27/08/2021
*ADULT TEACHER JULY TO DECEMBER 2021*
August 29, 2021
LESSON 9
*A COURAGEOUS QUEEN (ESTHER)*
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*Memory Verse: Esther 4:14*
Who knoweth whether thou [Esther] art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (KJV).
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*Central Truth*
The Holy Spirit provides courage to follow Jesus Christ in difficult times.
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*The Lesson Outline*
1. Evil Intended Against the Jews
Esther 3 : 1-15
A. Mordecai's Refusal to Bow
B. Haman's Wicked Plot
2. Esther's Courageous Acts
Esther 4:10 through 5:4; 7:1-10
A. Esther Risked Her Life
B. Esther Exposes the Evil Plot
3. Good Triumphs Over Evil
Esther 8:1-17
A. Esther Pleads for Her people
B. Esther's People Saved
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*Teaching Goals*
1. *Impart and Reinforce Knowledge:* Examine what the Book of Esther teaches us about God's providence.
2. *Influence Attitudes:* Help
students appreciate the fact that God is always in control of events, even when it seems things are out of control.
3. *Influence Behaviour:* Challenge students to trust God in all situations.
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*Introducing the Lesson*
Esther's story is an incredible and powerful story of God's providence. The events remind us that even when it looks like things are spinning out of control all around us,God is at work behind the scenes.
The Book of Esther shows how God accomplishes His will no matter how dire the circumstances may seem. As you read its ten short chapters, note the prevalent use of both irony and reversal, which adds drama and suspense in punctuating the point of the story. Esther provides a solid example of how God protects His people. After reading the Book of Esther, one is moved to worship the Lord, amazed at His sovereignty and providence.
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*Esther 3:*
1. After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.
2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did himreverence.
3 Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?
5. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
8. And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws arediverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.
10. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.
Esther 4:5
Then called Esther for Hatach, oneof the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.
Esther 5:4
And Esther answered, If it seemgood unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
Esther 7:
2. And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.
3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:
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*Commentary and Application*
*1. EVIL INTENDED AGAINIST THE JEWS*
*A. Mordecai's Refusal to Bow Esther 3:1-7*
Verse 1 records that Xerxes promoted a man named Haman, to the most prominent position in the kingdom next to the king himself. Such a promotion required others to show respect by bowing before Haman. However, Mordecai, a devout Jew, refused to bow in reverence to Haman (verses 2-4). Haman was an extremely arrogant man, and he became very angry with Mordecai. In his anger against Mordecai, he initiated a devious plan to annihilate all Jews within the 127 provinces of Persia (verses 5-6). Yet Haman was unaware of the abiding promise that any who cursed the children of Abraham would be cursed by God (see Genesis 12:3).
Esther 3:7 notes that Haman used pur, a Babylonian term for casting lots involving a cube of clay. This would determine the exact time for the ex*****on of the Jews to take place. The time selected was in the twelfth Jewish month Adar, (February-March). This lot was cast in Nisan, the first month, so the genocide was to happen nearly a year later.
*Questions for Application*
Why did Mordecai refuse to bow before Haman ? What can Mordecai's actions teach us today?
Why does there seem to be such hostility toward the Christian faith today? How should we respond?
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*B. Haman's Wicked Plot- Esther 3:8-15*
Now that the appointed day was set for the ex*****on of the Jews, Haman presented his plan to King Xerxes. First, Haman cast suspicion upon the Jewish population, accusing them of being lawless, the kingdom would be better off if it were rid of these people. Then Haman offered to finance the genocide himself using what would amount to about 375 tons of silver millions of dollars in today's currency and perhaps over half of the annual revenue of the kingdom. Haman also
promised to contribute ten thousand talents of silver into the treasury of the kingdom-an extraordinary amount of money. The king agreed, and even added that Haman need not make the contribution (verses
8-11 ). Xerxes did not realise that by granting Haman authority to use his signet ring-a symbol of royal authority-for this purpose, he doomed his own wife, Esther (see 2:10).
