Tag: bsf lesson 14 day 4

photo of Esther 3-7 focusing on the tension between Esther, Ahasuerus, and Haman at one of the banquets, symbolizing Haman's downfall and Esther's triumph from bsf exile and return study www.atozmomm.com

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 14, Day 4: Esther 5

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

Summary of Esther 5

The king accepted Esther’s appearance and held out the gold scepter. He asks Esther what she wants, even up to half the kingdom. Esther invites Haman and the king to a banquet, where the king still asks what she wants. She invites him to another banquet the following night.

Haman was happy but still upset at Mordecai who showed no fear when Haman was in his presence. He was angry. His wife tells him to ask the king to impale Mordecai on a pole the next day.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 14, Day 4: Esther 5

9a) The queen approached the king, who accepted her. She gave him a banquet before asking him what she wanted. She also invited Haman whom she intended to expose.

b) She knew the culture and knew that feasting was important before making a request. She showed restraint rather than blurt out what she wanted. Esther showed wisdom by using private banquets to isolate Haman. She demonstrated great restraint by not rushing her plea, even when offered half the kingdom. This patient delay, following her fast, allowed time for God’s providence to work, perfectly setting the stage for Haman’s downfall.

10) Haman is still making decisions based on his hurt pride. Not a good idea at all. Haman’s foolishness is his fragile, all-consuming pride. Despite his wealth and exclusive invitation, he is sent into a rage by Mordecai’s disrespect. This one offense robs him of all joy, leading him to boast arrogantly and then impulsively build a 75-foot gallows, blinded by his own obsession.

11) The Holy Spirit is our guide when we are faced with challenges by human sin (pride, anger, etc). We can always pray when we need God and His ways and not ours. To discern God’s guidance, test your thoughts against Scripture; His leading never contradicts it. God’s ways align with His character (love, holiness), while our thoughts often stem from fear or selfishness. Finally, seek confirmation from a wise, spiritual community, as God rarely leads in total isolation.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 14, Day 4: Esther 5

How often do we allow one offense to ruin our day or cause us to make poor decisions? Pride is so harmful in so many ways.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 14, Day 4: Esther 5

Esther wanted to win the king’s confidence before asking.

Haman is a great example of the lives of those without Christ. He is never happy. He is honored by the king and queen of his country, but he lets one man disrupt his happiness. How many of us do this in ways, too?

Haman was empty, and so was his heart. Only God can fill our hearts.

This kind of hatred for one man is what leads to murders and other sins; it’s also what led to Jesus’s death. It should never be underestimated.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Esther 5 details the beginning of Esther’s courageous plan and the peak of Haman’s arrogance.

Interpretation

After her fast, Esther approaches King Ahasuerus, who extends the golden scepter, sparing her life and offering her anything she wants.

Instead of making her plea for her people, she strategically invites the king and Haman to a banquet. At that feast, she delays her true request again, inviting them both to a second banquet the next day.

A euphoric Haman leaves the banquet, overjoyed at this exclusive honor. However, his joy instantly turns to blind rage when he sees Mordecai at the king’s gate, who still refuses to bow. He goes home and, on the advice of his wife and friends, builds a 75-foot-tall gallows, eagerly planning to ask the king to hang Mordecai on it the very next morning.

Conclusion

This chapter masterfully builds suspense. It contrasts Esther’s calculated, patient strategy with Haman’s explosive, pride-driven rage. The building of the gallows is a crucial act of dramatic irony, as Haman, at the height of his power, unknowingly prepares the instrument of his own execution, setting the stage for the story’s dramatic reversal.

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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 14, Day 5: Reread Revelation 8-9

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

Summary of Revelation 8-9

Revelation 8

Jesus opens the 7th seal. There was silence in heaven. 7 angels came with 7 trumpets. An angel carrying incense with the prayers of God’s people arrived. The angel hurled fire on Earth, along with thunder, rumblings, lightning, and an earthquake.

The first 4 trumpets were sounded:
  1. Hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down on earth, destroying a third of the earth
  2. Something like a huge mountain on fire was thrown into the sea, killing a third of all sea life and ships
  3. A star on fire fell from the sky, turning a third of the river waters bitter
  4. A third of the sun, moon, and stars turned dark

An eagle called out to beware of the next 3 trumpets about to be sounded.

Revelation 9

The 5th angel unleashes a star (this is a person with many believing it is Satan) that falls to the earth. Smoke rose from the Abyss. Locusts were released and harmed those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were tortured for 5 months.

The 6th angel released the 4 angels who were bound at the Euphrates. They killed a third of mankind.

Those who were not killed did not repent of their evil deeds.

