Esther 1-2

 Homiletics                                                       Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    13                                                     Passage:    Esther 1-2

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Show of Wealth (Esther 1:1-11) 1. King Xerxes banquet introduction (1-3) a. Wealth on display for 180 days (4) b. King gave banquet lasting 7 days within enclosed garden of palace (5) c. Decorations of garden described of hangings, couches, pavement (6) d. Wine was served without limit (7-8) 2. Queen Vashti gave her own banquet for the women (9) 3. One the seventh day King Xerxes, in high spirits to bring the Queen Vashti to him wearing royal crown to display her beauty to people and nobles (10-11)

Refusal to Participate (Esther 1:12-22) 1. Queen Vashti refused invitation to come; making King Xerxes furious (12) 2. Xerxes consults experts in law and justice regarding matter what must be done (13-15) 3. Judgment of Memukan that Queen Vashti has done wrong to the king and peoples of the provinces and has become known bringing disrespect and discord (16-18) 4. Written decree written in laws of Persia and Media to band Vashti from presence of King and give her position to someone else bringing wives respect of husbands (19-20) 5. King and nobles pleased with advice did was proposed sending dispatches to each province (21-22)

New Queen – Preparation, Person, Providence (Esther 2) 1. Xerxes fury subsided over Vashti and a search is proposed to search for beautiful virgins for king to replace Vashti (1-4) 2. Mordecai raised Esther as his daughter after death of her parents (5-7) 3. Esther was taken to kings palace pleased Hegai who was in charge of harem and won favor; she was given beauty treatments (8-9) 4. Esther national and background remained secret; Mordecai came to courtyard to check on Esther (10-11) 5. Beauty treatments and selection process described (12-14) 6. Esther won favor of everyone and king was attracted to her and selected her queen (15-17) 7. Esther’s banquet was held (18) 8. Esther remained faithful to Mordecai’s instructions to keep secret family and nationality (19-20) 9. Mordecai sitting at the gate hears plot and shares with Esther who reports to king an investigation and punishment to king’s officers (21-23)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Show of Wealth	Esther 1:1-11
Refusal to Participate	Esther 1:12-22
New Queen – Preparation, Person, Providence	Esther 2

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Xerxes banquet demonstrates wealth queen’s rejection brings Esther’s queen selection.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that wealth can disappoint while faithful adherence to godly principles stands out.

Application Questions

What is important to you?  Is it the things you have or the positions you take?

In difficult situations who do you turn to for help?

Mordecai’s care was tangible; how is your care for family meaningful and impactful?

Principles to Remember           

Wealth is more than the things you possess

Strong positions can be the wrong positions

Caring is a heart thing; it shows.

Characteristic of God

Sovereign

Theme

Displays of wealth, stubborn positions can bring disappointment; while generous caring, attentive listening can bring hope.

 

Ezra 9-10

 Homiletics                                                       Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    12                                                     Passage:    Ezra 9-10

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Holiness Jeopardy – Disgrace and humble prayer (Ezra 9) 1. Leaders come saying people of Israel have not separated themselves the neighboring peoples and detestable practices. (1) 2. They have married them and mingled with them and become unfaithful (2) 3. Ezra hearing became distraught and prayed (3-5) 4. Ezra’s prayer (6-15) a. Ashamed and disgraced because of sins; guilt is great lead to captivity (6-7) b. Gracious Lord has left a remnant giving light, relief and kindness; allowing rebuilding temple and city walls (8-9) c. Truth is we a forsaken commands and built relationships; ignoring Your commands (10-12) d. We are guilty but you have withheld punishment to this remnant (13) e. Would you not destroy us; you are righteous and not worthy to stand before you Lord (14-15)

Israelites join confess declare a Covenant to Separate (Ezra 10:1-11) 1. Large crown of Israelites gathered around Ezra as he prayed and joined him (1) 2. Shekaniah declares unfaithfulness in marrying foreign women let’s make a covenant before God according to God’s commands; we support you to do it.  (2-4) 3. Ezra go and fasts over unfaithfulness of people (5-6) 4. Proclamation goes out exiles to appear in 3 days accordance with decision (7-8) 5. Within the 3 days all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered in Jerusalem distressed by occasion and rain (9) 6. Ezra stands before them saying you have been unfaithful by marrying foreign women adding to Israel’s guilt (10) 7. Ezra tell them to honor God and do His will and separate yourselves from the people around you and your foreign wives (11).

Israelites Investigate, confront, Identify and offer sacrifice (Ezra 10:12-44) 1. Assemble agrees to do as Ezra said (12) 2. But there are many people and it’s rainy season; it will take some time… we have sinned greatly (13) 3. Let the officials act and schedule those who have taken foreign women so that God’s anger is turned away (14) 4. A couple leaders did not agree (15) 5. Ezra select family heads designating them by name to investigate cases (16-17) 6. An accounting was listed of those and pledge to put away wife and a guilt offering was made (18-44)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Holiness Jeopardy – Disgrace and humble prayer	Ezra 9
Israelites join and declare a Covenant to Separate	Ezra 10:1-11
Israelites Investigate, confront, identify and offer sacrifice	Ezra 10:12-44

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Ezra reacts to foreigner marriage unfaithfulness, inventory and separation call

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that God wants us to be holy, set apart from the world that can easily impact or faithfulness to Him.

Application Questions

How do you respond once sin is exposed? Are you remorseful and how do you take action?

In what ways are you tempted and act separate yourself from it?

How do you confront sin and act in response?

Principles to Remember           

Sin impacts our relationship with God

Sin exposed requires commitment

Sin resolved is Jesus and our follow-through to trust and obey

Characteristic of God

Revealer of Truth

Theme

Proximity to sin leads to unfaithfulness. Holiness requires that sin must be accounted, acted upon and dealt with and removed.