I believe that the Book of Esther is a book of prophecy for the last days. Here are a few things to think about when studying this book.
Who is the king?
What is the feast?
Who did the king specifically invite to his feast?
Who is the queen?
What does it mean if the king’s bride lost her standing?
What does it mean if the king was searching for a new queen/bride?
Is it significant that Esther was an orphan?
Mordecai took Esther under his wing when she had no one to take care of her. Does he represent anyone?
What are the things Esther was given for purification? Do those things mean anything today?
Is it significant that Esther was given seven maidens and given the best place in the house of women?
Why did it take twelve months for Esther to get ready before seeing the king?
Is it significant that Esther took nothing with her except for what was given her?
Esther “obtained grace and favor in [the king’s] sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen”. Is that supposed to relate to something today?
Is it significant that Haman was promoted “above all the princes that were with him” right after Esther is made queen?
Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, thus putting his life, along with the lives of all the Jews, in jeopardy. Will that have a real-world application?
Mordecai implored Esther to intercede on behalf of the Jews, raising the possibility that she might have “come to the kingdom for such a time as this”. What does this tell us about the purpose of being the bride of the King?
What is Esther’s “royal apparel” that she put on?
Has anyone else ever found themself in the presence of the King without being invited? If so, were there any common threads that allowed them to be in that situation?
Is it significant that it took five years before Mordecai was finally honored for what he did for the king?
Is there anything to learn from the way Mordecai was honored?
Haman faced the wrath of the king and lost his life. Is it significant that neither Esther nor Mordecai demanded any kind of punishment for Haman, even though they were directly threatened by him?
Is it significant that the plot against Mordecai and the Jews was turned against the enemies of the Jews?
What power protected the Jews on the day they were supposed to be killed?
“Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple, and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.” The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honor.” What does that mean for us in the last days?
The Jews, under the direction of Mordecai, held annual feasts to remember and celebrate their deliverance. Has that happened before? Will it happen again?
