Come Follow Me 31: Esther

Come Follow Me Lesson 31: Esther

Introduction

Nothing of divine consequence happens by mere coincidence: whether it be an orphan girl becoming the queen of Persia who saves the Israelites, or her cousin (uncle) overhearing a plot to over assassinate the king.

How have you witnessed the Lords involvement in the details of your life? How has he guided your path and prepared you for “such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 How does it feel knowing that you have been an instrument in the hands of the Lord, to help His purposes be fulfilled?

Esther, book of

Personal Study: Esther:

We all are needed in the building of the Lord. Each instrument is valued in the work.

How did the Lord make it possible for Esther’s faith and actions to save her people?
How has the Lord guided you to be able to bless others?
When have you felt that you were guided or inspired for “such a time as this” that you found yourself in?
Are you reading your patriarchal blessing for inspired direction in your own life? Does it help you understand the work that the Lord has for you to do?

Pride and Anger Can Lead to Downfall

This is true in real life and not just in Greek Mythology (Até).

Compare and contrast the faithfulness of Esther and Mordecai with the pride and anger of Haman.

How does allowing ourselves to think and ruminate over thoughts of ill will lead to destruction?

How can we make the changes that we need to make when we are experience such negative thoughts and emotions? (We need to turn to Heavenly Father for help.)

Proverbs 16:32; Alma 5:28

Fasting demonstrates my dependence on the Lord:


How was fasting a blessing to Esther and the Jews of her time?
Why does the Lord require us to fast?
How can you make fasting a more positive part of your own life?

The beauty that comes from fasting: also Isaiah 58:6–12. Jesus fasted Matthew 4:1–4; Fasting, coupled with prayer is required for certain blessings 17:14–21

Doing the right thing often requires great courage:

 

Esther and Mordecai, and many Christians have put their lives at stake.

When have you displayed courage to do the right thing?

How does your faith in God help you choose the right and do the right things?

When Esther had prayed and fasted and done all that she could, she was able to say, “If I perish, I perish.” How can we find peace even when what we have to do is scary?

Family

Songs: Dare to Do Right; Do What Is Right; Two videos.

Mordecai was willing to adopt and rear his young cousin.

How can we help family members? How can family fasts make a difference?

Video: Esther’s faith helped save her people. What faith stories do you have?

When have your family members been blessed for standing for what is right?

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/esth/1?lang=eng

Ahasuerus of Persia and Media makes royal feasts—Vashti disobeys the king and is deposed as queen.

She just didn’t want to go before all of the king’s guests as his showpiece. He was unhappy about that, and essentially got a divorce and married someone else.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/esth/2?lang=eng

Ahasuerus seeks a new queen—Mordecai presents Esther—Esther pleases the king and is chosen as queen—Mordecai exposes a plot against the king.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/esth/3?lang=eng

Mordecai, the Jew, refuses to bow to Haman—Haman arranges a decree to kill all the Jews in the kingdom.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/esth/4?lang=eng

Mordecai and the Jews mourn and fast because of the king’s decree—Esther, at the peril of her life, prepares to go in unto the king.

Vs 13-17 Of expediency there will be times that we are called upon to stand for what we know is right, no matter the consequences. Whether or not we are saved in life, when we do the right thing, our reward will be eternal.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/esth/5?lang=eng

The king receives Esther—She invites him and Haman to a banquet—Haman plans to have Mordecai hanged.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/esth/6?lang=eng

Mordecai receives great honors—Haman mourns and is counseled by his wife.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/esth/7?lang=eng

Esther reveals Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews—He is hanged on his own gallows.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/esth/8?lang=eng

Mordecai is honored and placed over the house of Haman—Ahasuerus issues a decree to preserve the Jews.

Ahasuerus grants Esther's petition. He trusts both her and Mordecai and gives them his ring. They can write the words that will preserve their people and seal it with his ring. They inherit all of Haman's house. Sweet justice for sure.

Vs 17 Because Ahasuerus did honor to Mordecai and Esther and offered protection to the Jews, many people in his province did convert and become Jews.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/esth/9?lang=eng

The Jews slay their enemies, including Haman’s ten sons—The Feast of Purim is instituted to commemorate their deliverance and victory.

Vs 2-6 Tables can be turned. Those who are hated and despised can become those who are honored and in power.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/esth/10?lang=eng

Mordecai, the Jew, stands next to Ahasuerus in power and might.



 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Come Follow Me 17: Exodus 18-20

Come Follow Me Lesson 17: Exodus 18-20 Introduction: Are you noticing the abundance of miracles in your own life? These are “undeniable manifestations of the Lord’s matchless power, love, and mercy” for you! The Lord wants to give us greater treasures than providing for our daily physical needs. He want everyone to be blessed through entering into the covenant with Him. He wants us to be blessed with Priesthood power and to become His “peculiar treasure,” and a “holy nation”. Exodus 19:5–6 In our day, the invitation to cooffme unto Christ and enter into the covenant is extended to all people, first through baptism, and later through further endowments in the temple. We become His covenant people when weobey His voice indeed, and keep His covenant” Exodus 19:5 . He extends His mercy to all those that love Him and keep his commandments. Exodus 20:6 Personal Study: Exodus 18 How Do I Help Carry the Burden? The Lord has entrusted me with certain responsibilities. Ho...
Read more

Come Follow Me Song of Solomon

  Come Follow Me Song of Solomon I had not previously read this book, since it wasn’t in the course of lessons; but, as I am finishing the Old Testament this year, I wanted to make sure that I read it all. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/song/1?lang=eng The poet sings of love and devotion. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/song/2?lang=eng Beloved ones are praised and described. Vs 16  My beloved  is  mine, and I  am  his. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/song/3?lang=eng A love song concerning Solomon is presented. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/song/4?lang=eng A song describes the beauty of the poet’s beloved. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/song/5?lang=eng The song of love and affection continues. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/song/6?lang=eng The song of love continues. Vs 3  I  am  my beloved’s, and...
Read more

Come Follow Me 51

Come Follow Me Lesson 51 “I Have Loved You, Saith the Lord” Introduction: Malachi means My messenger. What messages did the Lord give Malachi have for you? What messages does he have for the world? Do you trust that the Lord loves you even in adversity? You should. “I have loved you,” the Lord told His people through the prophet Malachi. But the Israelites, who had suffered generations of affliction and captivity, asked the Lord, “Wherein hast thou loved us?” ( Malachi 1:2 ). After all Israel had been through, they may have wondered whether the history of ancient Israel is really a story of God’s love for His covenant people. What evidences have you seen in the Old Testament of God’s love for His people, and for you? When the sons of Jacob mistreated their brother Joseph, the Lord still prepared a way to save them from famine (see  Genesis 45:4–8 ). When Israel murmured in the wilderness, God fed them with manna (see  Exodus 16:1–4 ). Even when Israel abandoned Hi...
Read more