I'm starting a study on Esther, here are some thoughts and observations from day 1:

Background:

• No mention of God, prayer or worship in the book
• Esther and Mordecai were not necessarily godly Jews (aka Esther joining the kings harem...)
• There is great courage, nobility and high moral character in this book
• "If the name of God is not here, His finger is. He is in the shadows keeping watch over His own."
  

Esther 1:1-9
180 day banquet for his officials, servants, the army of Persia and Media, and nobles and governors of Providences
Purpose: show off his riches and his royal glory...

2nd 7 day banquet for all the people in Susa, the citadel, the great and small

Queen Vashti is throwing a feast for the women in the palace at the same time

First Impressions of Ahasuerus:
-pompous
-proud
-selfish
-people pleaser
-wealthy
-conceited

God's view on riches:
Prov. 30:7-9 --It is better to be content than have great riches! "give me neither poverty nor riches, feed me with food that is need full for me." *lest I be full and deny you or poor and steal
Prov. 31:20 --The Wise Woman "Opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy."
Phil. 4:11-13 --Learn in whatever situation you are in to be CONTENT!

Do NOT be fooled by fortune and affluence!

If you have plenty = Give liberally, give generously, bountifully and cheerfully
If you have little = Seek Contentment