Faithful People, Dangerous Situation

Have you ever had someone in authority over you who was capricious or even unfit for leadership? How did you react? How did you navigate that situation?

In Esther chapter 1, we get a sense that King Xerxes is driven more by his whims than by wisdom.

Read Esther 2:10, 2:19-23

How is Mordecai contrasted with Xerxes? How does Mordecai serve as a model for the Jews in exile? How is he a model for us?

Read Esther 3:1

The author of Esther lets us know that Haman is a descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites, the prototypical enemies of God’s people. How is Haman portrayed in Chapter 3? Why do you think Mordecai refused to bow and honor Haman? Have you ever felt that you needed to stand on principle despite what the consequences might be? As Christians, how do we know when to stand on principle?

Read Esther 3:15

Here we see more inept leadership from Xerxes. As a follower of Jesus, how do we respond to obvious injustice and failure of leadership?

Why do you think the author of Esther has not mentioned God or even providence directly? Can you see God’s hidden hand in this story? How is that instructive for our own lives?