Tag: bsf lesson 13 day 3

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 13, Day 3: Esther 1:10-22

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

Summary of Esther 1:10-22

Drunk, King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti to display her beauty before the people, but she refused. Enraged, the king consulted his advisors. Fearing widespread domestic disobedience, they issued a royal decree banishing Vashti and commanding all wives throughout the empire to honor their husbands. He is to give her royal position to someone else who is better. The royal decree was issued, proclaiming that every man shall be ruler over his own household.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 13, Day 3: Esther 1:10-22

6) King Xerxes commanded the Queen to come to him, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles.

7) She wanted to be seen as more powerful than the king. She just wanted to say no to see what would happen. She didn’t feel like coming and being an object. Vashti likely refused to protect her royal dignity and personal modesty. The king was drunk, and his command to parade her “beauty” before his drunken guests was a demeaning objectification. It violated Persian customs that secluded royal women and reduced her from a queen to a spectacle.

8a) King Xerxes issued a royal decree, proclaiming that every man shall be ruler over his own household, and the Queen must never again enter Xerxes’ presence.

b) Xerxes’ ungodly authority was self-serving, impulsive, and insecure. Driven by pride and rage, he used force to objectify Vashti and demand respect. In contrast, godly authority is service-oriented, self-controlled, and humble, seeking to honor others and earning respect through wisdom and love, not threats.

9) Many times. You have to do what is right, or you can’t live with yourself. Oftentimes, it resulted in shunning or isolation. But God never leaves me!

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 13, Day 3: Esther 1:10-22

I love how we see the shallowness of the King here and how easily he can be persuaded. No wonder the Persian Empire was obliterated from the Earth.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 13, Day 3: Esther 1:10-22

Bible scholars argue that there was most likely an argument at the table and a debate about who had the most beautiful wife, so the King decided to lay the matter to rest.  She may have been expected to be immodest here, too.

Note that wives are to submit to their husbands, but not obey if it causes her to sin. God’s commands come before men’s.

The King was foolish here to back his advisors and not his queen.

A wife’s respect is the most precious gift she can give her husband. Xerxes here tried to demand respect; it should be a gift.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

This passage details a crisis of power in the Persian court. When a drunken King Ahasuerus commands Queen Vashti to be paraded as an object to display her beauty, she refuses, publicly humiliating him.

This act of defiance is not treated as a private marital dispute but as a political threat. The king’s advisors, led by Memucan, spin the event, fearing it will inspire widespread rebellion from all wives in the empire. Their solution is a legal one: banish Vashti and issue an absurd royal decree, sent to all 127 provinces, commanding that every man must be “master in his own household.”

Conclusion

This episode exposes the fragility of the king’s supposedly absolute power. His authority, built on lavish displays, is shown to be hollow, easily threatened by a single act of defiance. The over-the-top, foolish decree reveals a court that is insecure and farcical. Most importantly, Vashti’s removal, born from a drunken whim and political panic, creates the very power vacuum that God will providentially use to elevate Esther to the throne.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 13, Day 2: Esther 1:1-9

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

Summary of Esther 1:1-9

King Xerxes gave a banquet for his nobles and officials in the 3rd year of his reign. Then he gave a feast for the citizens. Each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions. Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for all the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 13, Day 2: Esther 1:1-9

3) Xerxes ruled the kingdom of Persia. He ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush (the upper Nile region of Egypt).

4a) Lavish to say the least. For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. The king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa. The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality. By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.

b) To display his wealth and power for all to see so that no one would challenge him. Xerxes’ 180-day feast was likely a strategic war council, not just a party. He gathered leaders to plan his invasion of Greece, securing their loyalty and resources. It was also a massive propaganda display—showing his immense wealth and power to intimidate rivals and satisfy his own ego.

5a) Many define success as having wealth. Many like to display this wealth for all to see. However, others don’t. Many define success by their family. Our culture often defines success by financial wealth, career status, and material possessions. This success is then externally validated through public recognition, fame, and social media influence, which are often equated with personal worth and achievement.

b) I think we are all tempted at some point because it is so predominant in our culture. However, God is my lynch pin.

c) Doing His will. Helping others. Putting others first. Raising my family. Spreading His light unto the world.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 13, Day 2: Esther 1:1-9

It must have been insane to have seen such parties back in the day!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 13, Day 2: Esther 1:1-9

Esther is a historical book of the Bible. It features King Xerxes of Persia, who was the son of Darius I of Persia around 483 BC. Xerxes was planning to invade Greece (which would fail). It takes place in the middle of the book of Ezra, between chapters 6 and 7. This takes place before the second wave of exiles return to Jerusalem under King Artaxerxes, who may have been her son or step-son.

