Questions

Scriptural Reflection
Esther 5:1–14

This week we will finish the study of the Book of Esther in the Old Testament.

(1) Can you recall what kind of preparation Esther went through before she went into the inner court to see the king?

(2) How would you describe her feeling as she stood waiting for the signal from the king?

(3) How unexpected was the king’s reception?

a. What would you expect Esther to say to the king right away?

b. Why did Esther twice delay her plea for her people and chose to throw two banquets instead?

c. Do you think she did it out of her own wisdom or because she was prompted by the Holy Spirit? Why?

(4) Haman was obviously greatly delighted by the queen’s invitation:

a. Why was he so particularly upset at Mordecai?

b. Can you understand his frame of mind in his sharing with his friends and his wife?

(5) What did they counsel Haman to do?

a. On what ground, if any, might Haman ask for Mordecai’s execution?

b. What can we learn about his wife and his friends?

(6) Since Mordecai and his entire race would be killed towards the end of the year, why couldn’t Haman wait?

(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Esther 6:1–13

It had been some five years since Mordecai spoiled the plot of assassination and saved the king:

(1) Why did the king have the chronicles of his reign read to him at night? Was it an accident?

a. What part of the history of his reign did he come across?

b. What if the king had already rewarded Mordecai of his action?

c. From hindsight, how significant was Mordecai’s action five years ago?

(2) Consider the following as if you were Mordecai:

a. How might you have felt five years ago, not having received any reward from the king?

b. From the king’s reaction now, can you see the hand of God in this incident of five years ago?

c. Have you experienced similar delays in your life that eventually turned out to be a blessing?

(3) Judging from the setting, what do you think was the time of day when Haman went to see the king?

a. Why did he go in to see the king so early in the morning?

b. What advice did he give to the king and why?

c. How does the outcome speak to the righteous way of God?

(4) How did Haman’s wife and friends react to the news? Why?

(5) What then might Haman expect from the queen’s banquet?

(6) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Esther 6:14–7:13

Haman’s friends and wife remarked that “since Mordecai…is of Jewish of origin, you cannot stand against him”:

(1) After his latest humiliation and the comments of his wife and friends, what do you think was Haman’s frame of mind when he went to the queen’s banquet?

(2) In the last step of her plan to save her people, what might be the greatest risk that Esther had to take?

a. How did Esther proceed with her request to the king? (7:3)

b. How did she describe the plight of her people in a way that justified her unusual petition?

(3) Why was the king enraged? Did he not agree to the initial decree to annihilate the Jews?

a. Why did he get up and go into the garden?

b. What could the king do to negate a decree that could not be repealed (1:19)?

(4) The original edict was to eliminate all Jews, but now from whom did Haman seek mercy?

(5) Did he get mercy at the end? Why not?

(6) Based on the way Haman died, what lesson can we learn?

(7) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Esther 8:1–17

(1) The total reversal of fortune:

a. What happened to the “vast wealth” (5:11) that Haman boasted about?

b. What does such a total reversal of fortune of the two men teach us?

(2) Although Haman was dead, what had yet to be dealt with?

a. How did Esther deal with it?

b. What was her specific request to the king?

(3) Through Mordecai, the king issued another edict, but not so much as to overrule the former one:

a. What was this new edict about?

b. How was it different from the previous edict?

c. While the king could not annul his previous edict, how did this new one serve to deliver the Jews?

(4) What rights did this new edict confer on the Jews and what restrictions did it also impose on them?

(5) What emotions did this edict evoke among the Jews and among some of the gentiles in Susa?

(6) 8:15 stands in great contrast to 4:1-2. Reflect on this great contrast:

a. Since Agagites (to whom Haman belonged), were Amalekites, how did this event stand to echo the event and promise of God in Exodus 17:8-16 and 19:4-6?

b. Judging from the fate of Haman, what can you learn about the sovereignty of God and the duties of men?

(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Esther 9:1–19

(1) The 13^th day of Adar was not exactly a day of peace:

a. What did it mean to the Jews?

b. What did it mean to the enemies of the Jews?

c. How do you feel about the whole event?

(2) The Jews were still a minority in the nation:

a. How did they manage to overcome their enemies?

b. In so doing, what are some of the things repeated in the biblical accounts and what was the message behind such repetitions (9:1, 2, 5, 16)?

(3) Why did Esther request an extra day of killing?

(4) What happened to the sons of Haman? Why does the Bible give such details to their fates (in 9:7-10; 13-14)

(5) Why does the Bible emphasize the fact that the Jews did not lay hands on the plunder (which they had every right to do so)?

(6) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Esther 9:20–32

(1) How are the Jews supposed to celebrate this feast? (9:20-22; 31)

(2) What is the special meaning of this feast?

(3) What Christian festival(s) might it remind you of?

(4) How should we emulate them in our remembrance of God’s salvation?

(5) “Pur” refers to drawing lots: Who in fact was in control of this particular lot casting? (9:24-25)

(6) Passover appears to be the foundational festival of God’s deliverance. Why did Esther elevate “Purim” almost to the same level (of course, without replacing the former)? What lesson might we learn from her?

(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Esther 10:1–3

(1) What kind of record was kept regarding the history and achievements of King Xerxes?

(2) Do you think the biblical author sought to glorify the king or to emphasize another point of significance?

(3) Try to compare Mordecai with Daniel:

a. In what ways are they similar as a spiritual figure?

b. In what ways are they similar as leaders of the Jews in a foreign nation?

c. What do you value in each of them?

d. What significant contributions did each of them make to the nation of Israel?

(4) Pause and reflect on the major lessons that you have learned from the entire book: Which might be the one that means the most to you?

(5) How may you apply it to your life?