People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 14

 

Esther 3-7

The Plot – Esther 3

King Xerxes honored a noble named Haman by giving him a seat higher than the other nobles.  The king commanded everyone to kneel before Haman to pay him honor, but Mordecai who was a Jew refused.  Haman was told Mordecai was a Jew so Haman looked for a way to destroy all of Mordecai’s people in the kingdom.

Haman told the king that there were people in the land who didn’t follow the customs of the land and the king should make a decree that all people should obey the king’s laws.  If they didn’t obey, they should be destroyed.  If the king would do this, Haman would give 10,000 talents of silver to the royal treasury.  The king went along with Haman and issued a decree that all the Jews were to be destroyed, killed and annihilated both young and old.  This was to be done on 13th day of the 12th month.

Hamon was motivated by jealousy, pride and his hatred for the Mordecai and the Jews.  The king was self-centered in how he looked in front of his people.  He was also out of touch with what’s going on in his kingdom and what kind of men he had in his high offices.

Haman and the king were controlled by Satan who leads the world astray as prophesied in John 8:44 and Revelation 12:9.  Human’s pride and selfish motives can make people do crazy evil things.  It can make us think only of ourselves and our needs instead of others.  What we can do about it is we can submit ourselves to God and resist the devil.  We can come near to God and He will come near to us by praying and studying His Word.  We can purify our hearts and be humble.  (James 4:7-10).

Principle:  Pride leads to destruction, but humility leads to wisdom and blessings.

Help From Esther – Esther 4

Esther was concerned for Mordecai and sent one of the king’s eunuchs to him to find out what was wrong.  Mordecai told him everything that had happened and urged Esther to plead with the king for the people.  He then reported back to Esther.

Esther was afraid to go to the king and responded by saying if anyone enters the king’s inter court without being summoned, they will be put to death.  Mordecai said if she remained silent she and her whole family would perish and that she had been put in the king’s palace for such a purpose as this.  She decided to intervene and asked Mordecai and others to fast and pray for her.

Principle:  God places individuals in specific places for divine reasons.

Esther Steps Out in Faith – Esther 5

Esther boldly went to the king who was pleased to see her.  He asked what was her request.  She chose the right time and place to make her important request.  She proposed a banquet for him and Hamon then she would tell him her request.  She acted calmly and with respect.  Her actions showed wisdom, restraint, and sensitivity to God’s leading.  She didn’t barge in with her request right away.  She made the king and Hamon feel special.  Haman boasted to his friends about his wealth, sons, and all the ways the king had honored him.  He boasted that he was the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet.  Haman was so confident that he went out and had gallows built for Mordecai.

Principle:  There is value in thorough preparation and patience in the face of adversity.

The Tables Turn – Esther 6-7

We see God’s sovereignty at the banquet.  The king again asked what was Ester’s request.  She humbly asked that the king spare her and her people’s lives, because she and her people had been sold for destruction and annihilation.  The king was shocked and ask what man would do such a thing.  She told him it was Haman.  The king left the room.  Haman knew what the king was going to do so he begged Esther for his life.  When the king returned he found Haman falling on the couch where Esther was and thought he was trying to molest her.  Harbona, one of the king’s eunuchs said the gallows 70 feet high stands by that Haman had made for Mordecai.  The king was furious and said to hang Haman on it.  Haman was hanged and Esther and all the Jews were spared.

Nothing can change God’s plans for His people.  He is sovereign and in control of all people and all things.  God reversed and frustrated the plans of His enemies.  Using Esther’s courageous actions Haman’s true nature was exposed.  He reversed the wicked plans against Mordecai and the Jewish people by hanging Haman instead of Mordecai. God saved the Jews from being destroyed and annihilated. 

God’s people experience other grand reversals.  God send Jesus to die for all our sins.  He redeemed us and reversed death and gives eternal life for all who believe in Him (John 3:36; 11:25-26; Gal. 3:13).

Principles: 

Believers are to have confidence that God is working in their lives and will ultimately work all things for good.