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 14, Day 5: Revelation 8-9

12a) The Plague of Blood is Exodus 7:14 is similar to the 2nd trumpet judgment in that water is turned to blood. The 3rd trumpet judgment is the reverse of the time Moses made the water sweet rather than bitter. The plague of Locusts is similar to the 5th trumpet judgment where locusts harmed unbelievers but did not kill them. The 1st trumpet judgment is similar to Exodus 9:13-25 where hail and fire fell upon the Egyptians. The 4th trumpet judgment can be compared to the Plague of Darkness (Exodus 10:21).

One main difference is that the plagues of Exodus solely target the Egyptians; whereas, the trumpet judgments target the entire planet.

b) The people who were spared from the trumpet judgments in Revelation continued their sinful ways and did not repent. Similarly, Pharaoh continued to disobey God by not releasing the Israelites until he did, but then he changed his mind anyway, letting the Egyptian people continue to face God’s wrath. God’s purpose is to bring all to Him. In the Exodus plagues, he specifically targeted the Pharaoh. In Revelation, God is targeting the entire world.

13) The study of Revelation has made me more in awe of God and His ways, more compassionate and urgent toward unbelievers, and more grateful for the saved life I lead in Him.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 14, Day 5: Revelation 8-9

I love spending multiple days on the same passage. I get so much more from these lessons when we do so.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 14, Day 5: Revelation 8-9

Revelation 8

The 7 trumpets are God’s announcement of the judgments.

The prayers of God’s people are pleasing to God, like the smell of incense. They come before Him.

It’s important to remember that the 7 judgments may not be chronological. It’s hard to pin down though with certainty.

The blood could be the color of the hail and fire or what emerges afterward.

Many believe that the “mountain-like object” will be a meteor.

The sea reference is to the Mediterranean Sea. Remember, this was before the discovery of America, and man’s knowledge of the vastness of the earth was limited.

The star could be a meteor as well.

Wormwood is an herb that is bitter.

The 4th trumpet will result in darkness.

The eagle’s announcement should be heeded because 1/3 of humanity is about to die.

Note that each judgment only destroys 1/3 of the earth.

Here, God is showing His power and His mercy. God is destroying man’s subsistence (food, water, shelter, light).

God is warning all to repent before it is too late.

Are you heeding His warning?

Revelation 9

Who is the star in the 5th judgment? We are not told, but some argue it’s Satan, a different fallen angel, God’s Word, or even Jesus. We just don’t know.

The bottomless pit/Abyss here is hell or Hades. This lends doubt to the fact of the star being Satan since Satan is not in charge of anything.

What we do know is that all of this is God’s plan.

The Abyss might not be an actual location.

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Courtesy of https://www.biblicaltoolbelt.com/l/locust-revelation-9/

The locusts should be considered demon creatures, as you could probably tell by the description of these beings. They are tortured in the hopes they will repent. The locusts are instruments of God’s judgment (Exodus 10:4-14, Deuteronomy 28:38, 1 Kings 8:37, 2 Chronicles 7:13, Joel 1:4, and Amos 4:9.)

Notice that John describes the creatures using “like.” This shows that the creatures are not what is being described.

The King of the locusts is Satan. The given name means “destruction” or “torment” in Hebrew.

It is very interesting how the prayers of God’s people play into the End Times.

The 4 angels in the 6th trumpet judgment are standing at the 4 corners of the altar.

Do note we do not know if these are the same angels in Revelation 7:1.

The Euphrates River, remember, is the Cradle of Civilization. It’s where mankind first settled down to farm. It is where many events happen in the Bible, from the first sin (Genesis 2:10-14) to revolt (Genesis 11:1-9) and war (Genesis 14:1). Abram came from here (Ur) and it is where God’s people abide. (Genesis 15:17-21).

The horsemen number may or may not be literal. The army may be demons, based on their description.

Despite the army against them, those remaining did not repent. He continued in his worship of idols and demons. Man’s memory is short. People move on very quickly.

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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 14, Day 4: Revelation 9

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

Summary of Revelation 9

The 5th angel unleashes a star (this is a person with many believing it is Satan) that falls to the earth. Smoke rose from the Abyss. Locusts were released and harmed those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were tortured for 5 months.

The 6th angel released the 4 angels who were bound at the Euphrates. They killed a third of mankind.

Those who were not killed did not repent of their evil deeds.

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 14, Day 4: Revelation 9

9) The first four judgments targeted the earth and animals. These judgments targeted man himself.

10a) Believers. They would be tortured for 5 months but not die.

b) It makes me want to tell them more about our Lord and Savior. This sounds horrible to endure.

11) They were worshipping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood. They worshipped idols they could not see or hear. People do this still today. They worship ideas, objects, people — anything they can put above God.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 14, Day 4: Revelation 9

These judgments against mankind are very harsh. They should propel you to try harder to bring those you know to Christ. God is merciful in giving us these details, so we can warn others.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 14, Day 4: Revelation 9

Note the first four judgments target nature; the 5th & 6th judgment target mankind.

