Welcome back to the Bible Cafe™ as we meet again to discuss Esther by Beth Moore. This week we read about the King’s search for a new queen. When his temper tantrum ends and he’s no longer angry at women, the personal attendants advise the King to seek a new wife. Beautiful young women are given 12 months of beauty treatments and then sent to the King for sampling. As I read this I thought of the Bachelor reality show where women compete on dates to win a red rose.
Once Esther is given her beauty treatments, she must pass the test of winning favor with the King. She must overcome her own negative reactions and fears. She must seek a positive outcome by following the advice of Mordecai and the leader of the king’s harem. Young Esther demonstrates submission and restraint in extreme circumstances.
After her night of testing with the King, she will will either become his wife or concubine. A concubine is a woman in an ongoing, marriage-like relationship with a man whom she cannot be married to for a specific reason.
God’s sexual standard outside of marriage is virginity, an extremely valuable gift from Him that you can only give away once and never get back again. (Pastor Tony Evans)
Every young woman who failed to please the King lost her valuable gift. Not only that, she now lost the opportunity to be a bride to another man and instead became a member of the royal harem. We don’t know how many girls went through King Xeres job interview…though we do know it took more than a year.
The King favored Esther and she was selected as the Queen. She gained a title, a crown, a husband and even a holiday celebration in her honor.
It’s clear that during her 12 months of beauty treatments, Esther learned how to please the King. Some historical records indicate in this time of Persia history, Royal women owned land and estates.They employed their own workforce and administrative officials were assigned to them.
Beth Moore suggests the King loved Esther so much, he was smitten with her! We wonder why Esther found favor and love with the King, when others did not. Queen Vashti left a stronghold of bitterness in the King’s heart, and Esther broke down his walls.
Mordecai enters this weeks lesson when he saves the King from assassins, and the King neglects his duty to show favor and acknowledge his life being saved. Are there times in your life when you were not acknowledged for a significant event? Keep this in mind as you read chapter three next week.
Assignment For The Week
- Read Week Three in your workbook.
- If you’re using the video or audios for this study, watch Session Two
- Join a small group this week- by Zoom phone/video or on Facebook.
Related Articles for Esther Online Bible Study
Esther Bible Study Introduction
Redeemed by Christ. Lifetime Bible reader. Coffee drinker. Mother of girls. Caretaker of rescue dog. Beach walker. Mentoring Women Through Online Bible Study & Devotions. Online Bible Studies. Online Book Club. Christian Leadership Coaching. Founder of Bible Cafe™ Ministries. Blogger at ChristineAbraham.org
1. I’m sure that all of these ladies were scared, excited, tried to out-do each other. Many of them were not “royal” blood, so there was a lot of controversy over picking a commoner.
2. Mordecai knew very well not to parade the fact that Esther was Jewish. He knew that they were not a favored race with these people.
3. Esther had the kind of heart that drew people to her. It was just innate–God given.
4. Oh my, anything that has to do with my children or Lord, help me… my grandchildren!
1. I really couldnt see the positive in gathering the women for the King. Its like we are just a piece of meat. Also 12 months of beauty going on. Good grief!!! I sought of want to see how these women looked behind all of that. LOL
2. Persia was a little prejudice towards the jews.
3. God’s favor will do that for you! Also she was people friendly.
4. To be honest, when my mother was in the hospital. I felt like the nurses and some doctors are there to do a job, but dont get too cute about it! So conflict arose from I know you can help my mom, but you’re not doing whatever to her either. Very protective at that time!
hi tryed to answer last weeks and it would not let me so im glad i get to this week positive is the attention for the pretty girls and getting to be queen the bad is it makes the not so pretty feel bad they did not want anyone to know she was jewish because she would not be considered and maybe killed think she was liked not only for being pretty but she had people skills and god was with her. i feel protective all the time over the guy i love even thou he doesent feel the same
What might be some positive/negative reactions to the gathering of the beauty contestants as the King searched for new queen?
I just think back to any movie I have watched about beauty contests. Everyone is out for the same title. I can’t image any positives out of it. There has to be fights and jealously.
Why do you think Mordecai kept Esther’s heritage a secret?
In case Esther may be overlook or banned for her nationality.
Why do you think Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her?
She had to have been very beautiful. Sounds like wise too.
When is the last time you felt conflicting emotions of protectiveness and pride over someone you love, as Mordecai felt for Esther?
Having never had children I would think this type of emotion is a parent to child emotion.
1.What might be some positive/negative reactions to the gathering of the beauty contestants as the King searched for new queen? This reminded me of modern day TV show the Bachelorette. All these women gather together in this mansion, to primp, fluff, over compensate and cat fight all for the sake of a husband.
2.Why do you think Mordecai kept Esther’s heritage a secret?
At this time I believe the Jews were not the favored group of people in Persia.
I couldn’t figure out how is it that Mordecai was able to stake out a position at the fence to determine if Esther was ok. But as we continued to read Beth informed us he has a job at the gate. I’m so glad she shared that.
I would also like to have been a fly on the wall to hear Esther tell the King about this assassination attempt on his life, here we have a queen who is looking out for her King and Queen Vashti who ignored his beck and call
Bachelorette…LMBO…too cute and yet so true.