God reversed death and gave eternal life for all who believe in Jesus.

Next week we will continue our study of Esther.  Hope to see you here.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 13

 

For the next few studies we will be studying the book of Esther.  Who was Ester?  She was a beautiful Jewish girl whom King Xerxes of Persia chose to be his queen.  She saved her people by risking her own life when she appealed to the king and rescued the Jews.  The mention of God doesn’t appear in the book, but His care for His chosen people is clearly shown.  Her story is celebrated annually during the Feast of Purim. 

Esther 1-2

Three Royal Feasts – Esther 1

Xerxes or Ahasuerus, the king of Persia inherited the Persian Empire from his father, Darius I.  He  ruled over 127 provinces from India to Cush.  In His third year of reign he gave a feast for all the military leaders, princes, and nobles that lasted 6 months.  At the end of the feast he gave a second feast for all the people of Susa that lasted 7 days.  The feast was held in the garden of the palace and was decorated lavishly. 

This feasts were probably done to show off his power and wealth to those under him.  People like to show off today with all they’ve accomplished and all the wealth they have with big houses, nice cars, and expensive jewelry.  They want the center of attention by running for office or being in charge of committees and projects.  Then they boast about themselves and all they have.  They are trying to validate themselves by comparing themselves to others.

The only approval we need is God’s approval.  All we need to remember is that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 129:14).  God loves us unconditionally and doesn’t base His love on the opinions of others.  We are made in His image and He loves us even when we sin.  He’s always on our side no matter what we do or have.  So find value in yourself .

Principle:  God finds value in us when we love, trust, obey and fulfill His purposes.

The 3^rd feast was given by Queen Vashti for the women.  On the 7^th day of the king’s feast, the king was merry with wine.  He ordered the queen to come to him.  She refused to appear before the drunken king.  The king became furious and burned with anger.  He asked his advisors what to do to her for refusing his direct order.  They advised him to expel her and replace her with another woman.

The queen probably didn’t want to be put on display in from on the king’s drunken guests.  It could put her in a dangerous situation being with many drunken men.  She knew this was something she shouldn’t do and she stood by her convictions.  The officials reacted by telling the king that she was setting a bad example.  The other women would be influenced by her refusal and would show disrespect to the king, his officials, and their husbands. 

The officials were embarrassed by the situation and one of the officials, Memucan suggested that the king should send out a decree that all women should show respect to their husbands and all men should rule over their households.  The king approved of his idea and ruled that all women will respect their husbands.

Principle:  Never compromise your convictions with ungodly authority.

Esther Selected as Queen – Esther 2

When it was time to find a new queen all young virgin women were gathered from across the kingdom as candidates for the king.  They were sent to Susa and put in the king’s harem under the charge of Hegai.  Then the women the king liked would be chosen.  One of the women was Esther, an orphaned Jew raised by her cousin Mordecai.

Mordecai instructed Esther to keep her Jewish heritage a secret.  This was done perhaps because it was part of a larger divine plan to save the Jewish people.  Also concealing her identity would help her gain trust of the king and influence decisions.  The king was pleased with her and provided her with beauty treatments, special food, maids, and moved her to the best place in the palace harem.  Esther found favor with everyone.  The king loved Esther and chose her to be his queen and gave a great banquet for her.

While at the kings table, Mordecai overheard a plot by 2 officials to assassinate the king.  He told Queen Esther of the plot and she in turn told the king.  The plot was investigated and found to be true so both men were hanged and the king was saved.

Principle:  God prepares solutions even before problems exists; Jesus was the solution to the world’s sin before the world was created.

The course of events in Esther’s life was not by accident; it was God’s plan.  We too have a place in God’s plan.  Whatever your situation, God has a purpose for it.  Have you noticed this book doesn’t mention God?  But it shows that God works behind the scenes and He is active throughout the book of Esther.

Principle:  When is seems God is silent, He is working behind the scenes.

Next week we will continue our study in Esther. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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