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Esther was a young Jewish girl who lived in Persia. Her parents had died and she was brought up by her cousin Mordecai, as you can read in Esther 2:5-7
Now there was in the citadel of Susa, a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai, son of Jair, son of Shimei, the son of Kish, who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah. Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.
At that time king Xerxes ruled over Persia and he wished for a queen to be beside him so many young girls were brought to the palace for the king to choose a queen from among them, including Esther, as you can read in Esther 2:8-11
When the king’s order and edict had been proclaimed, many girls were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. The girl pleased him and won his favour. Immediately he provided her with beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven maids selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem. Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. Every day he walked to and fro near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.
So young Esther has been taken from the safety of her cousin Mordecai’s home to the palace. To be honest, neither she nor Mordecai have any say in the matter. Their separation has been enforced upon them. It must have been a frightening experience for Esther to be suddenly placed in this unknown environment. Moreover, she has to keep secret the fact that she is not Persian, but is of Jewish descent. However, we will learn that God is very involved in Esther being placed at the palace, even if she does not know that and may well have wondered at times if God actually cares about her having been taken to the palace, since she is just a young girl and He has, very likely, many more important things to take care of than consider her situation and do something about it.
But God does care and God has allowed her to be there for a very special reason as you will find out later on.
One day Esther is presented to the king, as you can read in Esther 2:16-17
She was taken to king Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. Now the king was attracted to Esther more than any of the other women, and she won his favour and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
God touches the heart of the king so he chooses Esther to become his queen. After all, the heart of the king is in the Lord’s hand, as you can read in Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.
And so Esther becomes queen and lives a very pleasant life, no doubt, far removed from any difficulties, any challenges. In the meantime, God allows her cousin Mordecai to uncover a plot to kill king Xerxes. He tells Esther about it. She in turn mentions it to the king and this event is recorded in the annals, as you can read in Esther 2:21-23
During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate king Xerxes. But Mordecai found out about the plot and told queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were hanged on a gallows. All this was recorded in the book of annals in the presence of the king.
Now Esther has told no one, including the king, that she is Jewish. However, the day comes that she has to reveal her true identity even to the king. This all happens because of a plot to kill all the Jewish people. Since Esther is Jewish her life is in danger too, as you can read in Esther 3:1-6
After these events king Xerxes honoured Haman, son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honour higher than that of all the other nobles. All the royal officials knelt down and paid honour to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honour. Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai’s behaviour would be tolerated for he had told them he was a Jew. When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honour, he was enraged. Yet, having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of only killing Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.
The king has raised a certain man named Haman to a high position and Haman is to be treated with great honour. But Mordecai knows that, as a Jew, he can only kneel down before his God. Haman becomes so enraged at Mordechai’s behaviour towards him that he decides to have him killed. However, Haman’s hatred is not just directed towards Mordecai but towards all of Mordecai’s people; the Jews. Therefore, Haman sees an opportunity to not just get rid of Mordecai but to get rid of all Jewish people. All he needs is to get the king’s consent. Sadly, the king cares so little about the Jewish people in his vast Empire that he is willing for them to be killed off, as you can read in Esther 3:8-11
Then Haman said to king Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed and scattered among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom whose customs are different from those of all other people and who do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will put ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury for the men who carry out this business.” So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman, son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. “Keep the money,” the king said to Haman, “and do with the people as you please.”
Now the king has absolutely no idea that with these words he has sent the queen to her death. While this meeting takes place, Esther will have been in the palace, completely unaware of the fact that her life is being threatened. To her life is very pleasant and comfortable. She has found favour with the people and with the king. As far as she is concerned, nothing can possibly happen to interrupt her wonderful existence.
But it is time for Ester to realise that God has a purpose for her being queen. He, therefore, allows Mordecai to learn about the plot to kill all the Jewish people and Mordecai is able to send a message to Esther’s servant Hathach, as you can read in Esther 4:6-9
So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and to explain to her, and he told him to urge her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and to plead with him for her people. Hathach went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said.
Esther learns from Mordecai about the grave danger all her people are in. She is challenged by him to go before the king and plead for mercy for her people. However, Mordecai is obviously not aware of the fact that she cannot go to the king unannounced for that will, very likely, mean her death, as you can read in Esther 4:10-11
Then she instructed him (Hathach) to say to Mordecai, “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold sceptre to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”
Esther is fully confident that her words of explanation will make Mordecai change his mind about her going to the king unannounced for surely he loves her so much that he does not want her life to be endangered. But that is not what happens as you can read in Esther 4:12-16
When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back his answer. “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
Mordecai does not change his mind. On the contrary, he sends a more forceful message back to Esther. Mordecai understands why Esther has been given the position of queen and Esther needs to understand it as well. Thankfully, after reading Mordecai’s latest message she begins to grasp the reason why God is allowing her to live at the palace. She is not there so she can enjoy a luxurious lifestyle. No, God is allowing her to live at the palace in order for her to plead for her people before the king even if that means she will die, as you can read in Esther 4:15-16
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews, who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
Esther knows that her life is really in God’s hands and not in the king’s hands. Since God has allowed her to live in the palace, He is the One who will protect her as she goes before the king without his permission. However, she knows she needs to spend time in preparation first and so she arranges a three-day period of prayer and fasting before going to see the king. Then the day arrives for her to see the king as, you can read in Esther 5:1-2
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of his sceptre.
