DOCSLIB.ORG

Lesson Ten: the Impact of One Life—Esther 9:20–10:3

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Lesson Ten: the Impact of One Life—Esther 9:20–10:3 Lesson Ten The Impact of One Life Esther 9:20–10:3 For Such a Time as This Life Lessons from the Book of Esther LAST WEEK IN REVIEW In Lesson 9 we read of the resounding victory of the Jews over those who sought to destroy them. The tables were indeed turned on those allied with Haman, as all the men who sought to dominate and destroy the Jews were themselves destroyed. As part of the finishing touch of this victory, the bodies of Haman’s sons were also hung up on their father’s gallows to demonstrate to all the seriousness of rebelling against the king. The dead were tallied, and the Jews at last had rest from those who tormented them all of those years. The Jews celebrated with great feasting and joy, enjoying a holiday, or better, a good day in which they honored God and gave of themselves to others. Yet there was a potential problem brewing, because the Jews outside of Susa celebrated on one day, while those in Susa celebrated the next day. This final lesson will show us how this possible conflict was logically solved, and how the Feast of Purim became memorialized officially. It will close with a glimpse at both Esther and Mordecai, and show us what impact a solitary life can have on their world. DAY ONE: The Feast of Purim Clarified Please carefully read Esther 9:20–22 and answer the following questions. 1. What was done in view of the potential problem of making this a unified Jewish celebration (v. 20)? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 2. What logical decision was made to accommodate all the Jews (v. 21)? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 3. What were some of the wonderful things were they to celebrate about that month’s events (v. 22)? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 1 4. What a great passage! That month was a time when everything was turned around and transformed1 for the Jews. Their seemingly incurable despair was turned into rejoicing and gladness; their prolonged mourning period was turned to a “good day,” a holiday, and they celebrated it with giving presents (portions of food) to each other and gifts to the poor.2 How will God accomplish this sort of transformation for all who come to Him by faith (Psalm 30:11; Isaiah 61:1–3)? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 5. How will God take care of the poor who have nothing or no-one else to help them? Psalm 16:5-11 ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Matthew 5:3, 4 ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Scripture Memory: This week we will be memorizing Esther 9:22. Review the passage several times throughout the day each day this week, and by the end of the week, you should have it memorized completely. As the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor. (Esther 9:22, NKJV) DAY TWO: The Feast of Purim Established Please carefully read Esther 9:23–25 and answer the following questions. 1. What was the Jews’ response to Mordecai’s letter (v. 23)? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 2 2. How does v. 24 review the problem that started it all? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 3. What does v. 25 remind us about how the problem was solved? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 4. The enemy’s attacks in our lives likewise can only defeat us if we roll over and play dead. Rather, how will God turn the enemy’s attacks back on his own head, just as Haman discovered? Psalm 18:26; 145:20; 146:9 ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Romans 12:19, 20 ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Galatians 6:7, 8 ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Scripture Memory: Try to fill in the missing words in the blanks below, by memory if at all possible, and then review the passage several times today. As the days on which the Jews had _____________ from their enemies, as the _____________________ which was turned from sorrow to __________ for them, and from mourning to a ____________________; that they should make them days of feasting and _____________, of sending presents to one another and ____________ to the poor. (Esther 9:22, NKJV) 3 DAY THREE: The Feast of Purim Memorialized Please carefully read Esther 9:26–28 and answer the following questions. 1. Why was this feast named in such a way (v. 26)? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ NOTE: The Feast of Purim was the one and only holiday established in the Old Testament not connected with the Mosaic Law.3 The other two not connected to the Law, the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) and Nicanor’s Day, were established in the 2nd Century B.C. during the Macabbean revolt.4 2. How did they commit themselves to keeping this feast, thus memorializing it (v. 27)? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 3. The Jews established and imposed the celebration, which meant to rise up from a seated position and take immediate, dramatic action, and to do so without fail (that is, trespassing against God by not doing so).5 While the church is never required to keep these Jewish feasts, what did Jesus establish with us that He wants to continue and be memorialized by His children (Matthew 26:26–29; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26)? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 4. To what extent was this to be memorialized by them (v. 28)? