Esther & Galatians: Liberated in Christ Lesson 8

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Esther & Galatians: Liberated in Christ Lesson 8: Holy Liberty Key Verses:...Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus….If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed...~Esther 3.6b, 9a Esther 2.19-3.15 Now when the virgins were gathered together the second time*, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate. 20 Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had commanded her, for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him.

Notes, observations, questions, and applications:

21 In those days, as Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 22 And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai. 23 When the affair was investigated and found to be so, the men were both hanged on the gallows. And it was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king. CH 3 After these things** King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him. 2 And all the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage [homage-a public display of special honor or respect; the act of respect or allegiance made by a servant/vassal to his lord]. 3 Then the king's servants who were at the king's gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress the king's command?” 4 And when they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, in order to see whether Mordecai's words would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew. 5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. 6 But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus. 7 In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, they cast lots) before Haman day after day; and they cast it month after month till the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. 8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king's laws, so that it is not to the king's profit to tolerate them. 9 If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay 10,000 talents of silver [375 tons, or about $248,000,000] into the hands of those who have charge of the king's business, that they may put it into the king's treasuries.”

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Esther & Galatians: Liberated in Christ 10 So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. 11 And the king said to Haman, “The money is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.”12 Then the king's scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and an edict, according to all that Haman commanded, was written to the king's satraps and to the governors over all the provinces and to the officials of all the peoples, to every province in its own script and every people in its own language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king's signet ring. 13 Letters were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces [127 provinces from India to Ethiopia] with instruction to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. 14 A copy of the document was to be issued as a decree in every province by proclamation to all the peoples to be ready for that day. 15 The couriers went out hurriedly by order of the king, and the decree was issued in Susa the citadel. And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion. *Scholars regard 2.19-23 as one event. It is unclear if the “virgins” referenced are those who because of Esther’s crowning had not yet had their night with the king, or if the king had called for another set of virgins, as was his character as a polygamist. **This event in Chapter 3 occurred four or more years after Esther had become Queen. DEITY: Holy~ This word signifies everything about God that sets Him apart from us (1 Samuel 2.2) and makes Him an object of awe, adoration, and dread to us. The biblical word “holy” has two distinct meanings: 1. “Apartness” or “otherness”, calling attention to the profound difference between Him and all creatures, referring to God’s transcendent majesty (Revelation 4.1-11). He is “other” or different from us in His glory. When the Bible speaks of holy objects, holy people, or a holy time, it refers to things that have been set apart, consecrated, or made different by the touch of God upon them. God’s divine presence and nearness makes the ordinary suddenly extraordinary and the common, uncommon (Exodus 3.4-6, Psalm 99.6-7). 2. God’s pure and righteous actions. God always acts in a righteous manner because His nature is holy. God is both great and good. There is no evil mixed in with His goodness (Job 34.10-15). When we are called to be holy, it does not mean we share in God’s divine majesty, but that we are to be different from our normal fallen sinfulness (1 Peter 1.15-16). We are called to mirror and reflect the

Where in the above passage do you see Mordecai revering God as “Holy”?

Where in the passage do you see God’s people identified as being “set apart” from the typical Persian resident?

In what ways do you struggle with being “set apart” in your current environment?

What scripture and/or phrase in this definition encourages, challenges, or reminds you to revere God as “Holy” today? 2

Esther & Galatians: Liberated in Christ moral character and activity of God (Isaiah 1.11-17; Mark 12.28-32). We are to imitate His goodness.~RC Sproul, Essential Truths of the Christian Faith God, being Holy, covers all aspects of His transcendent greatness and moral perfection and is characteristic of all His attributes, pointing to the “Godness” of God at every point (Psalm 99.1-5). One commentator says: “Holiness is the biblical ‘shorthand’ for the very essence of God.” Note that 100% of God’s attributes are true of Him 100% of the time. While He is 100% holy, He is also 100% gracious, 100% merciful, 100% just, 100% of every other attribute that is true of Him. This is how He can be holy yet gracious, merciful, and just as He views/deals with our sin (Psalm 99.8-9). DOCTRINE: Idolatry~An idol is something within creation that is inflated to function as a substitute for God (Exodus 20.4; Romans 1.25). It may be an object, a person, an activity, a sport, a role you play, an institution or organization, an idea, a pleasure, a hero, your family, your work, even your work for the Lord — anything that becomes a substitute for God. It does not have to be a full-sized replacement for God; it may be only a part of your life (Colossians 3.5). Idolatry is not necessarily a denial of God or His existence (1 John 5.1). We can even make an idol out of something that is good in its own right, but as soon as loyalty to anything or anyone leads us to disobey or disregard God, we are in danger of making it an idol (2 Corinthians 6.16).

