Esther - Lesson Ten - Day 1

Lesson Ten

The Impact of One Life

Esther 9:20—10:3

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

In Lesson 9 we read of the resounding victory of the Jews over those who sought to destroy them.  The tables were indeed turned on those allied with Haman, as all the men who sought to dominate and destroy the Jews were themselves destroyed.  As part of the finishing touch of this victory, the bodies of Haman’s sons were also hung up on their father’s gallows to demonstrate to all the seriousness of rebelling against the king.  The dead were tallied, and the Jews at last had rest from those who tormented them all of those years.  The Jews celebrated with great feasting and joy, enjoying a holiday, or better, a good day in which they honored God and gave of themselves to others.  Yet there was a potential problem brewing, because the Jews outside of Susa celebrated on one day, while those in Susa celebrated the next day. 

This final lesson will show us how this possible conflict was logically solved, and how the Feast of Purim became memorialized officially.  It will close with a glimpse at both Esther and Mordecai, and show us what impact a solitary life can have on their world.

DAY ONE: The Feast of Purim Clarified

Please carefully read Esther 9:20—22 and answer the following questions.

1.  What was done in view of the potential problem of making this a unified Jewish celebration (v. 20)?

2.  What logical decision was made to accommodate all the Jews (v. 21)?

3.  What were some of the wonderful things were they to celebrate about that month’s events (v. 22)?

4.  What a great passage!  That month was a time when everything was turned around and transformed[i] for the Jews.  Their seemingly incurable despair was turned into rejoicing and gladness; their prolonged mourning period was turned to a “good day,” a holiday, and they celebrated it with giving presents (portions of food) to each other and gifts to the poor.[ii] How will God accomplish this sort of transformation for all who come to Him by faith (Psalm 30:11; Isaiah 61:1—3)?

5.  How will God take care of the poor who have nothing or no-one else to help them?

Psalm 16:5-11

Matthew 5:3,

Scripture Memory:  This week we will be memorizing Esther 9:22.  Review the passage several times throughout the day each day this week, and by the end of the week, you should have it memorized completely.

As the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor. (Esther 9:22, NJKV)