Who is the star in the 5th judgment? We are not told, but some argue it’s Satan, a different fallen angel, God’s Word, or even Jesus. We just don’t know.

The bottomless pit/Abyss here is hell or Hades. This lends doubt to the fact of the star being Satan since Satan is not in charge of anything.

What we do know is that all of this is God’s plan.

The Abyss might not be an actual location.

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Courtesy of https://www.biblicaltoolbelt.com/l/locust-revelation-9/

The locusts should be considered demon creatures, as you could probably tell by the description of these beings. They are tortured in the hopes they will repent. The locusts are instruments of God’s judgment (Exodus 10:4-14, Deuteronomy 28:38, 1 Kings 8:37, 2 Chronicles 7:13, Joel 1:4, and Amos 4:9.)

Notice that John describes the creatures using “like.” This shows that the creatures are not what is being described.

The King of the locusts is Satan. The given name means “destruction” or “torment” in Hebrew.

It is very interesting how the prayers of God’s people play into the End Times.

The 4 angels in the 6th trumpet judgment are standing at the 4 corners of the altar.

Do note we do not know if these are the same angels in Revelation 7:1.

Those who torture God’s people now face retribution.

The Euphrates River, remember, is the Cradle of Civilization. It’s where mankind first settled down to farm. It is where many events happen in the Bible, from the first sin (Genesis 2:10-14) to revolt (Genesis 11:1-9) and war (Genesis 14:1). Abram came from here (Ur) and it is where God’s people abide. (Genesis 15:17-21).

The horsemen number may or may not be literal. The army may be demons, based on their description.

Despite the army against them, those remaining did not repent. He continued in his worship of idols and demons. Man’s memory is short. People move on very quickly.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 14, Day 4: John 10:22-33

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

Summary of John 10:22-33

Jesus was at the Festival of Dedication in Jerusalem. Jesus explains that those who do not believe are not his sheep. His sheep know him and listen to his voice. No one will take them from him or from God. He is one with God.

Those who did not believe Jesus went to stone him, but he challenged them, asking why stone him over his good works.

They said they are stoning him for his claim to be God.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 14, Day 4: John 10:22-33

9a) The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

b) By saying he has spoken to them, but they don’t understand because they don’t believe in him.

10a) “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

b) It encourages me by the fact no one take me from Jesus. This gives me hope when the devil attacks and speaks his lies that Jesus is more powerful. That I am in God’s hands. He holds me close when I need it the most.

c) That Jesus will never abandon those who follow and believe in him.

11a) “ I and the Father are one.” By going to stone him for blasphemy. Basically, they responded with unbelief.

b) Jesus is part of the Trinity. He is God. He can do anything.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 14, Day 4: John 10:22-33

It’s hard for us to understand the skepticism of those in the first century. Yet, there would be much today, too. I often wonder would I have believed in Jesus back then.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 14, Day 4: John 10:22-33

This feast celebrated the cleansing and re-dedication of the temple after it was desecration in 160 B.C.

Solomon’s colonnade was the portico on the eastern side of the outer court of Herod’s temple. Luke, the presumed writer of Acts, mentions it twice: 1) Peter talks to a crowd 3) as a gathering place (Acts 3:11; 5:12).

These are the religious leaders once again confronting Jesus. Jesus had told them so many times who he is that he’s probably tired of repeating it. They aren’t there to believe; they are there to kill him.

Jesus repeats the benefits of belief: eternal life and God’s hands on them.

Jesus and God are equal in nature.

Jesus and God are not the same person.

What is blasphemy?

Blasphemy is “the act of insulting of showing contempt or lack of reverence for God. The act of claiming the attributes of a deity; irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable” according to Webster’s Dictionary.

Thus, Jesus was claiming to be equal with God; hence, the blasphemy charge.

Great map of Solomon’s Colonnade HERE

Watch a great short explanation HERE

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 4: Joel 3

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

SUMMARY OF JOEL 3

The enemy nations of Juday and Jerusalem will be judged for what they did to God’s people. They should prepare for war. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. Jerusalem will be safe and blessed. Judah will be inhabited forever.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 4: Joel 3

9) God will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, where God will judge them for what they did to Israel. The enemy nations will prepare for war, but God will be victorious. The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble.”

10a) Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her. The mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the Lord’s house and will water the valley of acacias. Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations. All innocent blood will be avenged.

b) The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble. Foreigners still invade Israel, and the promises of blessings have not been fulfilled because the day of the Lord has not come.

11) It’s comforting to me because evil must see justice in this world.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 4: Joel 3

There’s something inherently comforting in the last day of the Lord — knowing that all evil and sickness will be eradicated one day soon.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 4: Joel 3

The bringing back of the captives of Judah and Jerusalem can refer to both the return from Babylonian exile and the End Times.

