Women of the Bible: Esther

2002012

Subject: women of the bible; God’s providence

Introduction:

A. Ahaseurus = king of Persia.

1. God’s people were in provinces of Persia.

2. Persia – vast empire – 127 provinces

a) king invites leaders to celebration lasting 187 days

b) feast of drinking/sin.

3. 1:11 – calls for Vasti to come out & display her beauty to people. She refuses b/c of her modesty.

4. 1:15-22 – King banishes Vasti for her refusal to heed order of king.

5. Esther (Hadassah 2:7) eventually chosen as successor to Vasti.

B. Esther finds favor in sight of king 2:17

1. she would later save his life.

2. After this – king promotes Haaman to # 2 position in kingdom.

C. King commands all to bow down to Haaman – everyone does so but Mordecai.

1. 3:5 – fills Haaman w/rage.

2. 3:6 – Haaman determines not only to destroy Mordecai but all Jews as well.

3. 3:8-15 – persuades king to sign decree to kill all Jews w/in one year.

4. a decree issued by Persian monarch was unaterable.

D. Chapter 4 – Esther learns of the plot.

1. Mordecai – a gov’t official relates to her what happened. 4:7-8

2. Esther’s reply – 4:10-11

3. Mordecai’s response: 4:11-14

4. Esther’s decision – 4:15-17

E. As we continue in the story – God steps in & in a providential way he delievers His people.

1. important – b/c Jesus was to come from the Jews in fulfillment of His promise to Abraham – Gen. 12:1-3

2. Rom. 15:4 – story written for our benefit – showing God’s providential care for his people.

I. A look at the times of Esther.

A. King; leaders of nations were selfish/wicked/immoral.

1. Prov. 29:2

2. No different from today?

a) think of those who play leading role in society.

b) Politicials; sports/etertainment figures.

3. Morals/philosophies of professors/teachers shaping and molding our young people’s minds….

B. Time of worldly pomp & show….1:3-8

1. leaders of country take 6 months vacation for wickenedss/sin.

2. neglect nation; welfare/homes.

3. really that different now?

a) our world neglects basic principles of right/wrong.

b) Prayer outlawed; homosexuality endorsed; abortion defended.

c) 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Eccl. 12:13-14

C. Time of immodesty/drinking/

1. seen in chapters 1-2

2. seen in how king commanded Vasti to display herself b/f the king and others…

a) she had the moral courage to do right!

3. We live in times when immodesty rampant.

a) Christians need to be mindful of what they are wearing.

b) Influence of the devil is subtle!

c) 1 Tim. 2:9-10

D. Time when human life was cheap!

1. leader willing to sign a decree killing 2 million Jews!

2. b/c of one who would not bow to Haaman.

3. Not much different now…

4. abortion; euthanasia; murder….

II. Esther stood up in her time.

A. Time that needed a good person in a high place.

1. She doesn’t stand by silently – that would have been sin.

2. finds herself in a responsible position – had to do what she could.

B. We too – must stand up for good in our time.

1. Although we may not understand it now – God in His providence will use us to accomplish His mission & His purpose!

2. This is a time when we need…

a) good people in leadership!

b) In nation; business; education; communication; home!

c) We each have a sphere of influence – in order to do the good things God planned for us long ago. Eph. 2:10

Conclusion:

A. Are you the kind of disciple that the Lord needs? Is He able to use you in His mission?

B. Are you one that the Lord can depend upon? If not, why not?

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Women of the Bible: Esther 2002012 Subject: women of the bible; God’s providence Introduction: A. Ahaseurus = king of Persia. 1. God’s people were in provinces of Persia. 2. Persia – vast empire – 127 provinces a) king invites leaders to celebration lasting 187 days b) feast of drinking/sin. 3. 1:11 – calls for Vasti to come out & display her beauty to people. She refuses b/c of her modesty. 4. 1:15-22 – King banishes Vasti for her refusal to heed order of king. 5. Esther (Hadassah 2:7) eventually chosen as successor to Vasti. B. Esther finds favor in sight of king 2:17 1. she would later save his life. 2. After this – king promotes Haaman to # 2 position in kingdom. C. King commands all to bow down to Haaman – everyone does so but Mordecai. 1. 3:5 – fills Haaman w/rage. 2. 3:6 – Haaman determines not only to destroy Mordecai but all Jews as well. 3. 3:8-15 – persuades king to sign decree to kill all Jews w/in one year. 4. a decree issued by Persian monarch was unaterable. D. Chapter 4 – Esther learns of the plot. 1. Mordecai – a gov’t official relates to her what happened. 4:7-8 2. Esther’s reply – 4:10-11 3. Mordecai’s response: 4:11-14 4. Esther’s decision – 4:15-17 E. As we continue in the story – God steps in & in a providential way he delievers His people. 1. important – b/c Jesus was to come from the Jews in fulfillment of His promise to Abraham – Gen. 12:1-3 2. Rom. 15:4 – story written for our benefit – showing God’s providential care for his people. I. A look at the times of Esther. A. King; leaders of nations were selfish/wicked/immoral. 1. Prov. 29:2 2. No different from today? a) think of those who play leading role in society. b) Politicials; sports/etertainment figures. 3. Morals/philosophies of professors/teachers shaping and molding our young people’s minds…. B. Time of worldly pomp & show….1:3-8 1. leaders of country take 6 months vacation for wickenedss/sin. 2. neglect nation; welfare/homes. 3. really that different now? a) our world neglects basic principles of right/wrong. b) Prayer outlawed; homosexuality endorsed; abortion defended. c) 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Eccl. 12:13-14 C. Time of immodesty/drinking/ 1. seen in chapters 1-2 2. seen in how king commanded Vasti to display herself b/f the king and others… a) she had the moral courage to do right! 3. We live in times when immodesty rampant. a) Christians need to be mindful of what they are wearing. b) Influence of the devil is subtle! c) 1 Tim. 2:9-10 D. Time when human life was cheap! 1. leader willing to sign a decree killing 2 million Jews! 2. b/c of one who would not bow to Haaman. 3. Not much different now… 4. abortion; euthanasia; murder…. II. Esther stood up in her time. A. Time that needed a good person in a high place. 1. She doesn’t stand by silently – that would have been sin. 2. finds herself in a responsible position – had to do what she could. B. We too – must stand up for good in our time. 1. Although we may not understand it now – God in His providence will use us to accomplish His mission & His purpose! 2. This is a time when we need… a) good people in leadership! b) In nation; business; education; communication; home! c) We each have a sphere of influence – in order to do the good things God planned for us long ago. Eph. 2:10 Conclusion: A. Are you the kind of disciple that the Lord needs? Is He able to use you in His mission? B. Are you one that the Lord can depend upon? If not, why not? C. I N V I T A T I O N