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Scripture Memory: Try to fill in the missing words in the blanks below, by memory if at all possible, and then review the passage several times today. As the days on which the Jews had _____________ from their enemies, as the _____________________ which was turned from ____________________ to __________ for them, and from _______________________ to a ____________________; that they should make them _____________ of feasting and _____________, of sending presents to one another and ____________ to the poor. (Esther 9:22, NKJV) 4 DAY FOUR: The Impact of One Life: Esther Please carefully read Esther 9:29–32 and answer the following questions. 1. This passage is the final summary and act recorded about our heroine, Queen Esther. What did she do to further establish this feast (v. 29)? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 2. How did Mordecai also assist with this, and how was this accompanied (v. 30)? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 3. The Hebrew word for peace is shalom,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Week #: 33 Text: Esther 1-10 Title: Feast of Purim Songs
    Week #: 33 Text: Esther 1-10 Title: Feast of Purim Songs: Videos: Purim Song – The Maccabeats Audio Reading: Book of Esther Feast of Purim Purim is an annual celebration of the defeat of an Iranian mad man’s plan to exterminate the Jewish people. Purim is celebrated annually during the month of Adar (the second month of Adar) on the 14th day. In years where there are two months of Adar, Purim is celebrated in the second month because it always needs to fall 30 days before Passover. It is called Purim because the word means “lots” – referencing when Haman threw lots to decide which day he would slay the Jews. The fourteenth was chosen for this celebration because it is the day that the Jews battled for their lives and won. The fifteenth is celebrated as Purim also because the book of Esther says that in Shushan (a walled city), deliverance from the scheduled massacre was not completed until the next day. So the fifteenth is referred to as Shushan Purim. Traditions for the Feast of Purim: It is customary to read the book of Esther – called the Megillah Esther – or the scroll of Esther. It means the revelation of that which is hidden While reading it is tradition to boo, hiss, stamp feet and rattle noise makers whenever Haman’s name is mentioned for the purpose of “blotting out the name of Haman”. When the names of Mordechai or Esther are spoken, hoots and hollers, cheering, applause, etc., are given as they are the heroes of the story.
    [Show full text]
  • Learning to Trust God's Unseen Hand
    Learning to Trust God’s Unseen Hand A Study of Esther Esther 9:1­19 Lesson #11: In times of defense, remember mercy. Introduction: Consider the interesting wording of the last stanza of the Star­Spangled Banner: ​ Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war’s desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.” And the star­spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave! A question that is raised here is this: by what do we gain or lose by invoking the name of God when it comes the fighting of a battle? Is it appropriate to invoke the name of God when going to war? While the answers to these questions are not easy, they are nonetheless worthy of inquiry. Too easily have we just associated God’s covenant relationship with the Jews as having the same legitimacy for America. In addressing this issue, we find that while God’s relationship with Israel is unique, there are moral focal points that we can be applied to any culture at any time, including how we are to defend ourselves from those who will attack us because of our faith. Verses 1­10 ­ The author builds a chiastic structure into his presentation of the events pictured in 9:1–19.
    [Show full text]
  • The Rest of the Chapters of the Book of Esther 10 PART of the TENTH CHAPTER AFTER the GREEK 4 Then Mardocheus Said, God Hath Done These Things
    Esther (Greek) 10:4 1 Esther (Greek) 10:13 The Rest of the Chapters of the Book of Esther 10 PART OF THE TENTH CHAPTER AFTER THE GREEK 4 Then Mardocheus said, God hath done these things. 5 For I remember a dream which I saw concerning these matters, and nothing thereof hath failed. 6 A little fountain became a river, and there was light, and the sun, and much water: this river is Esther, whom the king married, and made queen: 7 And the two dragons are I and Aman. 8 And the nations were those that were assembled to destroy the name of the Jews: 9 And my nation is this Israel, which cried to God, and were saved: for the Lord hath saved his people, and the Lord hath delivered us from all those evils, and God hath wrought signs and great wonders, which have not been done among the Gentiles. 10 Therefore hath he made two lots, one for the people of God, and another for all the Gentiles. 11 And these two lots came at the hour, and time, and day of judgment, before God among all nations. 12 So God remembered his people, and justified his inheritance. 13 Therefore those days shall be unto them in the month Adar, the fourteenth and fifteenth day of the same month, with an assembly, and joy, and with gladness before God, according to the generations for ever among his people. Esther (Greek) 11:1 2 Esther (Greek) 11:11 11 1 In the fourth year of the reign of Ptolemeus and Cleopatra, Dositheus, who said he was a priest and Levite, and Ptolemeus his son, brought this epistle of Phurim, which they said was the same, and that Lysimachus the son of Ptolemeus, that was in Jerusalem, had interpreted it.
