1. ESTHER The Providence of God’s Deliverance

2. CHRONOLOGY OF EZRA-NEHEMIAH

3. Outline of Esther

4. Cast of Characters Esther (also known as Hadassah). Esther (also known as Hadassah). Ahasuerus: Xerxes Ahasuerus: Xerxes Mordecai & Haman Mordecai & Haman

5. The Narrative A new queen A new queen Mordecai saves the king Mordecai saves the king Haman’s jealousy Haman’s jealousy A plan for ethnic cleansing A plan for ethnic cleansing Plea to Esther Plea to Esther Haman’s plan Haman’s plan The king’s plan The king’s plan Esther’s revelation Esther’s revelation The Jewish deliverance The Jewish deliverance

6. Esther 9:24 For Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the adversary of all the Jews, had schemed against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is the lot, to disturb them and destroy them.

8. Points to Ponder Esther is the book of God’s Providence Esther is the book of God’s Providence The Success of Haman’s plot would also exterminate the seed through which the Messiah would come The Success of Haman’s plot would also exterminate the seed through which the Messiah would come This book reminds us that God works in the lives of both the great and the small This book reminds us that God works in the lives of both the great and the small

9. A Picture of Christ Esther was the virgin bride who married the king. The Story The Picture The church is the spotless bride who marries the King The king’s former wife had been displeasing and had been set aside. The natural branches were broken off due to unbelief.

10. A Picture of Christ Haman plotted against Mordecai and against all the Jews. The Story The Picture Satan has set himself against Christ and against all men Mordecai convinces Esther to intercede on behalf of her people. Jesus Himself interceded on behalf of His church.

11. A Picture of Christ Esther agrees to intercede after the people have fasted for three days. The Story The Picture Christ interceded on our behalf and then was in the grave three days. Haman plans to have Mordecai executed for not bowing down to him. Jesus was tempted by Satan to worship him; Satan’s attack culminated in the cross.

12. A Type of Christ Haman met his end on the gallows he had intended for Modecai. The Story The Picture Christ intentionally went to the cross that was prepared for us. In both cases, that which looked like certain death and defeat was turned into unltimate victory.