ESTHER: EXTREME MAKEOVER

Transcription

1 ESTHER: EXTREME MAKEOVER Image from Veggie Tales, Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen King Xeres was in search of a brand, new queen, and Esther was the most beautiful woman he had seen. Just like that, she became his wife, and Esther began her new, royal life. The King s advisor, Haman, was very, very bad, He wanted to kill all of Esther s people, which made her very, very sad. But Esther was strong and willing to stand, she prayed and asked the king to save all the Jews in the land. He quickly agreed, and her people were freed! God used Esther is such a big way, and all of the Jews shouted HOORAY! (Taken from the Elizabeth Williams Rhyming Bible I couldn t find Esther in my children s Bibles, so I made up my own version!) PAGE 1 OF 9

2 Day 1: The Pageant Process & Preparation After King Xerxes first queen, Vashti, refuses to come when summoned by her king (after he s been partying for a week), he is furious. To send a message far and wide so other women can see what happens when women disrespect their husbands, he strips her of her crown. (Esther 1:10-20) So, what s a king to do? Find a new queen! He summons all the beautiful virgins in the land and holds the world s first beauty pageant! We re not talking about a little scholarship money, here an entire kingdom is at stake! Read Esther 2: Put yourself in Esther s high heels for a minute imagine being taken from your community and secluded with a gaggle of other women. You all have the same mission: take an entire YEAR to prepare to compete to win the heart of one man. Talk about sorority rush on steroids all the drama and competition, but with only one winner. Have you ever faced a season of preparation that was longer and harder than you would have liked? How did you survive? 2. After 12 months of beauty preparations, verse 13 tells us before the women meet the king, they have the opportunity to take whatever clothes or jewels they wish to meet the king. Think of someone s closet you have your eye on Princess Kate, Jackie O, Grace Kelly, and imagine being given full access to all her clothes and jewels. I would have a hard time not wearing EVERYTHING at once, but Esther holds back. What does verse 15 tell us she takes when it s time to meet the king? What insight does this give us into the kind of women she is? PAGE 2 OF 9

3 3. Chapter 2 sheds light on Esther s initial favor. What special treatment does she receive in verse 9? After Esther listens and wears exactly what Hegai advises her to wear to meet the king, what does verse 15 go on to tell us? 4. When Esther is taken before King Xerses, he s a goner. Verse 17 says that she receives more grace and favor than any of the other contestants. Ladies and Gentleman, we have a winner! Do you think all the favor Esther receives on her process to becoming the queen is coincidental, or divine? 5. God loves to bless his children with favor. Can you think of a situation in your life where God granted you favor beyond what you expected or deserved to bless you, build his kingdom, or accomplish his purposes? How do the verses below speak to God s favor? For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield. Psalm 5:12 (NIV) May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17 PAGE 3 OF 9

4 Day 2: Purpose & Position Read Esther According to verses 3:5-6, why does Haman want to destroy all the Jews? 2. When Esther finds out about what s happening, what is her initial response back to Mordecai in 4:11? 3. What message does Mordecai reply back to her in 4:14? According to verse 15-16, how does this change her response? 4. In Chapter 4, God uses Mordecai to encourage Esther in her position and purpose and we see her change her focus from her own self-interest, to God s bigger plans and purposes. Just like Esther, God has a plan and purpose for each one of us. How do the verses below speak to God s plans for our lives: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV) PAGE 4 OF 9

5 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) Day 3: People, Prayer & Patience: Esther s 3 Weapons for Battle) Read Esther Chapter 5 & 7: Yesterday, we looked at how God used Mordecai to speak purpose into Esther s position to save His people. Go back and read 4:16. Before Esther goes before the king, what does Esther call her people to do? 2. According does verse 5:1, when does Esther prepare to go before the king? 3. Esther waits until the third day of prayer and fasting to put her plan in motion. Once the king extends his scepter toward her in verse 2 (thereby saving her life), does she make a desperate plea to save her people right away? PAGE 5 OF 9

6 4. Esther doesn t go rouge and forge her own way, throwing herself at the king s feet right away; she is deliberate and wise. Esther relies on her people and the power of prayer, patiently waiting for God s timing to move. How do the verses below encourage you in your own life to rely on Esther s Three P s to walk forward in God s purposes for your life? People: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12 Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Mathew 18:19-20 Prayer: If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 PAGE 6 OF 9

7 Patience: Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14-13 Day 4: Protection & Provision Read Esther Chapter 7, 8, 9: After Esther informs King Xerxes of Haman s plan to destroy all the Jews, how does he respond? What is ironic about how Haman is killed in verse 7:9-10? 2. God doesn t just protect Mordecai from Haman s plan to publicly hang him, but he goes above and beyond to provide for Mordecai. What does Mordecai receive in 8:2? 3. Though the evil Haman has been destroyed, there s still the MAJOR problem: his decree to kill all the Jews remains intact. Once again, Esther risks her life and begs the king to save her people (vs 3-6). How does Xerxes respond in verse 8? 4. Not only does the king bestow favor on Esther and Mordecai, but he allows them to use his name to write the new decree to save their people. What is the result in verse 9:5? PAGE 7 OF 9

8 5. Though God s name is not mentioned once in the entire book of Esther, the story of Esther is one where God pulls through in a major way to protect and provide for His children. When faced with dire or troubling circumstances, do you trust God as your Provider and Protector? How do the verses below speak to God s ability to protect and provide for you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! Habakkuk 3:19 (Amplified my favorite!) Day 5: Party, Praise & Proclaim! Read Esther 8: and 9: When the Jews get word of the king s new decree, how do they respond in 8:16-17? 2. The day that was supposed to lead to the Jewish people s demise resulted in a Divine victory. How do they respond in 9: Verses give us a great CliffsNotes version of the book of Esther. What do the Jewish people make sure to do in verse 28? PAGE 8 OF 9

9 4. After praying, fasting and waiting for God to save them, when God moves, His people rejoice! They celebrate and make sure to proclaim what God did, so that future generations will hear and remember God s deliverance and protection. When you see God move in your life through answered prayers, are you more likely to keep going about your day, or do you pause to celebrate, give thanks, and tell others about what He did? 5. Psalm 147:1 talks about how GOOD it is to sing praises to our God. May the verses below encourage you to party, praise and proclaim who God is in your life and how He continually acts on your behalf: I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. Psalm 118:17 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever. Psalm 30:11-12 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. Psalm 145:3-7 PAGE 9 OF 9