Persia was the largest empire that most people had seen, covering most of the Middle East and into Egypt and Asia. The Jewish people were dispersed all throughout the Persian Empire, but they maintained their separation, culture, and identity with God. Hence, they were persecuted and discriminated against, which is why Esther concealed her identity to the King. She rose to power so God could use her to save His people. God is always in control!

There are 3 feasts here:

  1. One for his government officials and servants that lasted 180 days. The reason for this was to show off the glory and riches of his kingdom.
  2. The 2nd feast was for the citizens of the capital city of Susa. The reason for this was most likely pride and to show off his wealth and prestige, as well as his generosity
  3. The 3rd feast was for the women of the royal palace, hosted by Queen Vashti.

map of Persian Empire under Xerxes 1 in the book of Esther bsf exile and return www.atozmomm.com

map of Susa
Courtesy of Wikipedia

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Esther 1:1-9 sets the stage by establishing the immense power, wealth, and extravagance of the Persian Empire under King Ahasuerus (Xerxes). The narrative emphasizes the vastness of his kingdom (127 provinces) and, most notably, the opulent, 180-day feast thrown purely to display his “glorious kingdom” and “splendor.” This is followed by another lavish, seven-day banquet for all the people in the capital.

The detailed descriptions of luxurious decorations, free-flowing wine, and separate feasts (including Queen Vashti’s for the women) paint a picture of a court defined by excess, self-indulgence, and a focus on outward appearances.

Conclusion

This opening passage meticulously establishes a world dominated by seemingly absolute human power and worldly splendor. It portrays a culture of excess and arbitrary rule, creating the perfect backdrop for the story that follows. This seemingly secure pagan court, governed by the whims of a prideful king, is the unlikely setting where the hidden, sovereign hand of God will work to protect His people.

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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 13, Day 3: Revelation 7:1-8

by atozmom, posted in BSF Revelation: The Hope 2024/2025

Summary of Revelation 7:1-8

John saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. He saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given the power to harm the land and the sea: “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”

144,000 from all the tribes of Israel were sealed: Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher,  Naphtali,  Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 13, Day 3: Revelation 7:1-8

5) The second angel had the seal of the living God. The seal will protect believers (those with the Holy Spirit and believers in Christ as Savior) from God’s judgment.

6) Judah is mentioned first. David and ultimately Jesus is most prominent. Judah may be mentioned first because Jesus comes from the line of David/Judah.

7) I know I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, the redeemer from my sins, into my heart. That is all that is required to be sealed in salvation and chosen to be God’s children.

8 ) I think I have a clearer idea of salvation. I can articulate it better and explain salvation to others better. I think this makes me more effective in my walk with God, too. I can become closer to Him the more I understand.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 13, Day 3: Revelation 7:1-8

Love, love, love God’s care, love, and forethought! God does not miss anything. He sees everything!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 13, Day 3: Revelation 7:1-8

Winds are often a force of judgment in the Bible.

God often used seals to mark his people Ezekiel 9:4. Kings used seals for royal decrees and orders. Hence, they are always to be obeyed.

We’ll see in (Revelation 14:1) that the seal is some form of God’s name.

The 144,000 is divided equally with 12,000 being from each tribe.

Note that the tribe of Dan and Ephraim is left out. Here, we see Levi (as the tribe of the priests, they received no land so they were normally left out of things), and Joseph (Ephraim’s father) instead. Bible scholars disagree on why this is the case. Some think this is because Dan may be the tribe of the Anti-Christ based on these passages. Daniel 11:37 and Jeremiah 8:16.  Dan and Ephraim were also the tribe that introduced idolatry into the nation of Israel (Genesis 49:17; Judges 18:30, (Hosea 4:17). And, some Bible scholars believe the tribe of Ephraim is indirectly implied through Joseph, so they are in fact listed.

But, Dan is the first tribe listed in Ezekiel’s millennial roll call of the tribes (Ezekiel 48). So, who knows? God has His reasons, doesn’t He?

All that being said, is the 144,000 symbolic or the actual number? Many believe that this number represents the entire church. Or, as Jewish people brought through the tribulation.

The fact is, only God knows, and He wants to keep it that way or He would have explicitly told us. We’ll all find out when we get to the other side of heaven!

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 3: John 9:13-23

by atozmom, posted in BSF John's Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

SUMMARY OF JOHN 9:13-23

The blind man was brought before the Pharisees. The Pharisees cared because the blind man was healed on the Sabbath, which was against their laws. The parents vouched for the man’s blindness.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 3: John 9:13-23

6) The Pharisees only want to try to catch Jesus doing something wrong or breaking the law, so they can try and kill him. They care nothing for who he has helped.

7a) With trepidation, for he was scared. He said as little as possible and stuck to the facts.

b) They said to ask their son. How would they know what happened? They were afraid of the Jewish leaders, too, and did not want to be throw in jail or excommunicated.

