Esther Study - Lawrence

• what were the details of the plot to assassinate King Ahasuerus? How did Mordecai thwart this plot?
  Two of king's eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, doorkeepers became furious and wanted to kill the king. (2:21) Details of the plot? not written. He telltale to Esther and Esther went to tell the king. (Pau to - hokkien)
  
• why did Haman become furious with Mordecai? why do you think Mordecai refused to pay homage to Haman?
  he refused to bow down to him (3:2), why refused to bow down to him? could be because he's a jew, or because of family feud as suggested by author. what i think? not recorded, as usual, we can name a thousand, and we won't know. best guess is ... i don't know.
  
• How did Haman try to determine a date on which to carry out his murderous plot? How do you see God's sovereign hand at work through this process? why don't we use this method for making decisions today? what resources has God given us to help us make decisions?
  he cast a lot. he made it far away so his people have time to react? why dun use lot to make decision? hmm... its stupid! God gave us the word to help us learn to make decisions, and prayers... and godly council..
  
• in what ways do the stories of Esther 3 and Daniel 6 parallel each other?
  both daniel and mordecai refused to bow down and were threatened to be killed... in esther 3 more serious, the whole race was threatened to be slaughtered.
  
• read acts 4:13-22 and 5:17-29. why is it common for those in positions of power to try to muzzle or control the people of God?
  in act 5 passage, the apostles are against them... (5:29)
  the people want to gain something for themselves, fame, power, popularity... so the apostles would not say something bad about them, or prove their work to be fake... as the apostles preached about the true word and wanna honour God instead of men.
  
• read Jehoshaphat's prayer in 2 Chronicles 20:5-12. in what ways is this a model prayer for any child of God who is in trouble?
  i personally wouldn't think that this is a model prayer... wouldn't like to twist his arm... but the last sentence is true... "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you"
  
• in what specific ways have you been pressured to compromise your faith?
  many! 1 specific way, hmm... not necessary means leaving my faith, but at times when i need to stand up for the faith i believe, i might not have... example... [thinking, to be added later]
  
• what do you think precipitated such an extreme response on the part of Haman?
  evil intentions, selfish desires, pride... which is very common to everyone...
  
• the population of susa was "perplexed" by the decision of the king. what would you say are the most perplexing issues with which our citizens struggle? why?
  believing that we are what we have, what we own, what we buy... doing things for ourselves and ourselves only, not considering the rest... the world is making us selfish...

apologised for not being able to make it to the studies tonight, gotta attend class... (: have fun guys...