![]() Their wishes or their family’s wishes were not relevant. It was the king’s edict and he was the most powerful man in their world. ![]() She was selected by the officials who had direct authority from the king. ![]() She is described as being a “young woman” with a “lovely figure.” The search was made for “beautiful young virgins.” (Esther 2:2)Īs a young woman in that culture, she did not have a choice about the matter. Nothing is written about her occupation prior to selection into the king’s harem. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. It is likely that the royal feasts recorded in chapter one were intended to promote confidence in the government for this war effort.Įsther 2:7 – Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. First, for Esther’s wedding with Ahasuerus (Xerxes) and then later for the Susa Weddings, where Alexander the Great married 10,000 Macedonians and Persians in a grand ceremony intended to unite the two civilizations.Īhasuerus was ambitious and planned a full scale campaign against Greece. Interestingly, it is famous for weddings. Eventually the city was conquered by Alexander the Great. Later Darius the Great built a magnificent palace there that was added to by his successors. This was made the capital city of the Persian Empire by Cambyses II. Many Jewish families fared quite well in their new homes.Įsther 2:5-6 – Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah.Įsther lived in Susa. At the same time, life in Persia would have afforded her family certain opportunities and stability that they would not have had returning to Judah. Jews have faced racial persecution for millennia. It could indicate some level of success or contentment for her family in Persia.Īs Jews living abroad, they would have faced some level of intermittent persecution as they do in this book. Notably, her family had chosen not to return when others did. They had made new homes and new lives away from Judah. Thus Esther’s family was living as part of the Jewish diaspora. It is unknown if Mordecai had a family of his own, but he did adopt Esther, his cousin, as his own daughter when her parents died and left her an orphan. Going farther back, Mordecai was descended from the family of Kish, a family name that can be traced all the way back to Saul’s father. After Babylon fell to the Persians these Jews moved to various parts of the kingdom. Mordecai’s great-grandfather was one of the original Jews who were deported to Babylon four generations before. But it was before the second return under Ezra in 457 B.C. This was 50-60 years after many of the Jews had returned to Judah under Zerubabbel in 538 BC. So Mordecai, her cousin, became her guardian. Pick up your copy today by clicking the Buy Now button.Meaning of name: Hadassah means “myrtle” and Esther means “star.”Īncestry and family life: Esther was an orphan from the tribe of Benjamin. Using the King James Version of the Bible for the related Scripture verses, this series of KJV devotionals for women are an excellent resource for personal Bible study or even small groups. For anyone searching for Bible understanding made easy, or for resources to help with spiritual growth for women, look no further than the Faith Series devotionals. ![]() This daily devotional Bible study takes the reader through the entire fascinating book of Esther in thirty days. Looking for a book of Esther Bible study for women? Esther’s Faith is the second book in the Faith Series Bible study devotionals. You'll never look at life the same way again. If you are looking for a Bible study using the King James Version of the Bible to learn God's Word, to deepen your knowledge of Him, and to apply practical life lessons from the woman whose faith and bravery brought deliverance to God's chosen people, then this book is written for you. Apply the lessons learned from her choices and actions to move into a deeper understanding of faith and how it relates to your life and calling in God.Įach day of this 30-day Bible study devotional for women includes Mary Jane Humes pulls you into the story of a woman whose faith and bravery saved all future generations of her people. Learn from the woman who saved a nation.The story of Esther-orphan, woman of faith, intercessor, and queen-can inspire us all to live out God's plan for our lives, and to leave legacies that will never be forgotten.In Esther's Faith, an in-depth Bible study devotional of the Book of Esther, Learn How Queen Esther Helps You Become God's Favorite Too!
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