Study Guide Gospel Community Church June 3-July 22, 2018
Table of Contents WHY ESTHER? 3 A WORLD ADRIFT 4 THE JOY OF DELIVERANCE 5 FAITH REDISCOVERED 6 WE NEED AN ADVOCATE 7 ARROGANCE & HUMILITY 8 HIGH STAKES 9 THE JOY OF DELIVERANCE 10 SWEET REMEMBRANCE 11 Preaching Schedule Date Text June 3 Esther 1 June 10 Esther 2:1-18 June 17 Esther 2:19-3:15 June 24 Esther 4 July 1 Esther 5:1-6:13 July 8 Esther 6:14-7:10 July 15 Esther 8 July 22 Esther 9-10 2
Why Esther? What does a letter written about Israeli exiles in ancient Persia have to do with Troy, Ohio in the 21 st century? More than you might think. The book of Esther records the story of two individuals who rediscover their faith and see God work to save His people. It tells the story of Esther and her cousin Mordecai, who move from a hidden belief to an overt advocacy. In the midst of this, they see the God of Israel move powerfully to establish and preserve His own. Today, when we speak of right and wrong, we have to ask who says? The term we use to describe this is pluralism. Fundamentally, it is the idea that we have equal access to a host of answers to life s most essential questions. Name your issue and most of us can predict the perspective of the Christian right or the secular humanist. We are familiar with the perspective of both orthodox Jews and militant Muslims. Our news stations inform us (albeit with limitation) of the perspectives of our country s melting pot ideologies. Some agree, some disagree, but all are equally present in a world filled with the technology that gives everyone a voice. In the midst of this pervasive pluralism, its tempting for Christians to decry the growing secularism of what they perceive to be their nation. We feel that our country has left its Christian roots and we are tempted to claim victimhood when others see our most central issues differently. In one of life s great ironic twists, the moral majority wants to claim marginalization. Meanwhile, the secular humanist has waited for his moment in the spotlight. He has relished the opportunity to show how life is better without God. Like Haman, he has sought the eradication of those misled believers. Is this what God wants for His people? Does God have a plan to save His own? Enter our study in Esther. We hope that you might comb through the pages of this book and discover a God who meets His (seemingly) abandoned people. We hope that this study leads us, as the people of God, to a bold vocalization of the gospel. While there are many similarities between Esther and 21 st century Miami County, the main difference is this; we know where our salvation comes from. We already know of the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. We don t require the death of our powerful enemies because victory has already been accomplished. While we await the full realization of our salvation, we can articulate our hope to other exiles. I have to admit, the idea for this series didn t come from me. In October of 2017, I was able to sit in on a lecture given by Mike Cosper and it started my wheels spinning about preaching through this book. In God s providence, Mike has written a book entitled Faith Among the Faithless. I lean on it heavily and hope you might also buy a copy and read up. Also, I ve leaned on some commentaries and preaching resources which I ve tried to list in endnotes. All in all, I hope that God grants us a sweet encouragement in His presence as we study Esther for these 8 weeks. Lets all pray that God grants us a few hours each week to sit at His feet during our study. 3
A World Adrift Esther 1 (to be preached June 3) Take a few moments to read Esther 1. If you have time, try to read it 2 or 3 times and make notes of some items which the passage highlights below under observations. This passage reads like its from last week s New York Times; it is filled with lavish decadence and outright sexism. Make no doubt about it, Ahasuerus is a leader on par with the Caesars. He was the third king of a powerful Persian empire that stretched from modern day Ethiopia to modern day Pakistan i. But, in his mind, he wasn t just a king, he was a god. So, when Vashti defies the King/gods order, there are natural consequences to be expected. The scene described in v. 13-22 seems blatant. A number of men gather around one powerful man and speak according to his desires, not according to what is right. After all, in the presence of a powerful king, the king determines the morality and social mores. But this gathering is decidedly male and finds its criminal to be decidedly female. Her crimes must be punished not because she has broken laws but because she has broken with the king s expectation. The book of Esther never mentions the name of God but also never mentions any of the gods of the Persians either. It is as close as we come to true secularism in the scriptures. A godless society becomes subject to the desires of its most powerful leaders. Questions of right and wrong, order and rulership will be established by those who hold the most sway. Ahasuerus was unquestionably the ruler and his word ruled the day whether it was correct or not. Andrew Jackson coined the phrase to the victor go the spoils. It became shorthand for the notion that those in office can return the favors done for them by handing out government positions to friends of the campaign. Yet again, the powerful win the day. But Jesus lays out an ethic in the gospel that is decidedly weak. Jesus calls for us to be great by being servants Whoever would be great among you must first by your servant Matt. 20:26 And this wasn t just lip service. In fact, it was Jesus devotion to service that took Him to the cross; even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matt., 20:28 4
