Queen Esther (Part I)A STORY OF COURAGE, HOPE & TRUE HEROISM

LESSON BY: TAM WALLS

Purim was first celebrated as a feast day and a national day of thanksgiving during the time of the Medes and Persian Empire. The word Purim is from the word pur, which means “lot.” A lot was a method used in ancient times to make decisions without the will of man. In this 3-part powerpoint series we will see how the wicked cast lots to decide the best day to kill the children of Israel. We will also learn how a special young woman named Esther had a strong faith and hope in God and the courage to petition the king on behalf of her people Israel.

THE BEGINNING OF PURIM

During the third year of the reign of King Ahasuerus , he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants that lasted seven days. Also at the same time, Vashti, the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house. On the seventh day when the king’s heart was merry with wine, he commanded that Vashti be brought before the king and all the people, so that they could look upon her beauty for she was fair to look upon.

KING AHASUERUSTHE BEGINNING OF PURIMKING AHASUERUS

Vashti refused the king’s request and did not come before the king as he desired. King Ahasuerus was more than upset, in fact, he was very wroth and his anger burned inside of him. Vashti’s behavior prompted the king to turn to his wise men and ask for advice as to how to deal with Vashti because she performed not the commandment of the king.

VASHTI REJECTS VASHTI REJECTS

Memucan, one of the seven princes of Persia and Medes, told the king that Vashti not only did wrong to the king but once all the women of the king’s provinces heard of her behavior they too, would despise their husbands. Mumucan suggested that the king write a royal commandment that Vashti come no longer before the King Ahasuerus and let the king give her royal estate unto another.

VASHTI NO LONGER QUEENVASHTI NO LONGER QUEEN

Memeucan added that the king make a decree which would be published throughout the empire that all wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. King Ahasuerus was quite pleased with Memucan’s words. There were letters sent into every province according to the language of the people stating that every man should bear rule in his own house.

A DECREE IS MADE

After the king’s wrath was appeased, he remembered Vashti and the what was decreed against her. King Ahasuerus told his servants to seek out fair young virgins from all the king’s provinces and gather them together at Shushan the palace in the care of Hege the king’s chamberlain. The maiden that pleased the king would be queen instead of Vashti.

AHASUERUS IS APPEASEDAHASUERUS IS APPEASED

In Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew whose name was Mordecai. This same Mordecai was raising a young maiden by the name of Hadassah, his uncle’s daughter for she had neither father or mother. Both Hadassah and Mordecai were a part of the captivity of Judea that had been taken to Babylon which was now ruled by the Medes and Persians. Hadassah was fair and beautiful. She was one of the young maidens brought to Shushan the palace.

MORDECAI THE JEW

Hadassah pleased Hege and found favor in his eyes. Hege supplied her with all the things she needed as well as seven maidens. Hege also gave Hadassah the best place of the house of women. Hadassah did not disclose to anyone that she was a Jew for Mordecai commanded her not to. Hadassah had been very obedient to her uncle since the days of her youth. Daily, Mordecai would walk everyday in the court before the women’s house to see how Hadassah fared.

HADASSAH FINDS FAVORHADASSAH FINDS FAVOR

Approximately twelve months after the maidens arrived at Shushan the palace, it was time for each of them to go before the king. The king loved Hadassah above all women and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all of the maidens. King Ahasuerus calls her Esther, which means “star.” The king set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti and made a great feast unto his princes and servants.

HADASSAH IS CHOOSENHADASSAH IS CHOSEN

Esther continued to hide that she was a Jew as Mordecai had commanded her. One day as Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, he overheard two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, plotting to kill king Ahasuerus. Mordecai told Esther the queen who then informed the king of the matter. An inquisition was made and it was found that the two chainberlains had planned to kill the king. Both men were than hanged on a tree.

MORDECAI SPOILS A PLOTMORDECAI SPOILS A PLOT

After the plot against the king was spoiled, the king promoted Haman to be over the princes. Because of Haman’s new position, the king’s servants bowed and reverenced Haman. Haman was an arrogant man and loved how the people uplifted him. However, Mordecai refused to bow to Haman. This kindled Haman’s wrath. Haman wanted to lay hands on Mordecai alone but, when it was shown that Mordecai was a Jew, Haman sought to of destroy all of the Jews throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.

WICKED HAMANWICKED HAMAN

In the first month Nisan, in the twelfth year of the reign of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur or a lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month to the twelfth month Adar. Haman then went unto the king and told the king that there was a certain people dispersed among the king’s provinces who had laws and beliefs that were different from all people. Haman lied and told the king that the people didn’t even keep the king’s laws therefore it wasn’t profitable for the king to suffer them.

WICKED HAMANWICKED HAMAN

Haman was able to convince the king to write a letter authorizing the killing of the Jews. The letter was written in the language of the people, sealed with the king’s ring and sent to all the provinces of the king. This horrible act to kill the Jews, both young and old, little children and women was to take place on the 13th day of the 12th month Adar.

A PLAN TO DESTROY THE JEWSA PLAN TO DESTROY THE JEWS

The End!

A PLAN TO DESTROY THE JEWSQUESTIONS?

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