The talents of Esther

SCRIPTURE: Esther 1-7

OBJECTIVE:

Show that beauty, humility, and attractiveness were the talents that Esther used to save her people, the Jews.

PRESENTATION:

The historical context of Esther’s story took place in Persia, more precisely in the town of Susa, under the rule of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes).

Actually, the King organised a feast in his palace. He ordered that Queen Vashti should come before him wearing her royal crown (female jewellery decorated with precious stones in the form of a crown that fits her head), in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles. But Queen Vashti refused to come as ordered by the King. Thus, she was deposed (deprived of her duties) as Queen. The King had to choose a new Queen. Among those taken captive, there was a Jew who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; he was Esther’s guardian, her cousin. The young girl named Esther had all the qualities of beauty: she had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai, the Jew, encouraged his cousin to take part in the selection. Esther did not reveal her nationality and family background. When she was introduced to the King, he was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favour and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

Whereas, at the same time, the King’s best man, Haman, thought of killing Mordecai whom he hated as well as the Jews who lived in the empire of Ahasuerus. He wrote letters in the name of the King to exterminate all the Jews.

Mordecai was baffled when he learnt what Haman was planning to do; all over the big cities where the letters were delivered, there was mourning and weeping amongst the Jews: people fasted, lamented, wore sack clothes and poured ashes. Esther alone could intervene before the King, but she had no right to come before the King without being summoned. Confiding to God, after three days of fasting and prayer, Esther came before the dangerous King. God turned the King’s heart to be gentle. He accepted the Queen’s invitation to diner in her home with Haman. There, she told the King that she is Jewish and that Haman wants to kill all the Jews. The King was furious and condemned Haman to be hung and cancelled the letter of extermination against the Jews. Henceforth, they could live in peace and their enemies were severely punished.

SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION:

1. Why was Queen Vashti deposed?

2. What was the name of Esther’s uncle? What did he do so that his niece could present herself at the beauty competition?

3. What was the name of the enemy of the Jews? How did Mordecai succeed in neutralising him?

4. What did Esther use to convince the King and to free the Jews?

5. Was it only because of physical beauty that Esther was chosen?

6. Apart from her beauty, what moral qualities did Esther have?

7. What lesson can be learnt from Esther’s story?

ACTIVITIES:

Role-play the deposition of Queen Vashti.

RESOURCE PERSON:

Invite a Pastor to do a presentation on a biblical story where the moral qualities of a woman saved her people.

ACTION TO ENCOURAGE:

1. Encourage boys not to despise girls.

2. Encourage the children to share the story of Esther with their parents.

MEMORY VERSE:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

CLOSING:

Close with a short song or the dominical prayer.

Chapter 9