ESTHER - LESSON 6
JEWISH TRIUMPH

1. What did the enemies of the Jews expect? (9:1)

2. Why would no one stand against the Jews? (9:2)

3. Who helped the Jews? (9:3)

4. Why did the enemy fear Mordecai? (9:4)

5. How many men were destroyed in Susa? (9:6)

6. Who were the ten men mentioned in 9:7-10?

7. When King Xerxes heard of the number of those killed in Susa, the capital, what additional offer did he make to Esther? (9:11-12)

8. 1. What two things did she request? (9:13)

   2.   (Thought question) What was a reason for hanging the bodies of men who were already dead? (9:7-9)

9. 1. How many deaths were recorded in 9:16?

   2. What is the recurring statement in 9:10, 15, and 16?

10.   (Thought question) Why did the Jews not take the plunder even when they had been given permission in the decree? (8:11)

11. How did the Jews celebrate? (9:17-19)

12. For what reason were the Jews commanded to celebrate? (9:22)

13. 1. What is the name of the holiday surrounding these events? (3:7 and 9:24-26)

    2. Why was this name chosen?

14. This was not just a one-time celebration. How was it to be observed in the future?

15. Who was responsible for establishing this annual holiday? (9:20 & 21, 27, & 29)

16. Share what you are able to find about Purim from sources outside the Bible (including Internet).

Verse to ponder: Esther 9:22

Purim is a Jewish holiday. Why is this holiday also meaningful to Christians?

How do Christians celebrate because of sorrow and mourning that have been turned into gladness and rejoicing? (I Corinthians 11:23-26)

Challenge: Think of some blessing God has given you and celebrate by inviting someone over and sharing your "feast and joy." Give each guest a token (handmade or from the Dollar Store) to remember your shared joy.

Have someone from your group volunteer to make a batch of Hamentaschen (traditional Purim treat) for our next potluck.

Recipe for Hamentaschen

• 2/3 cup butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup orange juice (the smooth kind, not the pulpy)
• 1 cup white flour
• 1 cup wheat flour (DO NOT substitute white flour! The wheat flour is necessary to achieve the right texture.)
• Various preserves, fruit butters and/or pie fillings

Blend butter and sugar thoroughly. Add the egg and blend thoroughly. Add orange juice and blend thoroughly. Add flour, ½ cup at a time, alternating white and wheat, blending thoroughly between each. Refrigerate batter overnight or at least a few hours. Roll as thin as you can without getting holes in the batter (roll it between two sheets of wax paper lightly dusted with flour for best results). Cut out 3 or 4 inch circles. Put a tablespoon of filling in the middle of each circle. Fold up the sides to make a triangle, overlapping the corners firmly, so they don't come undone while baking. Bake at 375 degrees for about 10-15 minutes, until golden brown but before the filling boils over!

Traditional fillings are poppy seed and prune, but apricot is our favorite. Apple butter, pineapple preserves, and cherry pie filling all work quite well, too.

Women IN God's Service

Esther - lesson 6
Ladies Bible Class Lesson, 14 Oct 2003
West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, Arkansas