1. Purim The Feast of Lots This holiday was declared in the book of Esther This holiday was declared in the book of Esther Purim is the Hebrew word for lots Purim is the Hebrew word for lots The 14 th day of the Jewish month of Adar The 14 th day of the Jewish month of Adar The time frame is after the Babylonian captivity The time frame is after the Babylonian captivity During the Babylonian captivity King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of a large statue that Daniel interpreted. The head of the statue represented the Babylonian empire the chest and arms of the statue represented the Persian empire which is the time of the Book of Esther. During the Babylonian captivity King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of a large statue that Daniel interpreted. The head of the statue represented the Babylonian empire the chest and arms of the statue represented the Persian empire which is the time of the Book of Esther.

2. Bible Lessons Gods providence Gods providence Gods faithfulness Gods faithfulness Dealing with worry Dealing with worry Stepping out in faith Stepping out in faith The promises of God The promises of God ….. and many more ….. and many more

3. Characters and Biblical Connections Esthers Hebrew name was Hadassa. Her parents died when she was young and her cousin, Mordecai, adopted and raised her as his daughter. Esther 2:7 Esthers Hebrew name was Hadassa. Her parents died when she was young and her cousin, Mordecai, adopted and raised her as his daughter. Esther 2:7 Esthers cousin Mordecai is from the line of King Saul. Esther 2:5 Esthers cousin Mordecai is from the line of King Saul. Esther 2:5 Haman was a descendant of Agag, the king of the Amalekites. Esther 3:1 & 1 Samuel 15 Haman was a descendant of Agag, the king of the Amalekites. Esther 3:1 & 1 Samuel 15 The Amalekites are descendant of Amalek, the grandson of Esau. Genesis 36:12 The Amalekites are descendant of Amalek, the grandson of Esau. Genesis 36:12 Here we have the lines of Jacob and Esau still battling as described in Genesis 25:23 Here we have the lines of Jacob and Esau still battling as described in Genesis 25:23

4. The Historical time at the time of Esther At this time the majority of the Jews in Persia have chosen to remain rather than return to Israel under the leadership of Zerubbabel. After the Babylonian captivity a small number of Jews had returned to rebuild the Temple. (You can read about those events in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah) At this time the majority of the Jews in Persia have chosen to remain rather than return to Israel under the leadership of Zerubbabel. After the Babylonian captivity a small number of Jews had returned to rebuild the Temple. (You can read about those events in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah) The events of this book take place when the Persian empire is at the height of its power having 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia Esther 1:1 The events of this book take place when the Persian empire is at the height of its power having 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia Esther 1:1

5. Esther 1 The Persian King throws a 6 month party for the nobility The Persian King throws a 6 month party for the nobility Then he has a 7 day feast for all subjects. On the 7 th day while he was drunk he orders his wife Queen Vashti to display her great beauty at the party. Then he has a 7 day feast for all subjects. On the 7 th day while he was drunk he orders his wife Queen Vashti to display her great beauty at the party. Queen Vashti refuses and is banished. Queen Vashti refuses and is banished.

6. Esther 2 1-18 Later an elaborate search is begun for a new queen and Esther is chosen. Esther keeps her Jewish heritage a secret. Later an elaborate search is begun for a new queen and Esther is chosen. Esther keeps her Jewish heritage a secret. ESTHER 2 19:23 ESTHER 2 19:23 Later Esthers cousin Mordecai overhears a plot to assassinate the King. He reports this to Esther and the king is saved and this heroic deed is recorded in the royal chronicles of Persia Later Esthers cousin Mordecai overhears a plot to assassinate the King. He reports this to Esther and the king is saved and this heroic deed is recorded in the royal chronicles of Persia

7. Esther 3 Shortly thereafter, a tragic appointment is made in the Persian royal court - Haman is promoted to Prime minister. Shortly thereafter, a tragic appointment is made in the Persian royal court - Haman is promoted to Prime minister. People were to bow in Hamans presence. People were to bow in Hamans presence. For Mordecai a Jew, this was a form of idolatry, and he refused to bow. For Mordecai a Jew, this was a form of idolatry, and he refused to bow. Haman is so mad that he plots to kill Mordecai and all Jews. Haman is so mad that he plots to kill Mordecai and all Jews. Haman casts lots to gain direction from the Persian gods for the best date. The lots fall on Adar 13 giving Haman 11 months to work on this evil plan. Haman casts lots to gain direction from the Persian gods for the best date. The lots fall on Adar 13 giving Haman 11 months to work on this evil plan. The King had given Haman the royal signet ring so this allowed Haman the authority to carry out this plot. The King had given Haman the royal signet ring so this allowed Haman the authority to carry out this plot.

