Tag: bsf exile &amp; return lesson 15

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 4: Esther 9:20-32

December 3, 2025November 13, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Esther 9:20-32

Due to these events, Purim was established (named after the casting of lots, pur, for the Jews’ destruction), a time to remember these two days of the Jews defeating their enemies.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 4: Esther 9:20-32

9) A festival to remember the two days the Jews defeated their enemies. The Festival of Purim commemorates the “great reversal” of the Jews’ fate. It celebrates their deliverance from Haman’s genocidal plot, which was determined by a “pur” (lot). It marks the time their designated day of destruction was transformed into a day of victory, turning their sorrow into joy.

10a) Because God is near, and He wants us to be happy. And, we have Jesus! What is there NOT to be grateful for?! Believers should rejoice always (Phil 4:4) because their joy isn’t based on fleeting circumstances, but on the unchanging reality that “the Lord is near” (Phil 4:5). It is an act of faith and God’s will (1 Thess 5:18), rooted in gratitude and trust, not in feelings.

b) Gosh, this is a loaded question! Everything to put it simply. God is good, omniscient, omnipotent, and in control. His love wraps me. And He is responsible for everything in my life. And, I get to be with Him forever! What joy! Joy comes from knowing God is sovereign, present (“the Lord is near”), and always working for our good, even when hidden. Our salvation is secure, our sins are forgiven, and He promises to turn our greatest sorrows into joy and grant us eternal life.

11a) It gives me courage to keep fighting the good fight when all I want to do is give up. Remembering God’s past faithfulness builds our trust for future challenges. It gives us a bank of evidence to draw from, proving His character and reliability. This strengthens our faith, reduces fear, and provides hope when we face uncertainty.

b) God’s ways, will, and purpose always prevail. The core truth many people want their loved ones to remember is that God loves them unconditionally and He is always faithful. No matter what challenges they face or mistakes they make, He is always present, He will never leave them, and His goodness can always be trusted.

Because that truth is the ultimate anchor in life.

People want their loved ones to grasp this because it’s the foundation for:

Security: Knowing God’s love is unconditional gives a person unshakeable worth that isn’t dependent on their performance, success, or what others think of them.
Resilience: Believing God is faithful and present provides profound comfort and hope during failure, fear, and suffering. It’s the conviction that they are never truly alone.

Ultimately, it’s the one truth that can provide deep peace and a solid foundation, no matter what life brings.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 4: Esther 9:20-32

I love how the Jews turned a day that was to be their end into triumph, victory, and celebration! How amazing!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 4: Esther 9:20-32

Remembering what God does for us is so important.

Today, Purim is a joyous, carnival-like holiday. Jews celebrate by reading the Megillah (Scroll of Esther), wearing costumes, and making noise at Haman’s name. The celebration includes a festive meal, sending food gifts to friends (Mishloach Manot), and giving charity to the poor.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Esther 9:20-32 documents the official establishment of the Festival of Purim as a permanent, annual celebration.

Interpretation

Following the Jews’ victory, Mordecai writes letters to all 127 provinces, instructing the Jews to celebrate the 14th and 15th days of Adar every year. This new festival, named Purim (after the “pur,” or lot, that Haman cast), was to commemorate the great reversal: the time their sorrow was turned to joy and their mourning into a celebration.

The passage emphasizes that this was a time for feasting, joy, sending gifts to one another, and giving presents to the poor.

The section concludes by noting that Queen Esther confirmed the institution of Purim with a second letter, giving it her full royal authority and making its observance a permanent, binding tradition for all future generations of Jews.

Conclusion

This passage formalizes the story’s triumphant ending. It shows the Jewish leaders, Mordecai and Esther, ensuring that God’s hidden providence and their miraculous deliverance would never be forgotten. They deliberately transformed a date chosen for their destruction into a permanent, joyful festival, enshrining the themes of reversal, deliverance, and communal celebration into their national identity.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 3: Esther 9:1-19

December 2, 2025November 13, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Esther 9:1-19

The enemies of the Jews did not attack, afraid of the power of Mordecai. The Jews struck down their enemies in the kingdom and Esther asked for a second day in order to ensure the threat was put down for good. The Jews never took plunder, as this was a fight for survival, not for riches.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 3: Esther 9:1-19

6) The enemies of the Jews did not attack, afraid of the power of Mordecai.

7a) By “gathering themselves together” across all 127 provinces, they presented a powerful, coordinated defense. Instead of being isolated victims, their shared purpose allowed them to act as a single, overwhelming force, ensuring their collective survival and victory.

b) Unity is vital because, as Jesus warned, “a house divided… will not stand” (Matt 12:25). Division renders the church ineffective. Therefore, believers are called to be “perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Cor 1:10), ensuring a strong, collective witness and preventing their mission from failing.

c) The killing troubles me, some of it probably egregious (like Haman’s 10 sons), but in light of ancient times, this was what was needed in order to ensure the safety of God’s people.

