God's Mysterious Ways: Embracing God's Providence in Esther

by Jane Roach

Using insightful commentary, application questions, testimonies, and hymns, Jane Roach walks readers through the compelling story of God's providence in the book of Esther. As you work through this ten-lesson study, you will be prepared to see God's hand in your own circumstances, to lean on him with wholehearted trust and worship, and to experience a new life of gratitude, peace, and joy.

Genres: Nonfiction

255 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2016

About the author

Jane Roach was Director of Training for Bible Study Fellowship for more than twenty-five years. She currently teaches two Bible studies, is part of the steering committee for the Texas Hill Country Bible Conference, and assists with women's ministries at her church.

Reviews

[TS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy from Netgalley! The irony behind this is that I wanted this book so badly, but I didn't have the money to buy it online and pay for shipping and I didn't see a digital copy from the various book stores. I thought I would try to find it on Netgalley and lo-and behold, not only did I find it, but I also got approved from the publisher to read it, in exchange for an honest review!
Of course, I dove right on in to Jane Roach's: God's Mysterious Ways: Embracing God's Providence in Esther, A Ten-lesson Bible Study. I have heard Jane Roach speak before at a Bible Study Fellowship conference in Jacksonville, Fl a few years ago and loved her! I am still an active member of BSF and enjoy Bible Study so much! This book has been everything I have expected it to be! I absolutely loved the format of each lesson! Each lesson opened up with the Text, the accompanying Truth, a Hymn to focus our thoughts, Opening Prayer, Questions for Study and Discussion, a Commentary and a Closing Prayer. It was so delightful to read the text, focus on the truth and listen to a Hymn. I often found the Hymns on YouTube or sometimes I would just reread the Hymn and focus on the words. The Hymn really set the stage for my study, clearing my mind of all the days struggles and focusing my attention to what I was doing; spending time with Him! The opening prayers were powerful! Roach did a wonderful job focusing the reader for God's Word.
I got myself a notebook and worked on the questions. This would have really been great with a group! (But I still enjoyed doing the study on my own). The questions were great! Some questions asked for literal information found right in the text. Some required you to interpret what the text was about and the most difficult questions had you apply truths found in the text to your present life. Some questions were quite convicting! I find the application questions quite challenging at times!
Roach's commentary was very insightful and full of applicable truths of God, backed up by scripture. I love that; backed up by scripture! The truths pulled out from Esther all apply to our life today! They apply to one and all, and to all circumstances! One of my favorite truths is found on page 108 (The New Queen: Esther): God's redeemed People live in two worlds but are defined by one of them. She then quotes Paul in Romans 12:2 Paul explained, " do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." We can either identify with our modern culture or with the ways of Christ. The choice is ours! The choice was Esther's!
Each chapter ended with a closing prayer that asks God to develop us as Christians.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading and reflecting with Joan Roach! I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in spending time in God's Word and learning about Him and His attributes. Although the book of Esther does not mention God at all, it is clear that God is working "behind the scenes!" What a wonderful book Esther is! It is comforting to know that God is working in and through us. His will, will be done! No one can thwart His plans for us. Even in the mist of our hectic and ever changing culture God is at work. It was the same for Esther, who lived so many years ago. It is truly amazing how the Bible's stories and lessons apply then, and apply to us as well.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - 4.5 stars
(summer Bible study)

[Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide for studying Esther with a group of women. I highly recommend it.

[TS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy from Netgalley! The irony behind this is that I wanted this book so badly, but I didn't have the money to buy it online and pay for shipping and I didn't see a digital copy from the various book stores. I thought I would try to find it on Netgalley and lo-and behold, not only did I find it, but I also got approved from the publisher to read it, in exchange for an honest review!
Of course, I dove right on in to Jane Roach's: God's Mysterious Ways: Embracing God's Providence in Esther, A Ten-lesson Bible Study. I have heard Jane Roach speak before at a Bible Study Fellowship conference in Jacksonville, Fl a few years ago and loved her! I am still an active member of BSF and enjoy Bible Study so much! This book has been everything I have expected it to be! I absolutely loved the format of each lesson! Each lesson opened up with the Text, the accompanying Truth, a Hymn to focus our thoughts, Opening Prayer, Questions for Study and Discussion, a Commentary and a Closing Prayer. It was so delightful to read the text, focus on the truth and listen to a Hymn. I often found the Hymns on YouTube or sometimes I would just reread the Hymn and focus on the words. The Hymn really set the stage for my study, clearing my mind of all the days struggles and focusing my attention to what I was doing; spending time with Him! The opening prayers were powerful! Roach did a wonderful job focusing the reader for God's Word.
I got myself a notebook and worked on the questions. This would have really been great with a group! (But I still enjoyed doing the study on my own). The questions were great! Some questions asked for literal information found right in the text. Some required you to interpret what the text was about and the most difficult questions had you apply truths found in the text to your present life. Some questions were quite convicting! I find the application questions quite challenging at times!
Roach's commentary was very insightful and full of applicable truths of God, backed up by scripture. I love that; backed up by scripture! The truths pulled out from Esther all apply to our life today! They apply to one and all, and to all circumstances! One of my favorite truths is found on page 108 (The New Queen: Esther): God's redeemed People live in two worlds but are defined by one of them. She then quotes Paul in Romans 12:2 Paul explained, " do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." We can either identify with our modern culture or with the ways of Christ. The choice is ours! The choice was Esther's!
Each chapter ended with a closing prayer that asks God to develop us as Christians.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading and reflecting with Joan Roach! I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in spending time in God's Word and learning about Him and His attributes. Although the book of Esther does not mention God at all, it is clear that God is working "behind the scenes!" What a wonderful book Esther is! It is comforting to know that God is working in and through us. His will, will be done! No one can thwart His plans for us. Even in the mist of our hectic and ever changing culture God is at work. It was the same for Esther, who lived so many years ago. It is truly amazing how the Bible's stories and lessons apply then, and apply to us as well.

[Deon · Rating 5 out of 5]

VT Reading Challenge 2018: 63. a book published by P&R Publications