Evening star., 1905-11-04
for Sunday Scboob.
LESSON FOR SUNDAY NOVEMBER $.
BY Rev. ]. E. Gilbert, DID,,

SECRETARY AMERICAN SOCIETY OF RELIG1, Us Epuca

THE APPROACH-The return of the
Jews from Babylon, B. c. $50, under Cyrus,
was effected by only part of the people.
Some preferred to remain behind, having en-
tered into certain social and business en-
gagements that could not be easily dis
missed. These met with various fortunes
favorable and otherwise. In the year i53 an
event occurred involving the very existence
of the Jewish race. Haman, courtier. had
won favor with the king, who honored him
by ordering all men to pay him reverence.
This Mordecai, uncle to the queen, refused
to do, because Haman was Amalekite of
the posterity of Agag, whose destruction
God had decreed in the time of Saul.
Il Samuel, xv:3.) The courtier was greatly
offended at the naughty course of Mordecai
and secured from the king order for the
destruction of the entire Jewish population
In all parts of the empire. To avert such
calamity Mordecai sought the influence of
the queen, who alone might intercede with
the King. Here our study begins.
THE PERIL.-(Verses 10 and IL
Anxious as Esther was to save her people
she knew that the proposal of Mo-
decai would involve her In extreme
peril. and she returned that answer
to him. 1t was we'll understood al
court that Ahasuerus has secluded himself
NO one was allowed to approach him unbid-
den under penalty of death. There was,
however, single exception to this rule. If.
as one stood In the inner court seeking au-
dience, the king was pleased to hold out the
golden scepter. then the life would be
spared and the hearing granted This regu-
latton was made, doubtless, as protection
to the sovereign. Intrigue, rebellion and as
sassinatien were common in those days as
means by which ambitious men sought place
and power. 1t was particularly hazardous
for Esther to seek the king, because her
nr,1n i
invited into his presence for whole month.
This last fact might be interpreted as in
dicating an evil design which would prevent
the success of her mission.
THE ANSWER.-(Verses IL, 49, l4)
Mordecai on receiving the words of Esther
fastened to answer and to help her to reach
conclusion. There were three points upon
which he laid emphasis. First, Esther need
not think she could escape by refraining
from an approach to the king AS the cruel
order meant the death of all Jews it In
cluded her in its wide sweep and purpose,
although she belonged to the royal house
hold. Second, If she declined to render the
service some other way would be found to
avoid the execution Of the order, an EVIL
dence that Mordecai believed in God and
did not believe that God would suffer his
chosen people to be utterly destroyed.
Third, it was possible that Esther had
come TO her exalted place for this pur-
pose, that Providence had ordered those
strange events that led up to her choice to
DS Inc ouCCeSSOI VI lUe uepOSeQ VdSnll. II
this were so, she would fail to act her as
signed part and discharge her obligation to
God in this trying hour.
THE PROPOSAL.-(Verses Is and 16)
This three-fold argument was effective.
Moved by the desire for personal security,
by love for her people and by high sense of
duty to God. Esther determined to approach
the king, even without the usual forms and
conditions of law. Her spirit was heroic.
Il will go, and If perish, / perish" Gene
sis, xliii:14) She put her life in the ven
ture, surrendering everything to q worthy
purpose. And yet she did not act this with
reckless daring. She recognized the fact
that Divine power might be interposed in
her behalf, that God could protect her while
She was In His service. Hence she enioin-
ed upon her countrymen a course that
linked them with her IN pious resignation
and intercession She required that all Jews
residing al the capital shou.~ enter upon
fast for three days. and promised that
she and her maidens would do the same. In
all this there was no suggestion of PRAYER
but that was implied. The abstinence was
an act of humiliation expressive of utter
helplessness and unworthiness, confess
sion that the impending calamity might be
a deserved judgment.
THE RESPONSE.-Cverse ID Morde-
cal, on receiving this message from
the queen, conveyed it promptly to
the people. Throughout Babylon these
exiles from Jerusalem gathered them
selves together In their homes or in
their places of public assembage
Food and drink were dismissed. All occu-
patton was suspended. All hearts turned
in one direction. The direful circums tances
were considered. The existence of the race
hanging on the successful approach of the
queen; a young and beautiful woman of
whom all Jews were justly proud, sacrific-
ing herself for the welfare of her kindred
the unsolved problem of the Abrahamic COW
enant and the unfulfilled promises concern
ing the word-all these and related sub
jects doubtless passed in review during
those days of anxious waiting.
THE VISIT.-(Verse j. At last the
time appointed had arrived. The fasting
gave place to the act of duty. Esther