This week's Principal Questions:

1. What specific steps were proposed in verses 3-5 toward the selection of the new queen?
2. What facts does Esther:2:5-7 [5] In Shushan the citadel there was a certain Jew whose name [was] Mordecai the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite. [6] [Kish] had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives who had been captured with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. [7] And [Mordecai] had brought up Hadassah, that [is,] Esther, his uncle's daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman [was] lovely and beautiful. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter. tell about Mordecai and Esther?
3. Why might Mordecai have wanted Esther's Judaism kept secret?
4. What three responses from Xerxes led to Esther's queenship?
5. What happened after Queen Esther gave Mordecai credit for exposing the plot?

Please comment on anything you'd like to share before we meet on Thursday at Debbie's home. Happy studying!

In the study tonight, Roberta had wanted to cover the acrostic PURIM for chapter 1 but we ran out of time.

Remember Beth mentioned this acrostic exercise will be somewhat subjective. At times someone else may have different points listed than you do. She is having us do this exercise to enhance the learning process and to help illustrate Purim's truest message: the providence of God . These are some of the things I listed for chapter one. Please comment and add additional ones for this chapter and continue throughout the study. Read more

Welcome to the Esther Bible study group! Thank you for going through the process to get here. Sometimes that can be very frustrating. My wireless Internet connection often drops which can cause all sorts of problems. I hope you find the interaction here a great addition to your study of the book of Esther. It is another way to share our portions in Christ and as Beth mentioned, another way to receive the whole Megillah!

Return of the Ethiopian Jews
Zeph 3:10 with Is 43:6

Last night, at the Monday night class, Pastor was teaching us the Validity of the bible through three aspects, Manuscript evidence, scientific support and through the proof of the prophecy in the bible. One point  that pastor brought up in prophetical truth was the return of the Ethiopian Jews to Israel. 

How and when did Jews get to Ethiopia in the fist place?