Tag: bsf lesson 13 day 4

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 13, Day 4: Esther 2:1-18

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

Summary of Esther 2:1-18

After Vashti, King Ahasuerus’s servants gathered beautiful virgins for a new queen from all over his kingdom. They are to be placed under the care of the king’s eunuch, Hegai, and given makeovers. Esther, a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai, was taken to the palace. She wont he favor of Hegai and was provided for. She concealed her identity, won the favor of all, and after 12 months of preparation, the king loved her most and crowned her queen. A banquet was given and a holiday proclaimed.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 13, Day 4: Esther 2:1-18

10) King Ahasuerus’s servants gathered beautiful virgins for a new queen from all over his kingdom. They are to be placed under the care of the king’s eunuch, Hegai, and given makeovers. Then, the one who pleases the king the most will be made queen.

11a) Mordecai is introduced. His ancestors had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Mordecai’s cousin was Esther, whom he had raised since she was an orphan. She was beautiful.

b) No doubt she would have been excluded if it had been known she was a Jew, since they were technically servants in the Persian kingdom and discriminated against. Mordecai likely advised secrecy for protection and strategy. Revealing her Jewish identity could have exposed her to prejudice, disqualifying her or endangering her. It also allowed her to gain influence impartially, positioning her as a “sleeper agent” who could later save her people without the king suspecting her agenda.

c) She pleased Hegai and won his favor. Immediately, he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven female attendants selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem. In sum, she got preferential treatment!

12) The king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen.

13) My job. Coaching. Saved from unruly situations. His hand has been on my life in many ways.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 13, Day 4: Esther 2:1-18

Love how we see God at work! This shows us that we all have a place in God’s plan for our lives. There is a purpose for all of us. Great stuff!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 13, Day 4: Esther 2:1-18

History tells us that this takes place 4 years after Esther 1. Xerxes had recently been defeated by the Greeks and is now looking for a new wife.

Xerxes planned to assemble a harem and choose his most favored one to be queen. Historians estimate there were 400 women chosen from all over his kingdom.

Esther and Mordecai did not return with Ezra.

Esther means “star” and her Jewish name (Hadassah) means myrtle.

None of the women had a choice to go to Xerxes.

We should not normally hide the fact we are Christians; yet, there are times when it is prudent.

The 12 months preparation time was to ensure the women were not pregnant because the King did not want a child not his.

The fate of those not chosen was grim. They would be banished to the harem, rarely see the king, and could not marry another.

Beauty does gain attention and should not be shunned.

God had a plan, and Esther was a big part of it. None of what happened to her was happenstance.

God uses the evil of Xerxes ousting his former queen for good.

No one can defeat God’s plan for our lives, no matter what they do to us.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

This passage details the providential rise of Esther. After King Ahasuerus’s anger subsides, a search is launched for a new queen. This search is a systematic, state-run operation to gather beautiful virgins for the king’s harem.

We are introduced to Esther, a beautiful Jewish orphan, and her cousin Mordecai, who raised her. Esther is taken into this system, where she wins the “favor” of Hegai, the eunuch in charge. On Mordecai’s orders, she conceals her Jewish identity. Following Hegai’s advice, Esther captivates the king, who loves her more than any other woman and makes her queen in Vashti’s place.

Conclusion

Esther 2:1-18 demonstrates God’s hidden hand at work. In a story defined by pagan power, lust, and human scheming, God strategically places his own person in the highest position of power in the empire. Esther’s concealment of her identity and her obedience to Mordecai are the very factors that make her available for this role, setting the stage for her to become the savior of her people.

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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 13, Day 4: Revelation 7:9-12

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

Summary of Revelation 7:9-12

A great multitude in white robes was praising God and Jesus. Then the angels, elders, and 4 living creatures stood around the throne, bowed before God, and began worshipping Him.

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 13, Day 4: Revelation 7:9-12

9a) The multitude was so great that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.

b) God’s people come from every nation and race from all over the world. God loves and includes everyone in His promises, His love, and His plans.

c) “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” They were acknowledging God’s plan Jesus’ execution of our salvation.

d) This is tough because almost everyone I know personally is Christian. There are probably people at work who are not, so I do my best to live a Godly life and give Him the credit when I can, hoping my personal testimony will at least open the door to Jesus.

10a) God’s sovereignty over all beings. The importance of worship. How we get to worship God, too.

b) His grace, His forgiveness, His provisions, Him being in control, Him worrying for me.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 13, Day 4: Revelation 7:9-12

I love how everyone worships in heaven. Such greatness!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 13, Day 4: Revelation 7:9-12

“After this” introduces a new vision.

We can see the Great Commission (Matthew 24:14) having taken place here.

White robes represent righteousness and priestly service.

The palm branches should remind you of Jesus entering Jerusalem (John 12:12-16). They are symbols of victory.

Salvation is God’s greatest gift, so it’s fitting all in heaven recognize that.

“Amen” signifies “let it be so.”

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 4: John 9:24-34

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 9:24-34

The Pharisees keep trying to trap the blind man, but the blind man refuses, staunchly defending Jesus. He tells them that it is obvious that Jesus is from God, or how could he heal him? They threw him out, not able to tolerate their hypocrisy and the man’s truth being told them.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 4: John 9:24-34

9) They tried to put words in the man’s mouth by telling him to say that Jesus is a sinner.

