Esther “Star” Her Hebrew was Hadassah which means “Myrtle” or joy (Fair and beautiful) Ruth & Esther two Old Testament books Esther appears about 60 years after Cyrus decree 35 years before Nehemiah returned God is never mentioned in the book but the implications are there In spite of the omission, God is working Esther

The Key to Esther is the Providence of God “Providence has that continuous agency of God by which He makes all events of the physical and moral world fulfill the original design with which He created it.” Latin = “provideo” “I see a thing before hand” Esther

Three Great Facts that make up the sovereignty of God 1. Creation - which accounts for the existence of this universe ( Gen. 1:1 ) 2. Presevation- which accounts for the continuation of the universe (Heb 1:3, Col. 1:16,17 ) 3. Providence - which accounts for the progress and development of the universe (Ps. 135:6-10, Dan. 4:35 ) The Persian Empire during Xerxes Reign Over 127 Provinces

5 Esther

The Rejection of 1:1-22 1. Queen of Ahasuerus - Xerxes King of Persia 2. Vashti = “beautiful woman” 4. Ahasuerus in the third year of his reign, desired to show off his kingdom 1:3,4 3. Ahasuerus became very angry ( over Vashti’s refusal ) The ( Pictures in the Book)

I. Ahasurus ( God ) A great king: 1:1 Ethiopia to India, 127 Provinces A. Greatness by submission 1:13-15 (“What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law”) B. The wise men’s appeal “Let” 1:19 - 2:2 C. Power displace (Vashti ) 1:19 D. Family heads rule in their own home 1:22 Esther

The Rise of :1-20 1. She and her maids were preferred above the otheres 2:9 ( A four year contest ) 2. She became Queen in the 7th year of Ahasuerus’ reign The Book of Esther ( Pictures in the Book)

II. Esther (Church, Bride) Fair and beautiful 2:7 A. Cooperative 2:9 ( “the maiden pleased him” He-gai and was preferred by him ) B. Obeyed 2:10, 20 ( as when she was small ) C. The daily care of Mordecai 2:15 ( he check on her welfare daily ) D. She required nothing extra ( Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her. ) E. She was made queen instead of Vashti 2:17 F. At Esther’s feast, gifts were given 2:18 G. She gave credit to Mordecai 2:22 Esther

Mordecai’s Intevention 2:21-23 Two officers of the king’s guard were hung because they plotted to kill the king The Problem of ’s Pride 3:1-15 1. Haman is promoted 3:1-2 2. Haman is offended 3:3-5 3. Haman Plot 3:6-15 The Book of Esther ( Pictures in the Book)

III. Mordecai (The Holy Spirit) A. Did not bow down 3:2 Psalm 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; B. Accused by Haman 1. Different 3:8 2. He planed to kill the Jews 3:9 3. The city was perplexed 3:15 Esther

The Request of Mordecai 4:1-14 “who knowest whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this” 1:14 The Response of :15 - 5:14 The Book of Esther ( Pictures in the Book)

III. Mordecai (The Holy Spirit) C. Fasting and Intercession 4:15-17 I Timothy 2:1 “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people” D. Charged Esther 4:8,13,14 E. Joint - burden 4:15 - 17 The Book of Esther ( Pictures in the Book)

IV. Esther (Bride) A. On the 3rd day of fasting 5:1 B. Put on her Royal Apparel C. Feast this day 5:4 D. Finding God’s Time 5:8

V. Haman (Man of Sin} A. Indignant pride 5:9 B. Evil wife 5:11-14 1. Zeresh - Hang Mordecai 2. A gallows 50 cubits high 3. Go merrily to the kings banquet Esther

The Kings Discovery 6:1-14 1. Mordecai is a hero 6:1-3 a. What honor has been done to Mordecai? 2. Haman plans for Mordecai 6:4-5 a. He had come to have Mordecai hanged 3. Haman’s plans for himself 6:7-9 a. He planed to be honored before the people 4. Mordecai is honored 6:10-14 a. He was honored as Haman had wanted to be honored The Book of Esther ( Pictures in the Book)

VI. God’s Miracle (Creative Alternative) A. The king can’t sleep 6:1 1. Mordecai is honored 6:2-12 B. Esther’s appeal at the banquet 7:3 C. Haman is shamed 6:12, 7:8 D. Haman is hanged 7:10 E. Haman’s house is given to Mordecai 8:11 Luke 14:11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” The Book of Esther ( Pictures in the Book)

VII. The Results (Celebration) A. The Jews were able to gather together 8:11 B. Mordecai went out from the king in royal apparel 8:15 C. They feasted (There was great celebration) 8;17 D. The Jews ruled over their enemies 9:1 Psalm 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! E. Missions 9:19, 22 F. All authority 9:29 (Esther wrote with all authority) The day of appointed G. Mordecai’s honor and concern 10:3 18