Author Archives: Jane Johnson

Philippians 1:1-11

Some Scripture-Digging Tips

Research the book.

Consult your Bible’s introduction to the book, your favorite study tools (like Search the Scriptures) or The Bible Project for foundational introductory information before beginning to study the first chapter.

Identify the key verse.

Hint: Find the author’s emphasis by looking for repeated words and ideas throughout the text.

The Technicalities

From a young age, I was taught to speak with kindness.

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Esther 9:1-10:3

Some Scripture-Digging Tips

Dig into the repetition.

Take note of the repeated phrase in Esther 9:10, 15, and 17. Dig into the linguistics of the words. Why does that phrase bear repeating?

Compare the men.

Look at Mordecai’s full story and compare it with David’s, especially in 2 Samuel 3:1 and 1 Chronicles 11:9.

The Technicalities

Six years after Esther first accepted the crown and stepped into her role as queen, in the 12th month, on the 13th day, the time had come.

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Esther 8:9-17

Some Scripture-Digging Tips

Compare and contrast.

Compare Mordecai’s decree with Haman’s in Esther 3. What difference do you see between them?

Pair the passages.

Read this passage alongside Psalm 97:10-12. How does the truth of one provide additional insight to the other?

The Technicalities

It had been ten weeks since the Jews first read their fate on a flimsy piece of parchment (in Shushan, at least).

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Esther 8:1-8

Some Scripture-Digging Tips

Understand the gravity.

It wasn’t just the contents of the decree that was written. Compare Esther 8:8 with Daniel 6:8, 12, 15. How much more does this add to the miraculous turnaround?

Pair the passages.

Read Esther 8 alongside Psalm 18. How does the truth of one provide additional insight to the other?

The Technicalities

Esther had only gotten halfway through her petition to the king before she was interrupted by what can only be described as the Persian soap opera of Esther 7:7-10.

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Esther 7

Some Scripture-Digging Tips

Peek at the preparations.

Go to Blue Letter Bible and look at the Hebrew word kun for “he had prepared” in verse 10. What can you learn about what God prepares compared to the preparations of the wicked?

Pair the passages.

Read this chapter alongside Psalm 94:21-23. How does the truth of one provide additional insight to the other?

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