Esther: For Such a Time as This! Session 4
Session 4: Esther's Banquet #1, Mordecai is Honored. 59:01-1:08:42. (Chapters 5 and 6)
How do you respond in a crisis? Are you cool, calm and collected? Do you get frightened and panic? Do you become fearful and faint? Do you tend to act without thinking or lash out and get angry… at yourself, your loved ones, or God? We have much to learn from Queen Esther. In fact, we can look to her behavior as a model for our own. Let’s take a minute to look at her response to a crisis so far:
What Did Esther Do in a Crisis?
She collected more information, took time to explore the real facts of the situation before responding.
She listened to Mordecai’s plan (her guardian) and weighed the consequences.
She asked everyone to fast and pray with and for her.
She prayed for three days before doing anything, while she was sure she heard correctly from God what to do. During this time, God gave her the intel she needed for “Such a time as this.”
In Chapters 5 and 6, the results of her wise behavior can be seen, as the narrative progresses. Be sure to add to the list above as you go through the lesson.
Click Here to see the lesson plan packet! Be sure to read chapters 5 and 6 in the text, following along in the commentary book by Chuck Missler if you have one. Then, watch the video and journal the questions below.
Watch Video: 59:01-1:08:42 (10 min.)
Discussion questions:
What other things did Esther do in this situation that were wise?
Why was Esther nervous about approaching the king? What things happened previously that might have made her fearful?
Esther dressed herself beautifully to go meet with the king. How did this honor the king? Why do you believe this may have pleased him?
Why do you think Esther chose NOT to tell the king her concerns in the court of the royal house?
What happened in chapter 6 that shows we can trust God’s timing, and not our own?
Why did Esther not tell the king her concerns during the first banquet?
What words describe Haman in this situation? (Lesson 3)
Xerxes could not sleep the night before the second banquet. Why do you think that was?
The "evil" Haman, who was parading as "an angel of light" was caught in his own blindness due to his ambition, worship of self, rankling unforgiveness, and greed. Haman is an example of all the anti-God leaders who want to destroy God's people-- Stalin, Hitler, Lenin, and the list goes on. But God has always been faithful to deliver a remnant. Each one of these leaders pretended to be doing something "good" for humanity, all the while working undercover to destroy God's covenant people. Do we have a "Haman" on the world scene today? Who might that be?
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