Lesson
PPT TITLE
Main point:God is sovereign. He is in control of all things.
PPT-VERSA
clave verse:
The king's heart is in the hands of the Lord. He directs it like a jet of water wherever he wants.- Proverbs 21:1
Accessories:Large Elegant Parchment Decorated with Tassels, [Optional: Last Week's Sealed Parchment]
Background/review
To say:At the end of our story, a cruel man named Haman convinced King Xerxes to order the slaughter of all the Jews in his kingdom. The date was fixed by royal decree. Jews only had months to live. Queen Esther was challenged by her cousin Mordecai to appear before the king and plead for the lives of the Jews. Esther struggled with this challenge. Simply appearing before the king without an invitation could result in your own death. As he entered the king's court, the most dramatic scene in the book of Esther unfolded. Surely everyone who saw the beautiful queen approaching the king held their breath in anticipation. King Xerxes held out his scepter to Esther as a sign that he would let her into his presence. Esther found it funny in his eyes.
Teacher's Note: Parallel to Salvation and Entry into the Presence of GodSalvation is possible because God allows sinful, unworthy men and women to come to Him if it means death for us.Sin separates people from God. God cannot dwell in the presence of sinners, nor can sinners approach a holy God. We see this illustrated by King Xerxes. The law stipulated that no one could approach the king unless he invited him. Those who came spontaneously were executed unless the king held out his scepter and mercifully spared their lives. We cannot approach God without his grace, allowing ourselves to enter into his presence. And we can only do that because it was extended to us at the coming of Jesus Christ. In the righteousness of Jesus Christ we can approach God with boldness.
Bob Deffinbaugh, revealed at Susa (Esther 5:1-7:10)©1996-2006 Biblical Studies Press, reprinted with permissionwww.bibel.org.
Esther Before the King (Esther 5)
The king asked, "What is it, Queen Esther? What do you want? I'll give it to you. I'll even give you half of my kingdom.
Esther replied, "King Xerxes, if you like, come for a big dinner today. I have prepared it for you. Please let Haman accompany you."- Ester 5:3-4
After Esther's dramatic performance, the king wanted to know why she had come to him. Xerxes certainly sensed that she was very worried. Most likely, she was shaking or pale. The king seemed to want to ease Esther's pain. The king told him that he could have everything, even half of the kingdom! All he asked was to have dinner with the king and Haman. So King Xerxes and Haman went to the dinner that Esther had prepared for them. Again the king asked Esther what she wanted. Again he told him that he would give him everything, even half of the kingdom.
Esther replied, "This is what I want. Here is my plea to you. I hope you will show me your favor. I hope you will be pleased to give me what I want. And I hope you will enjoy hearing my plea. If so , I want you and Haman to come tomorrow for the big dinner I'm going to prepare for you. Then I'll answer your question."- Ester 5:7-8
To say:What a strange request: a second feast. We don't know why Esther did this. But whatever the reason, God used that extra day to do something amazing.
Haman left Esther's first dinner very satisfied because the queen had invited him to two special dinners.
That day was Hamanfeliz. So he left the palace in agood mood. But then he saw Mordecai at the palace gate. He noticed that Mordecai didn't get up as he passed. In fact, Mordecai had no respect for him at all. Then theburned with rageAgainst him.- Ester 5:9
Application:Haman was a wicked man. His heart was full of sin. he was verystallit's himlacked self-control. Let's look at pride first. Have you ever been upset because someone didn't give you the attention or praise you thought you deserved? Maybe one of your friends invited someone over to their house instead of you. This can make you angry. That anger is really pride. Pride is thinking too much of ourselves. The Bible says that God hates pride and vainglory (Proverbs 8:13) and God is far from proud (Psalm 138:6). God wants us to know that we are valuable to him because he created us, loves us, and his son died for us. We don't need to be proud of ourselves. Everything good in our lives comes from God (James 1:17)! Furthermore, knowing that the Creator of the universe loves us with an unchanging, unfailing love means we don't have to beg for attention from others (Jeremiah 31:3, Zephaniah 3:17).
