1. SESSION 3: exemplary traits of grace in troubled times

2.  A CATASTROPHE IS COMING Read Esther 3:7-15 1. What were the two statements that Haman made to the king concerning the Jews?  A certain people were dispersed throughout the empire who had different customs  These people were not obeying the king’s laws 2. Were these ‘charges’ true?  The Persians prided themselves on diversity 2 Corinthians 6:17 - Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

3.  Throughout the book, the Jews appear to be law abiding 1 Peter 2:13-14 - Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 3. Why were “lots” cast before Haman approached the king with his plan? The Persian religious system stressed fate and chance; Haman wanted to uncover the best time to implement his plan 4. What is significant about the time/date that the “royal secretaries” were summoned? The 13 th day of the first month is the eve of the Passover (Lev. 23:4-6)

4. Just as the Jews were preparing to celebrate God’s special deliverance, they were to receive the news that their own government plans to annihilate them 5. What was the edict that was written and sealed with the king’s signet ring? …destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. This edict was dispatched in March of 474 BC ; both sides had one year to ‘get ready’ This would also include all of the Jews who had returned to the promised land to rebuild the temple and Jerusalem

5. 6. Why was the edict dispatched throughout the empire? Perhaps it was an invitation for non-Jews to turn against the Jews Since the military was decimated, could permission be given to kill on that day and plunder? 7. As the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa, what were the responses of Haman and Xerxes compared to that of the city? The king resorts to one of his favorite activities: drinking. Haman smugly joins in The people of Susa were ‘bewildered’; Haman’s bloodthirst and the king’s indifference appeared especially cruel to them Perhaps some of the other “minorities” were worried as well about their future

6.  CHARACTER REVEALED 1. What character traits would you ascribe to King Xerxes? Arrogant, Indecisive, Petty, Cruel, Irresponsible, Self Absorbed ……. Isaiah 10:1-3 Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? 2. What character traits would you ascribe to Haman? He and the king could be considered “two peas in a pod” - add scheming and vengeful Here it is not Hamas or Hezbollah, but Haman who wants to eliminate all Jews!

7. Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. o Just as the name of the LORD is not mentioned in the book of Esther, neither is Satan. 3. What evidence is there that Satan is at work in the book of Esther? *His ‘modus operands’ is to destroy the Jews and oppress God’s people

8.  SO WHERE IS GOD? o Perhaps asking why God is not named in the book of Esther is a bit like asking why Jesus spoke in parables. Mark 4:10-12 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’” 1. What reason does Jesus give his disciples for speaking in parables? Jesus is quoting Isaiah 6:9-10 : some mysteries of God are hidden and only seen and heard by the gift of faith

9. Charles Spurgeon says that the book of Esther is a record of wonders without a miracle; fine details are carefully and inextricably woven together. 2. Based on your homework from last session, what are some of the “unusual coincidences” that have occurred in the story so far? 3. Also referring to the homework, how often does the number 7 appear in the story? It appears 5 x’s thus far… name the occurrences… 4. What is significant about the number “7” in the Bible?

10. God had promised at Mt. Sinai to protect Israel and that He would be at war with them in every generation with their enemies, and especially against the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8-16). 1. So, if you were a Jew living in Persia at that time, what questions might you be asking concerning God?  Do God’s promises still stand?  Will He fight for us against the Amalekite Haman?  Will God keep His part of the covenant even though we haven’t?  Will God prove Himself faithful and powerful against all odds? How can we face difficult and unexpected circumstances without giving reproach to God or shaming His purposes? We need to be convinced that God is at work even when He appears most invisible. ~ Cal Walden

11.  EXEMPLARY TRAITS OF GRACE 1.Displaying the Grace of Self-Control 2.Displaying the Grace of Submission 3.Displaying the Grace of Faithfulness 4.Displaying the Grace of Kindness 5.Displaying the Grace of Humility We have now been introduced to 4 main characters: Xerxes and Haman contrasted to Esther and Mordecai. God intends that His people be different and distinct due to His grace.