1. And Who Knows… A Study on the manifestation of God’s involvement in the book of Esther.

2. Goals of this Study For the audience to understand that God works out his plan in all circumstances. Focus more on lessons rather than dates. Point out ways in which we can identify with each of the characters. Find: Examples to follow. Sins to avoid. Promises to claim. Commands to follow.

3. Authorship and Time Frame The author is a Jew. Both Jews and Christians alike have generally supposed Mordecai to be the writer of this book, according to Esther 9:20 "Mordecai wrote these things". The book of Esther is about a beautiful Jewish girl who became the Queen of the Persian Empire in 479 B.C.

4. Key Verse Esther 4:14 "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

5. Outline and Overview I. How Esther came to be queen, and Mordecai to be great at court, as instrument of the intended deliverance Chapter 1-2. II. How Haman obtained an order for the destruction of the Jews Chapter 3. III. The distress of the Jews, Mordecai's rebuke to Esther and Esther's decision Chapter 4. IV. The defeating of Haman's plot against Mordecai Chapter 5-7. V. The defeating of his plot against the Jews Chapter 8. VI. The care taken to keep this story in the mind of all Jews for generations to come Chapter 9-10.

6. I. Chapter 1-2 How Esther came to be queen and Mordecai to be great at court, as instruments of deliverance. "And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her" --Esther 2:15b

7. II. Chapter 3 Upon what provocation, and by what arts, Haman the Amalekite obtained an order for the destruction of all the Jews. "...King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles." -Esther 3:1

8. III.Chapter 4 The distress of the Jews, Mordecai's rebuke to Esther and Esther's decision. "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place...And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?“ "Go gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Chapter 4:10-16

9. IV. Chapter 5-7 The defeating of Haman's particular plot against Mordecai's life. As Esther approached the king with her resolve, he held out his scepter. Esther finding favor with the king, invites him and Haman to a banquet, ver. 1-5. She invites them to a second, ver. 6-8, while Haman makes a gallows for Mordecai, ver. 9-14

10. V. Chapter 8 The defeating of his general plot against the Jews. At this second banquet, Esther petitions for her life, and the lives of her people. Even a stranger, a criminal, shall be permitted to petition for his life. But that a friend, a wife, a queen, should have occasion to make such a petition, was very affecting.

11. VI. Chapter 9-10 The care that was taken to remember this event The Jews slay their enemies, ver. 1-11. A second day is granted them by request of Esther and A yearly feast is instituted, in memory of this great deliverance, ver. 20-32.

12. Characters Xerxes Mordecai Esther Haman Jews God

13. Who is King Xerxes? Xerxes was a powerful king, who ruled over 127 provinces. Xerxes is an absolute man. He loves absolutely and hates absolutely. "So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. "Keep the money," the king said to Haman, ‘and do with the people as you please’.” Esther 3:10-11

14. Who is Mordecai? Mordecai was very forthright with everything except for Esther's background. Mordecai obeyed God's law first, even at the risk of disobeying the king's own command. Esther 3:2 & 4 --"All the royal officials at the king's gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor." Mordecai was very concerned about God's people, and he cried loudly to God. In the same way, Daniel was concerned about Israel in Daniel Chapter 9, and he cried out to God in humble repentant prayer. Mordecai rebuked Esther with the truth of the word of God. Esther 4:13&14

15. Who is Esther? Esther was obedient. “Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so.” Chapter 2:10 Esther is sacrificial- 4:16 A shadow of Christ, who gave himself as the utmost sacrifice when he declared in Matthew 26: 39 “Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Esther was a favorable girl. Chapter 2:9 says “The girl pleased him[Hegai, the charge of the Harem] and won his favor.” Verse 15b “And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her.” Verse 17b “...she won his favor and approval more than any one of the other virgins.”

16. Who was Haman? He hated Mordecai because Mordecai refused to honor him with divine worship. "When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai's people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.” 3:5,6 History: He is an Amalekite, he is an image of pure pride and hatred, he is a prince of darkness to the Jews. Now Haman thought to himself, "Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?"" Esther 6:6.

17. Who are the Jews? They had no influence as God's people. Fear "The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered“3:15b They ignored God, so they lost their identity. See Deut 28:2,8

18. Who is God? MAIN THEME: Although God’s name is not mentioned in this book, God's hand is involved in the governing the affairs of his people.

19. God’s Hand… Prevented king Xerxes from sleeping. Changed the positon of Mordecai and Haman. Esther 6: 11-12 "so Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him through the streets on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, "this is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!" Afterward Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman rushed home with his head covered in grief"" Changed Esther from a favorable woman, to a woman of truth. "Esther said, "the adversary and enemy is this vile Haman". 7:16 Judged Haman. He was a proud man, but at the face of death, he begged for Esther to save his life. Esther 7: 6b-7. Changed Xerxes into a man who listen to God's counsel and supported God's people. Esther 8: 2a "the king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai." Changed the passive Jews, into aggressive fighters who defeated the forces of Haman's evil in Esther 9:16

20. Lessons Xerxes Love absolutely and hate absolutely...but based on the truth of God's word. Listen to good counsel -when he listened to Esther and Mordecai's advice. Esther 8:1-9; Esther 9:12-15. Mordecai Refusing to worship anything and anyone but God. Esther 3:4. Give counsel and rebuke where appropriate. Esther 4:13,14. Pray with an absolute attitude in order to help save God's people. Humility. Esther 6:12 Honesty. Esther 2:22; Esther 8:16.

21. Lessons Esther Obey God's servant. Esther 2:10. Repent when rebuked by fasting and praying. Esther 4:16. Be truthful and clear--not always pleasing people. Esther 7:6.  Willingness to die in order to save God's people.  Esther 4:16b.  Haman  Disregard pride. The proud will be humbled by force. Death comes to the proud. Esther 7:16.

22. Lessons Jews Get together as God's chosen ones, do not fear the Anti-Christ or opposition. Celebrate God’s Deliverance. Jesus has delivered us from the Devil. God God's hand is working in our lives, even though we think we make our own decisions. God has everything to do with everything because he is Almighty, creator and sustainer of all things.