Second, Haman lacked self-control. His pride filled himvaya. Haman let his feelings dictate how he lived. He made decisions based on his feelings. Haman was a very proud man who could not control his emotions, and we will soon see that these qualities got him into terrible trouble.
After Esther's first feast, Haman went home, gathered his friends and family, and talked about everything.one sameYhow big it was.He talked about how rich he was, how many children he had, and what a great job he had with King Xerxes. He boasted that he was more important than any other official in the kingdom, and even boasted that he was the only person other than the king who had invited Queen Esther to dinner.
Haman loved to talk about himself.
Then Haman said, "But even that doesn't satisfy me. I won't be satisfied as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the gate of the palace." - Esther 5:10b-12
To say:Haman listed all the incredible blessings he had, but it still wasn't enough for him. He wouldn't be happy until Mordecai died. Then his wife and friends gave him some advice. He was told to build a tall tower where he could hang Mordecai. Haman was enthusiastic about the idea and had the gallows built.
Application:Once again we see that Haman is an example of hownoLife. We need to surround ourselves with godly people who will give us biblical advice. None of Haman's friends spoke rationally. No one told you that you should give thanks for many things and forget about Mordecai. Nobody told Haman that his anger would end in his own destruction (Proverbs 29:22). The people Haman wanted to hang out with just told him what he wanted to hear. This is a very important lesson for us to learn. Do you choose to be with people who add fuel to your fire? Or do you choose to be with people who, according to God's Word, advise you to do the right thing? We should choose friends who encourage us to be more godly (Proverbs 27:17).
Honored Mordecai (Esther 6)
To say:That night the king could not sleep. Then he asked that the chronicles or history book of his reign be read to him.Hold up a large parchment and pretend to read it.Instead of falling asleep, King Xerxes became very interested in one of the stories read to him.Questions:Can you guess what story?hear answers.
To say:Do you remember how, at the beginning of last week's lesson, we learned that Mordecai overheard two of the king's officials planning to kill King Xerxes? Mordecai told Esther and the plot was stopped. Mordecai saved the king's life, but he was never rewarded. That was precisely the part of the chronicles that was read to King Xerxes!Questions:Do you think it was just a coincidence that the king couldn't sleep that night and the story of Mordecai was read that night?NO!Or could it be that something or someone bigger was controlling what was going on?God controlled him!
To say:King Xerxes realized that Mordecai was never honored for saving his life. King Xerxes was determined to reward Mordecai in some way. Just as the king was considering what to do, Haman entered the court. Haman asked the king for permission to hang Mordecai.
Before Haman had a chance to make his request, the king asked Haman what should be done to honor a man favored by the king. Haman described a luxurious plan to King Xerxes because Haman was SURE of it.Eshe was the one the king wished to honor.
"Let your servants have a royal cloak you wore. Ask them to bring a horse you rode. Put a royal coat of arms on its head. Then give the cloak and horse to one of your noblest princes. Steal the man you want to honor. Let him lead you through the streets of the city on horseback. Let the people proclaim before him, 'This is what is being done for the man the king desires to honor!'"- Ester 6:8-9
Haman was enthusiastic about his idea. She could imagine parading through the streets on the king's horse while people admired her size.
"Go at once," ordered King Haman. "Take the cloak. Bring the horse. Do exactly as you suggested.Do it for the Jew Mordecai.”- Ester 6:10a
What a blow to Haman's pride! Haman did as the king said. Mordecai was honored, and Haman returned home that day, greatly embarrassed and embarrassed, as he prepared for his second feast with Esther. This is an example of God's warning in Isaiah 2:11. She says: “A man who boasts is humiliated. The proud are ashamed."
Note to teachers:Haman seems to see the king's honor as Satan saw the glory of God. Haman's vision of honor was to experience the king's own honor. He would like to wear the king's clothes and ride the king's horse. He would like to wear the king's crown. He would love to boast that the entire city bows to him as it would the king. Isn't it obvious that Haman really wants to be king?
Bob Deffinbaugh, revealed at Susa (Esther 5:1-7:10)©1996-2006 Biblical Studies Press, reprinted with permissionwww.bibel.org.
