Origin Story – Week Five

This is the third consecutive year that we’ve worked through the Bible, five books at a time.  As we read the stories and learn about the history written in the Old Testament, we learn truths that we can apply to our own lives. In week five, we’ll examine: 

1. The major characters in the book of Esther.
2. The story in the Book of Esther. 
3. Principles and lessons to learn from Esther.

• There are five major characters in the book of Esther.

1st – Xerxes, King of Persia

2nd – Vashti, Queen of Persia

3rd – Haman, the Villain

4th – Mordecai, the Good Guy

5th – Esther, the Hero

After the Babylonians were overthrown by the Persians, some of the Jews chose to remain in Persia when Xerxes allowed them to go back to their homeland.

• The story in the Book of Esther reads like a Broadway play.

King Xerxes wanted to show off all his wealth and possessions including his beautiful wife, Queen Vashti. She refused and Xerxes became furious. (Esther 1:12) 

All the men were concerned that other wives throughout the empire would follow the queen’s example so Xerxes decided to make an example of her by removing her as queen. He made a proclamation that every man should rule his own house. (Esther 1:17-18, 19-20, 22)

They began searching for a new queen throughout the land. Esther, who had not revealed her nationality, was one of the women chosen to be presented to the king. (Esther 2:8, 10)

The king favored Esther above all others and made her the new queen. (Esther 2:17)

Mordecai overheard a plot to kill the king, and Esther warned the king, which saved his life. (Esther 2:21-22)

Haman became an elevated official in Xerxes’ court, but Haman hated Mordecai because he wouldn’t bow down to Haman. (Esther 3:1, 2, 5-6)

Haman plotted to get the king to make a decree that would eventually destroy the Jewish people. (Esther 3:8-9)

Mordecai enlisted Esther’s help, but Esther knew she could be killed for entering the king’s presence without being summoned. (Esther 4:11)

Mordecai reminded Esther that she too would be killed and that she might be in her position “for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:12-14)

Esther asked for fasting and prayer from all the Jews and risked death to approach the king. (Esther 4:16)

Esther gained access to the king and invited him and Haman to a banquet. Then she invited them to another banquet. (Esther 5:1-2, 3-4, 5-8, 9-11)

Haman began setting up a execution pole for Mordecai. (5:14)

The king had overlooked that Mordecai had saved his life and decided to honor Mordecai. (Esther 6:2-3, 4-9, 10-11)

At the next banquet, Esther requested King Xerxes to save her life and her people’s lives. Haman was outed as the villain and died on the pole he had made for Mordecai. (Esther 7:1-4, 5-6, 9-10) 

• There are principles and lessons that can be learned from the Book of Esther.

We will never take the risk to do great things until we believe that one person can make a difference.

Refuse to settle for anything less than fulfilling God’s calling on your life.

When life doesn’t make sense, do you turn to God or away from Him?