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ESTHER
Sept 4, 2023 3:59:43 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Sept 4, 2023 3:59:43 GMT -5
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ESTHER
Sept 4, 2023 4:01:31 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Sept 4, 2023 4:01:31 GMT -5
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ESTHER
Sept 4, 2023 4:03:24 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Sept 4, 2023 4:03:24 GMT -5
04-10 SEP MW 1. What evidence seems to support the Biblical account of Mordecai? ( Est 2:5) "Researchers discovered a Persian cuneiform text that mentions a man named Marduka (English Mordecai). He worked as an administrator, possibly an accountant, in Shushan. Arthur Ungnad, an expert in Oriental history, reported that this cuneiform was “the only extra-Biblical reference to Mordecai” at the time.
Since Ungnad’s report, scholars have translated thousands of other Persian cuneiforms. Among these are the Persepolis tablets, which were found in the ruins of the Treasury, near the city walls. These tablets date back to the reign of Xerxes I. They are in the Elamite language and contain several names found in the book of Esther.a
The name Mordecai (Marduka) as it appears in Persian cuneiform writing
Several Persepolis tablets mention the name Marduka, who served as a rioyal scribe at the palace in Shushan during the reign of Xerxes I. One tablet describes Marduka
as a translator. That detail fits the Bible’s description of Mordecai. He was an official who served in the court of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) and who spoke at least two languages. Mordecai regularly sat in the king’s gate of the palace in Shushan. (Esther 2:19, 21; 3:3) This royal gate stood as an imposing building and was the workplace of palace officials.
There are remarkable similarities between Marduka mentioned in the tablets and Mordecai mentioned in the Bible. They lived at the same time and in the same place and served in official positions at the same place of work. All these similarities together suggest that the archaeological discoveries may relate to the Mordecai described in the book of Esther." [w22.11 31 par 3-6] 11-17 SEP MW 2. How do we fight for freedom to worship, as Esther and Mordecai did? ( Est 4:12, 17) "Like Esther and Mordecai of old, Jehovah’s people today fight for the freedom to worship Jehovah in the way that he has commanded. (Esther 4:13-16) Can you have a part? Yes. You can pray regularly for your spiritual brothers and sisters who are currently suffering on account of legal injustices. Such prayers can be a powerful aid to our brothers and sisters under hardship and persecution. (Read James 5:16.) Does Jehovah act on such prayers? Our victories in court suggest that he certainly does!—Heb. 13:18, 19." [kr 160 par 14] 18-24 SEP MW 3. How would an annihilation of the Jews “be damaging to the king”? ( Est 7:4) "By tactfully pointing out the possibility of selling the Jews as slaves, Esther brought to the fore the matter of damage to the king by their destruction. The 10,000 silver pieces that Haman had promised were far less profitable to the king’s treasury than the wealth that could have been generated if Haman had schemed to sell the Jews as slaves. The execution of the plot would also have meant the loss of the queen." [w06 3/1 11 par1] 25-01 OCT MW 4. Why did the Jews not take any spoil? ( Est 9:15, 16) "Their refusal left no doubt that their purpose was self-preservation, not self-enrichment." [w06 3/1 11 par 4]
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ESTHER
Sept 4, 2023 4:17:22 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Sept 4, 2023 4:17:22 GMT -5
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