Hanged Haman (Esther 7)
To say:King Xerxes and Haman arrived at Esther's second feast. The king pointedly asked what was going on in Esther's head. Surely he was extremely curious at this point.
Then Queen Esther replied: “King Xerxes, I hope you will show me your favor. I hope you're happy to let me live. This is what I want. Please forgive my people. This is my appeal to you. My people and I were sold to be destroyed. We were sold to be killed and annihilated."- Ester 7:3-4a
To say:Esther finally said it! He begged the king to spare his life and that of his people. Note that the king did not yet know that she was Jewish, so he did not realize that Esther was talking about Haman's evil conspiracy.
King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, "Who is the man who dared such a thing? And where is he?"
Esther said, "This man hates us! He is our enemy! He is the wicked Haman!"- Esther 7:5-6a
Burning with rage, King Xerxes left the feast trying to think of all that Esther had just told him.Questions:What do you think, what would have crossed your mind if you were Xerxes?How could I have ordered my wife's death by my own decree? The decree bore my royal seal and cannot be revoked.
To say:King Xerxes returned to the feast to find Haman desperately begging Esther for mercy on his life. Haman knew that his day would not end better than it began. At that moment, one of the king's servants arrived with a message that angered King Xerxes.
Then Harbona, one of the king's personal servants, said: “Your Majesty, Haman built a tower twenty-five feet high near his house, in which to hang Mordecai. And Mordecai is the one who spoke and saved his life.”
"Hanging Haman from his own tower!" ordered the king.- Ester 7:9 CEV
To say:What moment! Time after time, the right people have stepped in at the right time. realize howGod moved peoplebe in certain places at certain times.
- Mordecai overheard the two officials plotting to kill the king.
- Haman entered the king's court after the king's restless night.
- Esther had a second feast where Mordecai could be honored and Haman humiliated.
- The king's servant came in with the news of the gallows that Haman had built for Mordecai just as the king was deciding Haman's fate.
These events were not just coincidences and incredible moments! God works in the lives of all different people to achieve what He wants.
To say:Last week we reviewed the promises God made to Abraham long ago in Genesis 12.Questions:Who can remember what God said he would do to anyone who cursed Abraham's family, the Jews?God promised to curse them (Genesis 12:3b).
To say:God destroyed Haman because God promised that He would.
Conclusion (Esther 8-10)
To say:Xerxes decided to replace Haman with Mordecai and elevated him to a position of great power. Though Haman was dead, the slaughter of the Jews in Persia and Media was still "on the calendar." The king had decreed it, and it was irreversible.Lehrer: If you participated in the optional demonstration last week (using the signet ring to seal the scroll), show the students the scroll and seal again.
Mordecai had a plan! He asked Xerxes to issue a new decree allowing the Jews to take up arms and defend themselves. The Jews of Persia and Media managed to fight back. Their enemies were afraid of them, andthe Jews were not destroyed.
Questions:Does anyone remember the first promise God made to Abraham?It would make Abraham's people a great (important and numerically large) nation.(Genesis 12:2).
The salvation of the Jews was also part of God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3, Psalm 68:20). again we seeGod was faithful in keeping his promises, even when his people disobeyed.
Make no mistake: God is in control. He will accomplish what he set out to do (Psalm 33:11). Nothing can get in the way of his plan. Proverbs 21:30 says, "No wisdom, wise word or plan can prosper against the Lord." God may even choose to use ungodly people and pervert people's sinful plans to fulfill his plan (Genesis 50:20). But it would have been MUCH better for all the Jewish people in the book of Esther to do things God's way and go home. They would have avoided heartbreak and bloodshed.
Application:At times, we will all have difficult things in our lives. Sometimes we find ourselves in difficult circumstances because we make bad decisions. For example, if you choose to play video games instead of studying for a test, chances are you'll get a bad grade. Worse than that, bad circumstances arise when we choose to sin. For example, if you hit someone because you're angry, you hurt the other person and get in trouble. But sometimes difficult circumstances arise even when we have done nothing wrong. Examples are when someone we love dies, gets sick, or is ridiculed for following Jesus.