God touches the heart of the king and he stretches his gold sceptre to Esther to let her know she is welcome to enter his presence. Esther is allowed to live and speak to the king. She invites the king over for a meal and the king accepts her invitation. At the meal all Esther asks for is that the king return for another banquet the next day and he accepts. The next day the king returns for another banquet and this time Esther pleads her case before the king, as you can read in Esther 8:3-8
Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman, the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. Then the king extended the gold sceptre to Esther and she arose and stood before him. “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favour and thinks it is the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman, son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?”
King Xerxes replied to queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have hanged him on the gallows. Now write another decree in the king’s name on behalf of the Jews as seem best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring – for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”
Ester finally shares with the king her concerns for her people. The king hears her plea and has another decree written, which states that her people will be able to defend themselves against any attack of their enemies.
God, who knew that one day Haman would try and attack His chosen people, had chosen a young Jewish girl, an orphan living with her cousin, to be taken into the palace to become queen so that she could come before the king and be His instrument to save her people. Esther did not know this when she was forced to enter the palace. Neither did Mordecai know that this was God’s plan for his cousin Esther. But God knew. And when the time came for Esther to act she was prepared to be obedient to her calling, no matter what the cost.
God wants to use the story of Esther to encourage you for He wants you to know that He has a plan for your life, just as He had a plan for the life of Esther. Now, His plan for your life will not be like the plan He had for Esther’s life. His plan for your life will fit your circumstances, just as God’s plan for Esther’s life fitted her circumstances. But I do want you to know that the God, who loved Esther and cared for her throughout her life and gave her strength, ability and wisdom to do what He had for her to do, will do the same for you because He loves you and cares for you. So He will strengthen you in your circumstances and enable you to do whatever it is you are to do for Him. Moreover, God will give you wisdom to do whatever He has for you to do so you can do it well. For God wants your life to be a testimony to His goodness and mercy just as Esther’s life was a testimony to the goodness and mercy of God.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Question 1: Who lives in Persia?
Answer: A young Jewish girl named Esther lives in Persia.
Question 2: By whom is Esther brought up?
Answer; Esther is brought up by her cousin Mordecai.
Question 3a: According to Esther 2:5-7 who lives in the citadel of Susa?
Answer: According to Esther 2:5-7 a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin lives in the citadel of Suza.
Question 3b: According to Esther 2:5-7 what is the name of the Jew of the tribe of Benjamin who lives in the citadel of Susa?
Answer: According to Esther 2:5-7 the name of the Jew of the tribe of Benjamin who lives in the citadel of Susa is Mordecai.
Question 3c: According to Esther 2:5-7 whose son is Mordecai?
Answer: According to Esther 2:5-7 Mordecai is the son of Jair, son of Shimei, the son of Kish.
Question 3d: According to Esther 2:5-7 who has been carried into exile from Jerusalem?
Answer: According to Esther 2:5-7 Kish has been carried into exile from Jerusalem.
Question 3e: According to Esther 2:5-7 by whom has Kish been carried into exile?
Answer: According to Esther 2:5-7 Kish has been carried into exile by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
Question 3f: According to Esther 2:5-7 which king has Kish been taken captive with?
Answer: According to Esther 2:5-7 Kish has been taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah.
Question 3g: According to Esther 2:5-7 who has Mordecai brought up?
Answer: According to Esther 2:5-7 Mordecai has brought up a cousin named Hadassah.
Question 3h: According to Esther 2:5-7 why has Mordecai brought up Hadassah?
Answer: According to Esther 2:5-7 Mordecai has brought up Hadassah because she has neither father nor mother.
Question 3i: According to Esther 2:5-7 how is Hadassah known also?
Answer: According to Esther 2:5-7 Hadassah is also known as Esther.
Question 4: Who rules over Persia at that time?
Answer: King Xerxes rules over Persia at that time.
Question 5: What does king Xerxes wish for?
Answer: King Xerxes wishes for a queen to be beside him.
Question 6: Who are brought to the palace?
Answer: Many young girls are brought to the palace.
Question 7: Why are many young girls brought to the palace?
Answer: Many young girls are brought to the palace for king Xerxes to choose a queen from among them.
Question 8a: According to Esther 2:8-11 what has been proclaimed?
Answer: According to Esther 2:8-11 king Xerxes’ order and edict has been proclaimed.
Question 8b: According to Esther 2:8-11who are brought to the citadel of Susa?
Answer: According to Esther 2:8-11 many young girls are brought to the citadel of Susa.
Question 8c: According to Esther 2:8-11 under whose care have these many young girls been put?
Answer: According to Esther 2:8-11 these many young girls have been put under the care of Hegai.
Question 8d: According to Esther 2:8-11 who has also been taken to the king’s palace?
Answer: According to Esther 2:8-11 Esther has also been taken to the king’s palace.
Question 8e: According to Esther 2:8-11 to whose care has Esther been entrusted?
Answer: According to Esther 2:8-11 Esther has been entrusted to the care of Hegai.
Question 8f: According to Esther 2:8-11 who pleases Hegai?
Answer: According to Esther 2:8-11 Esther pleases Hegai and wins his favour.