8 ) Unsure. Never explicitly, I don’t think. God is good; that is my mantra.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 3: John 9:13-23

It’s sad how the Pharisees, those who are supposed to be the most educated amongst the Jews, are so bent on trying to catch Jesus doing something wrong. It just goes to show you how power and influence can corrupt.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 3: John 9:13-23

Jesus did not line up with the Pharisees’ belief of what a religious person did.

Jesus divided people then and now.

The religious leaders did not want to believe the man, which is why they called in his parents.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 13, Day 3: Amos 3-6

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF AMOS 3

More pronouncements of judgment against Israel and how they will be punished for their sins. An enemy will overrun Israel, and the foreign altars will be destroyed. But a remnant would be preserved.

SUMMARY OF AMOS 4

Israel has been warned, yet they still continue to sin.

SUMMARY OF AMOS 5

God warns his people to seek him and live or they will perish.

SUMMARY OF AMOS 6

God warns those who are complacent and says they will among the first to go into exile. The cries against the pride of Israel. He says a nation will oppress them as punishment.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 13, Day 3: Amos 3-6

5a) The Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to the prophets. God has spoken just like the lion has roared, the bird has swooped, and the trumpets have sounded. Disasters the Lord has caused.

b) Because the people have sinned and turned away from God, God sent prophets to warn his people of his judgment if they don’t turn back to him. Israel needs to turn back or they will be judged.

6) The sins are how Israel does not do right and they plunder and they loot. The consequences are that an enemy will overrun the land and plunder them. The Israelites living in Samaria will be rescued. The altars of Bethel and houses will be destroyed when Israel is punished for her sins. The women will be taken away and cast out. God punished them periodically such as with little rain and food, but still they did not return to him. God sent plagues and killed young men with no one returning to him.

7a) “Yet you have not returned to me.” Amos 4:6; 8; 9; 10; 11  God gives his people chances to repent before he judges them.

b) Any type of calamity, whether a natural disaster or a personal disaster.

8 )

4:12: “Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, Israel, prepare to meet your God.” If you sin, you will suffer the consequences.

5:4: “Seek me and live.” God is a God of second chances. He gives life to those who seek him.

5:14: “Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.” Be good, and God will be with you.

5:15: “Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.” Do good, and the Lord will have mercy.

9)

5:18: “Woe to those who long for the day of the Lord.” You should live each day as if the day of the Lord is here, but most of us don’t because the day of the Lord brings judgment, so we should be prepared.

6:1: “Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come.” This is an indulgent ease for comfort and luxury. It is easy to get comfortable and complacent in life, but we must always be seeking God and His ways.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 13, Day 3: Amos 3-6

Long reading with lots of warnings here. At the end of the day, God just wants us to choose Him.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 13, Day 3: Amos 3-6

Amos 3: Israel rejected God despite the privileges they had of being with him. Thus, God enacts judgment.

God revealed to the prophets the judgment so people would turn to him. Israel would be overrun by Assyria in less than 30 years after Amos prophesied.

Amos 4: Bashan was known for its cattle.

Women of Israel indulged, so God would judge them. Their sacrifices were in vain. God would judge by withholding rain. He would send a plague. They would meet him.

Amos 5: God invites his people to seek him once again. He will save, but he will also judge.

Because they treated each other terribly, they would be judged. There would be wailing and woe on judgment day. Their sins would end in captivity.

Amos 6: Those who are comfortable should take heart as woe is coming. Those who are high-standing will be brought low. Israel will be destroyed.

Israel is too full of pride and injustice.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 13, Day 3: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 13:1-9

Jesus was sitting by the lake (Sea of Galilee), but the crowds were so big that he got into a boat so the people could see and hear him better. He told the parable of sower. Some of the seeds that the farmer scattered fell on rocky places. They sprang up quickly, but because the soil was shallow, they withered due to a lack of root. Other seeds fell among thorns, which choked the plant. Other seeds fell on good soil where it produced a good crop.

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 13:18-23

Jesus explains the meaning of the parable of the sower. When people hear the message about the kingdom of God and do not understand it, the evil one takes away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed along the path.  The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places hears the Word and receives it with joy. But he falls away when trouble arises because he has no root. The seed in the thorns is the man who hears the word, but is unfruitful because of his worries and deceitfulness of wealth.  The one who received the seed on good soil hears the Word and understands it. He produces a good crop.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 13, Day 3: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

6) He uses temptation, deceit, greed, and all the other sins to snatch us away.

7) It can be easy to focus on your problems, rather than your blessings.

8 ) John 15:5 reminds us that if you are close to Jesus, you’ll bear much fruit. When you stray, you can do nothing. Philippians 2:12-13 reminds us that God works in you for His good purpose. We all have our seasons of when we are following God’s will closely and when we stray. I think this is why our fruit can vary. God gives us all different gifts and opportunities to grow with Him. The difference in fruit lies in your obedience to these gifts and opportunities given.

