1. Read the Bible looking for Jesus … live looking for Jesus to come back.

2. “In Esther, God worked behind the scenes to bring about deliverance for His people. God did not bring deliverance through spectacular plagues or a miracle at the sea as in the exodus. Rather, God worked through a courageous old man who refused to abandon his principles and a courageous woman who valued the lives of her people more than her own life.” ESTHER

3. Summary of Esther (Story of Preservation)  Esther: Jewish girl selected Persian queen  Cousin Mordecai foils plot against King.  Prime Minister Haman seeks Jewish destruction  Esther appeals to the King  Haman’s schemes turned upside-down  Jews initiate feast of Purim ESTHER

4. 1. Longing for a Faithful King ESTHER

5. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace. 1. Longing for a Faithful King ESTHER Micah 5:4-5

6. 2. Preserving an Ancient Promise ESTHER

7. 2. Preserving an Ancient Promise ESTHER I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. Numbers 24:17

8. 3. Trusting a Sovereign God to Act ESTHER

9. 3. Trusting a Sovereign God to Act ESTHER And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant…. He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name…. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate….” Luke 1:46-53

10. Read the Bible looking for Jesus … live looking for Jesus to come back.