Esther: Week 4 (Wednesday, February 19 2020)
(from www.insightforliving.org.uk)
Chapter 2:21-3:15
LET'S BEGIN HERE
When Adam and Eve tripped over Satan's lies and fell because of their lack of faith, all creation crashed down with them. Now, according to the apostle Paul, evil fills our days (Ephesians 5:16). From hurricanes to broken legs, depression to murders, wars to cancer, we can't escape suffering, and trying to escape it delivers only painful disappointment.
So we must learn to live with suffering and draw strength from Christ, who teaches us by His example to depend on God the Father until that day of bliss when "there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4).
In the book of Esther, evil slinked in the shadows as treacherous men devised secret plots first against the king and then against the Jews. And yet, through the darkness, God lit a path for His people, and He will light our way, too, as we respond wisely to today's evils.
YOUR TURN IN THE SCRIPTURES
Esther 2:21-3:15 occupies the focus of this Searching the Scriptures study. You who've followed along will recall that we use Chuck Swindoll's four-step process as discussed in his book, Searching the Scriptures: Find the Nourishment Your Soul Needs:
- Observation: We read what the text says, perceiving how each word fits in sentences, how each sentence fits in paragraphs, and how each paragraph fits in the book.
- Interpretation: We understand what the text means, delving into word studies, ancient cultural practices, history, and theology.
- Correlation: We compare our passage with other biblical passages on the same topic to complement our understanding of the topic from our main passage.
- Application: We integrate the biblical truths and principles into our lives, obeying Jesus' commands, believing Jesus' promises, and walking with Jesus always.
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OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION
We should pray before reading the Bible because it contains divinely revealed truth. God promises to illuminate us by His Spirit as we seek Him through His Word in Jesus' name. So write a brief prayer, requesting God to give you understanding and strength through this study.
Sometimes it's better to perform observation and interpretation together in concise chunks so you understand the meaning of the narrative as the story unfolds. Remember to first observe slowly and then interpret.
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Read Esther 2:21-23 slowly. What is the evil interlude in these verses? Who discovered the plot, and how did he receive credit for stopping the attack? |
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Bigthan and Teresh let their anger-driven imaginations inspire them to plot the murder of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes in the New Living Translation), but God stopped them. Even so, evil reared its head once again—except this perpetrator was a man who oversaw all other nobles in the king's palace.
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First, read Esther 3:1-6a slowly. What was the new evil interlude, and how did it arise? What did Mordecai do to provoke Haman's rage against him? |
2. Haman, in the line of Agag the Amalekite, received a promotion instead of Mordecai. Look up Exodus 17:8-16 and 1 Samuel 15:1-3, and write down what we can infer about the hostility between Haman and the Jews. |
Injustices run rampant today just as they did in Mordecai's day. The vicious evil of prejudice narrowed Haman's perspective and compelled him to contrive a progrom against Mordecai and the Jews. In such instances, it becomes easy to think, Where are you, God? Sounds familiar, right?
King Ahasuerus removed the signet ring from his finger and placed it in Haman's hand—signifying the king's approval of Haman's diabolical plan to extirpate the Jews in all 127 Persian provinces. Haman was
driven by fury, equipped with lies, and clothed in power. Instead of stopping Haman immediately, God let the tree of evil grow before cutting it down . . . which is how He might choose to work in our day as well.
We can now see the dangers the Jews faced in this account. As all the people of Susa read the decree with confusion (Esther 3:15), perhaps they asked themselves, Would the king wipe out other people groups? God chose to let Ahasuerus reign despite his ignorance. Pause and give thanks that King Jesus reigns with a thorough knowledge of His people and their needs.
CORRELATION
When dark clouds enter our lives, like the one we see entering the story of Esther in chapter three, we're
compelled by the Scriptures to approach God. Read the two passages below that express hope toward God during suffering and evil, and record any encouragement you receive from them.
Psalm 42
Habakkuk 3:17-19
APPLICATION
Three characters in this passage teach us vital lessons about evil and how to respond to it. From Haman
Someone will always resent your independent devotion to the Lord. Don't second guess your obedience by believing his or her resentment suggests God's disapproval of your actions.
From Mordecai
Never underestimate the diabolical nature of revenge. We should especially be aware of any resentment sprouting in ourselves.
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From King Ahasuerus
Never overestimate your own importance. Some wise counselor should have come alongside Ahasuerus and said to him, "What is this you're allowing? And why? Not even you are important enough to decide the fate of an entire race!"
Searching the Scriptures Wrap-up Write one sentence to summarize this lesson.
Write down one thing to remember about God.
Write down one way you can respond to God's Word.
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A FINAL PRAYER
Father, I confess that You are always present in this world, that You always know my needs even when I'm hurting, and that all of history works together for the good of Your people—including my own good. I want
to release my anxiety over what I can't control and, instead, stand on Your promises because You are faithful. Please teach me to respond with wisdom to the evil, pain, and suffering in my life and the lives around me. I pray this in Jesus' name, amen.
