Lesson 1
When Nehemiah heard about the miserable state of Jerusalem what he did?
He mourned, fasted and prayed
What he did to the priests were not of correct genealogy
He put them away or excluded them from the priesthood
Proverbs 31:30
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
King Ahasuerus ruled over how many provinces?
127
King Ahasuerus also known as?
Xerxes
Who destroyed the city of Jerusalem
King Nebuchadnezzar
How he renewed observance of the Sabbath:
He commanded that the gates of Jerusalem be shut before the Sabbath.
King Ahasuerus held a great feast for his officials and servants for how many days?
180 days
King Ahasuerus held a great feast for all the people in Shushan for how many days?
7 days
Who disobeyed King Ahasuerus?
Queen Vashti
3 Attributes of Nehemiah
1. He had burden for his people and his city.
2. He was prayer warrior.
3. He was humble.
4. He was grateful.
5. He didn’t pass his work to others.
6. He encouraged the people.
7. He didn’t get discouraged when enemies planned against him. Instead, he stayed careful and took steps to protect himself and the people with him.
8. He had firm confidence in God.
9. He feared God and didn’t misuse his power over the people.
10. Even though the enemies threatened them, he stayed responsible and focused on his work.
11. He didn’t leave his work or run away to save his own life.
12. He was zealous / passionate about following God's law.
Any 6 reformations
Rebuilt broken walls of Jerusalem and its gates
Stopped usury
Put away priests not of correct genealogy
Renewed observing the feast of booths
Reformation concerning marriage
Renewed observance of the Sabbath
Renewed the land to rest to the seventh year
What was the thing Mordecai had instructed her to keep it secret?
To keep her nationality a secret that she was Jewish.
In which year of king Ahasuerus reign Esther becomes queen?
In the seventh year (4 years later) of his reign.
Who was the keeper of the women in whose care Esther was placed, and what did he do that showed she had found favor with him?
Hegai, he quickly gave Esther the things she needed for her beauty treatments, seven attendants, and even moved her to the best place in the women’s quarters.
Romans 12:12
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer
Romans 3:11
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ
Who suggested that king should reject queen Vashti and her royal position should be given to someone who deserved it?
Memucan
Moral for lesson 3rd
Vashti's disobedience to the king caused her to lose her high position. We should not disobey Jesus, our King, and thereby lose His blessings.
What was the name of the feasts king held honor Esther and what he did for that day?
“Feast of Esther”
He declared a holiday and gave generous gifts
Romans 12:11
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
1 Corinthians 3:10
According to the grace of God, which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon
Provide 5 points about Esther’s background.
There was a Jewish man named Mordecai from the tribe of Benjamin. He had been taken from Jerusalem when King Nebuchadnezzar captured the city. Mordecai was raising his cousin Esther (also called Hadassah), because her parents had died. He cared for her as his own daughter. Esther was very beautiful.
How long did each young woman undergo beauty treatments before meeting the king, what did those treatments include, and what is their spiritual significance?
12 months
six months with oil of myrrh - Sufferings
six months with sweet odours and other preparations - prayer and praising
Jeremiah 7:23
But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.