Chosen: A Study of Esther

by Donna Snow

Feeling as if God is absent? Like His presence isn't around and He's gone? The best news in the world is that God's seeming absence doesn't mean He isn't present. Rather, God is always present, working His way in the background of your life to bring His plan to fruition. No Book of the Bible shows this better than the Book of Esther.

The Book of Esther is one of the most fascinating books of the Bible because in all of its words, God's name never appears. That doesn't mean God is absent. Rather, God is ever present, weaving His plan through every part of Esther's narrative. Set at a lavish feast in the Persian Empire and following a beauty contest, you can see how God uses Esther to save an entire nation from annihilation.

This eight-week Bible study from Donna Snow will show you how God is ever-present in your life, no matter the circumstances. With discussion questions at the end of each session, you can dig into this fascinating book of the Bible to start seeing God's presence in His seeming absence, and how He is constantly using you to propel His plan for creation forward.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Religion

256 pages, Paperback

Published January 6, 2021

About the author

Bible study is my passion. Period. God has completely transformed my life through it. Consequently, Artesian Ministries (my 501c3 non-profit ministry) is focused on the expository teaching of God’s Word and practical application of His life-giving truths in our everyday lives.

Whenever God opens the door for me to teach from His Word, I always carry a few extra Bibles with me to give as gifts to those who do not have one.

I have three abiding passions: encouraging dear sisters in Christ, exploring the treasures in Scripture, and traveling the world.

When I’m not speaking, writing, or embarking on a new adventure, I enjoy connecting with you online, snapping copious photos, watching documentaries and home improvement shows, immersing myself in research, and reading faith-based books—as many as I can inhale. I’m a marginal housekeeper, closet chef, and dabbling gardener, but home is always my favorite place to be.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this dive into the book of Esther. Snow did an excellent job of pointing out the Biblical truth and Gospel message, even God is not directly mentioned in the pages of Esther. I felt Snow was a little too free in interpreting the motivations behind Mordecai and Esther's actions, sometimes to the detriment of the Gospel. Mordecai, she explains, refuses to bow to Haman not because of his faith in God, but because he really hates Amalekites--but several lessons later she quotes Apocryphal passages where Mordecai says it was out of faith. Esther invites Ahasuerus and Haman to a banquet because her courage failed her at the last minute. What? Anyway, aside from these blips of disagreement or confusion, this is a great study. In some ways it would have been better to go through with a group, but it worked as a personal study as well.

[Sharla Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love the fairy-tale-like story of Esther--an orphan turned queen? This Old Testament book has long been a favorite of mine, and I have studied it in-depth several times, yet Donna Snow's study, Chosen gave me new perspectives. The book delves into the history of Esther yet offers applications for our modern-day lives. It tells the seemingly hopeless story of Jews facing destruction yet points out how God used a young Jewish girl to reverse that destruction. Most important, Chosen reminds us that when our situation appears desperate and God seems hidden, the Lord continues to work for our good behind the scenes.

[Molly Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna beautifully guides us through the historical facts of Esther, while also relating them to our current lives. This study is beautifully done and timely written for "such a time as this". Grab your girls and dig in to this Bible study - you won't be sorry.

[Michelle Diercks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chosen is a timely reminder of who you are as God's beloved child. Donna leads you through this excellent in-depth Bible Study of the book of Esther, giving you historical reference and understanding of the Biblical narrative. Insightful questions will draw you further into God's Word and help you see your place in God's story of redemption. This beautiful Christ-centered study offers hope, peace, and comfort, even when life feels uncertain. Chosen would be an excellent study to do on your own, with a group of friends, or your women's Bible study group.