    [Show full text]
  • Esther 10:1-3 Dr
    Book Study on Esther Mortdecai’s Fame Esther 10:1-3 Dr. Bill Gilmore Oakleaf Baptist Church, Orange Park, Florida Wednesday, September 30, 2020 PM Introduction • Review books of the Bible: Genesis – Esther • Last time we ended with Esther and Mordecai sending the decree to celebrate Purim. Every year on the 14-15 of Adar. Let’s pick up here in chapter 10 and verse 1 Lets look a little deeper into these verses: Est 10:1 And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea. • This passage being an appendix to the history, and improperly separated from the preceding chapter, it might be that the occasion of levying this new impost arose out of the commotions raised by Haman‘s conspiracy. Neither the nature nor the amount of the tax has been recorded; only it was not a local tribute, but one exacted from all parts of his vast empire.1 • Upon the isles of the sea - Cyprus, Aradus, the island of Tyre, Platea, etc., remained in the hands of the Persians after the victories of the Greeks, and may be the “isles” here intended.2 • The isles of the sea - Probably the isles of the Aegean sea, which were conquered by Darius Hystaspes. Calmet supposes that this Hystaspes is the Ahasuerus of Esther.3 • The disastrous expedition to Greece must have taxed the resources of the empire to the utmost, and fresh tribute would therefore be requisite to fill the exhausted coffers. Besides this, a harassing war was still going on, even ten years after the battle of Salamis, on the coast of Asia Minor, and this would require fresh supplies.4 Est 10:2 And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? • The Targum characteristically adds that when Ahasuerus knew who the people and family of Esther were, he declared them free.5 • The same word as that translated authority in Esther 9:29.4 • The declaration of the greatness of Mordecai.
    [Show full text]
  • PRACTICES in TEXTS and CONTEXTS by Kelly A. Whitcomb
    RELIGIOUS AND COMMUNAL PRACTICES IN THREE TRADITIONS OF ESTHER: PRACTICES IN TEXTS AND CONTEXTS By Kelly A. Whitcomb Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Vanderbilt University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Religion May 2013 Nashville, TN Approved: Douglas A. Knight Annalisa Azzoni Ted A. Smith Kathy L. Gaca Herbert Marbury Jack M. Sasson Copyright © Kelly A. Whitcomb All Rights Reserved To my late grandparents, Beverly D. Stewart, George T. Stewart, Edith L. Whitcomb and Wilson F. Whitcomb, who were unable to see me obtain my Ph.D. but who taught me life's most important lessons— Love one another and let kids be kids. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................... vi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.......................................................................................... viii Chapter I. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................1 Introduction..............................................................................................................1 Judeans and Jews .....................................................................................................3 Narrative Contexts and Socio-historical Contexts.................................................11 Methods and Approaches in This Study ................................................................13 Historical Criticism:
    [Show full text]
  • 37. Esther 10,4 – 11,1.Indd
    ADDITION F THE INTERPRETATION OF MORDECAI’S DREAM [Vulgate 10:4 – 11:1] 213 What God has done for the Jews 10:4And Mordecai said, “These things have Once again the Greek Additions come from God; 5for I remember the dream focus on God’s intervention on that I had concerning these matters, and none behalf of the Jews, his chosen of them has failed to be fulfilled. race. 6 There was the little spring that became a Scholars suggest that the dream river, and there was light and sun and abun- (Addition A) and its interpreta- dant water—the river is Esther, whom the tion are a translation of a Semitic king married and made queen. original, which circulated inde- 7The two dragons are myself and Haman. pendently of the story of Esther, 8The nations are those that gathered to de- and that it has been adapted to stroy the name of the Jews. comment on it. 9And my nation, this is Israel, who cried out to God and was saved. The Lord has saved his people; the Lord has rescued us from all these evils; God has done great signs and wonders, wonders that have never happened among the nations. 10For this purpose he made two lots, one for the people of God and one for all the nations, 11and these two lots came to the hour and moment and day of decision before God and among all the nations. 12And God remembered his people and vindicated his inheritance. 13So they will observe these days in the month of Adar, on the fourteenth and fifteenth of that month, with an assembly and joy and glad- ness before God, from generation to generation forever among his people Israel.” Three Ptolemies had wives called Cleopatra.