10a) He states the facts, which are cut-and-dry. He was blind, but now he can see! What else matters?

b) The blind man makes sense, saying how could anyone other than someone from God heal his eyes.

c) They did not want to hear the Truth. They did not care; all they wanted was Jesus gone.

11) Good question. I would say with trials in my life and frustrations, He has strengthen me.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 4: John 9:24-34

In hindsight, we see the ridiculousness of the Pharisees. At the time, the people were much afraid and much confused.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 4: John 9:24-34

There is no argument against actions. Jesus healed. That was all that mattered.

Our experience of God’s goodness in our lives strengthens our faith.

The blind man pushed back on the Pharisees’ arguments that did not make sense. He does not understand how they don’t believe in Jesus with all of the physical evidence.

God chooses whether to hear sinners or not. Isaiah 1:15 and Psalm 66:18  In line with God’s character, He probably does.

The Pharisees were angry that the blind man was right. The blind man was excommunicated, yet, he had a heart for Jesus, and that’s all that matters.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 13, Day 4: Amos 7:1-9:10

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

SUMMARY OF AMOS 7:1-9:10

Amos 7

The Lord prepared judgments against Israel (locusts, fire, and a plumb line) but Amos asked the Lord to forgive, and He did. Amaziah, a priest of Bethel, tried to kick Amos out of Israel and send him back to Judah, so he would quit prophesying there. Amos told him God sent him to Israel to say they will be exiled from their native land.

Amos 8

The Lord told Amos he will spare his people no longer, as he sees a vision of a basket of ripe fruit and the Lord standing by the altar.

Amos 9:1-10

God will kill all of the sinners amongst his people. No one will escape.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 13, Day 4: Amos 7:1-9:10

10)

7:1-3: Amos saw locusts, but asked the Lord to relent against Israel, and he did.

7:4-6: Amos saw fire, but asked the Lord to relent against Israel, and he did.

7:7-9: Amos saw a plumb line, but asked the Lord to relent against Israel, and he did.

8:1-3: Amos saw a basket of ripe fruit, but the Lord will spare his people no longer.

9:1-10: Amos saw the Lord standing by an altar, and God will kill all of the sinners amongst his people. No one will escape.

11) Amos faithfully obeyed the Lord’s calling to prophesy against Israel.

12a) God gives everyone plenty of chances to turn to him, but he’ll judge at the end. People never change; they are sinners at heart.

b) I should always be looking for God and turning to him.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 13, Day 4: Amos 7:1-9:10

Gloom and doom here. The people sin; God judges. This is the entire story of the Old Testament (and the New Testament) except that God gives us Jesus to save us.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 13, Day 4: Amos 7:1-9:10

Amos 7: Amos sees the judgment of Israel with locusts, fire, and a plumb line. Prayer is powerful, as Amos saves the people here. A plumb line helps to build straight walls. God’s people must be straight against His standards.

Bethel was the center of Israel’s idolatry, and Amos was faithful in delivering God’s warnings to His people.

Amos 8: The ripe fruit has turned sour. Israel is dishonest and cheats the poor, so God will judge.

Amos talks about the famine of not hearing God’s word. God grants us the ability to hear his word and to benefit by it.

Amos 9: All of God’s people will face judgment.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 13, Day 4: Genesis 14:17-24 & 15:1

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passages:  Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him.  The king of Sodom came out to meet him.  Then Melchizedek king of Salem (or Jerusalem) and a priest of God brought out bread and wine.  He blessed Abram and Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

The king of Sodom asked Abram for his people back that had been carried away by Kedorlaomer but told Abram he could keep the goods.  Abram said he has sworn to God that he will accept nothing from him so that he could not say he had made Abram rich. He will only accept what they have eaten and what the men who accompanied him want.

Abram had a vision and received the word of the Lord:  Do not be afraid for I am your shield and your very great reward.

Questions:

8 )  Reverently.  The king of Sodom fled from the Babylonians and had their entire city plundered.  Abram, a Hebrew, regained all that was taken.  The king came to Abram after his victory and asked for his people back and told Abram he could keep the booty.  Abram said he would accept nothing belonging to them so all would know and testify that Abram’s wealth and success came from God, not from military might or pagan’s goods.

Melchizedek, king of Salem (or Jerusalem) and priest of God showed up.  Not for sure why since he and his people were not involved in the fighting.  He brought bread and wine to Abram and blessed him and in return Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (Everything he took in the war or everything I wonder).

9a)  God will be his shield and his very great reward.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  So Abram could conquer and prosper by God’s hand and not by others.  So he wouldn’t have to accept charity from unbelievers.  So he could be the example of God’s greatness.  So all would know blessings and rewards come from God.

I think we all need these promises.  God is our shield and He is the best reward.  Agree?

10)  If we do God’s will and live by Him, then He will prosper us.  We don’t have to prosper on our own.  Many people today think they are successful because of their hard work but it’s really by God’s grace and will even if you are an unbeliever for God has plans for ALL and He uses all to accomplish His purposes.  Look at all the kings and rulers throughout history who were successful and not believers.  Yet God was in control.

Give God the credit and do His will.

That being said I do see a place where accepting charity from unbelievers could grow their faith as it affords opportunities to share the gospel.

Conclusions:  Focus on this lesson was on Abram’s refusing to accept booty from unbelievers for he wanted God to have all the credit for his success and not man.  I hope we explore Melchizedek tomorrow for there is a richness we are missing otherwise with regards to the Messiah.