The edict called for every Jewish man woman, and child to be murdered on "single day (verses 12-14). The king's scribes were called to write down the edict in the various languages of the empire for distribution. Immediately riders carried copies of the edict to every province.
The people of Susa, the capital city of the empire, were bewildered by this. It is likely they had never seen an edict demanding the complete extermination of a people group. Clearly the common people did not share the antisemitism of Haman and Xerxes. (This might remind us of the response of Pilate regarding the accusations against Jesus as Pilate asked what evil He had done; see Matthew 27:23.) Meanwhile, Haman and the king celebrated this hateful, murderous decree. Whether the Jewish people would flee or be killed in the coming months, it seemed Persia would be free of them all.
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*Questions for Application*
How did Haman undermine the Jews in the eyes of King Xerxes?
What can we learn about opposition we might face for our faith from the actions and attitudes of Haman as well as King Xerxes?
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*Response to God's Word*
God's providence is already evident in this story. Note that the lot for an ex*****on day was cast nearly a year in advance. This provided time for God's purpose to be carried out behind the scenes.
No matter what we may be facing in life, and regardless of how hopeless things may seem to be, we can keep in mind that God is in control of events. We may not be able to see Him at work in our circumstances, and, indeed, we may never fully understand His purposes, but we can find encouragement to know that He is always there. He is worthy of our trust in Him.
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*2. ESTHER'S COURAGEOUS ACTS*
*A. Esther Risks Her Life*
Esther4:10 through 5:4*
Mordecai learned of this
disastrous decree and immediately began the customary rituals of mourning: putting on sackcloth and ashes, and casting them into the air, as well as loud lamenting. This public display of mourning drew attention to Haman's edict. Esther then inquired as to why he was mourning, and Mordecai sent her a copy of the edict (Esther 4:1-9). Up until this time she had kept her Jewish identity a secret, but now was the time to tell the king.
Mordecai's request that Esther reveal her identity was perilous. Because of official protocol, no one was permitted to go before the king unless he had called for that person, and Xerxes had not summoned Esther for thirty days. To approach him unannounced could mean immediate death, even for the queen (verse 11).
Esther sent word back to Mordecai informing him of this danger. If she went she would have to announce her purpose in approaching the king, and she certainly could not make that known prematurely. In verses 12-14, Modecia replied that if she did not go to the king, God would bring deliverance from somewhere else.
Meanwhile, she and her family were not immune from the edict.
Furthermore, Esther needed to keep in mind that she may well have risen to the position of queen for this critical moment (verse 14). With these words Esther was deeply moved to take action.
Esther called Mordecai and the Jewish people to embark on a fast-which no doubt included prayer-for three days. Her words in verse 16 revealed her intense trust in God: "If I perish, I perish" (verse 16).
Esther placed herself fully in God's hands and entered the king's presence unannounced. Xerxes was pleased to see her, extending his sceptre as a sign of his willingness to have her approach him (5:1-2). At that moment, Esther knew she had
been granted great favour.
Furthermore, she could also be confident God would deliver her
people as well. Rather than rush into presenting her case, Esther showed wisdom and discernment in requesting that the king and Haman attend a banquet she had prepared for them that very day (verses 4-5).
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*Questions for Application*
What do you think Mordecai meant in telling Esther that she had come into the kingdom "for such a time as this"?
How did Esther react to the possibility that the king might respond badly, and even execute her? What does this teach us about trust in God?
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*B. Esther Exposes the Evil Plot- Esther 7:1-10*
Xerxes and Haman attended the banquet, which extended into multiple days. At this point of the story, It is good to recall that the king had previously promised to give Esther whatever she asked of him (see 5:1,5). The king made the same promise in this instance
to half of the kingdom (7:1-2). Clearly, Esther enjoyed the favour of the king.
Esther bravely identified herself as a Jew, then revealed the wicked plot to annihilate her people. She wanted no part of the kingdom from the king. Instead, she wanted deliverance and safety for her people (verses 3-4).