All nations will be judged at the End Times for their actions against God’s people. This judgment of nations lies on how people have mistreated God’s people and the church, not on belief in Christ. God cares and retaliates against those who persecute Christians.

The nations will prepare for war, but have no chance against Him.

God’s people will experience lasting abundance, restoration, and redemption.

The fountain is mentioned in Ezekiel 47  and Zechariah 14:8

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BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 14, Day 4: Genesis 15:1-11

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

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

Abram questions God as to where is this promised heir.  God assures Abram he will have a son from his own body and his offspring will be as numerous as the stars in the heavens. God also reiterates to Abram that He brought him from Ur to give him this land.

Again, Abram questions God, asking for reassurances of this promise.  God tells Abram to bring him a heifer, goat, ram, dove, and a pigeon.  Abram cut these in half (except the birds).  As Abram awaits God’s arrival, birds of prey come to feed on the carcasses so Abram drives them away.

Questions:

8 )  No.  Justification is being right with God.  We achieve this through faith in Jesus Christ who eradicates our sins and allows us to be clean, right, and thus justified before God.  We are given works by God to do while here on earth that James says proves our faith.

Here’s the crux:  when you are justified you have the Holy Spirit within.  When you have the Holy Spirit, you have no choice BUT to do good works for you are changed and now desire to do good works, which are a sign of your faith and your justification.

We discussed this James passage last year (see HERE) and my opinion is you can be justified with no good works for all that is required is faith.  There is no “work” we must do to get to heaven and be justified for this is a gift from God.  All we must do is accept Jesus as our Savior and we’re there.

As I have seen in the study of Genesis, everything is a gift from God.  Man does absolutely nothing nor does he deserve what he gets.

9a)  We are all dead unless we accept Jesus as our Savior.  Then we are reborn with the Holy Spirit and only then will be have eternal life.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Life is meaningless without a purpose.  If I didn’t have God, my life would be empty.  It would be full of “busyness”, things to distract me, and an inner peace would not exist.  Working for God’s-given purpose, gives life to the mundane, life to the evil, and life to the dead.

All those diapers are for a purpose.  Those long days at a dead-end job are serving a purpose.  When the most horrific thing happens to you such as the death of a loved one, rape, bankruptcy, abuse, loss of a job and every other evil, unfair thing in life and God is the only thing that remains, you have life–even if all you feel is dead.

10a)  Abram believed in God’s promises and they were all fulfilled.  He was strengthened by these promises and gave glory to God while he waited.  He had faith.  He obeyed.  He acted.  He took steps out of obedience.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  The same.  Believe in God, who He is, in His promises, and have faith they will come true in God’s timing.  Have patience.  Give God the glory.  Be strengthened by my knowledge in Him.  Obey God and what He is telling me to do.  Take those little steps of faith.

Conclusions:  I feel as redundant as when I teach my kids their letters but I’ll say it anyways:  Didn’t like this lesson either.  We didn’t once refer to the passage at the beginning, instead exploring Romans and James and we explored James last year.

That being said, I did like re-reading works and faith.  And I did like the reminder we are not dead even though at times I feel dead, indifferent, lost, and immune to the world around me.

My qualm is this:  if this is a study of Genesis, then let’s study Genesis.  If it’s a study of works and justification in the Bible, then don’t bill it as “Genesis 15:1-11”.

End Commentary on Faith and Works taken from Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary by J D Douglas and Merrill C Tenney:

Being made in God’s image, human beings perform works as they live in God’s world. These deeds are based on the condition of the heart.  Works can be done out of evil motivation or even done in order to earn favor with God.  These are unacceptable to Him.

True works arise out of an inner gratitude to God for what He has done for us.  These naturally spring from our faith in Him.  Thus, Paul in Romans emphasized the need for faith in God for good deeds, James stresses that good works are evidence of true faith.  (P. 1532)

I believe the point is this:  you naturally do good works because God dwells inside of you. Works is not a requirement set forth by God in order to be loved, cherished, and accepted by Him.  This is where history went awry in the Middle Ages with indulgences, the Crusades, and earning your way to heaven.

Works is a gift from God that we as Christians just do without thinking.  We’re not trying to prove how Godly we are (for all of us would fail in that realm).  We’re merely following the Holy Spirit and doing what Jesus would do.  Because of our faith in Him.

It’s a simple as that.

Intellectual faith is not what God is seeking; He is seeking faith of the heart.  It’s the difference between saying and doing something.  Many say they are Christians; but is God in their hearts?

Salvation is a gift from God that is by faith alone.  Yet we are created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10).  It’s a two-fold process.  One, you accept Jesus.  Two, good works are produced.  And if you truly have Jesus in your heart you have no choice:  good works will follow.  A life lived for Jesus.

The notes from BSF of Acts Lesson 27 have a great explanation on the James’ passage.