8. Esther 4 & 5 Mordecai hears of this plan, tears his clothes, puts on sackcloth, covers himself with ashes and tells Queen Esther of this news. Mordecai hears of this plan, tears his clothes, puts on sackcloth, covers himself with ashes and tells Queen Esther of this news. Mordecai also encourages Esther …And who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:4 Mordecai also encourages Esther …And who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:4 Mordecai, Esther, the Jews and even Esthers hand maidens fast for 3 days Mordecai, Esther, the Jews and even Esthers hand maidens fast for 3 days Then Esther goes against Persian law risking death and approaches the king without an invitation Then Esther goes against Persian law risking death and approaches the king without an invitation

9. Esther 4 & 5 The King extends his scepter and promises to grant Queen Esther any request The King extends his scepter and promises to grant Queen Esther any request Esther delays her request and asks that the king and Haman come to a banquet. Esther delays her request and asks that the king and Haman come to a banquet. At the banquet Esther delays her request again and invites the king and Haman to another banquet on the following night. At the banquet Esther delays her request again and invites the king and Haman to another banquet on the following night. Hamans ego is boosted but on his way home to boast to his wife and friends he meets Mordecai who again refuses to bow and Hamans friends counsel him to build a 75 foot gallows to impale Mordecai on. Hamans ego is boosted but on his way home to boast to his wife and friends he meets Mordecai who again refuses to bow and Hamans friends counsel him to build a 75 foot gallows to impale Mordecai on.

10. Esther 6 That night the king cannot sleep so he calls for his royal chronicles to be read That night the king cannot sleep so he calls for his royal chronicles to be read The record read that night recounts the story about Modecais foiling the attempt on the kings life. The record read that night recounts the story about Modecais foiling the attempt on the kings life. At that time the King realizes that Mordecai was never rewarded for this deed. At that time the King realizes that Mordecai was never rewarded for this deed. The next morning when Haman comes to the court the king asks What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor? Esther 6:8-9. The next morning when Haman comes to the court the king asks What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor? Esther 6:8-9. Thinking that the king is talking about him, Haman tells the King to let the person wear the royal robe and parade him on horseback through the city. Thinking that the king is talking about him, Haman tells the King to let the person wear the royal robe and parade him on horseback through the city. The king instructs Haman to do this for Mordecai. Haman is upset and humiliated. The king instructs Haman to do this for Mordecai. Haman is upset and humiliated.

11. Esther 7 Finally it is time for the second banquet with Queen Esther and it is here that she pleads with the King to save her people. Finally it is time for the second banquet with Queen Esther and it is here that she pleads with the King to save her people. This is a surprise to the King because Esther has kept her Jewish identity hidden. This is a surprise to the King because Esther has kept her Jewish identity hidden. The King is angered about the plot to kill the Jews and demands to know the identity of the enemy. The King is angered about the plot to kill the Jews and demands to know the identity of the enemy. Queen Esther says The enemy and adversary is Haman Esther 7:6) Queen Esther says The enemy and adversary is Haman Esther 7:6) In his terror Haman throws himself on the queens couch to beg for mercy and the King mistakes this for violence against the queen. In his terror Haman throws himself on the queens couch to beg for mercy and the King mistakes this for violence against the queen. The King orders the executioners to cover the face of Haman and hang him on the gallows prepared for Mordecai. The King orders the executioners to cover the face of Haman and hang him on the gallows prepared for Mordecai.

12. Esther 8:1 – 9:16 In the wake of Hamans demise, Mordecai is promoted to Hamans position and given the royal signet ring. In the wake of Hamans demise, Mordecai is promoted to Hamans position and given the royal signet ring. Haman and his ten sons are hanged Haman and his ten sons are hanged But the law still stood for the destruction of Queen Esthers people on the 13 th of Adar. But the law still stood for the destruction of Queen Esthers people on the 13 th of Adar. Esther again speaks to the king and he allows Mordecai and Esther to draft a decree to the provinces granting the Jewish people the right to prepare to fight in self- defense Esther again speaks to the king and he allows Mordecai and Esther to draft a decree to the provinces granting the Jewish people the right to prepare to fight in self- defense Due to this change the battles are won by the Jews Due to this change the battles are won by the Jews

13. Esther 9:17-32 The institution of Purim Afterward Mordecai carefully records the events and sends letters to all the Jews, in all the provinces that they should celebrate yearly on the 14 th and 15 th days of the month of Adar. Afterward Mordecai carefully records the events and sends letters to all the Jews, in all the provinces that they should celebrate yearly on the 14 th and 15 th days of the month of Adar. He declares that it is to be a time of feasting and joy and of sending presents to one another and giving gifts to the poor. He declares that it is to be a time of feasting and joy and of sending presents to one another and giving gifts to the poor.

14. The Modern Observance Some Jews keep a tradition that the day before Purim is a fast day Some Jews keep a tradition that the day before Purim is a fast day The book of Esther is read in the synagogue. (handwritten scroll known as the Megillah) Whenever Hamans name is read it is met with feet stamping, booing and noisemakers to blot out his name. The book of Esther is read in the synagogue. (handwritten scroll known as the Megillah) Whenever Hamans name is read it is met with feet stamping, booing and noisemakers to blot out his name. Food related gifts are given to friends Food related gifts are given to friends Some type of charity toward 2 needy individuals is sometimes observed Some type of charity toward 2 needy individuals is sometimes observed Dressing up in costumes has become a tradition Dressing up in costumes has become a tradition And unfortunately in some communities excessive drinking of alcohol is encouraged And unfortunately in some communities excessive drinking of alcohol is encouraged

15. Start a tradition in your family – Read the book of Esther this week and have your children make noise and stamp out the name of Haman. And ask the Holy Spirit to teach you the lessons from the Book of Esther. Start a tradition in your family – Read the book of Esther this week and have your children make noise and stamp out the name of Haman. And ask the Holy Spirit to teach you the lessons from the Book of Esther.