The Joy of Deliverance Esther 2:1-18 (to be preached June 10) Take a few moments to read Esther 2:1-18. If you have time, try to read it 2 or 3 times and make notes of some items which the passage highlights below under observations. This isn t just your run of the mill beauty pageant. Notice that this is an edict of the king (v. 8); meaning it wasn t on a volunteer basis. These women were to be brought into the presence of King Ahasuerus as sexual entertainers. Another note worth considering; those who slept with the king were forbidden to ever marry another. ii Nevertheless, it s here that we re introduced to two central characters Esther and Mordecai. By their names, you wouldn t know that they were Jews. Mordecai s name comes from the god Marduk and Esther s is also in honor of Ishtar. They are fully assimilated Jews who do not want to be discovered (v. 10, 20). In fact, they are assimilated enough that Esther could be crowned queen. In the presence of power, those who stand in opposition to those powers often either assimilate or seek isolation. Jesus saw this possibility and prayed for His followers in John 17; 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth Jesus didn t seek to remove His people. Jesus didn t wants His people to accommodate the world. Jesus wanted His own to be sanctified by truth. 5
Faith Rediscovered Esther 2:19-3:15 (to be preached June 17) Take a few moments to read Esther 2:19-3:15. If you have time, try to read it 2 or 3 times and make notes of some items which the passage highlights below under observations. Mordecai faithfully serves the state and then contradicts it. He points out a threat on the kings life and follows it up with a blatant disregard for his vizier s wishes. One of the most important aspects of this text is found in 3:1, where we find out that Haman is an Agagite. This means that he was a descendant of King Agag, the leader of the Amalekites. If you read 1 Samuel 15, you ll see that God wanted these people destroyed. They had a long standing feud with the Israelites going back to Gen. 14 and Exodus 17. The rift between Mordecai and Haman wasn t just about bowing, but about a feud between nations. The plan developed by Haman would have represented the death of millions of Jews. This was not just personal, it was historic and (nearly) global. The blessing of God brings about hatred from the world; 18 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:18-19 Our blessing in Christ puts us on the black list of so many who feel the sting of sin. We, then, must navigate the path of lovingly caring for those who might consider us enemies. 6
We Need an Advocate Esther 4 (to be preached June 24) Take a few moments to read Esther 4. If you have time, try to read it 2 or 3 times and make notes of some items which the passage highlights below under observations. Mordecai has moved from hidden faith to tearing his clothes in public over the plight of the Jews. Through backchannels, he communicates the dire need to Esther and Esther hears of their situation. Esther faces the prospect of death in order to speak up for her people. Notice how secular Esther has now become a willing martyr for the purpose of God. Esther takes on a Christ-like role in this chapter. She becomes the willing sacrifice for the whole of the people of God. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us 7
Arrogance & Humility Esther 5:1-6:13 (to be preached July 1) Take a few moments to read Esther 5:1-6:13. If you have time, try to read it 2 or 3 times and make notes of some items which the passage highlights below under observations. Haman finds room to lay out his credentials for being honored, but its Mordecai who is exalted. Haman has made massive plans for his exultation but they are beginning to unravel. At the center of the story is Haman s pride. Mordecai, however, never asserted himself, even when he was due honor by saving the kings life. God exalts the humble at the proper time. 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Mordecai s newfound faith has led to a profound embrace of weakness and inability such that all he can do is pray. God meets Mordecai in his weakness. The God who is hidden throughout the book will now make His activity known. 8
High Stakes Esther 6:14-7:10 (to be preached July 8) Take a few moments to read Esther 6:14-7:10. If you have time, try to read it 2 or 3 times and make notes of some items which the passage highlights below under observations. In revealing Haman s sinister intentions, Esther emphasizes the impending death of her people (v. 4). She then highlights Haman s betrayal of the King who has threatened the life of the Queen (v. 6). Haman s death is the only thing to remove the King s wrath (7:10). The prospect of death produce great faith in Esther. She willingly faces her death and become the means of salvation for her people. 9
The Joy of Deliverance Esther 8 (to be preached July 15) Take a few moments to read Esther 8. If you have time, try to read it 2 or 3 times and make notes of some items which the passage highlights below under observations. Esther asks the King for one more thing; that the edict against the Jews be revoked. Instead, another edict is sent allowing the Jews to defend themselves. In this, the Jews rejoice and their enemies are fearful ((v. 17). God delivers His people in the drama of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection. God s people can rejoice in a salvation that is not fully realized but, because it is promised by God, is as good as done. 10
Sweet Remembrance Esther 9-10 (to be preached July 22) Take a few moments to read Esther 9-10. If you have time, try to read it 2 or 3 times and make notes of some items which the passage highlights below under observations. God fully and finally delivers His people. All the threads are brought together; Haman s heirs are killed, Jews throughout the land have victory, and a second day of defense is granted to Jews. Mordecai and Esther see fit to call all the Jews to celebrate these two days of deliverance annually. Remembrance is important. It keeps us from forgetting the acts of God in saving us. Communion is an act of remembrance as well. But our life is not supposed to be one marked by forgetfulness are waywardness. The Christian life is marked by remembering the grace of God and living accordingly. Cosper, Mike, Faith Among the Faithless; Learning from Esther How To Live in a World Gone Mad, pg. 1 Cosper, Mike, Faith Among the Faithless; Learning from Esther How To Live in a World Gone Mad, pg. 29 i ii 11