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.