How are Haman and King Ahasuerus exhibiting the doctrine of “Idolatry”?

How are you exhibiting this doctrine? How do you avoid falling into the temptation of idolatry?

Diamonds: (choose one or two to share with your group) 1. List the role, actions, and reactions of each person in the first event, verses 19-23: a. Esther_______________________________________________________________________ b. Mordecai_____________________________________________________________________ c. The king’s 2 eunuchs___________________________________________________________ d. The king_____________________________________________________________________ i. As you read this event and enter into the next event, what do you notice when comparing this first event to the opening verse of chapter 3?______________________ 2. Briefly state what happens in the second event (Esther 3.1-15) by listing some of the details that stand out to you. Why did those details stand out to you?__________________________________________

3. List the specific details, omissions and justifications Haman uses to persuade the king to agree with his plot (verses 8-9).____________________________________________________________________ a. How is this strategy similar to Satan’s strategy in Genesis 3.1-5? (see Genesis 2.15-17 for God’s command to Adam; see also John 8.44; 2 Corinthians 11.3) ______________________

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Esther & Galatians: Liberated in Christ b. How is Satan’s intent the same as Haman’s intent (verses 6, 9, 13)? (see also Luke 22.31; 1 Peter 5.8) 4. From 3.15 what effect does this decree have on the people living under King Ahasuerus? Contrast this with the effect this decree has on Haman and the king:_______________________________________

a. What does God desire for His people throughout all of scripture? (use 2 Chronicles 30.12; Psalm 133.1; John 17.23; Ephesians 4.3; Colossians 2.2) _____________________________ b. What does God provide for His children throughout all of scripture? (use Leviticus 26.6; Numbers 6.26; Isaiah 53.5; John 14.27; Romans 8.38; Philippians 4.6-7) _________________ 5. Prayerfully consider and reflect on your answers and scripture you read in the deity, doctrine, and questions 3 and 4. Write what God is teaching you in “Practicing Remembrance”. Then, complete “Praying for God’s work in our lives”. How can your group pray for you as you apply the lesson(s) God has taught you this week? Practicing Remembrance (“zakar”): a truth about God from this lesson, and/or a call to action

Praying for God’s work in our lives: a prayer applying what God has taught you in this lesson

New Assignment (optional): Using the “Deity” section from lessons 1-7, write truths you have learned about God. To help, review your notes about the Deity assigned on each lesson, as well as your “Practicing Remembrance” and “Praying for God’s work in our lives”. We have provided 7 lines to allow you to write one truth about God from each lesson. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Lecture Outline: Aim: God’s powerful providence keeps His people secure. I. Plot Foiled (Esther 2.19-23) T1: God keeps His people secure even when life unfolds in the unlikeliest of ways. a. What have you experienced in your life recently that was unexpected or surprising? b. How well do you respond when you lose control over your circumstances? II. Plot Fueled (Esther 3.1-6) T2: God keeps His people secure through often hidden and incomprehensible ways. a. How do you respond to those who mistreat you, hurt you, or harm you? 4

Esther & Galatians: Liberated in Christ III.

b. What is your response to the evil and injustice you experience or see in the world around you? Plot Finalized (Esther 3.7-15) T3: God keeps His people secure even when it appears evil is winning. a. Where do you see evil winning in the world around you? b. How do you combat the feelings of frustration, anger, and despair that bubble up as you witness wickedness thriving and prospering?

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