Espresso with Esther 

ESPRESSO WITH ESTHER Coffee Cup Bible Series  Five-week study Espresso with Esther helps readers consider how God has everything, including perfect timing, in His control, and how this truth can dramatically affect their outlook.    When we think of bad girls of the Bible, the usual culprits such as Jezebel and Rahab come to mind. But Esther isn’t usually on the short list. Yet Esther blended so well with the culture around her that no one could tell she was one of God's people. Still, Esther goes on to became a great heroine, proving that anyone with the courage to follow God can be used to accomplish great things. Explore God’s grace through Esther’s story in this five-week study.  This and all the Coffee Cup Bible Studies books contain Monday-through-Friday Bible study questions, along with devotional thoughts for lighter reading on the weekends. Designed for group or individual study.  Read an excerpt from chapter six. Camy Tang interviewed me about the series. Read it here.   What people are saying:  The Esther study is wonderful: so pithy and relevant and short enough to keep everyone's attention. Marla Apupoaicei, Insight for Living Sandra Glahn's thoughtful study of Esther takes us into the heady realms of world power to view the ancient world (and our own world) thru the lens of God's sovereignty—truly a reassuring message, given the uncertainties of today's international scene, as well as an affirming reminder of God's practice of using flawed people to accomplish His purposes in every age.    Carolyn Custis James, author of When Life and Beliefs Collide and Lost Women of the Bible "We have a big God, and He can use you to accomplish his purposes, regardless of your past." With expert historical and biblical scholarship, Sandra Glahn reveals the unspoken message of Esther. If you want to be spiritually encouraged and challenged, grab a study from the Coffee Cup Series when you sit down with your cup of joe. You are in for a treat!  Kelley Mathews, ThM, coauthor New Doors in Ministry to Women Sandra Glahn's study, Espresso with Esther, adeptly uses probing questions and pertinent historical and cultural insights to draw out timeless truths from the book of Esther and guide you to an understanding of how these truths apply to life today. In the accompanying devotionals, Glahn skillfully weaves biblical examples with modern day experience to make the lessons of Esther come alive! Great for any group or individual seeking deeper understanding of God's control and timing!  —Katy Anderson, ThM  Coordinator-Ministry to Women  Bent Tree Bible Fellowship Easy to read and prompts the reader toward reflection on our amazing God and His works. The research and knowledge of the time in which Esther lived, included in the study, is spiritually enlightening. Physically, the book is cleverly designed and sized to make studying/reading convenient anytime, anywhere and is displayed on a soft beige paper and brown font that is easy on the eyes. Having the scripture printed in the content of the study pages is another bonus feature.   —Amazon reviewer  A probing look into the characters, history, setting, and present-day applications of the book of Esther will leave readers with a renewed love for the real hero of the story, God.        —David & Renée Sanford, authors, How to Read Your Bible A great Bible Study for an individual or group. Glahn gives a brief, concise and beautifully clear lesson on how to study scripture. The light comes on for giving context, history and culture their proper place. Glahn's easy conversational manner teaches us to discuss and examine the book we love so well but are sometimes intimidated by. In the first lesson she puts us in Esther's place: "Like Esther, we are imperfect, full of failures and flaws. Yet God still uses us, not because we're good, but because He is."  I'm constantly on the go and since the scripture is printed in the book, I can take it with me anywhere--perfect for soccer moms. She draws us in to the history and expands our view as she weaves other scripture, stories, and heroes into the picture. We can see God's same message in other lives and other settings. —Amazon reviewer

For further study:

Notes

• Bible.org has wonderful textual notes on Esther 
• Dr. Tom Constable, a professor at Dallas Seminary, has compiled extensive notes on the Book of Esther. He makes his notes available online for free. You can access the .pdf file by following this link: Constable notes
• Sandra Glahn's article, "The Reluctant Heroine," in InTouch magazine (.pdf, p. 28)

Visual Art

• Some people who did this study and created simple works of art the size of playing cards posted their work here.  
• For online searches of biblical art, follow this link: Biblical art 
• Click here: Artemesia Gentileschi's Esther piece at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Additional art: Artist Rhonda Oglesby has compiled this list of "Esther art" info:

Andrea del Castagno, "Queen Esther," From the Cycle of Famous Men and Women. c. 1450. Detached fresco. Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy.

"Banquet," Antoon Claeissens, 1574

"Banquet of Ahasuerus," Jacopo del Sellaio, c.1490

"The Toilet of Esther," Theodore Chasseriau, 1841

Claude Vignon "Esther before Ahasuerus," 1624

Aert de Gelder, “The Jewish Bride," 1684

Aert de Gelder, “Esther & Mordochai,” 1685

Bernardo Cavallino, “Esther & Ahaseurus,” 1645-1650

Frans Francken II, “Feast of Esther,”  ? 

Pieter Pietersz Lastman, “Triumph of Mordecai,” 1645

Jan Victors, “Banquet of Esther,”  1640s

Jan Victors, “Esther & Haman,”  1638-1640

Antoine Coypel, “The Swooning of Esther,”  1704

Filippino Lippi. Three Scenes from the Story of Esther: Mardochus Laments; Esther Faints Before Assuerus; Aman Implores Her Grace in Vain. Tempera on panel. Louvre, Paris, France, 1475

Tintoretto, “Esther before Ahasuerus,” 1547-1548

Be sure to check out this link. It's a whole page of Esther art:

Bible study on Esther by Sandra Glahn with artists Rhonda Oglesby and Erin Teske for groups or individuals wanting to engage the biblical text on a creative level:

• Esther, Week 1
• Esther, Week 2
• Esther, Week 3
• Esther, Week 4
• Esther, Week 5 

DVDs:

Rent a video: Xerxes' crushing defeat in Greece is covered in Part I of this three-hour video from the History Channel.

VeggieTales: The Girl Who Became Queen

Esther: The Bible (1999)

Esther (1986)

Esther and the King (1960)

Novels:

For a wonderful summary of Esther's story, read p. 174-175 of Christy by Catherine Marshall, the best-selling novel on which the TV series by the same name was based. 

Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther by Ginger Garrett 

Other Esther Novels at Amazon.com

Non-Fiction:

After the NET Bible notes, this is my favorite commentary on Esther

Dr. Charles Swindoll's biography of Esther

Food:

Link to a Hamantashen recipe: A traditional treat offered at Purim, Hamantashen or "Haman pockets" are three-cornered filled pastries.  They're also called "Haman's Hat."  

Check out all of the Coffee Cup Bible Studies: 

Mocha on the Mount

Solomon Latte (Song of Songs)

Java with the Judges (includes Hannah) 

Cappuccino with Colossians

Premium Roast with Ruth

Frappé with Philippians

Kona with Jonah

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