Table Of ContentL -A B S
IFE PPLICATION IBLE TUDY
Esther
T B
HE EAUTY OF
C S
OURAGEOUS UBMISSION
Life-Application Bible Study
Esther
The Beauty of
Courageous Submission
New York Times Best-Selling Author
Darlene Schacht
The Ministry of
Time-Warp Wife
All Scripture unless otherwise noted is taken from
the King James Version of the Bible.
Bible Study – Esther: The Beauty of Courageous
Submission
Time-Warp Wife
Suite 5-1377 Border Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3H ON1
Copyright © 2012 by Darlene Schacht
Cover design by Darlene Schacht
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this book may be reproduced in any
form—photocopying, electronic, audio recording,
or otherwise—without written permission from the
author.
Darlene’s Other Books include:
The Good Wife’s Guide: Embracing Your Role as a
Helpmeet
Reshaping it All: Motivation for Physical and
Spiritual Fitness (co-author)
Ruth: A Woman of Virtue (Bible Study)
Find Darlene blogging at Time-Warp Wife where
she empowers wives to joyfully serve.
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................... 5
Esther Chapter One ......................................................... 7
Esther Chapter Two....................................................... 18
Esther Chapter Three .................................................... 33
Esther Chapter Four ...................................................... 44
Esther Chapter Five ....................................................... 53
Esther Chapter Six ......................................................... 64
Esther Chapter Seven .................................................... 74
Esther Chapter Eight ..................................................... 86
Esther Chapter Nine ...................................................... 97
Esther Chapter Ten ..................................................... 112
Introduction
The book of Esther is a beautiful story of one
woman who courageously gave of herself for
the will of God and His people. Women like
you and I can glean inspiration from her
strength, wisdom and her dignity as we face
our fears and boldly stand before the throne of
our God.
The events in the story of Esther reveal the plot
of one man who desired to have God’s people
destroyed, and the courage of a woman who
stepped out in faith to turn that plan around.
Esther gives us something to celebrate as it
chronicles the deliverance of God’s chosen
people, the Jews. It is also a great lesson on
Biblical submission for both women and the
church in general. It inspires believers to trust
God's wisdom and timing, and to stand strong
in the face of persecution.
“Righteousness” is one of the main themes in
the book. This story teaches us that
righteousness is imputed to us. It’s given to us
freely through faith in Jesus Christ.
It is in the book of Esther that the feast of
Purim (a feast that the Jews still celebrate
today) is established.
The Book of Esther or the Megillah is the basis
for the Jewish celebration of Purim. Its full text
is read aloud twice during the celebration, in
the evening and again the following
morning. (Wikipedia, The Book of Esther)
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves as we’ll talk
more about that in chapter nine.
Esther Chapter One
Main characters in the first chapter and the
Hebrew meaning of their names:
Ahasuerus – Mighty or venerable (respected)
king.
Vashti – Beautiful
Esther 1:1-4
Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this
is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto
Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty
provinces. That in those days, when the king
Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which
was in Shushan the palace, in the third year of his
reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his
servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles
and princes of the provinces, being before him:
When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom
and the honour of his excellent majesty many days,
even an hundred and fourscore days.
In chapter one, we’re introduced to King
Ahasuerus. We are told in verse 1 that he
reigned over 127 provinces, and in verse 2 we
see that his kingdom was in Shushan, which is
also known as “Susa.” See map.
The king made a feast greater than any other
that we have read about in scripture--except of
course the marriage supper of the lamb, which
is yet to come! The reason for the feast is
unknown for sure, but what we do know is
that it lasted 180 days, followed by a 7-day
feast.
Esther 1:5-9
And when these days were expired, the king made a
feast unto all the people that were present in
Shushan the palace, both unto great and small,
seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's
palace; where were white, green, and blue,
hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and
purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds
were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and
blue, and white, and black, marble.
And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the
vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal
wine in abundance, according to the state of the
king. And the drinking was according to the law;
none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all
the officers of his house, that they should do
according to every man's pleasure.
Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women
in the royal house which belonged to king
Ahasuerus.
What we learn about in these verses is that the
seven day feast was extremely lavish. As
you’re reading these scriptures, what do you
learn about these four things?
1. The location of the feast:
2. The decorations:
3. The drink:
4. The furnishings:
As we continue to read, we start to notice
that King Ahasuerus was a foreshadow of a
greater King and his party of yet a greater
feast—Jesus and the marriage supper of the
lamb.
