Session One - Esther 2:1-7

Ladies . . . I hope you are all having a great start to the week : ) Here is a bit of a review from the study this last Saturday . . .

In Session One of our study, Beth introduced two key players in the drama of Esther, aka Hadasseh, with the reminder that "first mentions" are important . . . they are about information to be remembered . . . information that colors the view of the unfolding story.

Some of the first mentions in our study passage, Esther 2:1-7, pertained to Mordecai - he was a Jew . . . he was an exile, and he found himself quite suddenly parenting his cousin – Hadasseh . . . a girl!

First mentions pertaining to Hadasseh (Hebrew for fragrance) – she was also Jewish . . . suddenly under the guardianship of her male cousin . . . and she was very lovely.

I don't know about you but I love how Beth brings history into her studies. We learned that :

• historically, the Jews who had been taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar and who eventually ended up living in Susa were not the poor Jews of the nation of Israel
• even though these Jews were living in exile – away from their home land - they were not stuck there . . . they remained in exile out of choice
• these Jews were not necessarily observant Jews . . . quite the contrary, they were in danger of becoming secularized in a land far from their own
• God was up to something!

Some strong points to ponder:

• the Hebrew word for future (Jer. 29:11) has the same root as behind and future
• Hadasseh's past was tied in to her destiny and God had a purpose for all of it
• we cannot amputate our history from our destiny . . . it is part of who we will become and what God will redeem and use
• know that you ARE beautiful - it's not what you do
• let the beauty of the Lord on you be the beauty that sustains you (Psalm 90:17)

As you head into Week 2 – A Contest for a Queen, keep in mind Scenario #2 – It's tough being a woman in a world where beauty is a treatment.

I am looking forward to seeing you all in a couple of weeks . . . Jan.

Introduction

Congratulations, Ladies . . . we're on our way! We made it through the Introductory session of our new study, and we learned a few things.

We learned:

• that the Hebrew term for the Book of Esther is "Megillah", which means "the Scroll, par excellence";
• that Esther is a Diaspora story . . . a story taking place during a time when the Jews were not living in the Land of Israel;
• that God is not mentioned once in the whole Book of Esther . . . but He is all over it!
• that the story of Esther offers tremendous hope because, even when we're blind to the evidence, God "works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will" (Eph. 1:11) and that He "works in you to will and to act according to that good purpose". (Phil. 2:13)

Any further points . . . thoughts, insights . . . ?

I am looking forward to getting into my homework for Week One - A Royal Mess. Sounds intriguing . . . and remember, pay attention to the thought weaving through the homework this week -

Scenario #1 - It's tough being a women in another woman's shadow!

In the days ahead, may God show you the places in your life where He is "working in you to will and to act according to His good purpose."

See you in a couple of weeks . . . Jan.