SESSION 4: CALAMITY AND COURAGE

 MOURNING WITH A PURPOSE Read Esther 4:1-8 1.What did Mordecai do when he “learned all that had been done?” Tore his clothes  He LAMENTED in the tradition of the Jews Went out into the city Put on sackcloth and ashes Wailed loudly & bitterly At the King’s Gate 2. Where did he do his lamenting? Lamenting was a way to show deepest grief; it was a symbol of sorrow and humility

3. Was Mordecai alone in his lament? You, Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long? Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old. ~Lamentations 5:19-21 As the edict was made known, the Jews throughout the empire joined Mordecai in kind 4. What is the significance of “sackcloth and ashes?” It is a sign of grieving for the dead – Genesis 37:31-34 It is a sign of personal or national calamity – Lam. 2:10 It is a sign of repentance from sin – Neh. 9:1-3 It is a sign of sincerity in seeking God’s deliverance – Dan. 9:3

5. How did Esther respond when she got the news about Mordecai? She was in ‘great distress’ and sought to bring him relief She summoned Hathak to find out what was so troubling Mordecai 6. What did Mordecai reveal to Hathak, and what did he want Esther to know and do? That he and Esther were Jews Esther was to read a copy of the edict Esther was instructed to go into the king’s presence and plead for herself and her people  FACING CALAMITY Read Esther 4:9-17 Mordecai’s lamenting lead to immediate action

1. How did Esther respond to the report from Hathak? With fear – her initial reaction was for herself rather than for Mordecai and their people She is suddenly faced with two edicts of death: one for the Jews and one for anyone who goes before the king without being summoned 2. How did Mordecai answer Esther’s fear?  He is blunt and to the point: You are not exempt God WILL bring deliverance to the Jews Consider that YOU might be an instrument in God’s Providence!  Mordecai’s response is really a confession of faith in God Joel 2:12-13 “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

3. What did Esther do with her fear in the face of this tremendous calamity? She remembered God and turned her fear into actionable faith  Now Esther has to decide who she really is… …she cannot trust in men, she cannot trust in wealth and she cannot trust in her position Joel 2:15-18 Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber. Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

Notice how Mordecai is careful to fully obey Esther’s instructions  Esther called for ‘extreme fasting’; both for herself, her attendants and the Jews  COURAGE IN THE FACE OF CALAMITY Read Esther 5:1-10  Lead by Esther and Mordecai, note what the “people of God” did NOT do… They did not run They did not hide They did not fortify They did not blame 1. When does Esther put on her royal robes and go to the King? She goes immediately after the completion of fasting and prayer; she wastes no time

2. How does the king react the Queen Esther’s appearance? 3. What does the King say to Esther? Again, she finds unusual favor and the king is pleased to see her The king realizes that Esther has put herself in jeopardy by coming before him and that she has a serious matter on her mind He simply invites her to make her request 4. What is the meaning of the phrase “up to half the kingdom?” It is a figure of speech: the king was generous and any request within his power he would grant Esther received a “yes” before she even made her request known!

5. What is Esther’s request to the king? That the King and Haman come to a banquet that she has prepared The King knows that this is not her real request, the one she risked her life for, but he permits her to proceed 6. Why does Esther seem to be dodging the point after being well received? She is actually practicing proper protocol and etiquette Being wise and discerning, she knows it is dangerous to embarrass the king in his court by telling him that he had unknowingly passed a law that jeopardizes her life

7. Why does Esther then request a second banquet? He she stalling? Has she forgotten her faith and lost her courage?  The only answer is God’s Providence God is working behind the scenes to add an amazing twist to the plot of the story; and Esther is right in line with what God wants to do  THE CALAMITY CONTINUES Read Esther 5: How did Haman feel about being invited to the Queen’s banquet? Happy, high spirited, honored and boastful 2. What was the one thing that soured Haman’s happiness & pride?

“That Jew sitting at the King’s Gate” - Mordecai and all that he stood for Proverbs 14:16-17 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure. A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. 3. What council did Haman receive from his wife and friends? Boost your ego, cheer yourself up; go build a gallow to hang Mordecai on in the morning Then go to the banquet and enjoy yourself Deuteronomy 32:35 It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.”  Esther and Mordecai lead the Jews by example, thru faith. But God is in complete control of all things…