Bible Book Club

Esther 2-3: Haman's Pride Demands Genocide

Have you ever suddenly found yourself in terrible circumstances beyond your control? Like Esther sleeping while genocide is decreed, you've probably experienced that moment—the diagnosis, the layoff, the betrayal—when life spins beyond your control.  Even when it feels like evil is winning and God is silent, Esther 2-3 reminds us God is always several moves ahead. Inside this episode of our Esther Bible Study: * Mordecai at the King’s Gate. Why “sitting at the gate” means political authority, not loitering. * The forgotten hero. Mordecai saves King Xerxes and is recorded in the royal annals but not rewarded. * Haman the Agagite vs. Mordecai the Benjamite. Mordecai’s refusal to bow to Haman wasn't just personal, it was an ancient spiritual conflict between the descendants of King Saul and King Agag. (1 Samuel 15) * The seven things God hates. How Haman serves as a "masterclass" in the evil traits described in Proverbs 6, from a lying tongue to feet that rush into evil.  * The Purim plot. Why Haman cast lots (Purim) to determine the timing of the Jews' destruction and how God uses the resulting 11-month delay to prepare His people. Esther 2-3 sets the stage for one of Scripture’s most dramatic confrontations between good and evil. And it holds lessons we can apply to our lives today: * God often positions us for a purpose before He reveals the plan. Faithfulness often precedes understanding. * Delayed justice is not denied justice. What’s “forgotten” on earth is never forgotten by God. * The need to be honored quietly reshapes the heart. When social media–driven approval, titles, or respect become non-negotiable needs for us, they don’t just damage relationships, they distort judgment. We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1617094/open_sms] Contact Bible Book Club DONATE [https://store.biblebookclubpodcast.com/products/donation-to-bible-book-club] Buy merch [https://store.biblebookclubpodcast.com/] Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/biblebookclubpodcast/] Like or comment on Susan's Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SusanMerrill/] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/susanmerrill/] Leave us an Apple review [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bible-book-club/id1552916982] Contact us through our website form [https://share.hsforms.com/1ftTCEh84Qfe4YT9oKmM7qQ96lq] Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!

Esther 2: From Humble Hadassah to Exalted Esther

What if God is working powerfully in your life, even when your circumstances feel wrong, unfair, or out of your control? In Esther 2, we see how God can still work all things for good even when obedience, safety, and faith feel compromised. In this episode of our Esther Bible Study, we walk through the historical reality of King Xerxes and the forced gathering of young women into the Persian harem. Moving beyond the "romance" myths, we uncover the dark and uncomfortable reality of Hadassah’s transformation into Queen Esther. We'll explore: * The Intriguing Power of Two Names: Why the author introduces her as both Hadassah and Esther and what it means for her hidden identity. * The Saul-Mordecai Connection: Uncovering the "Bible Bender" linking Esther's uncle Mordecai (son of Kish) to King Saul’s ancient conflict with the Amalekites. * Finding Favor: How God used Hegai (the king’s eunuch) and divine providence to position a Jewish orphan for a royal crown. The Book of Esther holds powerful wisdom we can apply to our lives today and we'll dive deeper into these three themes from Esther 2: * God is the Master Strategist: Even when you feel like a pawn, God is moving the board to position you for a purpose you can't see yet. * You don’t have to be perfect for God to use you: Esther’s story proves that God works through "imperfect faith" and complicated situations to bring about good. * Favor is a Gift, Not a Hustle: We explore how Esther "won favor" not through manipulation, but through a divinely-guided character that stood out in a crowded room. This episode invites you to stop judging appearances and start trusting God’s unseen work in your own life, even when your story doesn’t look the way you expected. We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1617094/open_sms] Contact Bible Book Club DONATE [https://store.biblebookclubpodcast.com/products/donation-to-bible-book-club] Buy merch [https://store.biblebookclubpodcast.com/] Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/biblebookclubpodcast/] Like or comment on Susan's Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SusanMerrill/] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/susanmerrill/] Leave us an Apple review [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bible-book-club/id1552916982] Contact us through our website form [https://share.hsforms.com/1ftTCEh84Qfe4YT9oKmM7qQ96lq] Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!

