Esther 1-3

“The Needs of the Congo Mission”• “The need is great here.

We have no one to work in the northern province of Gabon in the central Congo. And it is my prayer as I write this article that God will lay His hand on one--one on whom, already, the Master's eyes have been cast—that he or she shall be called to this place to help us.”

• “My search is over” – Albert Schweitzer

Esther 1-3

Providence:• Joseph• Jochebed• Rahab• Ruth

Esther 1-3

Xerxes I (485-464 BC

Esther 1-3

Persian EmpireShush

an

Esther 1-3

NIV ~ By the king's command each guest was allowed to drink in his own way, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.

NLT ~ The only restriction on the drinking was that no one should be compelled to take more than he wanted. But those who wished could have as much as they pleased, for the king had instructed his staff to let everyone decide this matter for himself.

Esther 1-3

All wives will honor ~ first letters form acrostic in Hebrew – YHWH

Esther 1-3

Persian Empire

Thermopylae

Shushan

Salamis

Esther 1-3

480

482

484

472

474

478

476

486

Xerxes crowned king (486

BC)

Greeks defeat

Xerxes at Salamis (480

BC)

Greeks defeat Xerxes at

Thermopylae (479 BC)

Esther becomes

queen(478 BC)

Esther saves Jews from

destruction(474 BC)

Feast of Purim

instituted(473 BC)

Vashti deposed as

queen(478 BC)

Esther 1-3

Shimei…Kish ~ possibly King Saul's descendant

• The name Kish is in italics• KJV, NIV, NASB ~ Who• NLT ~ His family

Esther 1-3

Hadassah ~ Myrtle• Esther ~ Star

• Ashtaroth ~ Canaanites• Ashtoreth ~ Phoenicians• Astarte ~ Greeks and Romans• Ishtar ~ Babylonians

Esther 1-3

Lovely and beautiful ~ from four different Hebrew words: fair, form, good and appearance

Esther 1-3

Favor ~ checed – usually found in reference to God’s mercy and lovingkindness

Esther 1-3

Agagite ~ possibly a descendant of Agag, the Amalekite king Saul was told to slay (1 Sam. 15)

Esther 1-3

1st month, Nisan ~ March-April12th month, Adar ~ February-March

Esther 1-3

Prov. 6 ~ 16 These six things the Lord hates,Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:17     A proud look,A lying tongue,Hands that shed innocent blood,18     A heart that devises wicked plans,Feet that are swift in running to evil,19     A false witness who speaks lies,And one who sows discord among brethren.