Grace Community Church

SLEEPLESS IN SUSA
Esther 5-6
Series: LIVING YOUR PURPOSE – The Story of Queen Esther
Grace Community Church
January 31, 2010

1. The story of Esther is a story of the Jewish exiles who remained in foreign lands. Discuss the question of whether they were living in disobedience by not returning, and how that question impacts the main theme of Esther.

2. Once Esther made the commitment to accept the mission Mordecai had challenged her to accept, she faced considerable risks. Identify those risks.

3. Esther receives a favorable response (v. 2-4). Why, having survived her entrance and receiving a response that promised her request would be granted, did she invite the men to a meal that day?

4. Why did she invite them to ANOTHER banquet the following day (v. 5-8)?

5. Why does Haman receive “no satisfaction” (v. 13) because of Mordecai’s refusal to honor him in light of the incredible privileges Haman enjoys?

6. Why did Zeresh suggest these gallows be 75’, of fifty cubits, high (v. 14)?

7. Why would the king request that presumable boring court records be read to occupy his sleepless night?

8. What did Haman’s early appearance in the king’s court say about him?

9. Do you believe King Xerxes recognized Haman’s pride and structured his question in such a way that Haman would be blindsided?

10. Discuss all the elements of Haman’s pride as revealed here, and what his specific requests indicated.

11. Most evangelical scholars believe Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:11-19 both use prophecies against an ancient king to also provide descriptions of Lucifer/Satan’s character and downfall (eg Ezekiel 28:16 describes him, “O guardian cherub…”). Discuss parallels between Satan as described there and Haman’s pride. Are these parallels intentional?

12. What is the essence of pride?

13. Have you begun to discern that mission and purpose that is specific to you and to this time and place of your life? Are you willing to share that with your group?