ASSIGNMENT:
Read Esther 4:12-17
In your notebooks please answer the following quesitons...
1. Mordecai responded to Esther, “Do not think that because you are in the ________ ___________ you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you ___________ __________ at this time, _______ and _____________ for the Jews will arise from ____________ _________, but you and your father’s family will _________.
2. Some interpret a threat in Mordecai’s statement in :14. What could that be?
3. Mordecai continues his message to Esther with what has become the book’s most beloved statement (4:14b). Complete that statement:
“And who knows ….._________________________________________-.”
The NIV Application Commentary on Esther states: “In this moment, Esther has to decide who she really is.” Another source points out that Esther is the only person in the story with two names: Esther and Hadassah. The first name was Persian and the second, Hebrew. Perhaps these two names are indicative of an identity crisis that occurs in chapter 4. Esther is being called upon to choose: 1) whether she will ignore the challenge, abandon her people, and retain her Persian position; or 2) expose her heritage, attempt to rescue the Jews, and possibly lose her own life.
4. What were Esther’s instructions to the Jews in Susa? What could these instructions imply regarding her faith or covenant loyalty?
5. What does she say that indicates great courage on her part?
6. There has been debate among scholars and seminary students as to the main character in the book of Esther: Mordecai or Esther? Before reading chapter 4, who would have received your vote?
After reading chapter 4, do you see a change beginning to emerge in their roles?
What occurred in :15-16 that could indicate a change?