Question 8g: According to Esther 2:8-11 what does Hagai provide Esther with?
Answer: According to Esther 2:8-11 Hegai provides Esther with beauty treatments and special food.
Question 8h: According to Esther 2:8-11 who does Hegai assign to Esther?
Answer: According to Esther 2:8-11 Hegai assigns to Esther seven maids.
Question 8i: According to Esther 2:8-11 where are the seven maids selected from?
Answer: According to Esther 2:8-11 the seven maids are selected from king Xerxes’ palace.
Question 8j: According to Esther 2:8-11 where does Hegai move Esther and the seven maids to?
Answer: According to Esther 2:8-11 Hegai moves Esther and the seven maids to the best place in the harem.
Question 8k: According to Esther 2:8-11 has Esther revealed her nationality and background?
Answer: According to Esther 2:8-11 Esther has not revealed her nationality and background.
Question 8l: According to Esther 2:8-11 why has Esther not revealed her nationality and background?
Answer: According to Esther 2:8-11 Esther has not revealed her nationality and background because Mordecai has forbidden her to do so.
Question 8m: According to Esther 2:8-11 who walks to and fro near the courtyard of the harem every day?
Answer: According to Esther 2:8-11 Mordecai walks to and fro near the courtyard of the harem every day.
Question 8n: According to Esther 2:8-11 why does Mordecai walk every day to and fro near the courtyard of the harem?
Answer: According to Esther 2:8-11 Mordecai walks every day to and fro near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther is and what is happening to her.
Question 9: Do Esther or Mordecai have any say in the matter of her having been taken to the palace?
Answer: Neither Esther nor Mordecai have any say in the matter of her having been taken to the palace; their separation has been forced upon them.
Question 10: Will it have been a frightening experience for Esther to suddenly have been placed in this unknown environment?
Answer: It will have been a frightening experience for Esther to suddenly have been placed in this unknown environment.
Question 11: What does Esther have to keep secret?
Answer: Esther has to keep secret that she is not Persian but is of Jewish descent.
Question 12: Is God involved in Esther having been placed at the palace?
Answer: God is very involved in Esther having been placed at the palace, even if she does not know it.
Question 13: Does God care about Esther?
Answer: God cares about Esther and has allowed her to be there for a very special reason.
Question 14: Who is Esther presented to one day?
Answer: One day Esther is presented to the king.
Question 15a: According to Esther 2:16-17 to whom is Esther taken?
Answer: According to Esther 2:16-17 Esther is taken to king Xerxes.
Question 15b: According to Esther 2:16-17 where is king Xerxes?
Answer: According to Esther 2:16-17 king Xerxes is in the royal residence.
Question 15c: According to Esther 2:16-17 in which month is Esther taken to king Xerxes?
Answer: According to Esther 2:16-17 Esther is taken to king Xerxes in the tenth month.
Question 15d: According to Esther 2:16-17 what is the name of the tenth month?
Answer: According to Esther 2:16-17 the name of the tenth month is the month of Tebeth.
Question 15e: According to Esther 2:16-17 in which year is Esther taken to king Xerxes?
Answer: According to Esther 2:16-17 Esther is taken to king Xerxes in the seventh year of his reign.
Question 15f: According to Esther 2:16-17 who is king Xerxes most attracted to?
Answer: According to Esther 2:16-17 king Xerxes is attracted to Esther more than any of the other women.
Question 15g: According to Esther 2:16-17 who does king Xerxes make queen?
Answer: According to Esther 2:16-17 king Xerxes makes Esther queen.
Question 16: Who touches king Xerxes’ heart so he chooses Esther to become queen?
Answer: God touches king Xerxes’ heart so he chooses Esther to become queen.
Question 17a: According to Proverbs 21:1 in whose hand is the heart of the king?
Answer: According to Proverbs 21:1 the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord.
Question 17b: According to Proverbs 21:1 Who direct the king’s heart?
Answer: According to Proverbs 21:1 the Lord directs the king’s heart like a watercourse wherever He pleases.
Question 18: As queen, is Esther aware of difficulties, challenges?
Answer: As queen, Esther lives a very pleasant life, no doubt, far removed from any difficulties, any challenges.
Question 19: What does God allow Mordecai to uncover?
Answer: God allows Mordecai to uncover a plot to kill king Xerxes.
Question 20: Who does Mordecai tell about the plot?
Answer: Mordecai tells Esther about the plot.
Question 21: Who does Esther tell about the plot?
Answer: Esther tells king Xerxes about the plot.
Question 22a: According to Esther 2:21-23 who are two of king Xerxes’ officers?
Answer: According to Esther 2:21-23 Bigthana and Teresh are two of king Xerxes’ officers.
Question 22b: According to Esther 2:21-23 what is the task of Bigthana and Teresh?
Answer: According to Esther 2:21-23 the task of Bigthana and Teresh is to guard the doorway.
Question 22c: According to Esther 2:21-23 what do Bigthana and Teresh conspire to do?
Answer: According to Esther 2:21-23 Bigthana and Teresh conspire to assassinate king Xerxes.
Question 22d: According to Esther 2:21-23 who finds out about the plot to assassinate king Xerxes?
Answer: According to Esther 2:21-23 Mordecai finds out about the plot to assassinate king Xerxes.
