Esther 3-7

 Homiletics                                                       Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    14                                                     Passage:    Esther 3-7

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Haman’s Hate Exercised – Prayer Response (Esther 3-4) 1. Haman elevated in honor; Mordecai did not pay honor (3:1-2) 2. Haman enraged with Mordecai’s behavior; learning he was a Jew (3:3-6) 3. Haman before King Xerxes offers to pay 10,000 talents of silver to king for a decree to destroy Jews (3:7-9) 4. King says “keep the money” and do as you please, giving Haman the signet ring. (3:10-11) 5. Haman wrote out decree; had it distributed in the kingdom (3:12-14) 6. City of Susa was bewildered as King and Haman sat down to drink. (3:15) 7. Mordecai learning of decree is distraught wear sackcloth and mourning among Jews (4:1-3) 8. Esther learns of Mordecai distress with request for her to go to king (4:4-8) 9. Mordecai challenges Esther act to save her people (4:9-14) 10. Esther replies asking for fasting and prayer of all the Jews and it was done (4:15-17)

Esther’s Boldness Exercised – Recognition Needed (Esther 5-6) 1. Esther in royal robes goes to inner court and is recognized by king (5:1-2) 2. Xerxes asks what she would like and you can have it Esther’s request “come to a banquet and bring Haman”; (5:3-4) 3. At banquet “what’s your petition” Esther response come banquet tomorrow (5:5-7) 4. Haman is happy to be invited to banquets but distressed with Mordecai (5:8-13) 5. Haman’s wife suggestion: set up pole to impale Mordecai and go to the banquet (5:14) 6. Xerxes can’t sleep and has book of chronicles read reminding him of Mordecai help in exposing assassination plot but no honor given (6:1-3) 7. King requests Haman asking how to honor someone special; suggestion to dress and proclaim him in streets (6:4-9) 8. King commands Haman to do as you have suggested to Mordecai (6:10-12a) 9. Haman’s wife says to him your downfall is started (6:12b-14)

Esther’s Humble Request – Plot Exposed and Punished (Esther 7) 1. Xerxes at second feast asks Esther “What is your petition” (7:1-2) 2. Esther respond to ask for her life and spare my people and tells circumstance (7:3-4) 3. Xerxes as who would do such a thing (7:5) 4. Esther identifies Haman (7:6a) 5. Haman is terrified before king and queen (7:6b) 6. King in rage went to garden; Haman pleads for life with Esther (7:7) 7. King returns from garden sees Haman on couch where Esther was reclining and king angrily calls out and Haman is taken (7:8) 8. Eunuch tells of pole standing by Haman’s house setup for Mordecai (7:9) 9. King tells to impale Haman on it and King’s anger subsides (7:10)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Haman’s Hate Exercised – Prayer Response	Esther 3-4
Esther’s Boldness Engaged – Recognition Needed	Esther 5-6
Esther’s Humble Request – Plot Exposed and Punished	Esther 7

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

Haman plots Jewish destruction; Esther identifies herself leading plotter’s demise.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that reliance on God when evil is present is critical; God will direct our path.

Application Questions

When trouble comes how do you respond?

Who do you turn to went in trouble? How do your marshal your resources to assist?

How does hate impact you and your relationships?

Principles to Remember           

God recognizes our faithfulness

God can direct our path

God enables truth

Characteristic of God

Defender of His Own

Theme

Haman’s hate consumed him, causing Mordecai’s distress and Esther’s engagement with the King to save.