King Xerxes demanded to know the source of this plot, and Esther exposed her adversary, the wicked Haman. The king was furious and stormed outside to the garden (verses 5-6). Haman, however, remained to plead with Esther for the king to spare him.
When Xerxes returned he found Haman prostrating himself on the couch, or bed that Esther occupied, in his attempt to seek mercy. The king, however, interpreted this as an attempt to throw himself on Esther herself. The king became even more enraged and accused Haman of accosting the queen in his presence (verses 7-9). This brought an immediate death sentence, depicted in the covering of Haman's face. That same night Haman was executed on the gallows he had constructed for Mordecai. In a matter of hours, God had reversed the situation and
preserved His people.
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*Questions for Application*
How did Esther respond to Xerxes offer of half the kingdom?
How can you see the hand of God in this amazing turn of events? What does this indicate to us about the providence of God?
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*Response to God's Word*
Many people tend to want to take matters into their own hands, especially in times of crisis. But the wise course is to leave our cares in God's hands. At some point in our lives, we will be challenged to trust His sovereignty, regardless of whether we receive an answer.
Let us seek God to overcome our fears. It has been said that the best way to overcome shaking knees is to kneel on them. Esther feared for her life, but she committed herself into the hands of God. Her exclamation "If I perish, I perish!" demonstrates her courageous heart and faith in her Lord.
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*3. GOOD TRIUMPHS OVER EVIL*
*A. Esther Pleads for Her People- Esther 8:1-8*
On learning that his royal official Mordecai was Esther's cousin, Xerxes gave him the signet ring that had been given to Haman. Mordecai now held the authority of the king. Xerxes also placed Mordecai over Haman's estate (Esther 8:1-2).
Esther then pleaded with Xerxes to withdraw the edict. Again the king extended his sceptre to her, serving as a symbol of his royal power. However, by law no royal edict could be revoked. So she asked that another decree be sent out to supersede the first one. Note her attitude in delivering this plea: she wisely spoke with decorum and humility (verses 3-6).
Xerxes declared that another decree could be written, overruling the first and saving the Jewish people. Modecai could then stamp the document with the ring, signifying that the king's authority was behind it. The situation had completely reversed (verses 7-8).
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*Questions for Application*
How did Esther act when presenting herself to the king, and what can we learn from her attitude?
What do these events tell you about the sovereignty of God?
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*B. Esther's People Saved- Esther 8:9-17*
The scribes were called to write Mordecai's new decree, and it was quickly sent throughout the empire, which at its height extended from present-day India to Ethiopia. In the new edict, the Jews were authorised to defend themselves against all who would threaten them (Esther 8:8-14). This was a major reversal from Haman's decree, which had itself been signed only two months and ten days earlier.
Whereas Haman's decree spread confusion and mourning, this decree had the opposite effect. As the news travelled through the empire, the people celebrated. This astounding turn of events, with a new decree liberating the Jews, made a powerful impression on the population of Persia. The people sided with the Jews. While some did this out of fear, it is believed that at least some of the people embraced faith in the One True God, the God of Israel-recognising that He had miraculously intervened on behalf of His people (verses 15-17).
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*Questions for Application*
Why did many people turn to the Jewish faith?
How have you seen God's providence and sovereignty in your life?
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*Response to God's Word*
Esther's unfolding drama demonstrates that God
providentially ordered the events of her life. Her story can inspire us to greater heights of faith that God is always at work in our lives. We must simply place our trust in Him.
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*Call to Discipleship*
God had His hand in ordering Esther's life, and in preserving the Jews as well. We must keep in mind that Esther and Mordecai experienced the events as they unfolded and did not know how things would turn out. Yet they maintained trust in God.
Jesus never promised us immunity from life's troubles and trials. In fact Jesus promised us we would have all kinds of trouble (John 16:33), but amid the trouble we would find He is with us. In what ways can your life reflect this kind of faith amid real trials and challenges?
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*Ministry in Action*
Have students testify of how God intervened in a crisis. Close in prayer for others facing serious needs.
*THIS PUBLICATION IS A PRODUCT OF GENERAL COUNCIL SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA*