Question 22e: According to Esther 2:21-23 who does Mordecai tell about the plot to assassinate king Xerxes?
Answer: According to Esther 2:21-23 Mordecai tells Esther about the plot to assassinate king Xerxes.
Question 22f: According to Esther 2:21-23 who does Esther tell about the plot to assassinate king Xerxes?
Answer: According to Esther 2:21-23 Esther tells king Xerxes about the plot to assassinate him, giving credit to Mordecai.
Question 22g: According to Esther 2:21-23 is the report investigated?
Answer: According to Esther 2:21-23 the report is investigated and found to be true.
Question 22h: According to Esther 2:21-23 what happens to the two officials Bigthana and Teresh?
Answer: According to Esther 2:21-23 the two officials Bigthana and Teresh are hanged on a gallows.
Question 22i: According to Esther 2:21-23 where is this event recorded?
Answer: According to Esther 2:21-23 this event is recorded in the book of annals in the presence of king Xerxes.
Question 23: Has Esther told anybody that she is Jewish?
Answer: Esther has told no one, including king Xerxes, that she is Jewish.
Question 24: Does Esther have to reveal her true identity one day?
Answer: Esther has to reveal her true identity one day, even to king Xerxes.
Question 25: Why does Esther have to reveal her true identity one day?
Answer: Esther has to reveal her true identity one day because of a plot to kill all Jewish people.
Question 26: Is Esther’s life in danger?
Answer: Esther’s life is in danger because she is Jewish.
Question 27a: According to Esther 3:1-6 who does king Xerxes honour?
Answer: According to Esther 3:1-6 king Xerxes honours Haman.
Question 27b: According to Esther 3:1-6 whose son is Haman?
Answer: According to Esther 3:1-6 Haman is the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite.
Question 27c: According to Esther 3:1-6 how does king Xerxes honour Haman?
Answer: According to Esther 3:1-6 honours Haman by giving him him a seat of honour higher than that of all the other nobles.
Question 27d: According to Esther 3:1-6 what has king Xerxes commanded all the royal officials do?
Answer: According to Esther 3:1-6 king Xerxes has commanded all the royal officials to kneel down and pay honour to Haman.
Question 27e: According to Esther 3:1-6 who will not kneel down and pay honour to Haman?
Answer: According to Esther 3:1-6 Mordecai will not kneel down and pay honour to Haman.
Question 27f: According to Esther 3:1-6 what do the royal officials at the king’s gate ask Mordecai?
Answer: According to Esther 3:1-6 the royal officials at the king’s gate ask Mordecai why he disobeys king Xerxes’ command to bow down and pay honour to Haman.
Question 27g: According to Esther 3:1-6 how often do the royal officials at the king’s gate speak to Mordecai?
Answer; According to Esther 3:1-6 the royal officials at the king’s gate speak to Mordecai day after day.
Question 27h: According to Esther 3:1-6 does Mordecai comply with the wishes of the royal officials at the king’s gate for him to bow down and pay honour to Haman?
Answer: According to Esther 3:1-6 Mordecai refuses to comply with the wishes of the royal officials at the king’s gate to bow down and pay honour to Haman.
Question 27i: According to Esther 3:1-6 who do the royal officials at the king’s gate tell about Mordecai’s refusal to bow down and pay honour to Haman?
Answer: According to Esther 3:1-6 the royal officials at the king’s gate tell Haman about Mordecai’s refusal to bow down and pay honour to him.
Question 27j: According to Esther 3:1-6 why do the royal officials at the king’s gate tell Haman about Mordecai’s refusal to bow down and pay honour to him?
Answer: According to Esther 3:1-6 the royal officials at the king’s gate tell Haman about Mordecai’s refusal to bow down and pay honour to him because they want to see whether Mordecai’s behaviour will be tolerated.
Question 27k: According to Esther 3:1-6 why do the royal officials at the king’s gate want to see whether Mordecai’s behaviour will be tolerated?
Answer: According to Esther 3:1-6 the royal officials at the king’s gate want to see whether Mordecai’s behaviour will be tolerated because he has told them he is a Jew.
Question 27l: According to Esther 3:1-6 how does Haman feel about Mordecai not bowing down to him to pay honour to him?
Answer: According to Esther 3:1-6 Haman is enraged when he sees that Mordecai is not willing to kneel down or pay honour to him.
Question 27m; According to Esther 3:1-6 what has Haman learned about Mordecai?
Answer: According to Esther 3:1-6 Haman has learned who Mordecai’s people are.
Question 27n: According to Esther 3:1-6 what idea does Haman scorn?
Answer: According to Esther 3:1-6 Haman scorns the idea of only killing Mordecai.
Question 27o: According to Esther 3:1-6 what does Haman look for?
Answer: According to Esther 3:1-6 Haman looks for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.
Question 27p: According to Esther 3:1-6 who are all Mordecai’s people?
Answer: According to Esther 3:1-6 all the Jews are Mordecai’s people.
Question 28: Who has raised a certain man to a high position?
Answer: King Xerxes has raised a certain man to a high position.
Question 29: What is the name of the man king Xerxes has raised to a high position?
Answer: The name of the man whom king Xerxes has raised to a high position is Haman.
Question 30: Who is to be treated with great honour?
Answer: Haman is to be treated with great honour.