    [Show full text]
  • The Rest of the Chapters of the Book of Esther, Which Are Found Neither in the Hebrew, Nor in the Chaldee
    Additions to Esther 10:4 1 Additions to Esther 10:13 THE REST OF THE CHAPTERS OF THE BOOK OF ESTHER, WHICH ARE FOUND NEITHER IN THE HEBREW, NOR IN THE CHALDEE. 10 PART OF THE TENTH CHAPTER AFTER THE GREEK. 4 Then Mardocheus said, These things are of God. 5 For I remember the dream * which I saw concerning these matters, and nothing thereof hath failed. 6 As for the little fountain that became a river, and there was light, and the sun, and much water, the river is Esther, whom the king married, and made queen: 7 and the two dragons are I and Aman: 8 and the nations are those that were assembled to destroy the name of the Jews: 9 and my nation, this is Israel, which cried to God, and were saved: for the Lord hath saved his people, and the Lord hath delivered us from all these evils, and God hath wrought signs and great wonders, which have not been done among the nations. 10 Therefore hath he made two lots, one for the people of God, and another for all the nations. 11 And these two lots came at the hour, and time, and day of judgement, before God among all the nations. 12 So God remembered his people, and justified his inheritance. 13 Therefore these days shall be unto them in the month Adar, the fourteenth and fifteenth day of the month, with an assembly, and joy, and with gladness before God, throughout the generations for ever among his people Israel. * 10:5 See ch.
    [Show full text]
  • Book of Esther - Thorough
    Book of Esther - Thorough 1. What are the first five words of Esther? NOW IT CAME TO PASS 2. According to 1:1, over what territory did King Ahasuerus reign? FROM INDIA TO ETHIOPIA 3. According to Esther 1:1, who reigned from India to Ethiopia? AHASUERUS 4. According to Esther 1:1, the book of Esther took place in the days of what king? AHASUERUS 5. According to 1:1, over how many provinces did King Ahasuerus reign? 127 6. According to Esther 1:2, where was the throne of the kingdom of Ahasuerus? SHUSHAN THE PALACE 7. According to Esther 1:2, who sat on the throne in Shushan? AHASUERUS 8. Where was the palace of King Ahasuerus when the story of Esther took place? SHUSHAN 9. According to Esther 1:3, in which year of the reign of King Ahasuerus did he make a feast unto all his princes and his servants? THE THIRD YEAR 10. What is the first word in the book of Esther? NOW 11. According to Esther 1:3, what groups of people attended the feast of King Ahasuerus? ALL HIS PRINCES AND HIS SERVANTS; THE POWER OF PERSIA AND MEDIA; THE NOBLES AND PRINCES OF THE PROVINCES 12. According to Esther 1:3, what did King Ahasuerus do in the third year of his reign? HE MADE A FEAST UNTO ALL HIS PRINCES AND HIS SERVANTS; THE POWER OF PERSIA AND MEDIA; THE NOBLES AND PRINCES OF THE PROVINCES 13. According to Esther 1:3, what are we told about the group of people that King Ahasuerus invited to the feast in the third year of his reign? THEY WERE “BEFORE HIM” 14.
    [Show full text]
  • The Divine Behind the Scenes, “The Divine Savior” Esther 8-10, 3/25/18
    1 Esther: The Divine Behind the Scenes, “The Divine Savior” Esther 8-10, 3/25/18 One of the most famous American photos, is this one taken of a sailor embracing in celebration with a nurse on the streets of Time Square. This spontaneous celebration broke out all over the country on August 15, 1945, V-J Day, when news came that Japan surrender and World War II was officially over. Today we are going to see another spontaneous celebration break out as we close our series in Esther. And if we could have snapped a photo in the streets of Susa, Persia in 5th century B.C., on Adar 13th (March 1st) we would have likely seen something very similar. But what became a day of great celebration for the Jewish people, begun as a day of great dread. Because it was that very same day that the Jewish people were marked for annihilation. The enemies of the Jewish people in the kingdom would have been sharpening their blades and looking forward to that same day, Adar 13. Why? Remember, there is an irrevocable genocide bill that was passed by King Xerxes under the influence of Haman the Agagite, legalizing and emboldening any Persian citizen throughout the vast empire who wanted the Jewish people eliminated to kill them and loot their possessions. But as the date drew nearer there was a sudden reversal of fortunes. While it appeared that Haman that Agagite with the King’s blessing had all the power, instead in a sudden twist, Haman is executed and the King’s favor is shifted to Esther and Mordecai.