9) We all need strong roots so that we won’t be tempted by the devil. If we have strong roots and are faithful, we’ll bear good fruit for the evil one will not be able to snatch us away.

10) The soil of my heart is a yearning for God and His will. I know because He is with me always, and I strive to follow Him and His path.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 13, Day 3: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

More of a personal day, but an encouraging one. We will bear fruit if we follow Jesus and God. No one says it’s easy, but it will pay off.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 13, Day 3: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

MATTHEW 13:1-9

The boat gave Jesus a platform to speak from (Mark 4:1).

Parables are meant to teach one main principle to those listening. They made the idea easier to remember, and it stayed longer with the people.

Jesus spoke to things the people would understand. Everyone understood farming.

The seeds fell on four places:

  1. Next to the path — this was where many people walked and thus the seeds would be trampled and not grow.
  2. In rocky places — characterized by thin soil as we are told
  3. Amongst thorns — fertile ground, but with hazards
  4. On good soil — fertile and free of other plants growing

Jesus uses “he who has ears, let him hear.” to call attention to his words.

MATTHEW 13:18-23

Each soil type represents one of four ways that we respond to Jesus:

  1. Next to the path — those who hear God’s Word, but are unaffected. Their hearts are hardened, so they have no real understanding of what they are hearing. You must understand God’s Word before you can take action.
  2. In rocky places — those who are super excited when they first hear God’s Word, but then their excitement quickly fades and they fade away, too when times get rough
  3. Amongst thorns — those who grow with God for a while, but then are taken down by the evil one, temptations, worries, and deceitfulness of wealth
  4. On good soil — those that hear God’s Word and stick it through, bearing fruit along the way

What the Parable of the Sower Means to Us

We all go through the different types of soil in our lives — times where our faith wanes or where we are on fire for God. However, what matters in the end is that we strive to be the good soil and bear fruit in all that we do.

It can be helpful to ask yourself which soil are you and what can you change to become the good soil.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 13, Day 3: Genesis 14:13-16

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  One escaped and told Abram his nephew had been captured. Abram, who was allied with his neighbors, called out all 318 trained men to go with him to rescue Lot.  Abram launched a night attack near the city of Dan, routed them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.  Abram recovered all the stolen goods, women, and others, and rescued Lot and his possessions, whom he brought back with him.

Questions:

5)  Abram is loyal to Lot.  Abram is allied with his neighbors so he has diplomacy skills.  He spares no expense, requiring all his trained men to fight for Lot; he has some military training (or guidance from God) for Abram divided his men and attacked.

This shows the extent of God’s blessings to Abram in terms of his wealth.  Abram had his own trained army to fight for him.  This is NOT cheap, especially in ancient times.  Metals and weapons (shields, swords, and armor) were expensive–way more expensive than I would say 90% of the population at the time could afford in their LIFETIME.

6a)  Abram gathers all his allies and men and we put on the full armor of God (all of our resources available) to fight. Abram stood firm in his belief to rescue Lot and he was ready like we are to be when fighting spiritual battles.  Abram had faith he would win as we are to in our battles.  We are to pray and use the Word of God.  We are not told if Abram prayed before he set out, during, or after.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Full armor of God I would say is the Holy Spirit indwelt.  The Holy Spirit will protect your entire body.  The belt of truth is God’s truths and righteousness is what Christians are if they accept Jesus as their Savior.  The shield of faith in trust in God.  The helmet of salvation is our knowledge that we will win and be saved.  The sword of the Spirit is the Bible, God’s word.  Prayer to God for help to overcome.

These weapons have divine power.  We take captive every thought and make it obedient to God and we can defeat every argument or pretension with God’s truth (His word).

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Prayer and His Word.  Ask and you shall receive.  If Jesus chose God’s word to defeat the devil in the desert, then I will as well (Matthew 4).  “It is written….”

7)  Personal Question.  My answer:  It is comforting and humbling to know God is with me and I have the knowledge (His Word and Spirit) and He will give me triumphs in life, beginning with His Son who conquered the grave.  We are as precious to God as Christ is to salvation.  Amazing!

The challenge is to be that sweet aroma to others as I spread His message.

Conclusions:  Dreading this lesson when all the questions save one is on New Testament passages.  We studied this Ephesians passage in Acts last year, Lesson 25.  The questions are basically the same, just tweaked.  You can review my answers HERE and HERE.

Review.  I guess I’d better get used to this.  Seems to be the theme for this year.  I was honestly hoping for more in-depth on what’s happening in Genesis, not Ephesians.

Interesting Fact:  This is the first use of the word “Hebrew” in the Bible.

End Note:  My new favorite website.  I wish I could draw simple maps that make everything so clear!

http://www.generationword.com/notes_for_notesbooks_pg/genesis/14_1.htm