Question 31: Who can Mordecai, as a Jew, only kneel before?
Answer: Mordecai, as a Jew, can only kneel before his God.
Question 32: Who becomes enraged at Mordecai’s behaviour towards him?
Answer: Haman becomes enraged at Mordecai’s behaviour towards him.
Question 33: What does Haman decide to do?
Answer: Haman decides to have Mordecai killed.
Question 34: Towards whose people is Haman’s hatred directed?
Answer: Haman’s hatred is not just directed towards Mordecai but towards all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews.
Question 35: What does Haman need to get rid of all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews?
Answer: Haman needs king Xerxes’ consent to get rid of all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews.
Question 36: Does king Xerxes care about the Jewish people in his vast Empire?
Answer: King Xerxes does not care about the Jewish people in his vast Empire.
Question 37: How can you know that king Xerxes cares little about the Jewish people in his vast Empire?
Answer: You can know that king Xerxes cares little about the Jewish people in his vast Empire because he is willing for them to be killed off.
Question 38a: According to Esther 3:8-11 about whom does Haman talk to king Xerxes?
Answer: According to Esther 3:8-11 Haman talks to king Xerxes about a certain people who are dispersed and scattered among the peoples in all the provinces of his kingdom.
Question 38b: According to Esther 3:8-11 what does Haman say about the people who are dispersed and scattered among the peoples in all the provinces of king Xerxes’ kingdom?
Answer: According to Esther 3:8-11 Haman says that the customs of the people who are dispersed and scattered among the peoples in all the provinces of king Xerxes’ kingdom are different from those of all the other people.
Question 38c: According to Esther 3:8-11 what does Haman say about the people who are dispersed and scatterd among the peoples in all the provinces of king Xerxes’ kingdom in relation to obeying the king’s laws?
Answer: According to Esther 3:8-11 Haman says about the people who are dispersed and scattered among the peoples in all the provinces of king Xerxes’ kingdom that they do not obey the king’s laws.
Question 38d: According to Esther 3:8-11 what does Haman want to be done?
Answer: According to Esther 3:8-11 Haman wants a decree to be issued.
Question 38e: According to Esther 3:8-11 why is a decree to be issued?
Answer: According to Esther 3:8-11 a decree is to be issued to destroy the people who are dispersed and scattered among the peoples in all the provinces of king Xerxes’ kingdom.
Question 38f: According to Esther 3:8-11 what will Haman put into the royal treasury?
Answer: According to Esther 3:8-11 Haman will put ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury.
Question 38g: According to Esther 3:8-11 to whom are the ten thousand talents of silver to be given?
Answer: According to Esther 3:8-11 the ten thousand talents of silver are to be given to the men who carry out this business of destroying the people who are dispersed and scattered among the peoples in all the provinces of king Xerxes’ kingdom.
Question 38h: According to Esther 3:8-11 what does king Xerxes give to Haman?
Answer: According to Esther 3:8-11 king Xerxes gives Haman his signet ring.
Question 38i: According to Esther 3:8-11 whose son is Haman?
Answer: According to Esther 3:8-11 Haman is the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite.
Question 38j: According to Esther 3:8-11 who is the enemy of the Jews?
Answer: According to Esther 3:8-11 Haman, the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite is the enemy of the Jews.
Question 38k: According to Esther 3:8-11 what does king Xerces say to Haman with regards the money?
Answer: According to Esther 3:8-11 king Xerxes says to Haman that he can keep the money.
Question 38l: According to Esther 3:8-11 what does king Xeres say to Haman with regards the people that are dispersed and scattered among the peoples in all the provinces of his kingdom?
Answer: According to Esther 3:8-11 king Xerxes says to Haman with regards the people that are dispersed and scattered among the peoples in all the provinces in his kingdom that he can do with them as he pleases.
Question 39: Does king Xerxes have any idea what will happen to Esther because of his words?
Answer: King Xerxes has absolutely no idea that with his words he has sent Esther to her death.
Question 40: Where will Esther have been when this meeting between Haman and king Xerxes takes place?
Answer: Esther will have been in the palace when this meeting between Haman and king Xerxes takes place.
Question 41: Is Esther aware of the fact that her life is being threatened?
Answer: Esther is completely unaware of the fact that her life is being threatened.
Question 42: How is life for Esther?
Answer: Life for Esther is very pleasant and comfortable.
Question 43: With whom has Esther found favour?
Answer: Esther has found favour with the people and with king Xerxes.
Question 44: Does Esther expect anything to happen to interrupt her wonderful existence?
Answer: As far as Esther is concerned, nothing can possibly happen to interrupt her wonderful existence.
Question 45: What is it time for?
Answer: It is time for Esther to realise that God has a purpose for her being queen.
Question 46: What does God allow Mordecai to learn?
Answer: God allows Mordecai to learn about the plot to kill all Jewish people.
Question 47: Who does Mordecai send a message to?
Answer: Mordecai is able to send a message to Esther’s servant.
Question 48: What is the name of Esther’s servant?
Answer: The name of Esther’s servant is Hathach.
Question 49a: According to Esther 4:6-9 who goes out to Mordecai?
Answer: According to Esther 4:6-9 Hathach goes out to Mordecai.
Question 49b: According to Esther 4:6-9 where is Mordecai?
