Esther Study Guide – Esther 4:1-17
• And Mordecai knew all that was done (Esther 4:1)
And “Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth and ashes”; – consider….”in the likeness of sinful flesh”
“And went out into the midst of the city, cried with a loudand bitter cry”
When did Christ know all that would be done?
When did Christ go into the midst of the city?
• And he came as far as before the King’s gate (Esther 4:2)
Where is that?
For none was entering the gate of the king clothed with sackcloth.
Why not? Do not look back (Luke 9:62).
Why rejoice?
• In every province, at the place the king’s word and his law caused to touch (Esther 4:3)
What was his word and his law touching?
Why was there among the Jews great mourning, and fasting and weeping and wailing?
What are sackcloth and ashes a sign of?
• Why was Esther “exceedingly grieved”? (Esther 4:4)
What does that mean spiritually?
Why did Mordecai not receive clothing from Esther?
• Hatach = “verily”. Who does Hatach represent? (Esther 4:5).
Why was he not the Queen’s eunuch, but the King’s eunuch?
Hatach was caused to stand before her.
Why did Esther did not command Mordecai?
What did Esther want to know what she did not know already?
• What does “the way of the city which was before the King’s gate” represent? (Esther 4:6)
Why did Mordecai tell “of all that had happened unto him”? (Esther 4:7)
Why must the information Mordecai gave be complete? (Esther 4:8) Mordecai commanded Esther to plead for mercy to the King. Mordecai commanded Esther to seek from the King’s presence for her people .
• Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai (Esther 4:9).
Esther asked a request from Mordecai (Esther 4:10). It cannot be a commandment, because verse 11 is not a command.
• All the King’s servants know this (Esther 4:11).
Who are those King’s servants?
Whosoever comes to the King uninvited, shall be put to death. What does that mean? (Read Exodus 33)
“Except such to whom the King shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live.”
What does that mean?
What is a sceptre? A shepherd’s staff: The ruler is a shepherd of his people.
What is an example of extending the golden sceptre?
That he may live?
Live where?
• Do not think that you shall escape if you live in a king’s house (Esther 4:13-14).
What attribute of God does this refer to?
If thou holdest thy peace, thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed.
What action must Esther take?
Is that leading us into a works gospel? No!
Who does Esther represent?
On the Old Testament side of the cross?
Saved by grace?
Jesus told a parable (Read Matthew 25:14-30)
• “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan” (Esther 4:16).
“And fast ye for me” what could this mean?
Fast instead of pray?
Do not eat or drink 3 days and 3 nights?
“I also and my maidens will fast likewise” Do you have a reference for this? (Read Galatians)
Why did she say: “Which is not according to the law”?
What is not according to the law?
Why did she say: “and if I perish, I have perish”?
• “So Mordecai went his way (passed over) and did according to all that Esther had commanded(asked) Him.” (Esther 4:17)
What does that mean?
Jesus is LORD! 
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