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Weekly Guide：2022-2023 Week 96
November 05, 2023
2022-2023 Week 96 Day 1: Selected as Queen ⇧ ⇩
Question
How was Esther selected as queen?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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In the third year of King Xerxes reign in the citadel of Susa, he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials.
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When the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.
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Vashti was removed from her position as queen.
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Xerxes searched for beautiful young virgins and Esther was taken to the king’s palace.
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Esther was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence and the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, so he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - If Vashti did not disobey the king’s command, would the Israelite be saved in later day? God’s mind is higher than our own. Am I willing to see God’s work in everything I encounter?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
2022-2023 Week 96 Day 2: Threat of Annihilation ⇧ ⇩
Question
How did the possibility of annihilation come about to the Jews?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Mordecai reported the conspiracy of two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.
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Because Mordecai would not kneel down or pay honor to Haman, he was enraged and looked for a way to destroy all Jews.
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Haman advised King Xerxes to issue a decree to destroy all Jews while he would give ten thousand talents of silver to the king. The king said to Haman to do with the people as he pleased.
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They wrote out commands in the name of King Xerxes to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, and to plunder their goods.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Mordecai insisted on not kneeling down to Haman, upholding his principle and not to subjugate himself to the social norm. What struggle did Mordecai experience? Can I not submit myself to the society for the truth?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
2022-2023 Week 96 Day 3: Prepare and Plead ⇧ ⇩
Question
Who could change the fate of the Jews?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Mordecai tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, wailing loudly and bitterly.
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Mordecai instructed Esther to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.
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Esther asked all the Jews: “To fast for three days. When this is done, I would go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
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When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand.
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Haman set up a pole in preparation to kill Mordecai.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - Mordecai asked Esther to risk her life to help him. Why didn’t he ask God to help? How does God prepare us for the struggles we face today with questions like this?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
2022-2023 Week 96 Day 4: A Miraculous Rescue ⇧ ⇩
Question
How was the Jews rescued by miracles?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Through chronicle, the King learned of Mordecai’s honor and recognition he did not receive.
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The king ordered Haman to robe Mordecai, lead him on the horse through the city streets, and proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”
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The king asked Esther what her petition and request were. Esther asked the king to save the Jews.
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The king impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Haman conspired to kill Mordecai but ended up in giving him the honor and recognition. What do I think about this surprising outcome? How should I view God’s control of my life?
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Identity - Esther did not speak for the Jews immediately but waited for the next day when the king asked her. How would the outcome be different if she had done otherwise? Am I willing to wait for God’s timing?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
2022-2023 Week 96 Day 5: A Great Honor ⇧ ⇩
Question
What great honor did Mordecai get?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman. Esther appointed Mordecai over Haman’s estate.
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Esther asked the king to overrule the dispatches that Haman had sent out. The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies.
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The city of Susa held a joyous celebration for Mordecai.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - The thirteenth day of the month of Adar turned from a day of annihilation into a day of retribution. How do I view suffering under God’s control?
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Fidelity - For the welfare of the Jews, Esther and Mordecai were not satisfied with honor, recognition, and Haman’s execution. Am I willing to other’s needs above mine and seek each other’s blessings?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
2022-2023 Week 96 Day 6: Sorrow turned Joy ⇧ ⇩
Question
How did the Jews kill and destroy those who hated them?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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On the thirteenth day of the Adar month, the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them. In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman.
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Mordecai wrote to the Jews to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, their sorrow turned into joy and their mourning into celebration. The days are as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
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Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - The Jews assembled and fought together to turn sorrow into joy. God’s protection is in His miraculous plan but we also need to do our part and work together to fend off our enemies. Are we still lacking in any area of our defense? How may I pray for it?