Answer: According to Esther 4:6-9 Mordecai is in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate.
Question 49c: According to Esther 4:6-9 what does Mordecai tell Hathach?
Answer: According to Esther 4:6-9 Mordecai tells Hathach everything, including the exact amount of money Haman has promised to pay into the royal treasure for the destruction of the Jews.
Question 49d: According to Esther 4:6-9 what does Mordecai give Hathach?
Answer: According to Esther 4:6-9 Mordecai gives Hathach a copy of the text of the edict.
Question 49e: According to Esther 4:6-9 why is the edict written?
Answer: According to Esther 4:6-9 the edict has been written for the annihilation of the Jews.
Question 49f: According to Esther 4:6-9 where has the edict been published?
Answer: According to Esther 4:6-9 the edict has been published in Susa.
Question 49g: According to Esther 4:6-9 what does Mordecai want Hathach to do?
Answer: According to Esther 4:6-9 Mordecai wants Hathach to show the edict to Esther.
Question 49h: According to Esther 4:6-9 what does Mordecai want Hathach to explain to Esther?
Answer: According to Esther 4:6-9 Mordecai wants Hathach to explain the edict to Esther.
Question 49i: According to Esther 4:6-9 what does Mordecai tell Hathach to do?
Answer: According to Esther 4:6-9 Mordecai tells Hathach to urge Esther to go into king Xerxes’ presence.
Question 49j: According to Esther 4:6-9 why does Mordecai want Hathach to urge Esther to go into king Xerxes’ presence?
Answer: According to Esther 4:6-9 Mordecai wants Hathach to urge Esther to go into king’s Xerxes’ presence to beg for mercy.
Question 49k: According to Esther 4:6-9 for whom is Esther to plead before king Xerxes?
Answer: According to Esther 4:6-9 Esther is to plead for her people before king Xerxes.
Question 49l: According to Esther 4:6-9 what does Hathach do?
Answer: According to Esther 4:6-9 Hathach goes back and reports to Esther what Mordecai has said.
Question 50: What does Esther learn from Mordecai?
Answer: Esther learns from Mordecai about the grave danger all her people are in.
Question 51: What has Mordecai challenged her to do?
Answer: Esther is challenged by Mordecai to go before king Xerxes and plead for mercy.
Question 52: What is Mordecai not aware of?
Answer: Mordecai is obviously not aware of the fact that Esther cannot go to king Xerxes unannounced.
Question 53: Why can Esther not go before king Xerxes unannounced?
Answer: Esther cannot go before king Xerxes unannounced for that will, very likely, mean her death.
Question 54a: According to Esther 4:10-11 what does Esther instruct Hathach to say to Mordecai?
Answer: According to Esther 4:10-11 Esther instructs Hathach to say to Mordecai that all king’s Xerxes’ officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or women who approaches king Xerxes in the inner court without being summoned he has just one law.
Question 54b: According to Esther 4:10-11 what is the one law that king Xerxes has for any man or woman who approaches him in the inner court without being summoned?
Answer: According to Esther 4:10-11 the one law king Xerxes has for any man or woman who approaches him in the inner court without being summoned is for that person to be put to death.
Question 54c: According to Esther 4:10-11 is there an exception to king Xerxes’ law that any man or woman who approaches him in the inner court without being summoned will be put to death?
Answer: According to Esther 4:10-11 the only exception to king Xerxes’ law that any man or woman will be put to death who approaches him in the inner court without being summoned is for him to extend the gold sceptre to that person and so spare his or her life.
Question 54d: According to Esther 4:10-11 how many days have passed since Esther was called to go to king Xerxes?
Answer: According to Esther 4:10-11 thirty days have passed since Esther was called to go to king Xerxes.
Question 55: Why is Esther fully confident that her words of explanation will make Mordecai change his mind about her going to king Xerxes unannounced?
Answer: Esther is fully confident that her words of explanation will make Mordecai change his mind about her going to king Xerxes unannounced because Mordecai loves her.
Question 56: How much does Esther believe Mordecai loves her?
Answer: Esther believes Mordecai loves her so much that he does not want her life to be endangered.
Question 57: Is that what happens?
Answer: That is not what happens.
Question 58a: According to Esther 4:12-16 whose words are reported to Mordecai?
Answer: According to Esther 4:12-16 Esther’s words are reported to Mordecai.
Question 58b: According to Esther 4:12-16 what does Mordecai do in response to Esther’s message to him?
Answer: According to Esther 4:12-16 Mordecai sends back a message to Esther.
Question 58c: According to Esther 4:12-16 what does Mordecai say to Esther in his message to her?
Answer: According to Esther 4:12-16 Mordecai says to Esther in his message that she should not think she alone of all the Jews will escape because she is in king Xerxes’ house.
Question 58d: According to Esther 4:12-16 what else does Mordecai say in his message to Esther?
Answer: According to Esther 4:12-16 Mordecai says as well in his message to Esther that if she remains silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but that she and her father’s family will perish.
Question 58e: According to Esther 4:12-16 what does Mordecai ask?
Answer: According to Esther 4:12-16 Mordecai asks if Esther knows that she may have come to royal position for such a time as this.
Question 59: Does Mordecai change his mind?
Answer: Mordecai does not change his mind.
