Happy Easter weekend! I pray God blesses your study on this Good Friday.
ASSIGNMENT:
ASSIGNMENT:
READ Esther 2:12-23
1. How are the duties of Hegai (vs 3) and Shaashgaz (vs 14) different?
Historical Note: The virgins in Xerxes’ harem were allowed to choose fine clothes, jewels, aphrodisiac potions (to enhance the king’s pleasure), etc. to take with them for their one night with the king. It was possible that the young woman was allowed to keep those items as “payment for services rendered.”
2. What does the text say about where the young woman would reside after her night with the king?
Historical Note: If the king never called for a young woman again, she would live in luxurious seclusion for the remainder of her life. She would never be allowed to return to her family, marry, or have a normal life. Any children born to a concubine were raised to serve in a high position in the king’s court - but were not legitimate heirs to the throne.
3. Xerxes made Esther ____________ and gave a ____________ __________ in her honor.
4. Esther is now queen of the vast Persian Empire … but what appears to remain unchanged in her life?
5. Mordecai was _____________ __ ___ ______ ___________.
6. He uncovered a plot to _________________ King Xerxes. Xerxes was alerted, the conspirators were _____________ and “All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.”
Concluding thoughts: In later years, Esther may have looked back on some of the episodes in her life with regret; or she may have looked back knowing she had no choice at the time. Regardless of how she viewed her actions in the past, she must have realized that God had been in charge all along.
We need to continue to remind ourselves that God is working all things for the good of those of us who love Him … and His goal is that we become conformed to the likeness of His Son. (taken from Rom. 8:18-29)
