LESSON 1 – the BOOK of ESTHER MINI-STUDY Esther Is Crowned; Jewish Destruction Planned DAYS 1 & 2 – ESTHER (NAB A:1-17; 1:1-22) (RSV 11:1

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LESSON 1 – THE BOOK OF ESTHER MINI-STUDY Esther is Crowned; Jewish Destruction Planned DAYS 1 & 2 – ESTHER (NAB A:1-17; 1:1-22) (RSV 11:1 – 12:6; 1:1-22) 1. a. Who was Mordecai and how did God choose to communicate with him?

b. From Sirach 34:1-7, why is discernment important in interpreting dreams?

c. How do today’s verses describe Mordecai’s process of discernment?

2. What plot did Mordecai discover and what was his reward for saving the king? (This is a preview of what happens later in the book of Esther.)

3. Chapter one opens with two feasts lasting over three months. What seems to be the king’s motive for hosting these banquets?

4. a. Why did the king want the queen brought into his presence?

b. Why do you think the queen refused to comply with the king’s request?

c. List some ways women are “displayed” in our culture today. (See CCC 2523)

5. a. How did the king react to the queen’s refusal?

b. Why do you think he reacted in this way?

6. a. What recommendation did the king’s advisors give him to deal with the queen and what was their reasoning?

b. Your friend comes to you complaining and angry at his/her spouse. What response by you would help to: • Tear down the marriage?

• Build up the marriage?

c. Contrast the officials’ recommendation with Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians 5:21-33.

7. The king’s advisors were more interested in winning his favor than in doing the right thing. Have you ever encountered this in the workplace? If so, how did you handle it? (Personal)

DAY 3 – ESTHER 2:1-23 8. a. What was the king’s plan to replace Vashti?

b. Our sensibilities are repulsed by this plan. Yet, how does this, in essence, happen in society today?

9. a. What “aids” were the virgins given that they might please the king?

b. What do you think about this emphasis and is it any different today?

10. a. Esther won the admiration of all who saw her. Why do you think she had such an effect on people?

b. Have you known someone who won the admiration of all they met? What set them apart?

11. How did the kingdom celebrate the crowning of the new queen?

12. a. What does 2:20 reveal about Esther’s virtue?

b. How does this contrast with the world’s attitude towards obedience today?

c. What blessings have you received from being obedient to someone in authority? (Personal)

DAYS 4 & 5 – ESTHER (NAB 3:1-15; B:1-7) (RSV 3:1-15; 13:1-7) 13. a. Why did Mordecai refuse to kneel and bow down to Haman? (See Est (NAB C:5-7) (RSV 13:12-14))

b. How often was he harassed about it?

c. Are there people in your life who tempt you to disobey the tenets of your faith? If so, what can you do about this? (Personal)

14. Mordecai followed his conscience at great risk to himself. Why must a person be allowed to act according to his/her conscience? (See CCC 1781-1782)

15. Why do you think Haman set out to annihilate all the Jews?

16. How did Haman manipulate the king to destroy the Jewish people?

17. Show how Mordecai’s dream in NAB chapter A (RSV chapter 11) is beginning to come to pass.

18. a. Who dictated the letter in the name of the king and how was his true character revealed by what he wrote?

b. What helps you discern the true character of others?

19. a. List the trumped up offenses of the Jews as enumerated in the “king’s” letter.

b. How are Christians today accused of causing disunity?

20. How does the rest of the letter completely discredit the statement in verse 2?