Week Eight of Esther
Today is Week Eight of the Ten Weeks of Esther
Now, if you’re keeping count, “technically” this isn’t week eight. It’s actually week nine, but I was unable to write up week eight for last week, so I thought that I’d do week eight this week then combine week nine and ten (since chapter ten contains only 3 verses) for our final week (that’s next week!). Sorry if that’s confusing…I was planning on getting this up last Tuesday but we were busy, then we all got sick (and are still sick) and things started piling up…anyhow, enough rambling. Enjoy Week Nine…err, Eight. =P
My Findings in the Book of Esther, Chapter Eight:
Now that Haman the Agagite had passed from this world to another, King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman. Everything seemed to be going smoothly now, even Mordecai could come into the presence of the king. King Xerxes gave his signet ring, which previously had been given to Haman but had been reclaimed, to Mordecai, and Esther appointed her dear old cousin over Haman’s estate.
But alas, even though the enemy of the Jews was destroyed, the dreaded edict was still valid. Esther pleaded with the king and fell at his feet in tears, begging him to put an end to Haman’s evil plan. King Xerxes extended his golden scepter to her, and Esther arose from the floor and stood before him. After talking it out, Mordecai had the royal secretaries summoned on the twenty-third day of the third month (the month of Sivan). These men wrote out all of Mordecai’s orders to the Jews, the satraps, the governors and the nobles of all the 127 provinces that King Xerxes ruled, from
Now, in this decree and edict was the right for the Jews in every city to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy and kill and annihilate any army or armed force of any nationality that might attack them and their families. It also gave them the right to plunder the property of their enemies. The day that all this could take place was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. This text was also to be issued as law.
And Mordecai left the king’s presence wearing royal garments of blue and white, a crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen…a far cry from the sackcloth he was wearing back in chapter four! Now the Jews were full of joy, gladness, honor, and it was a time of happiness wherever the edict was read. Feasting and celebrations filled cities and many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.
And thus ends chapter eight
My Purim Party Ideas for Week Eight:
Decorations totally set the mood for any party, Purim included! When decorating for your Purim party, go with a “spring” theme. We usually get plates from a party store or dollar store…last year we had pastel purple party plates that had pansies in the middle. (*whew*…a lot of “p”s in that sentence! lol) Hang coordinating streamers (if you’re going with purple, white or yellow are good) and sprinkle glitter on the middle of your table. If you have fancy wine glasses, use those for your drinking glasses (You don’t have to necessarily serve wine in them just because they’re called wine glasses…juice or water is great too!) You could even have a pretty centerpiece for a giveaway…just tape a Star of David under someone’s plate, and the person with the star gets to take the centerpiece home.
If you’re celebrating Purim this year, or going to a Purim Party, I’d love to hear about your experiences! You can PM them to me or comment me…or even better, take lots of pictures and post them on your blog! ^_^
If You’ve Posted For This Week of Esther, PLEASE COMMENT ME WITH A DIRECT LINK TO YOUR POST!!! I’d love to see what you’ve found in the chapter and what Purim ideas you’ve came up with!
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Week Seven of Esther
Today is Week Seven of the Ten Weeks of Esther
This week’s chapter was quite short, but I hope you’ll enjoy it anyway. ^_^ Now that Purim is only a few short weeks away, my parents and I have been discussing plans, party ideas, and menus more seriously. Before we know it, Purim will be here! ^_^
My Findings in the Book of Esther, Chapter Seven:
After being taken away to the palace, Haman dines with the king and queen. Presently, the king asks Queen Esther to tell him her request.
She does…and after she does, she “spills the beans” on Haman.
She begs the king to spare her life, and the lives of her people. After all, if they were just merely sold as slaves, she would have kept quiet…but this, this was a plot to destroy and slaughter and annihilate her family!
King Xerxes asks who would dare to raise a hand against his queen, and Queen Esther points him to the adversary and enemy…the vile Haman!
Haman is now quaking in his sandals. Oh, what was the queen talking about? She couldn’t be a Jew! How, oh how, had he not known this?
The king gets up in rage and went into the palace garden to decide Haman’s fate. Haman, on the other hand, stays behind and begs Esther for his life. But alas, as soon as the king returns, Haman makes a fatal move…he deliberately falls on the couch Esther was reclining on. King Xerxes is enraged even further and they cover Haman’s face. Harbona, one of the king’s eunuchs, states that Haman had a gallows that stood 75 feet high by his house. Harbona also says that it was built for Mordecai…the very man who had spoken up to help the king and, in short, saved the king’s life.
