This study is part of our series of verse by verse studies of Esther, the 17th book in the Bible. Taught by Simeon Forder at our Sunday evening service on the 30th October 2022.

About this book

Esther records the incredible deliverance of the Jews during their Babylonian captivity, which is still celebrated today in the feast of Purim. While this book of the Bible is unusual, in that God is not directly mentioned, in it we see God’s providence in arranging the circumstances for their deliverance, and examples – good and bad – in the characters we follow there.

About this study

With Queen Vashti replaced by Esther, we see a plot to kill the king uncovered by Mordecai, Esther’s older cousin, and this important detail will be critical to saving the lives of all Jews in just a few chapters, as in chapter 3 we see Haman plot to kill them. Why would Haman do this? What could possibly motivate genocide? As we look at the details, we see how this was yet another of Satan’s attempts to kill all Jews – as Pharaoh did before him, and as Hitler did after him.

Application questions

• Is there any sin in your life that you’re not dealing with?
• Is there any sin in your life that you don’t want to deal with?
• What sin do you want to keep a little bit of?