-moving story which repays reading at one sitting. Its author and date of composition cannot be identified with certainty. Its author and date of composition cannot be identified with certainty. The wealth of detail and local colour, however suggest, that it was written in Persia not long after the events recorded in the book had taken place. Perhaps its Persian origin may account for the long time that elapsed before it was accepted as canonical by the Palestine Jews.

Ahasuerus is usually identified with Xerxes (485 – 465 BC), and the action takes place in Susa, one of the three capitals of the Persian Empire. Chronologically this places the events some years before those recounted in Ezra and Nehemiah, which relate to the following reign-that of Artazerzes (465-424 BC).

One of the most unusual features of the book is the absence of any mention of the name of God. There is, however, a strong undercurrent throughout of patriotism and a sense of overriding providence, as the Jews in exile as saved from destruction. Their deliverance provides the origin of the Feast of Purim.

Search The Scriptures —Study 21 — 2 Chronicles 36

Study 21 From the Book of 2 Chronicles is: 2 Chronicles 36

With this we end the book of 2 Chronicles. Tomorrow we will start the book of Esther.

          1-    Alongside the cataclysmic political happenings, what is the one outstanding event in this chapter which overshadows all else?

           2-    In the indictment of this chapter, on what sin does the emphasis lie (verses 12-16)? How would you describe the cause of Judah’s downfall? Cf. 7:19-22.

        3-    In what particular matters did Zedekiah fail?

         4-    What does this chapter reveal about the character of God?

Note. A summary of the kings and events of this chapter. (a) Jehoahaz was a king for three months (verses 1-3) Jehoiakim (Eliakim reigned for eleven years (verses 4, 5). He was an Egyptian vassal until the Babylonians (or Chaldeans, verse 17) defeated them at the Battle of Carchemish (605 BC) and became the dominant power the first Babylonian invasion occurred during this reign (verses 6, 7). (c) Jehoiachin was king for three months, until the second invasion (verse 10) terminated his reign; 10, 000 leading citizens were taken into exile. (d) Zedekiah reigned for eleven years (verse 10, 11). He was a Babylonian vassal and his rebellion precipitated the third invasion, devastation and exile (verse 17, 18) in 586 BC.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 20 — 2 Chronicles 34 and 35

Study 20  From the Book of 2 Chronicles is: 2 Chronicles 34 and 35

        1-    At what age did Josiah begin to seek the Lord? What effects did this have on his subsequent life both publicly and privately?

         2-    What was the effect of the finding of the book of the law (a) upon Josiah, and (b) through him upon the nation? Cf. Ps. 119:59, 60. Is the Word of God having the same effect upon you, and through your life?

         3-    What does 34:23-28 teach concerning (a) the inevitable consequences of sin (cf. Dt. 11:26-28), and (b) God’s attitude to the sincere penitent?

Notes

        1-    34:14. ‘The book of the law’ was quite likely the Deuteronomy (cf. Dt. 31:26).

        2-    35:3. It is usually assumed that the ark had been taken out of the holy of holies during the repairs, and that the Levites were now bidden to restore it, with the assurance that they would not again be asked to undertake this work. Cf. I Ch 23:26.

         3-    34:28 and 35:24. Josiah was spared from witnessing god’s anger poured out upon Judah (34:25) by his death, and thus may be said to have died  ‘in peace’.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 19 — 2 Chronicles 33

Study 19  From the Book of 2 Chronicles is: 2 Chronicles 33

        1-    Make a list of Manasseh’s idolatrous deeds, as described in verses 3-9. It has been termed ‘a very delirum of Idolatry’ and was done in the face of protest and rebuke (verses 10, 18).

       2-    What means did God use to bring Manasseh to his senses? And what may we learn from this as to one of the purposes of human sufferings?

       3-    What marks of true repentance are seen in Manasseh after his restoration? In what ways could it have gone further?

Notes

               1-    Verse 6. A reference to human sacrifice in honour of the god Molech. Cf. 2 Ki. 23:10; Je. 7:31.

              2-    Verse 14. ‘Ophel’: a mound south of the Temple. Cf. 27:3.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 18 — 2 Chronicles 31: 2 – 32:33

Study 18  From the Book of 2 Chronicles is: 2 Chronicles 31:2 – 32:33

       1-    How far was Hezekiah’s thoroughness in all matters connected with religion the secret of his success? See especially 31:20, 21. Cf. Rom. 12:11; Col. 3:23.

       2-    What lessons can we learn from the way in which Hezekiah met opposition?

       3-    How far did this spiritually -minded king fall short of perfection? How may we learn from him?

Notes

            1-    32:1. This reference to Hezekiah’s faithfulness (31:20) is introduced to show that the coming of Senacherib was not because he had sinned.

           2-      32:5 Archaeologists think ‘the Millo’ at Jerusalem was probably part of the fortifications or the foundations for them.

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