[Ruth Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What girl doesn’t like the epic (true!) story of Esther, the orphan who becomes queen and saves her people from destruction? This is the stuff fairy tales are made of, but this is far more than a fairy tale. I appreciate the insights Donna shares from her tour of the Holy Land and interviews with her tour guide while there, which shed light on some of the cultural aspects we miss as modern-day Americans reading this Old Testament book. Overall, this is a good study, although It’s not as deep as I’d like it to be. Esther is a narrative, and therefore I found the Bible study to be a bit slow-moving to stretch it out to cover eight weeks. Exploring only one or two verses a day is great for a deep theological book like Romans, but not always appropriate for a narrative. There is also a high ratio of personal/discussion questions to questions on the text itself. In one study, for example (Day 5 of Lesson 5), there were four personal questions and only three on Bible verses. I get that some of these questions can spark discussion if you’re doing this as a group study, but it was distracting for me, since I did this as an individual Bible study. Still, it’s worth working though to learn more about God at work in the story of His Old Testament people in the book of Esther.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna Snow’s new study “Chosen: A Study of Esther” is an energizing combination of historical fact, biblical study, and personal connection. It is well-researched but also personally applicable for today’s reader. Be ready to dive into not only the story of Esther, but many other areas of Scripture and how God’s Word continues to speak to His people today. Through it all, the shining light of Christ is bright. Donna Snow has the gift to make an in-depth Bible study feel like coffee with a friend. I can’t wait to do this study with my bible study group!

[Michelle Ule · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an endorser of this Bible study, I'm so pleased with Donna Snow's careful work.

Rich with historical context and Snow's hard-earned wisdom, Chosen reminds us that the beautiful Jewish Esther was forced into a beauty contest.

Snow uses a movie metaphor to help readers understand the king's values, how he ran his opulent court, and the dangerous times. She uses other Scripture passages to deepen the reader's understanding, and reminds us that without even mentioning God's name, the Book of Esther shows us God's hand was apparent in its monumental events.

[Heidi Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna Snow is such a great writer. I love how she ties in the entire Bible and God into the book we are reading. And give us so much food for thought.

[Heidi Goehmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her latest study, Chosen, Donna Snow leads with one foot firmly planted in biblical history and investigation and one in the core message of God’s grace for us in Jesus Christ. Donna’s friendly tone invites the reader into the palace of the kings of Persia and into the life of a young woman named Esther to work through questions relevant to our lives today, including leadership and authority, God’s timing, and the value of human life. Rather than sequestering Esther to simply a woman before a king, as Ahasuerus’s beauty pageant did so long ago, Donna expands our vantage point to see the powerful role Esther, Mordecai, and others like them played in the narrative of Christ’s salvation for His people throughout time.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally I wouldn't have thought to read Chosen since it's a women's Bible study and I'm a guy! But I know Donna and wanted to see how she wrote. I was not disappointed. What a fantastic book! From talking to Donna, I knew how much she enjoyed researching. The book is very well researched - scholarly, really. But at the same time, it's incredibly accessible. As you read, you feel like Donna is talking to you personally. She shares a lot of great stories from her own life - she's transparent in a way that is relatable and most importantly relates to the text. I learned a ton about the book of Esther, especially about the second half of the book, which I didn't know as well. The format is great. You're reading a book with questions interspersed - some asking you to look closely at the text, others inviting you to apply the themes of the text to your own life. Definitely five stars!

[Amy S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

So. Good.

Esther is one of my favorite books of the Bible - so I was excited to see that Donna wrote a study on it...and her study did NOT disappoint! Donna does a wonderful job with historical references (She has done her research!), you are engaged through her writing learning about Esther’s story and you will be blessed.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent study. Worked through this as a no homework group Bible study. My only criticism is the discussion questions sometimes lacked depth for example "How is Vashti described in verse 11" next paragraph immediately lays out the description for Vashti - giving our group little incentive to write it out ourselves and little room for discussion.

[Deborah Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Bible Study my Women's group did these past few months! An orphan who becomes Queen! Snow does a great job with the historical context of Esther and I learned a lot of history along the way. The questions were great and made for good discussion each week. If you are looking for a good Bible Study, I would recommend it!

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I was pretty disappointed with this devotion. Almost every single question was just writing down the exact wording from the verse and there wasn’t a lot of deeper thinking or personal questions. I learned some about Persian history but I also could have learned that from a history book? I also didn’t vibe with the author’s writing style. It’s a bummer because I had high hopes.

[Martha Van Buskirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous. Deep thinking, engaging, spiritually inspiring!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful study on Esther and all the hidden gold nuggets that God leaves for us, even today.