The Holly chieftain., 1922-08-10
LESSON FOR AUGUST 10
ESTHER SAVES HER PEOPLE

LESSON TExT-Esther 3:1-9:32.
GOLDEN TEXT-The righteous cry.
and the Lord heareth, and delivereth
them out of all their trouble.-Psalm 3i:17.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Matt. 1920
g. Rom. $3.50; 12:1, 2.
PRIMARY TOPIC-A Brave Young
Queen.
JUNIOR roPIc-Esther. the Brave
Queen.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
"A Heroine Worthy of Imitation.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Rendering Sacrificial Service.
!. Haman's Wicked Plot Against the
Jews (3:1-4:3).
/. The occasion Of (ch. 81. Nor
decai refused to bow down to Haman
whom the king had elevated to the
place of prime minister and COM
manded that reverence should be
shown him by all the princes and
servants. In order to get rid of Nor
decai Haman formulated scheme
and secured the kings endorsement to
destroy all the Jews.
2. Fasting and mourning among the
Jews "a :1-3). In their distress they
sought the Lord. They did that which
all those who believe in God had
right to do GAS. 5:13).
II. Haman checkmated "a 4:4-7 10y.
1. Plot made known to Esther wv.
4-s). Mordecai appeared before the
kings gate clothed in sackcloth. This
condition was reported to Esther by
her maids and chamberlains. Upon
his refusal to put away mourning
Esther sent Hatach, her special at
fendant, to find out the cause of it.
2. Message to Esther ". 81. This
was in the form of a charge that she
go unto the king and make request
for her people.
3. Esther's hesltancy wv. 9-12l.
This was on the ground of certain
law which made 1t capital offense
for anyone to come into the kings
presence unbidden unless the king
should extend clemency by holding
out the golden scepter. The fact that
Esther had not been called to come
In for thirty days would seem that the
queen was in disfavor.
4. Mordecai presses her obligation
wv. IA, 15). (1) Her own life was
involved ". 13). She might meet
death If she went to the king unbidden,
but most certainly she would meet
death II she made no effort to avert
the danger. Being in the kings house
would not save her, for the decree had
been made against the race Of which
she was part. Her silence on this
occasion would mean death. (2) She
was not Gods last resort ". 14). He
argues that deliverance would come
from another source. Gods work goes
on and His purposes are fulfilled re-
-gardless of the decisions of men. (3)
Reminds her that she had probably
been raised up for this very work
". 14). Every one has been born and
prepared for some definite work.
Gods providence brings us into the
particular circumstances where we
can most definitely do His will.
s. Esther meets the call of duty
(4:15-5: :3). az Preparation by fast
ing ". 16). She Instructed Mordecai
to gather together all the Jews in Shus-
han and fast for her for three days
and nights. She with her maids did
the same. (2) Went into the pres
ence Of the king GLIB. Having made
the decision to do her duty regardless
Of consequences, after due preparation
by fasting and prayer, she presented
herself in royal apparel in the pres
ence of the king. She decided that the
best thing she could do was to lay her
life on the altar. IF l perish,
perish ought to be our watchword
when face to face with duty (3) Kings
promise to Esther w. 81. He assured
her that her desire would be granted
even to the half Of his kingdom.
@. Haman hanged (5:4:7 :1O).
Esther was shrewd as well as courage
Gus. She invited the king and his
prime minister to a banquet. At this
banquet she proposed another for the
following day, at which time she
promised to make known to the king
her request. Haman went home
jubilant, but that night something oc-
Cured which turned the tide. The
king discovered that no reward had
been granted Mordecai for having
saved his life. Haman is compelled to
exalt MOrdecai, and at the second
feast the queen revealed his wicked
treachery and he is ordered hanged
on the gallows which he had prepared
for MOrdecai.
III. The Jews Delivered (chs. 8, 81.
Haman was dead, but the decree
against the Jews still stood. Esther
plead that it be reversed. While 1t
could not be reversed, through her
influence another decree was sent out
which in large measure counter
acted the first. The Jews everywhere |
were granted the privilege to defend |
and destroy their enemies.
The Parting Of the Ways.
And II 1t seem evil unto you to serve
the Lord, choose you this day whom
We will serve; but as for me and nv