Question 60: What kind of message does Mordecai send back to Esther?
Answer: Mordecai sends a more forceful message back to Esther.
Question 61: Does Mordecai understand why Esther has been given the position of queen?
Answer: Mordecai understands why Esther has been given the position of queen.
Question 62: Who needs to understand why she has been given the position of queen as well?
Answer: Esther needs to understand why she has been given the position of queen.
Question 63: When does Esther begin to grasp the reason why God is allowing her to live at the palace?
Answer: After reading Mordecai’s latest message Esther begins to grasp the reason why God is allowing her to live at the palace.
Question 64: Is Esther at the palace so she can enjoy a luxurious lifestyle?
Answer: Esther is not at the palace so she can enjoy a luxurious lifestyle.
Question 65: Why is God allowing Esther to live at the palace?
Answer: God is allowing Esther to live at the palace in order for her to plead for her people before king Xerxes.
Question 66: Will going before king Xerxes in order to plead for her people mean that Esther will die?
Answer: Esther’s going before king Xerxes in order to plead for her people may mean she will die.
Question 67a: According to Esther 4:15-16 what reply does Esther send to Mordecai?
Answer: According to Esther 4:15-16 in her reply Esther tells Mordecai to gather together all the Jews who are in Susa.
Question 67b: According to Esther 4:15-16 what does Esther ask Mordecai and all the Jews, who are in Susa, to do for her?
Answer: According to Esther 4:15-16 Esther asks Mordecai and all the Jews, who are in Susa, to fast for her.
Question 67c: According to Esther 4:15-16 how long does Esther ask Mordecai and the Jews, who are in Susa, to fast for her?
Answer: According to Esther 4:15-16 Esther asks Mordecai and the Jews, who are in Susa, to fast for her for three days and three nights.
Question 67d: According to Esther 4:15-16 what will Esther and her maids do as well?
Answer: According to Esther 4:15-16 Esther and her maids will fast as well.
Question 67e: According to Esther 4:15-16 what will Esther do after she has fasted for three days and three nights?
Answer: According to Esther 4:15-16 Esther will go to king Xerxes after she has fasted for three days and three nights.
Question 67f: According to Esther 4:15-16 is going to king Xerxes unannounced against the law?
Answer; According to Esther 4:15-16 going to king Xerxes unannounced is against the law.
Question 67g: According to Esther 4:15-16 might Esther perish?
Answer: According to Esther 4:15-16 Esther might perish.
Question 68: Does Esther know in whose hands her life is?
Answer: Esther knows that her life is really in God’s hands and not in the hands of king Xerxes.
Question 69: Who has allowed Esther to live in the palace?
Answer: God has allowed Esther to live in the palace.
Question 70: Who will protect Esther as she goes before king Xerxes without his permission?
Answer: God is the One who will protect her as she goes before king Xerxes without permission.
Question 71: What does Esther know she needs to do first?
Answer: Esther knows she needs to spend time in preparation first.
Question 72: What does Esther arrange before going to see king Xerxes?
Answer: Esther arranges a three-day period of prayer and fasting before going to see king Xerxes.
Question 73a: According to Esther 5:1-2 what does Esther do on the third day of the fast?
Answer: According to Esther 5:1-2 Ester puts on her royal robes on the third day of the fast.
Question 73b: According to Esther 5:1-2 where does Esther stand?
Answer: According to Esther 5:1-2 Esther stands in the inner court of the palace, in front of king Xerxes’ hall.
Question 73c: According to Esther 5:1-2 who is sitting on his royal throne, facing the entrance?
Answer: According to Esther 5:1-2 king Xerxes is sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.
Question 73d: According to Esther 5:1-2 who does king Xerxes see standing in the court?
Answer: According to Esther 5:1-2 king Xerxes sees Esther standing in the court.
Question 73e: According to Esther 5:1-2 is king Xerxes pleased to see Esther?
Answer: According to Esther 5:1-2 king Xerxes is pleased to see Esther.
Question 73f: According to Esther 5:1-2 how does king Xerxes show he is pleased to see Esther?
Answer: According to Esther 5:1-2 king Xerxes shows he is pleased to see Esther by holding out to her the gold sceptre that is in his hand.
Question 73g: According to Esther 5:1-2 what does Esther do?
Answer: According to Esther 5:1-2 Esther approaches and touches the tip of king Xerxes’ sceptre.
Question 74: Who touches the heart of king Xerxes?
Answer: God touches the heart of king Xerxes.
Question 75: Who stretches out his gold sceptre?
Answer: King Xerxes stretches out his gold sceptre.
Question 76: Why does king Xerxes stretch out his sceptre?
Answer: King Xerxes stretches out his sceptre to let Esther know she is welcome to enter his presence.
Question 77: Does Esther have to die?
Answer: Esther is allowed to live and speak to king Xerxes.
Question 78: What does Esther ask king Xerxes?
Answer: Esther asks king Xerxes over for a meal.
Question 79: How does king Xerxes respond to Esther’s invitation?
Answer: King Xerxes accepts her invitation.
Question 80: What does Esther ask king Xerxes at the meal?
Answer: At the meal Esther asks king Xerxes to return for another banquet.
Question 81: Does king Xerxes accept Esther’s invitation to return for another meal?
Answer: King Xerxes accepts Esther’s invitation to return for another meal.
