Esther Part 1

Esther Part 1 - Unintended Consequences



Background:

    While Zerubbable and the others were rebuilding the temple at Jerusalem many of the Jews continued their normal lives in Babylon.  Xerxes took the throne in 486 B.C. and reigned until 465 B.C. We saw in the book of Ezra that the enemies of Israel wrote a letter to Xerxes, but there does not appear to be any response, that is at least partially explained by this book.  Esther is unique in the Bible, as it is the only book that does not use the name of God.

1. 
   Xerxes reigns in Babylon
   




1. 
   Xerxes has unlimited wealth and resources
   


2. 
   When Queen Vashti disobeys Xerxes she is banished
   


3. 
   Many women are gathered from all over the kingdom to replace Vashti
   




2. 
   Hadassah is a young Jew living in Babylon
   




1. 
   She is also called Esther, hiding her heritage
   


2. 
   She is an orphan being raised by her cousin Mordecai
   




1. 
   Mordecai is loyal to the king, and saves him from a plot against him
   






3. 
   Haman is an agagite
   




1. 
   Agag was the king of the Amalekites killed by Samuel
   


2. 
   Because Saul did not follow God's command some of Agag's descendants survived
   




4. 
   Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman
   




1. 
   Haman wore an idol on his clothing
   


2. 
   Mordecai refused to bow to any image as was God's commandment
   


3. 
   Haman decides to wipe out all of the Jews
   


4. 
   Haman makes a deal with Xerxes to kill all the Jews for 10,000 sacks of silver


5. Mordecai learns of the plot
1. Mordecai goes into mourning
2. Mordecai asks Esther to intercede with the king
3. Esther fears for her life
4. Esther asks for all the Jews of Susa to fast for three days
5. Esther decides to approach the king uninvited even though it could mean her life
   

Questions:

1. 
   Why do you think the name of God is omitted from the book of Esther?
   


2. 
   Why did Esther hide her heritage?
3. Why was Mordecai loyal to the king, why save his captor from a plot against him?
4. Read 1 Samuel 15, notice several things in the passage
1. Saul only went from Havilah to Shur
   
2. Saul kept Agag alive for some time
3. The usage of the Hebrew here indicates "to obliterate all that you encounter so that there is nothing
   of any real value left"
4. The same language is used to indicate what Babylon would do to Israel
5. Describe a time when you have experienced unintended consequences.
6. Describe a time when God has placed you in a position to have an impact without you knowing it.