Welcome to the Restoration Church Bible Study Podcast podcast where Gloria Lee explores the fascinating stories of the Bible. Today, she delves into the book of Esther, specifically chapters 1 and 2:1-14.

Chapter 1 introduces us to King Xerxes, the ruler of Persia, who hosts a grand feast for his people. During the banquet, he requests that his queen, Vashti, come before him to display her beauty. However, Vashti refuses, and the king becomes angry, resulting in her removal from the throne.

Chapter 2:1-14 introduces us to Esther, a Jewish girl who becomes the new queen. Esther's story is one of bravery and faith, as she hides her Jewish identity from the king and his court. Esther's cousin, Mordecai, encourages her to reveal her true identity to the king and advocate for her people.

Through the stories of Vashti and Esther, we see two vastly different women who both possess a strong sense of self. Vashti's refusal to come before the king demonstrated her independence, while Esther's bravery in hiding her identity and ultimately revealing it shows her loyalty to her faith and her people.

Join us as we dive deeper into the stories of Esther and the lessons we can learn from her bravery and determination.