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A Jewish Girl Becomes Persia’s Queen Esther 2:1-23

Something To Think About The book of Esther is set in the reign of Ahasuerus or Xerxes as the Greeks called him (486 B.C.—465 B.C.). As the book opens, we read that the king has prepared a great meeting for his governors and nobles from the provinces. The historian Herodotus informs us that the purpose of this meeting, which lasted for six months, was to plan for the invasion of Greece. At the end of the six- month period, Xerxes arranged a final, colossal feast that lasted seven days. The king was drinking on the final day of the feast when he ordered his eunuchs to bring in Queen Vashti in her crown and royal robes that he might show off her beauty to his guests. The queen, who had hosted a feast for the women, refused to hearken to the king’s orders. When Vashti did not come, the king called in his advisers to ask what should be done. They agreed the queen should be punished because she had insulted the king and all his guests. In so doing, she had undermined the authority of every husband in the empire and prepared the way for a rebellion against male authority. Knowing Vashti would get even with them if she ever got the chance, they recommended that the king issue an unalterable decree removing Vashti from the queen’s throne and that a new queen then be chosen to take her place. In addition, a proclamation was sent throughout the empire declaring that every husband should be the master of his house.

KEY VERSE Esther 2:17 “And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight, more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti”.

Lesson Objectives To concentrate on the way God intervenes to protect and provide for His people To rejoice in God’s great deliverance from sin To present a good testimony before the world

SEARCH FOR A NEW QUEEN Esther 2:1-11 A Gathering of Maidens (1-4) Esther’s Background (5-7) Esther Among the Maidens (8-11)

We modern-day Christians often do not like to be bothered with truths that do not fit the ordinary mold, or that challenge us to see a bigger God than we can fit into our man-made box of what God should be like. However, the book of Esther may just blow the lid off our neatly stored concept of God. To begin with, the heroes of this book are not the usual Bible heroes. They are Jews who did not accept the challenge of returning to their homeland and chose instead to remain in Persia. In addition, we find that Esther, the chief character, is an orphan girl who has been reared by her cousin, Mordecai. Along with the unlikely people involved, we see God working in unlikely circumstances. It is pretty tough for us to see God working through a nationwide beauty contest designed to choose a new queen to replace one who had refused to go on display before a lecherous, drunken crowd of the king’s cronies. Also, we see God, who throughout the Bible extols the virtues of inner beauty above those of outer beauty, using the outward physical attractiveness of Esther to promote her to the position of queen.

ESTHER’S SELECTION AS QUEEN Esther 2:12-20 The Plan of Selection (12-14) The Choice of Esther (15-17) A Feast for Esther (18-20)

Esther’s story sounds like a fairytale to us, and as we envision all the pomp, glory, and dignity that surround royalty, we almost wish ourselves in her shoes. However, remind your class that Esther was a Jew and had been taught the law. Although she may have enjoyed her position, she must have despised the sin and debauchery that surrounded her. She also had failed to inform the king, at Mordecai’s direction, of her national heritage and thus her religious convictions. Many Bible scholars feel this to be an act of compromise. If it was, she was living day by day with the fear of being “found out” and quite possibly killed. Yet, in spite of these things, God was at work placing her where she could best be used of Him in the future.

MORDECAI’S PROTECTION OF THE KING Esther 2:21-23 The Plot Revealed by Mordecai (21) The Plot Referred to Esther (22) The Retribution of the Wicked (23)

Why was not Mordecai promptly honored for his deed? Humanly, it might appear God was overlooking Mordecai. In reality, the Lord was orchestrating events in Mordecai’s life to prepare for the future. It would be so easy for Mordecai to become discouraged because he did not receive the honor he deserved for aiding the king in such a manner. Yet, God had something better in mind for him at a later date. Another interesting point to note here is that God is faithful even when we are not. So far, there are no great spiritual characteristics of Esther and Mordecai for which to commend them. Still, God is going to use them, and He is placing them where they can be used.

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION 1. How did Queen Vashti fall into disfavor with the king? Do you think she was treated fairly? 2. Describe the process used to select a new queen. 3. Who was Mordecai? What was his relationship to Esther? 4. Tell about the plot revealed by Mordecai. Why wasn’t he rewarded for saving the king’s life? 5. Why didn’t Esther reveal her nationality to the king? Do you think Esther would have been chosen to be queen if the king had known she was Jewish? 6. Compare Daniel’s experience with Esther’s. How did God work in both situations?

May God Bless You For Coming To Sunday School This Morning! Bring Someone With You To Bible Study On Wednesday Night!

Acknowledgements Applications taken from Bible Teacher Bible Studies for Adults—Summer Edition (2011) This power point slide presentation may be altered by additions or deletions to fit your own teaching style. There is more information in viewing Note Pages Click on View then Note Pages Presentation Compiled For Randall House By Earl Scroggins