King Xerxes says only four words… “Hang him [Haman] on it!”
And so, thus was the end of Haman the Agagite. Then, and only then, did the king’s fury subside.
And thus ends chapter seven
My Purim Party Ideas for Week Seven:
In the Book of Esther, it states to give gifts of food to each other, as well as gifts to the poor. (We’ll be going over that in Week Nine) So, my mom came up with the idea to have a donation box that we’ll keep by our front door so that when people come for our Sabbath Services they can drop in something to donate. (i.e. canned goods, gifts, toys, and also used clothes and toys) We announced this last Saturday, so we’re all excited to watch the “Purim Gifts For the Poor” box grow as each week draws us nearer to Purim!
We’re also taping/pinning Bible verses on everything that we’re donating. We’re hoping to go as a group when we drop the box off (perhaps after or before our Purim party). I’d greatly encourage you to make a “Purim Gifts for the Poor” box for YOUR church/congregation, or even just have a small one at home that your family can donate items into. It’s a great way to bless others, and if you tape/pin Bible verses on items it’s a great way to share God’s love and Word!
If You’ve Posted For This Week of Esther, PLEASE COMMENT ME WITH A DIRECT LINK TO YOUR POST!!! I’d love to see what you’ve found in the chapter and what Purim ideas you’ve came up with!
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Week Six of Esther
Today is Week Six of the Ten Weeks of Esther
My oh my, how the time has flown! Was it really, truly, SIX WEEKS AGO when I posted the first post of the Ten Weeks of Esther?! Before I know it, Purim will be upon us! ^_^ Enjoy Week Six!
My Findings in the Book of Esther, Chapter Six:
Sometimes we humans just cannot fall asleep….and King Xerxes was having one of those nights. He ordered that the book of the chronicles of his reign be read to him in attempt to lull him to the land of sweet dreams. But while his attendant was reading to the king, it was discovered that Mordecai had never been honored for exposing Bigthana and Teresh (the king’s officials that were plotting against the king back in chapter 2 of Esther).
Puzzled, the king inquires who is in court at that moment, wishing for someone to speak to on this matter. Now Haman had just entered the court of the palace to speak to the king about bringing about Mordecai’s death on the gallows…and he’s in for the surprise of his life.
Haman comes to the king and is asked the question, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” The pride-puffed Haman conceals a squeal of delight. Now who, who, pray tell, would the king delight to honor…why, none other than himself, of course! Haman’s mind scurries for something grand for the king to do to this “man” and comes up with a plan: they should bring a royal robe that the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden that also has the royal crest placed on its head. Then, once the man of honor is robed and seated on the steed, one of the king’s most noble princes is to lead the man down the streets of the city and proclaim for all to here, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”
Good plan, our pride-puffed friend. Now go carry that plan out and honor Mordecai.
Wh-what?
Haman grits his teeth and carries out his plan, but oh how torturous it was! After, he rushes home with his head heaped with grief and spills out his woes to his wife and friends. Those around him all imply that because Mordecai is of Jewish origin, Haman certainly cannot stand against him. Why, practically everyone and their mother knew what the God of the Jews had done in years past!
As Haman quakes at this new revelation, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried him away to Queen Esther’s banquet.
And thus ends chapter six
My Purim Party Ideas for Week Six:
A great idea for Purim is to have a Purim play! Gather around your friends, siblings, and family members and dress up in clothing you think the characters in Esther would have worn. You can either come up with your own, unique story line or act it out strait from the Bible.
A great idea is to have your guests pay a small amount for “tickets” in order to see your play. With the money you’ve raised, donate it to a worthy cause. Maybe you’ll donate it towards a soup kitchen or a missionary family, or even a struggling ministry that has blessed you in the past.
Get creative, and have fun! Remember, you only have 4 weeks left if you want to practice for your big show! ^_^
If You’ve Posted For This Week of Esther, PLEASE COMMENT ME WITH A DIRECT LINK TO YOUR POST!!! I’d love to see what you’ve found in the chapter and what Purim ideas you’ve came up with!
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Week 5 of Esther
Today is Week Five of the Ten Weeks of Esther
Oh my…today’s Friday?! My deepest apologies for writing this post so late! Life has been so busy, almost overwhelmingly busy and stressful and there’s just so much to catch up on that it seems like I’m running in circles! Never mind that, though, and enjoy Week Five of Esther! (We’re half-way done!)