No matter what situation you face, remember that God is sovereign. Other words for sovereign are: controller, absolute, supreme, royal, majestic, master, principal, ruler. All of this means that God is in control! God is bigger than any circumstance in our lives. God is bigger than anyone in our life. God is bigger than the mistakes we make, and God can work anything for our good (Romans 8:28).
This doesn't mean we should go out and do whatever we want, because God will pick up the pieces and fix everything. No, the Bible says that God is not to be tested or challenged (Deuteronomy 6:16). We should ALWAYS try to follow God's instructions from the Bible and our prayer times. Following God's instructions gives us God's BEST in our lives. But if you fail, go back to him. And when you find yourself in a difficult time that is beyond your control, know that you are serving a mighty God who can do anything. Ask God to give you grace to overcome it and use you for his glory (2 Corinthians 12:10-11).
PPT KEY POINT
Main point:God is sovereign. He is in control of all things.
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Unless otherwise noted, scriptures are from: Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version, (NIrV®)
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by the International Bible Society / Used by permission of IBS-STL. All rights reserved worldwide.
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FAQs
How did God use Esther to save his people? ›
God used Esther to rescue His people. By saving the Jews, God made the way for His Son, Jesus, to come into the world. enemies. She risked her life by going to the king without being invited in order to save her people.
What did God use Esther for? ›Esther risked her life to rescue God's people but Jesus gave up His life to rescue God's people. ○ God keeps His promises. ○ Esther trusted God to help her talk to the king. ○ God used Esther to keep His people safe.
How did Esther help her people in the Bible? ›In the biblical book named after her, Esther is a young Jewish woman living in the Persian diaspora who finds favor with the king, becomes queen, and risks her life to save the Jewish people from destruction when the court official Haman persuades the king to authorize a pogrom against all the Jews of the empire.
When did Esther save her people? ›Esther 7:1–6, 9–10—Esther reveals Haman's plot to kill the Jews. The king has Haman hanged on the gallows built for Mordecai. Esther 8:1–8, 11, 17—The king makes a new decree saving the lives of the Jews.
What we learn from the book of Esther? ›The story of Esther in the Bible reminds us to pray and wait for God to work. Jesus reminded us when He paraphrased the Torah and said that love is the greatest commandment. Loving God and loving others. THAT is what it's all about.
What is the simple story of Esther? ›Esther was an ordinary person, until God placed her in the palace as a queen. God would use Esther's royal position in an amazing way: to save his people! She just had to obey him. As you listen to this episode, think about where God has placed you and what he might be calling you to do.
What does Esther symbolize in the Bible? ›Hadassah, Esther's Hebrew name, means “myrtle,” like an evergreen; myrtle symbolizes peace, joy, generosity, and justice. Her Persian name, Esther, means “the star.” Biblically speaking, God uses his stars.
How did Esther show faith in God? ›Esther prepared in every way she could and then chose to have faith in God, trusting that even if she was unsuccessful—even if she was put to death—she was doing the right thing.
What is the power of Esther? ›Esther was the Queen of Persia, but she didn't 'lord it over' her people. We see her giving a command to Mordecai, but it is a command to fast and pray. It is an unselfish command. She obviously knows the power of prayer combined with fasting, and she knows that the end result could be her own death.
Who pleaded with Esther to go before and try to save her people? ›Mordecai again pleaded with Queen Esther to do something to save the people. Esther responded by instructing all Jews to join her in fasting for three days and three nights, then she would approach the king with her request.
Did Esther save the Jews? ›
The Biblical heroine saved the Jews of Persia and inspired the Jewish holiday Purim. Adopted by a Jewish exile, Esther saves the Jews of Persia by leveraging her relationship with King Xerxes.
What did Esther do to help the Jews? ›Esther, the beautiful Jewish wife of the Persian king Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), and her cousin Mordecai persuade the king to retract an order for the general annihilation of Jews throughout the empire. The massacre had been plotted by the king's chief minister, Haman, and the date decided by casting lots (purim).