The Place of Esther in Biblical History
Introduction: Getting into Esther
Reading Plan

Week 1: A King’s Feast (Esther 1:1–22)
Week 2: An Unlikely Queen (Esther 2:1–23)
Week 3: An Evil Man and an Evil Plan (Esther 3:1–15)
Week 4: Such a Time as This (Esther 4:1–17)
Week 5: Rise and Fall (Esther 5:1–14)
Week 6: Haman’s Very Bad Day (Esther 6:1–14)
Week 7: Exposure! (Esther 7:1–10)
Week 8: A Great Reversal (Esther 8:1–17)
Week 9: Deliverance (Esther 9:1–19)
Week 10: A Feast for All Time (Esther 9:20–10:3)

Helpful Resources on Esther
Notes

“If you’ve participated in women’s Bible studies, you know there is no shortage of studies on Esther written for female audiences. Why consider this one? First, because it devotes a full ten weeks to moving line-by-line through a mere ten chapters, employing excellent and accessible study skills along the way. But even better than that, Esther: The Hidden Hand of God points us beyond Esther herself to the One she served. Here is a study intent on making disciples who know and worship their God.”
Jen Wilkin, Bible teacher; author, Women of the Word; None Like Him; and In His Image

“The brilliant and beautiful mix of sound teaching, helpful charts, lists, sidebars, and appealing graphics—as well as insightful questions that get the reader into the text of Scripture—make this a study women will want to invest time in and will look back on as time well spent.”
Nancy Guthrie, Bible teacher; author, Even Better than Eden

“If you’re looking for a rich, accessible, and deeply biblical Bible study, this is it! Lydia Brownback leads her readers verse-by-verse through Esther, providing maps, timelines, commentary, and questions that probe the text in order to glean understanding and application. She settles us deeply in the context of the book as she highlights God’s unfolding plan of redemption and rescue. You will learn, you will delight in God’s word, and you will love our good King Jesus even more.”
Courtney Doctor, Director of Women’s Initiatives, The Gospel Coalition; Bible teacher; author, From Garden to Glory and In View of God’s Mercies

“Esther: The Hidden Hand of God provides a visually engaging study with accessible content to help women understand the content of the book of Esther in the context of the whole counsel of Scripture. As a women’s ministry leader, I am excited about the development of the Flourish Bible Study series that will not only prayerfully equip women to increase in biblical literacy but also come alongside them to build a systematic and comprehensive framework to become lifelong students of the word of God.”
Karen Hodge, Coordinator of Women’s Ministries, Presbyterian Church in America; coauthor, Transformed

“Lydia Brownback’s Bible study on Esther is a sturdy and faithful guide for us. Providing rich insights into context, guiding our investigation into details of the text, and encouraging us to respond to the character and work of the unmentioned God, it helps us better know our Bible and our saving and sovereign Lord. I will recommend it for years to come for those looking for a wise, Christ-centered study that leads toward the goal of being transformed by the word.”
Taylor Turkington, Bible teacher; Director, BibleEquipping.org