Bible study · Esther 3:1-15
Esther 3: A certain people
Read Esther 3:1-15 before you meet.
In a few lines
In all Haman says to the king, he never names the people: "a certain people" (3:8). The king hands over his ring, and the chapter tells of no question from him (3:10-11), and the letters say "to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews" (3:13): in Hebrew, the three verbs Esther will say to the king (7:4).
The verse to carry
“All the king’s servants who were in the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai didn’t bow down or pay him homage.”
Esther 3:2
To talk about
1. Everyone in the king's gate bowed down, and the servants asked Mordecai why he didn't and "spoke daily to him" (3:2-4). When everyone around you is doing something, what makes it hard to be the one who doesn't?
2. Haman's wrath at one man became a plan against a whole people (3:5-6). When has anger at one person spread in you to others like them, and what helps you stop it?
3. The king and Haman sat down to drink while "the city of Susa was perplexed" (3:15). Who around you might be troubled by something that doesn't touch you, and how could you notice?