Lesson Three From Pride to Wrath Esther 3 Men s Inductive Study For Such a Time as This Studies in the Book of Esther

Lesson Three From Pride to Wrath Esther 3 Men s Inductive Study For Such a Time as This Studies in the Book of Esther Introduction: In Lesson 2 we saw the beginning of a great drama unfold as King Ahasuerus returned from battle. His thoughts of Vashti would lead to the search for a new queen. This was the beginning of the providence of God working within the Persian Empire to separate His people from worldly influences and save the Jews from possible annihilation by the enemy. As always, God uses people with free will to turn their choices and decisions to the plan and purpose of His will. This week get ready for quite a ride! Haman is promoted to second in command. Mordecai seemingly became upset regarding the fact he was not recognized by the king for his discovering the murder plot against the king s life. King Ahasuerus promoted Haman for some unexplained reason which led to a conflict with Mordecai. What caused this contention between Haman and Mordecai? Remember, there is a history between these two men that reaches back to earlier generations of the Benjamites and Amalekites. This conflict between Mordecai and Haman was driven by pride that led to wrath and possible destruction. This is the case for all men since time began. It continues to this day creating conflict among the nations of this world. You will notice that in this lesson the enemy shows his hand as to what his intentions are. In our time, terrorists are playing a large part in the matters of the world. What is it though that will finally defeat the enemy of our day? The obvious answer is for people of all nations to make a stand for the true and living God of the universe. This is the same God for which Mordecai and Esther will stand firm in next week s lesson. Haman retaliates over the disrespect that is being shown by Mordecai. As discussed before, King Ahasuerus is easily manipulated. Haman takes advantage. What specific things did Haman say to the king regarding Mordecai or did he address his comments more generally in an anti- Semitic way about the people of Mordecai? What did Haman talk King Ahasuerus into regarding the Jews who inhabited the Persian Empire? Look into this planned genocide of the Jews. What has Mordecai realized regarding the big picture? Are there any specific meanings in this evil plan of Haman s? Inductively Speaking: Throughout the centuries believers who have studied God s Word have stood in awe of His powerful message of redemption. It is not good enough for believers to understand His Word but also to apply His Word. It is His plan for us to know Him and make Him known by the way we live with and react to others within our sphere of influence. Have you put God s plan to work in your life for His glory? Memory Verse: Job 10:12 You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit. NIV 1

Day One Text: Begin this week s lesson by reading the passage. Hint: Read the passage repeatedly, prayerfully, thoughtfully, meditatively and patiently. Esther 3 1 After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were with him. 2 And all the king's servants who were within the king's gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow or pay homage. 3 Then the king's servants who were within the king's gate said to Mordecai, "Why do you transgress the king's command?" 4 Now it happened, when they spoke to him daily and he would not listen to them, that they told it to Haman, to see whether Mordecai's words would stand; for Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew. 5 When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay him homage, Haman was filled with wrath. 6 But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai. Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus the people of Mordecai. 7 In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, the lot), before Haman to determine the day and the month, until it fell on the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. 8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people's, and they do not keep the king's laws. Therefore it is not fitting for the king to let them remain. 9 If it pleases the king, let a decree be written that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who do the work, to bring it into the king's treasuries." 10 So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11 And the king said to Haman, "The money and the people are given to you, to do with them as seems good to you." 12 Then the king's scribes were called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and a decree was written according to all that Haman commanded to the king's satraps, to the governors who were over each province, to the officials of all people, to every province according to its script, and to every people in their language. In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written, and sealed with the king's signet ring. 13 And the letters were sent by couriers into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions. 14 A copy of the document was to be issued as law in every province, being published 2

for all people, that they should be ready for that day. 15 The couriers went out, hastened by the king's command; and the decree was proclaimed in Shushan the citadel. So the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Shushan was perplexed. NKJV 3

Day Two 1. Observation: Finding the literal facts or most obvious details of the passage. Hint: Begin observation by asking the questions who, what, where, when, why, and how. Verses 1-7 4

Observation Continued: Verses 8-15 What Did God Say? Highlight the overall observation concerning this chapter. 5

Day Three II. Interpretation: Discovering the lessons or meaning of God's instruction to His people. Hint: Try to place yourself with these people, in their circumstances, at this time of Bible history. Verses 1-7 6

Interpretation Continued: Verses 8-15 What Did God Mean? Highlight God s main lesson for those people in this chapter. 7

Day Four III. Application: Applying the lessons and meaning of God's instructions to His people. Hint: Apply the lesson or lessons you found in the interpretation section in the form of a question. Verses 1-7 8

Application Continued: Verses 8-15 What Did God Tell You? Highlight the main application for yourself. 9

Day Five Word Studies: In this portion of the lesson we will take a closer look at one or two key words in the chapter. You will need to have your tools or resources at hand (such as, more than one Bible translation, a dictionary or Bible dictionary, concordance, atlas, and encyclopedia). If you don t have all of these, simply use what you do have to enrich your learning. To do some digging on your own, start with your dictionary (or Bible dictionary) and then look up the references to add to your understanding. If you have additional resources, you may want to keep digging. (You may want to make notes in the Notes and Insights section.) After you ve completed the investigative process, write a definition in your own words. Your investigation in today s lesson will lay the groundwork for deeper discoveries in subsequent lessons, so be as thorough as you can. Homage Esther 3:2 And all the king's servants who were within the king's gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow or pay homage. NKJV Dictionary definition: What does the Bible have to say? 1 Kings 1:31 Esther 3:5 Write your own definition: 10

Day Six Summation Sentence: A simple personal statement about what God has shown you from this passage. Notes and Insights: Prayer Requests: 11