My Findings in the Book of Esther, Chapter Five:
Three days have past, the fast is over. Esther arrays herself in royal robes and walks with steps directed by the Lord towards the inner courts. There she stands, in front of the king’s hall.
Those standing around the king must have thought that this would be the end of their beautiful queen, but King Xerxes was pleased to see his wife and extended the golden scepter with his own hand.
Esther approaches, touches the tip of the scepter, and waits for the king to speak.
He asks her what her request is, ready to give it up to half the kingdom to her. But Esther lays only a simple request at his feet, that he and Haman may attend a banquet she had prepared for them. Did Esther loose the courage to ask right up front for her peoples’ lives? Or was she just building up to that?
Nevertheless, the king summons Haman and the attend Esther’s banquet. As they drank wine, the king must have sensed that Esther wasn’t telling him everything, for he again asks her to tell him her request. He assures her that whatever it is, he will grant it to her. But all Esther asks for is that the king and Haman will come again on the morrow to another banquet she will prepare. Then she will reveal her true request.
Haman went home that day merry and in high spirits. After all, he had been honored by the beautiful queen! But every ounce of happiness drained out when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate, not flinching a muscle, never showing fear. Haman was outraged but restrained himself and continued on his way home.
Calling together friends and family, Haman boasted to every living soul around him about his vast wealth, his many sons, the ways the king had honored him above all nobles and officials…and last but defiantly not least, his invitation to the queen’s banquet. But oh, he could never be truly happy while that Jew they call Mordecai is sitting at the king’s gate!
His wife Zeresh and all his friends advise him to build a gallows, about 75 feet high, and in the morning Haman is to petition the king to have Mordecai hanged.
Haman is delighted at this suggestion, and he had the gallows built.
And thus ends chapter five
My Recipe Ideas for Week Five:
Purim just cannot be Purim without Hamantashen, the special cookies we bake and eat by the dozens! Filling them with jam to marshmallow cream fluff or berries to chocolate and peanut butter, these scrumptious cookies will make your party festive!
Here’s one of the recipes we use for Hamantashen, but remember, you can substituted the filling with anything you want to use! Our favorites are raspberry jam…
Flo Braker’s Cookie-Dough Hamantashen
(from Fast & Festive Meals for the Jewish Holidays, Marlene Sorosky)
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ pound (1 stick) butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/3 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Jams, jellies, or other fillings
Preheat oven to 350F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper OR grease them.
To make dough: Sift four, baking powder, and salt. In mixing bowl with electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and mix 1 minute. Mix in orange juice and vanilla. Add flour mixture and mix until incorporated. Shape into a flat disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm enough to roll out, at least 15 minutes. (Dough may be refrigerated up to 2 days)
To shape hamantashen: Divide the dough in half; it will be very sticky. Cover 1 portion with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Place other half between 2 sheets of floured wax paper. Roll from the center out toward the edges into a 13-inch circle, about 1/8 inch thick. If dough is difficult to roll out, place in freezer to firm up. Using 3-inch floured cookie cutter, cut out circles. (a clean, empty tuna can with both ends removed works well) Using a floured spatula, pick up circles and flip onto prepared baking sheets. Spoon 1 ½ teaspoons filling in the center of each circle. Press 3 edges together to make a triangle, leaving a small opening in the center. Place 1 ½ inches apart on sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. Re-roll scraps, cut out, and fill.
To bake: Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden on the bottom. If baking 2 sheets in one oven, rotate positions after 7 minutes. Cool 5 minutes and remove to racks. Hamantashen may be stored, airtight, for several days. They will bake crisp but will soften slightly after storing. They may also be frozen)
Makes: About 36 hamantashen
If You’ve Posted For Week Four of Esther, PLEASE COMMENT ME WITH A DIRECT LINK TO YOUR POST!!! I’d love to see what you’ve found in the chapter and what Purim ideas you’ve came up with!
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Simple Apron Picture From Week Two of Esther
Hello y'all!! Once again, I'm attempting to post that simple apron picture (two weeks LATE, of course!) Doodle's Templates had a wonderful post on how to upload so I'm trying her method, we'll see if it works!! ^_^
To view the "Week Two of Esther" post where this apron was supposed to be featured at, click HERE
Blessings, Hugs, and Love,
Miss Toria
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