8 ) I would say a spiritual victory in general over Satan’s lies in my life.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 3: Esther 9:1-19

Killing and war can be hard to read about and digest, but everything God does has a purpose. Here, the purpose is preserving His people.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 3: Esther 9:1-19

When God is on your side, no one can defeat you.

Total victory was a must, which explains Esther’s day 2 request.

Since Haman’s sons were descendants of the Amalekites, they needed to be destroyed (1 Samuel 15:2-3), so Esther is just finishing what Saul himself failed to do.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Esther 9:1-19 details the violent climax of the story, where the great reversal is finally and physically carried out.

Interpretation

The Reversal Executed (vv. 1-5): On the 13th day of Adar, the day Haman had chosen for the Jews’ annihilation, “the opposite occurred.” Empowered by Mordecai’s counter-decree, the Jews assembled and “gained mastery over those who hated them.” Fear of Mordecai was so great that Persian officials actually helped the Jews.
The Battle and Esther’s Request (vv. 6-15): The Jews defended themselves, killing their enemies, including the ten sons of Haman in the capital city of Susa. When the king reported this to Esther, she made a grim but strategic request: for the Jews in Susa to have a second day to root out their enemies and for Haman’s ten sons to be publicly hanged. This request, which the king granted, demonstrated a ruthless commitment to removing the threat completely from the heart of the empire.
A Principled Victory (vv. 10, 15-16): The text critically repeats that in all the fighting, the Jews “did not lay a hand on the plunder.” This was a crucial moral point, proving their motive was self-preservation and justice, not the selfish greed that had characterized Haman.
The Origin of the Celebration (vv. 17-19): The fighting was followed by celebration. The Jews in the provinces, who fought for one day (the 13th), feasted and celebrated on the 14th. The Jews in Susa, who fought for two days (13th and 14th), celebrated on the 15th.

Conclusion

This passage is the story’s necessary and violent resolution. It shows the Jewish people, with God’s providential and the king’s political backing, completely turning the tables on their enemies. The hanging of Haman’s sons and the refusal to take plunder finalized the just end of Haman’s plot, transforming a day of decreed genocide into a decisive, celebrated victory.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 2: Esther 8

December 1, 2025November 13, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Esther 8

The king gave Esther the estate of Haman. Mordecai was appointed over Esther’s new estate. King Xerxes overturned the edict by Haman and granted the Jews 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. The Jews everywhere celebrated.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 2: Esther 8

3) Esther and Mordecai gained riches. Queen Esther gained Haman’s estate. Mordecai got Haman’s ring and former position. He was appointed over Esther’s estate.

4a) Esther fell at the king’s feet, weeping. She begged for the plan of Haman to kill the Jews to be reversed.

b) Esther approached the king with humility and asked for what she wanted with no fear to her own self. She put the community first.

c) Good question. Unsure, honestly. In general, others less fortunate.

5a) The king gave Mordecai full authority to write an edict, so he gave the Jews the power to defend themselves.

b) They responded cause they weren’t going to be killed! People of other nationalities converted to Judaism out of fear of the Jews’ new power.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 2: Esther 8

Great lesson on how God works behind the scenes to ensure the survival of His people.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 2: Esther 8

It’s important to note that the decree from the king could not be revoked, so he just allowed Mordecai to issue a different one.

The other people saw God working through what happened with the Jews. This is a powerful testimony to convert. They saw how God loved His people, and they wanted the same thing.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Esther 8 describes the immediate reversal of fortunes for the Jewish people, moving them from a death sentence to a position of royal favor and empowerment.

Interpretation

Mordecai’s Exaltation: The chapter opens with Haman’s estate being given to Esther, who in turn appoints Mordecai to manage it. The king promotes Mordecai, giving him his own signet ring—the very symbol of power Haman once held. Mordecai’s rise from the gate to the palace is now complete.
Esther’s New Plea: Despite this personal victory, the genocidal decree against her people is still in effect. Esther makes a second, deeply emotional plea to the king, weeping at his feet. She begs him to revoke Haman’s evil plan.
The Counter-Decree: The king explains that a Persian law cannot be revoked. Instead, he gives Esther and Mordecai his signet ring and full authority to write a new decree to counteract the old one.
A New Law: Mordecai writes a royal edict, dispatching it by swift couriers to all 127 provinces. This new law grants the Jews the right to assemble, protect themselves, and destroy any armed force that might attack them on the 13th day of Adar. It effectively turns their day of execution into a day of self-defense.

Conclusion

Esther 8 is the story’s great reversal in action. It details the transfer of Haman’s power to Mordecai and, more importantly, the creation of the counter-decree that legally empowers the Jews to fight for their lives. This chapter shifts the narrative from one of looming genocide to one of authorized deliverance, setting the stage for the Jewish people’s victory.

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