Esther Lesson 2 Series

A. INTRODUCTION: FAITH DECISION IN SPITE OF LIMITED CHOICE

1. Her Jewish name Hadassah means Myrtle. Her Gentile name Esther means Star (can’t be seen in daylight, but shines brightest at night).

2. Her cousin Mordecai, a minor official who raised Esther.

3. Queen Vashti made wrong decision and King Xerxes divorced her.

4. Haman, a descendent of Amalekites, a nation that hated Jews (1 Sam. 15:1-3).

5. Haman deceptively get King’s permission for Jewish holocaust (Esther 3:12-16).

B. SEVEN STEPS TO DECISIVE FAITH BY ESTHER

1. Esther had no choice but a personal response to God.

a. Orphan. Could not choose parents (2:7).

b. Kidnapped. “Bring these beautiful young women into the royal harem” (2:3).

c. Queen could not make decisions. “Forever banished” (1:19).

d. Did not want to decide. “If you keep quiet . . . you will die” (4:14).

2. In submitting as Queen, Esther hid her identity.

a. Incognito. Esther had not told anyone of her nationality and family identity (2:10).

b. Later challenged. “If you keep quiet . . . you will die” (4:14).

3. The providence of God opens the door for a tough decision.

a. Opportunity. “Who knows . . . you were made queen for such a time as this” (4:14).

b. Closed door. “Anyone . . . not being invited is doomed to die . . . the King has not called for me for 30 days” (4:11-12, NLT).

4. When challenged with Jewish holocaust, prayer and fasting made a difference.

a. Her decision. “Gather all the Jews . . . fast for me” (4:15).

b. Her example. “My maids and I will do the same” (4:16).

c. Her willingness to die. “If I must die, I must die” (4:16).

5. Her common sense brought victory.

a. Clothes. “Put on her royal robes” (5:1).

b. Stood at proper place. “The king held out the gold scepter” (5:2).

c. Did not beg but invited to a meal. “Come with Haman” (5:8).

d. Teased with second meal.

6. Timing is everything in faith decisions.

a. King cannot sleep, discovered Mordecai saved him.

b. Haman builds tall gallows to hang Mordecai (5:14, NKJV).

c. King orders Haman to lead the King’s horse through the city to honor Mordecai.

d. At second banquet, Queen Esther said to the King, “For my people and I have been sold to those who would kill, slaughter, and annihilate us” (7:4).

e. Haman begged Esther. “Will he even assault the Queen right here . . . before my eyes” (7:8).

f. Haman hanged on his instrument of hate.

7. Faith’s decision is rewarded.

a. Reward. “The king gave the property of Haman to Queen Esther” (8:1).

b. King put Mordecai in Haman’s place (10:2-3).

c. New decree. Gave the Jews the right to defend themselves, killing their attackers and allowing the Jews to take the attacker’s property for their own (8:7-12).

d. Feast of Purim established (9:22, 27).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

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