Homiletics Study: Exile & Return
Lesson 15 Passage: Esther 8-10
Content (List of Topics or Events)
Esther Receives Estate and Edict Given (Esther 8) 1. Esther given Haman’s estate with Mordecai appointed over it (8:1-2) 2. Esther pleads for Jews for end to Haman’s plan against Jews (8:3-6) 3. Xerxes approves another edict to be written (8:7-8) 4. Edict written and distributed quickly to all 127 provinces (8:9-10) 5. Edict granted Jews right to assemble and protect themselves and to annihilate and plunder property of enemies (8:11-14) 6. Mordecai left kings presence wearing royal garments and city celebrated (15) 7. Jewish time of joy, gladness and celebration as new edict of king came (16-17a) 8. Other nationalities became Jews (17b) | Edict Turns Against Enemies of Jews (Esther 9:1-19) 1. Day Haman’s Edict - Tables Turn (9:1-4) a. Jews the upper hand on those that hated them (9:1) b. No one could stand against them (9:2) c. Nobles, satraps, governors and administrators helped; respect for Mordecai responsible (9:3-4) 2. Jews struck down enemies killing hundreds along with 10 sons of Haman; no plunder taken (9:5-15) 3. Jews in the provinces protected themselves killing 75,000; no plunder taken (9:16-17) 4. Feasting and Joy and giving presents in Susa and in rural towns (9:18-19) | Purim Celebration of Victory and Mordecai’s Greatness Declared (Esther 9:20-10:3) 1. Mordecai records events sending letters to Jews in provinces to celebrate when “Sorrow turned to Joy” (9:20-22) 2. Jews agree to celebrate Purim (9:23-26) 3. Jews establish a custom to celebrate without fail the two days to remember days among descendants (9:27-28) 4. Esther and Mordecai write 2nd letter concerning Purim with Esther confirming decree (9:29-32) 5. Xerxes imposed a tribute throughout kingdom of Mordecai’s greatness with all his acts (10:1-2) 6. Mordecai was 2nd in command to Xerxes working for good of Jews (10:3) |
Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)
Esther Receives Estate and Edict Given | Esther 8 |
Edict Turns Against Enemies of Jews | Esther 9:1-19 |
Purim Celebration of Victory and Mordecai’s Greatness Declared | Esther 9:20-10:3 |
Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)
Mordecai’s defense edict brings Jewish victory with Purim celebration proclaimed |
Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)
CTATL that recognition of God’s hand in our victory over evil should be celebrated and memorialized. |
Application Questions
Tough problems require bold action. How do you respond to tough problems? |
In what ways do you stand up to your enemies? How does reliance on God have a play in it? |
How do you remember and celebrate God’s had in your victories? |
Principles to Remember
Our Problems require declaring action |
Our Victories come through our reliance on God |
Our God’s hand in our successes should be memorialized and remembered |
Characteristic of God
Defender of His Own |
Theme
Tough times require bold action; dependence on God brings joy and celebration |
