The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-08-10
LESSON FOR AUGUST 13
ESTHER SAVES HER PEOPLE

them out of all their trouble-Psalm 34:17.
tEFlIRENCE MATERIAI-Matt.2 2O:20-
rs: Rom 6:G-l0; 12:l. 2.
PRIMARY TOPiC--A Brave Young
JUNIOR TopIc-Esther the Brave
Queen.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
a Heroine Worthy Of Imitation.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Rendering sacrtheial Service.
!. Haman's Wicked Plot Against the
Jews (3:1-4:3).
/. The occasion Of (ch. 81. Nor
decai refused to bow down to IIamun
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. III order to get rid Of Nor
decai Haman formulated Il scheme
ana secured the kings endorsement TO
destroy Ill the Jews.
= Fasting and mourning among the
Jews (4:1-3). In their distress they
sought the Lord. They did that which
oil those who believe in God had q
right to do GAS. 5:13).
u. Haman Checkmated {4:4-7:1O).
l. Plot made known to Esther wv.
49,. Mordecai appeared before the
kings gate clothed in sackcloth This
condition was reported to Esther by
her maids and chambcrains. Upon
his refusal to put away mourning
ESTHER sent IIatach, her special at
tendant, to find out the cause of it.
Z. Message to Esther (v. 81. This
was in the form of Il charge that she
go unto the king and make request
for her people.
8. Esther's hesltancy (vv. 9-12l.
This was on the ground Of Il ccrtpin
law which made 1t a capital oifensc
for anyone to come into the kings
presence unbidden unless the king
should extend clemency by holding
ont the golden scepter. The fact that
esther had not been called to come
In for thirty days would seem that the
queen was In lisfavor.
i. Mordccai presses her obligation
Wv. II, 15). H Her own life was
involved ". 13). She might meet
death If she went to the king unbidden,
but most certainly She would meet
death if 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 OIL this
occasion would mean death. (2) She
was not Gods last resort (v. 14). He
argues that deliyerunce 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
(v. ~. livery 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.
10. Esther meets the call of duty
(4:15-5 :3). Q) Preparation by fast
ing (v. 1G). she Instructed Mordecai
to gather together al the Jews in Shus-
nan ana fast for her for three days
and nights. She with her maids did
the same. (2) Went into the pres
ence OF the king 5:1-3). 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
encc of the king. She decided that the
best thing she could do WAS to Law her
life ON the altar. IF perish,
perish ought to be our watc,word
when face to face with duty. (3) Kings
promise to Esther (v. ~. He assured
her that her desire would be granted
even to the half of his kingdom.
g. Ilaman hanged (5:I:7:lO)).
Esther was shrcwd as well us courage
Gus. She invited the king and his
prime minister to a banquet. At this
banquet she proposed another for the
following day. ut which time she
promised To make known 10 the king
her request. Ilaman went home
)ulhlant, but that night something oc-
Cured which turned the tide. The
king discovered that no reward had
occh granted Mordcca for having
saved his life. lIaman is compelled to
eXnlt Mordecai. and ut the second
feast the queen revealed his wicked
treachery and he Is ordered hanged
on the gallowg which he had prepared
for Mordecai
ill. The Jews Delivered (chs. 8, 81.
iiahan was dead, but the decree
against the Jews still stood. Esther
plead that 1t be reversed While it
could not be reversed. through her
influence another decree was sent out
winch In large measure counter
acted the first. The Jews everywhere
were granted the privilege to defend
themselves and destroy their enemies.