Esther: Week 2

Apr 12

BEAUTY TREATMENTS OF ESTHER

While we don't know exactly the treatments Esther received during her 12-month preparation to see the king, we do know that these oils and treatments were traditionally used:

Henna: made hair soft, strong, and silky. Fight off lice.
Clay: purified the skin & restored moisture. Removed dry skin.
Coconut & Olive oils: moisturized skin, used as an antioxidant. Treated dry skin and hair.
Spikenard: deodorizing properties. Used to balance hormones and promote fertility.
Cassis Oil: Settled PMS, known to treat bloating and cramps, relieves joint and body aches. Increased circulation and repelled insects.
Myrrh: Anti-aging properties used for chapped skin and good for oral hygiene. Used to treat candida, yeast, and ringworm infections. Also used to heal fungal infections and alleviate scars.
Milk: softened the skin
Honey: moisturized skin and used as an anti-bacterial.
Treatments were used to heal and remove cracked and calloused skin, sores, skin diseases and offered anti-bacterial, disinfectant, and anti-fungal properties.

WEEK 2 READING PLAN

DAY 1: Esther 2:5-11

optional reading: 1 Samuel 9:1 & 2 Kings 24

DAY 2: Esther 2:12-18

optional reading: Daniel 1

DAY 3: Esther 2:19-23

optional reading: 2 Samuel 20:3

DAY 4: Esther 3:1-4

optional reading: Exodus 17:8-16

& Deuteronomy 25:17-19

DAY 5: Esther 3:5-11

optional reading: 1 Samuel 15

GENEALOGY OF MORDECAI & ESTHER

Mordecai is Esther's cousin. Her parents died and we read that Mordecai takes her as his own daughter.
Mordecai is from the Benjamin tribe, one of 12 Israelite tribes from the Old Testament.

Mordecai's Family Lineage

Kish's two sons:
Shimei & Saul
Shimei's son - Jair
Jair's son - Mordecai
Mordecai's great uncle is Saul. (1 Samuel 9:1)

WEEK 2 OVERVIEW

After sending off his queen, Vashti, the search begins for her replacement. Mordecai's cousin Esther is described as "lovely in both form and features" (2:7) and is one of the many young virgins who are brought to the citadel to be in the king's harem, overseen by Hegai. Esther pleased Hegai and won his favor. She starts to receive her 12-months of beauty treatments in preparation to go before the king. All this time, Mordecai stays close, reportedly pacing by the harem courtyard so he can know how Esther is doing.

When Esther goes before the king, she wins the "favor of everyone who saw her" (2:15). The king was attracted to her and won his favor and approval more than any of the other girls. He picks her as queen and she officially replaces Vashti.

It's interesting to note that the translation of "favor" in this context means "loyal love" and is the same translation as what is used to describe the favor of God.

Shortly after becoming queen, Esther gives Mordecai a position within the king's gate where all official business took place. Because of his position, he becomes privy to a plan to kill the king. Chapter 2 ends with Mordecai passing the information to Esther who then warns the king of this plot to kill him. The king rewards Mordecai and executes those officials looking to kill him.

Chapter 3 begins with an introduction to Haman. Haman takes on a high-ranking role of honor and nobility. Because of his position, the king commands that all royal officials at the king's gate kneel before Haman to honor him. Mordecai refuses to kneel and when Kaman catches word that he won't kneel and that he is also a Jew, a boiling hatred moves him to act... not just against Mordecai but against all the Jews in the king's provinces.

Haman convinces the king that there are people throughout the land who won't obey. He tells the king it is in his best interest that he kills them and be done with them. Haman never mentions their nationality. However, Haman has much reason to harbor this anger toward the Jews.

We already know that Mordecai is related to Saul. While Saul was king, he went to battle against the Amalekites, the same nation from which Haman is from.

In that war, Saul wins and kills the Amalekite king. Haman comes from a long history of bitterness and animosity towards the Jews for this war as well as one we read about in Exodus.

We finish our study this week with the plan in place, decreed by the king, for the Jews to be killed through the land.

Study Plan

DAY 1: Esther 2:5-11 Optional Reading: 1 Samuel 9:1 & 2 Kings 24

What do we learn about Esther in these verses?

What can you observe about Mordecai in these verses?

Why do you think Mordecai tells Esther to conceal her nationality?