Participants 81
Discussion Questions
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How would you respond to someone who says that the book of Esther shouldn’t be included in the Bible since it never mentions the name of God?
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Esther may not seem like a theologically inspired book but it does show a divine hand directing events and people to achieve His will. In the book, it can be said that Esther was in the right place and right time to protect her countrymen and her uncle Mordecai was in the right place to save king Xerxes from an assassination attempt as planned out by God.
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To someone who says that the book of Esther should be excluded from the Bible, I would firstly explain that the Bible is a collection of various genres of literature – scriptures that are inspired by God. Those genres include history, poetry, prophecy, and letters and so on. Even though those writings are different in literally forms, they share the same purpose of pointing us to God and His salvation. Through millennia, numerous biblical scholars have prayerfully and carefully examined, reviewed, and come to the consensus that those books be regarded and compiled as the inspired word of God. There must be a good reason that the book of Esther should be included in the Bible.
Secondly, the book of Esther is a historical literature that shows God’s faithfulness to His people, Israel, even though it does not explicitly mention “God.” It is an account of God’s protection of His people at the face of genocide by Haman the agagite. Likewise, throughout the history, Israel suffered slavery and attempted genocides from their enemies, and each time God extended His hands and saved them from annihilation. The book of Esther is an example of God’s salvation for His people. In that sense, the book is significant and should be included in the Bible.
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I would say that it is a great example of how the chose people of God were still important to Him and it shows how many Christians are today in that they know about God but don’t talk about God. It shows that when you don’t openly honor Him and you fall into the way of the world, you still matter to Him and He is there for you. He was definitely still orchestrating the events in order to try to bring safety to His chosen people and to bring them back into fellowship with Him. This gives me hope as a Christian for the times I may do the same. I might give up following God, but He will always be there for me.
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What positive character traits does Esther exhibit and how does she demonstrate those qualities?
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Esther has many positive character traits. Esther is obedient and intelligent. She made sure to listen to the good advice that was given to her by Mordecai and Hegai. Esther is compassionate, brave, and selfless as she is willing to risk her life by going to king Xerxes unsummoned so that she can hopefully save the Jewish people from Haman’s plot to rid the land of anybody of Jewish descent. During that time the king had a law which stated that any man or woman who approaches the king without being summoned was to be put to death unless the king decided to spare that individuals life by extending his gold scepter. Despite the possibility of great harm, Esther goes to king Xerxes. Esther could have just ignored the plight of her fellow Jews and continued to live her life of luxury, but she instead chose to put her own life at risk to save others. Esther was also smart and patient and did not immediately tell king Xerxes of her plea when she went to him. Instead, she honored him with a banquet first so that Xerxes was in a favorable mood to hear Esther’s plea.
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Esther exhibits strength and determination and love for her people and for God. She demonstrates these qualities by how she is faithful to God and her cousin and she is committed to possibly being killed for requesting an audience with the king in order to save the Hebrew people.
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Bravery – She is willing to go into a frightening and demeaning situation for the good of others
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The two character traits that jump right to mind are boldness and discernment. Knowing she is facing the possibility of death in approaching the king, she knows it is the right thing and goes with the attitude of ,”If I perish, I perish.” However, before she does this, she appeals to God with fasting. She boldly asks for her fellow Jews to fast on her behalf. Again she approaches the king to plead for the edict against the Jews to be revoked (even though it could be taken as her implying that he had made a mistake, and thus, greatly offending him).
Esther shows discernment as she allows Haman to walk into his own trap, rather than revealing him herself and facing the possibility of seeking her own gain simply at his expense. Knowing that the king’s favor can change suddenly, and that she may not have opportunities to appeal to him in the future, she takes a longer way of convincing him.
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Esther is regarded as one of the most beautiful women in the history. She exhibits not only outward beauty but also inner beauty such as love, wisdom, humility, and determination.
Firstly, Esther was beautiful both outwardly and inwardly. Esther was so beautiful that the king of Persia fell in love and chose her as the Queen. The English word “esthetic” is taken from her name. Esther was also beautiful inside. Esther cared for her uncle, Mordecai, and her people. She was humble and willing to listen to his advice. Esther also carefully acted out of wisdom in order to save her people – the Jews.
Secondly, Esther was a woman of determination. When she was determined to save her people from Haman’s genocidal plan, Esther made a bold move of approaching the king’s throne without any prior summoning or permission. It was an act of courage. If the king had decided to punish Esther, he could have called a death sentence. Instead, the king saw Esther with a favor and listened to her request.
When the king revoked Haman’s plan to destroy the Jews, Esther was relentless. She requested the king to allow the Jews to defend themselves from their enemies, which resulted in much bloodshed throughout the country, but the Jews were delivered from annihilation.