Esther Overview + 1: How Divine Providence Moved Queen Vashti to Defiance

What can you do when life feels out of control and God seems silent?  Today, our world can feel chaotic and unpredictable, but Esther 1 reminds us God can use even the messiest of situations to carry out his divine plan. In this episode, we step into the lavish Persian empire and see how political drama, royal pride, and unexpected courage become the raw material God uses to protect His people.  Themes of this episode:  The cost of courage. Queen Vashti stood her ground in an impossible situation. Sometimes obedience requires courage that comes with real consequences, and the challenge is trusting God enough to choose what’s right, no matter the cost.  Hard seasons can be preparation for your purpose. When you’re in a situation you never saw coming—the job loss, the closed door, the disappointing outcome—trust that God is arranging and preparing everything for your good. Your place in God’s story matters. You may feel ordinary or overlooked, but God is working through your life in ways that are far bigger than you know. Your part in His story is more significant than you could ever imagine. Show notes: Genealogy of Jesus [https://www.biblebookclubpodcast.com/shownotes/genealogy-of-jesus/] The Persian Palace [https://biblereadingarcheology.com/2018/09/20/shushan-the-citedal/] Feasts and Festivals in the Bible [https://www.biblebookclubpodcast.com/shownotes/feasts-and-festivals-in-the-bible/] We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1617094/open_sms] Contact Bible Book Club DONATE [https://store.biblebookclubpodcast.com/products/donation-to-bible-book-club] Buy merch [https://store.biblebookclubpodcast.com/] Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/biblebookclubpodcast/] Like or comment on Susan's Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SusanMerrill/] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/susanmerrill/] Leave us an Apple review [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bible-book-club/id1552916982] Contact us through our website form [https://share.hsforms.com/1ftTCEh84Qfe4YT9oKmM7qQ96lq] Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!

Listener Questions

Do some stories or laws in the Bible have you stumped? In this special Q&A episode, we tackle your hardest biblical questions from why innocent people face consequences for others' sins to how Jesus' genealogy proves his Davidic lineage through both Mary and Joseph.  We explore controversial Old Testament laws about rape and marriage, unpack the cultural context behind family punishment in ancient Israel, and reveal why Satan appears less frequently in Old Testament books compared to the New Testament. You'll discover surprising answers about Joseph's Egyptian wife, the evil spirit that tormented King Saul, and how to study scripture like a theologian. Podcast themes: * Context transforms understanding. When we understand the cultural and historical context of difficult biblical passages, God's justice and protection come into clearer focus. So when stories seem harsh or unfair, look at them as an invitation to dive deeper and seek the true nature of God who is just, patient, and intentional from Genesis to Revelation.  * God's plan leaves no room for doubt. The dual genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke aren't contradictions. They're confirmation. One traces Joseph's legal lineage, the other Mary's biological line, both converging at King David to prove Jesus fulfills messianic prophecy completely. * Satan's influence has always existed, even when unnamed. Just because "Satan" isn't mentioned by name frequently in the Old Testament doesn't mean spiritual warfare wasn't happening. The adversary operated throughout biblical history, sometimes through direct attack when God withdrew His protection. Show notes: Genealogy of Jesus [https://www.biblebookclubpodcast.com/shownotes/genealogy-of-jesus/] We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1617094/open_sms] Contact Bible Book Club DONATE [https://store.biblebookclubpodcast.com/products/donation-to-bible-book-club] Buy merch [https://store.biblebookclubpodcast.com/] Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/biblebookclubpodcast/] Like or comment on Susan's Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SusanMerrill/] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/susanmerrill/] Leave us an Apple review [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bible-book-club/id1552916982] Contact us through our website form [https://share.hsforms.com/1ftTCEh84Qfe4YT9oKmM7qQ96lq] Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!

Nehemiah 12-13: Remember Me, My God

What can you do when everything you’ve worked so hard to rebuild starts to crumble?  In this final episode of Nehemiah, we step into the unforgettable parade of praise around Jerusalem’s newly dedicated wall, where two massive choirs circle the city in worship. Then we witness the cycle of hope and failure repeat. After 12 years of faithful work—walls rebuilt, worship restored, covenant renewed—Nehemiah returns to Persia. In his absence, Jerusalem falls apart. The temple is defiled by Tobiah the Ammonite, the Levites have abandoned their posts, the Sabbath is desecrated, and forbidden marriages threaten the community's faith.  This story and the cycle of repeated hope then failure points forward to the only One who can break this cycle: Jesus, the mediator of the New Covenant. Themes of this podcast: * Guard what God has entrusted to you by paying attention to subtle compromises that can quietly erode your faith, relationships, or habits. * Rebuild rhythms of worship and rest when life feels crowded, distracted, or spiritually thin. * Choose faithfulness even when others do not, trusting that your obedience is seen, remembered, and honored by God. We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1617094/open_sms] Contact Bible Book Club DONATE [https://store.biblebookclubpodcast.com/products/donation-to-bible-book-club] Buy merch [https://store.biblebookclubpodcast.com/] Like, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/biblebookclubpodcast/] Like or comment on Susan's Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SusanMerrill/] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/susanmerrill/] Leave us an Apple review [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bible-book-club/id1552916982] Contact us through our website form [https://share.hsforms.com/1ftTCEh84Qfe4YT9oKmM7qQ96lq] Thanks for listening and happy podcasting!