    [Show full text]
  • 17-Esther-Nets.Pdf
    17-Est-NETS-4.qxd 11/10/2009 10:27 PM Page 424 ESTHER TO THE READER EDITION OF GREEK TEXT The NETS version of Esther is based on the full critical edition prepared by Robert Hanhart (Septuaginta: Vetus Testamentum Graecum Auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum VIII.3: Esther [Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1966]). THE TWO GREEK VERSIONS Esther is one of three books in the Hebrew canon to have survived in two distinct Greek versions. The Göttingen critical edition of Esther prints both Greek texts. The “Septuagint” (Old Greek = OG) version is printed on the top half of the page with the siglum o´. The second Greek version is known as the Alpha- text (AT) and is printed on the bottom of the page with the siglum L, because at the time of its printing, this Greek version was thought to be Lucianic. It is not known with certainty which of the two Greek ver- sions is the older or if one text is a revision of the other. Recent scholarship has challenged the traditional view that the o´ text of Esther was the first Greek translation made of the Hebrew and that the AT was a later revision of it. The o´ text carries a colophon, which, if historically reliable, would allow for three pos- sible dates for the origin of the translation: 114/13 BCE, 78/77 BCE, or 48 BCE. Scholars disagree on which is most likely. Both Greek versions have been translated for NETS. The NRSV translates the o´ text into English with the title “Esther: The Greek Version Containing the Additional Chapters” and includes it within the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books.
    [Show full text]
  • Esther Devotionals Week 2 Day 6
    Esther Devotionals Week 2 Day 6 – Read Esther 6 Have you ever been asked a trick question – only you didn’t know it was a trick? That was the plight of Haman when King Xerxes asked: “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” (Esther 6:6). In this case neither the king nor his subject knew it was a trick. Haman thought the king was talking about him. Haman thought that the king recognized him as a trusted and loyal servant; he even thought he was better than a servant. Haman did not know that King Xerxes had been reading the record of his reign. In that chronicle, he discovered that Mordecai, Esther’s cousin and Haman’s enemy, had done him a great service and had never been recognized or honored. So, Haman answered the king – a royal robe, a beautiful horse, and public acclamation! The king had Haman present these gifts to Mordecai. How the mighty has fallen. Haman could see his downfall. Like all of us, Haman wanted to be recognized, but he wanted it so much that he was willing to annihilate a specific enemy as well as an entire group of people he had decided he hated. Haman’s hatred, discontent, and rage were his downfall. He chose his hateful arrogant attitude and because of this he turned his back on all the positive that could have been his. We choose our attitude, and we choose what we say. Let’s take some time to pray and fast like Esther’s people so we can choose wisely.
    [Show full text]
  • A 10-Day Esther Bible Study This Study Guide on the Book of Esther Was Written by Thomas Klock of Harvest Christian Fellowship in 2005
    Finding your purpose A 10-Day Esther Bible study This study guide on the book of Esther was written by Thomas Klock of Harvest Christian Fellowship in 2005. It was shared with Crosswalk.com in 2008. Introduction to the Book of Esther During the seventy years the Jews suffered their Babylonian exile, God raised up several people to faithfully guide and direct His fallen people back to Himself. Among these were Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and a young woman named Esther. The actions and examples of these four people are worthy to be included in the Hall of Faith of Hebrews 11, yet none of them were. In fact, the only one of these four even mentioned in the New Testament is Zerubbabel, who led the initial return of some of the Jews to their homeland. Ezra became the spiritual leader of the people, and he and Nehemiah led the reconstruction of the city and the temple, and the revival of their lives to once again be who God called them to be. Yet none of this would have been possible apart from the courageous stand and intervention of the young woman Esther, who found herself in a unique place of influence with the King. The examples of Esther and her cousin Mordecai can teach us much, as can other principles we can draw from their experiences, and help us to make a difference for God in our world. The Book of Esther The Book of Esther is unique. It reads much like a novelette, and its story is as gripping as any novel one would read today.
    [Show full text]