1. Divine Providence The book of Esther is a good example of providence

2. Background Ahasuerus was the king of Persia It was a time of great peril for Israel. The book of Esther shows God's providence at work. The book of Esther does not mention God - but God is seen throughout the book.

3. Background Providence = The preservation, care and governmet which God exercises over all things that He created, in order to accomplish the ends for which they were created. Providence does not employ miracles. God uses natural means to do His work. You might think - accident, coincidence; but they may be providence.

4. The Story of Esther Ahasuerus throws a wild and expensive party that lasts 104 days (1:1-8) o Drunk, calls for wife, Vashti o Wants her to parade in front of the drunks at the party o She refused - king become angry o Removes her as his queen

5. The Story of Esther He misses the company of a woman and begins the search for a new queen (2:1-15) o Many young girls appear before him o Esther catches his eye o Esther is made queen instead of Vashti

6. The Story of Esther Mordecai uncovers a plot to kill the king (2:19- 23) o Mordecai is Esther's uncle o He saves the king from assasination o The deed is recorded in the chronicle of the king

7. The Story of Esther Haman is promoted (3:1-2) o All are to reverence Haman o Mordecai refuses to pay reference o Haman decides that he hates ALL Jews o He judges a nation becuse of one man o This is the definition of prejudice

8. The Story of Esther Haman goes to the king to get revenge o Esther 3:8-9 o He tells a lie o A law is established by the king that could not be reversed o The exterminiation of the Jews is decreed (3:12-15)

9. The Story of Esther There is great mourning among the Jews (4:1- 3) o What would extermination mean? o All the promises to Abraham would fail o All the prophesies about Christ would fail

10. The Story of Esther Mordecai asks Esther to intercede (4:8) o She gives a excuse (3:11) o Esther 3:13-14 o Esther agrees to intercede - "If I perish, I perish."

11. The Story of Esther Esther petitions the king (5:1-8) o She is granted a hearing o She invites the king and Haman to a banquet o At that dinner she announces another dinner for Haman and the king o Haman is on cloud 9 - he is special o He brags to friends (5:13)

12. The Story of Esther King is unable to sleep (6:1) o He is reading the chronicles and sees where Mordecai saved his life o Has he been honored for this deed? o Haman comes in o Total humiliation - Haman must plan to honor Mordecai o Then the summons to the second banquet

13. The Story of Esther Esther reveals the plot of Haman (7:1-10) o King asks what her request is o Esther 7:3-6 o Esther 7:9-10

14. The Story of Esther The law could not be reversed, BUT: o Esther and Mordecai were given power to make a counter decree o The Jews are given the authority to resist their enemies o The Jewish nation is saved!

15. Observations We can not physically see God or any miracles - but His hand is stretched out in providence. God's working of providence in this book o Vashti had integrety o Vashti refused to parade at the party o Esther was in the right place, right time o Mordecai saves king's life o King could not sleep, read chronicles

16. Observations Did God have anything to do with this? I believe He did. Providence is most often seen in the rear view mirror – not before it happens or as it is happening Man's part of providence o Faith that God is active in our lives o Willing to obey God

17. Conclusion God is still working in our lives. Will you believe it? Will you act in harmony with it? Will you follow the Lord in obedience to His word?