◄ Esther 3:7 ►
In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the Pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman to determine a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Esther 3:7? 2. How does Esther 3:7 demonstrate God's sovereignty over time and events? 3. What can we learn about patience and timing from Esther 3:7? 4. How does Esther 3:7 connect to Proverbs 16:33 about casting lots? 5. In what ways can we seek God's guidance in decision-making like Esther 3:7? 6. How can Esther 3:7 inspire trust in God's plan during uncertain times? 7. Why was the month of Adar significant in Esther 3:7? 8. How does Esther 3:7 reflect God's sovereignty in human affairs? 9. What role does casting lots play in the narrative of Esther 3:7? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Esther 3? 11. Esther 3:7 – Does the account of deciding genocide by casting lots match known Persian customs, and is there evidence to support it? 12. Who was Mordecai in the Bible? 13. Esther 3:10-15 - Why is there no mention in Persian archives or other sources of this monumental royal decree to annihilate an entire ethnic group? 14. What did Esther mean by 'If I perish, I perish'? Discussion Questions 1. How does the casting of lots in Esther 3:7 demonstrate the concept of God's sovereignty, and how can this understanding impact your daily decision-making? 2. In what ways does the timing of Haman's plot in the month of Nisan contrast with the celebration of Passover, and what does this teach us about God's deliverance? 3. How can the account of Esther and the casting of lots encourage you to trust in God's control over seemingly random events in your life? 4. Reflect on a time when you faced a situation with evil intentions against you. How can the account of Esther inspire you to trust in God's deliverance and protection? 5. How does the account of Esther connect with other biblical accounts where God turns evil intentions into good outcomes, and how can these accounts strengthen your faith? Esther 3 Bible Study Questions 1. How does Haman's promotion and subsequent actions reflect on the theme of power and corruption? 2. Why does Mordecai refuse to bow to Haman? How does this reflect his faith and personal beliefs? 3. How did Haman use his influence over King Ahasuerus to pursue his plot against the Jews? 4. How does the conflict between Haman and Mordecai foreshadow the fate of the Jewish people? 5. What are the potential consequences of the king's decree for the Jews? 6. In what ways might you face situations where your faith or personal beliefs come into conflict with societal norms or authority? 7. How can we respond to prejudice and discrimination in our own contexts, as demonstrated by Mordecai's example? 8. What lessons can we draw from Haman's actions regarding the dangers of pride and vengeance? 9. How does Esther 3 challenge our understanding of God's providence? 10. If you were in Mordecai's position, would you have acted differently? Why or why not? 11. Can you identify instances in today's world where a group of people is targeted based on their race or religion, like the Jews in Esther 3? 12. How would you handle a situation where you felt pressured to compromise your values for the sake of societal acceptance? 13. How can we trust in God’s sovereignty when facing adversity, as the Jews did in this chapter? 14. How does this chapter reflect on the larger theme of God’s protection for His people? 15. What qualities or actions do you think are required to stand up against injustice, as Mordecai did? 16. How does King Ahasuerus's decision reflect the potential dangers of uninformed or rash decision-making? 17. What does Haman’s response to Mordecai’s refusal tell us about his character? 18. How can we apply the lessons from this chapter to ensure we don't misuse our power and influence? 19. What are some strategies to handle conflict when your beliefs are in the minority, as was the case for Mordecai? 20. How might you apply Mordecai’s courage and conviction in your own life when facing difficult decisions or circumstances? Links Esther 3:7 NIV Esther 3:7 NLT Esther 3:7 ESV Esther 3:7 NASB Esther 3:7 KJV Esther 3:7 Commentaries Bible Hub