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.
   

Ezra 1-4

Return from captivity Ezra 1 - 4

Background:

    The Jewish people have been in captivity for 70 years in Babylon.  Jerusalem is in ruins, a burned out husk of a city.  The lands of northern Israel are inhabited by Assyrians who worship God and idols.  Even in their exile God has shown them mercy and done great miracles.  There are very few Jews who were born in the promised land, most feel Babylon is their home.  Cyrus the Great has just conquered Babylon creating the Meado-Persian empire.  In the first year of his reign, the Lord impresses on Cyrus to rebuild the promised land.

1. 
   Cyrus decrees the rebuilding of the temple and the city of Jerusalem - Ezra 1:1-3
   
   




1. 
   Cyrus orders Babylonians to give gold, silver, supplies, livestock, etc... to the Jews who wish to return Ezra 1:4-6
   
   


2. 
   Cyrus gives the articles Nebuchadnezzar stole from the temple
   
   




2. 
   Only 42,360 people returned
   




1. 
   At this time it is estimated there were in the area of 1,000,000 Jews living in babylon
   


2. 
   These people were committed to rebuilding the temple
   




3. 
   Before they did anything else, they rebuilt the alter of the Lord and sacrificed to Him
   




1. 
   They were surrounded by enemies
   


2. 
   They celebrated the festival of Shelters
   




4. 
   Opposition comes
   




1. 
   The "Samaritans" come and ask to help build the temple
   




1. 
   These people were Assyrians who worshiped Jehova alongside idols like Baal.
   


2. 
   They were not the chosen people of God
   


3. 
   When rejected they intimidate
   




2. 
   Bishlam, Mithredath, and Tabeel send letters to Xerces and Artaxerces
1. Artaxerces reacts and forces the Jews to stop building the temple
   

Questions:
    1.Why do you think so few of the Jews return to Jerusalem?
   
    
    2.What are the things in your own life that keep you from doing the things God has called you to do?
   
    
    3.Why did the returning Jews rebuild the alter first instead of fortifying their position?


    4.Describe a time when you have done the "smart" thing instead of the God thing.

    
    5.Describe a time when you have done what God asked in spite of how out of order it seemed.


    6.Why did the Jews refuse to let the people of the land worship with them and help them rebuild? Wouldn't it have been easier if they had?


    7.How could the Jews have been forced to stop rebuilding the temple, wasn't it God's will for the temple to be rebuilt?