Sunday School

Esther 9 & 10 Study Guide

Posted lucentwarrior

Intro: this is now the Happily Ever After chapter to the story of Esther.

  • 12th month, 13th day: how long was this from when the reversal order had been given?
  • Reversal (9:1, ESV): this seems to be a major theme in the book of Esther.  What was it exactly that was reversed in the book of Esther?
  • Why did fear of the Jews fall on all the people?
  • Why were Haman’s sons listed by name?
  • Why was no hand laid on the plunder, and apparently neither on women and children? (v. 10, 15, 16).
  • Why was another day needed to finish up in Susa, and why impale the sons of Haman if they had already been killed? (Esther’s request, v. 13)  Why did Esther ask for permission to impale them?
  • Feast of Purim instituted (9:16-32):
    • A major reason for the book of Esther seems to be to explain the background for the feast of Purim.  Verses 17-22 explains why Purim got to be two days and why they got started sending gifts of food to each other.
    • Vs 23-28 summarize the entire book and especially why the Jews celebrate Purim.
    • Queen Esther further confirmed the authority of the letter (some think this was necessary because many of the Jews would be resistant to adding a non-Mosaic feast to the already busy calendar.)
    • How should we evaluate the feast of Purim, especially since it is not mentioned in any other book of the Bible? (hint: what does the author say about it?)
    • How should we remember things God has done for us?
  • Final Tributes (Chapter 10)
    • Xerxes: taxed everything in sight.  What is that supposed to reveal about him?
    • Mordecai: honored, advanced by the king, great among the Jews, popular, and sought welfare of his people and spoke peace to them (10:2,3).  What does this say about Mordecai?
      • BTW, in my mind, this is one of the best cases in the book of Esther for the righteousness of Mordecai.  However, here is an article that provides a reasonable explanation of this tribute to Mordecai. (Just to wet your appetite, it also calls Purim a Jewish Mardi Gras.)
  • Conclusion: what is the main point(s) of the book of Esther?

In other news, next Sunday starts study of Malachi.  I would strongly encourage you to read Constable’s introduction to Malachi prior to next week: https://lumina.bible.org/bible/Malachi+1 (select the notes tab in the right column).