Question 82: What does Esther do when king Xerxes return for another banquet the next day?
Answer: When king Xerxes returns for another banquet the next day Esther pleads her case before him.
Question 83a: According to Esther 5:3-8 what does Esther do?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 Ester falls at king Xerxes’ feet and weeps.
Question 83b; According to Esther 5:3-8 with whom does Esther plea?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 Esther pleads with king Xerxes.
Question 83c: According to Esther 5:3-8 what does Esther beg king Xerxes to do?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 Esther begs king Xerxes to put an end to the evil plan of Haman, the Agagite.
Question 83d: According to Esther 5:3-8 against whom has Haman, the Agagite devised an evil plan?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 Haman, the Agagite has devised an evil plan against the Jews.
Question 83e: According to Esther 5:3-8 what does king Xerxes do?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 king Xerxes extends his gold sceptre to Esther.
Question 83f: According to Esther 5:3-8 how does Esther respond when king Xerxes extends his gold sceptre to her?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 Esther arises and stands before king Xerxes.
Question 83g: According to Esther 5:3-8 what does Esther ask of king Xerxes?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 Esther asks if it pleases the king and if he regards her with favour and thinks it is a right thing to do, that an order be written.
Question 83h: According to Esther 5:3-8 what is the written order to overrule?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 the written order is to overrule the dispatches that Haman, son of Hammadatha, the Agagite devised and has written.
Question 83i: According to Esther 5:3-8 why has Haman, son of Hammedatha, the Agagite devised and written dispatches?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 Haman, son of Hammedatha, the Agagite has devised and written dispatches to destroy the Jews in all king Xerxes’ provinces.
Question 83j: According to Esther 5:3-8 what can Esther not bear to see?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 Esther cannot bear to see disaster fall on her people.
Question 83k: According to Esther 5:3-8 what can Esther not bear to see with regards her family?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 Esther cannot bear to see the destruction of her family.
Question 83l: According to Esther 5:3-8 who replies to Esther and to Mordecai?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 king Xerxes replies to Esther and to Mordecai.
Question 83m: According to Esther 5:3-8 whose estate has king Xerxes given to Esther?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 king Xerxes has given Haman’s estate to Esther.
Question 83n: According to Esther 5:3-8 what has happened to Haman?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 Haman has been hanged on the gallows.
Question 83o: According to Esther 5:3-8 what does king Xerxes tell Esther and Mordecai to write?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 king Xerxes tells Esther and Mordecai to write another decree in his name.
Question 83p: According to Esther 5:3-8 on whose behalf is the decree in the king’s name to be written?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 the decree in the king’s name is to be written on behalf of the Jews.
Question 83q: According to Esther 5:3-8 with what is the decree in the king’s name to be sealed?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 the decree in the king’s name is to be sealed with king Xerxes’ signet ring.
Question 83r: According to Esther 5:3-8 can any document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring be revoked?
Answer: According to Esther 5:3-8 no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.
Question 84: Did God know what Haman would try and do one day?
Answer: God knew that one day Haman would try and attack His chosen people.
Question 85: Why had God chosen a young Jewish girl, an orphan living with her cousin, to be taken into the palace to become queen?
Answer: God had chosen a young Jewish girl, an orphan living with her cousin, to be taken into the palace to become queen so that she could come before king Xerxes and be God’s instrument to save her people.
Question 86: Did Esther know when she was forced to enter the palace that she was chosen by God to be His instrument to come before king Xerxes to save her people?
Answer: Esther did not know when she was forced to enter the palace that she was chosen by God to be His instrument to come before king Xerxes to save her people.
Question 87: Did Mordecai know God’s plan for his cousin Esther to come before king Xerxes to save her people?
Answer: Mordecai did not know God’s plan for his cousin Esther for her to come before king Xerxes to save her people.
Question 88: Who knew of God’s plan for Esther to come before king Xerxes to save her people?
Answer: God knew of His plan for Esther to come before king Xerxes to save her people.
Question 89: When the time came for Esther to act was she prepared to be obedient to her calling?
Answer: When the time for Esther came to act she was prepared to be obedient to her calling, no matter what the cost.
Question 90: How does God want to use the story of Esther in your life?
Answer: God wants to use the story of Esther in your life to encourage you.
Question 91: Does God have a plan for your life?
Answer: God has a plan for your life, just as He had a plan for Esther’s life.
Question 92: Will God’s plan for your life fit your circumstances?
Answer: God’s plan for your life will fit your circumstances, just as God’s plan for Esther’s life fitted her circumstances.
Question 93: Did God love Esther and care for her throughout her life?
Answer: God loved Esther and cared for her throughout her life and gave her strength, ability and wisdom to do what He had for her to do.
Question 94: Does God love you and care for you?
Answer: God loves you and cares for you and will strengthen you in your circumstances and enable you to do whatever it is you are to do for Him.
Question 95: Will God give you wisdom to do whatever He has for you to do?
Answer: God will give you wisdom to do whatever He has for you to do so you can do it well.
Question 96: Why will God give you wisdom to do whatever He has for you to do?
Answer: God will give you wisdom to do whatever He has for you to do so your life can be a testimony to His goodness and mercy, just as Esther’s life was a testimony to the goodness and mercy of God.
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