The Penn's Grove record., 1923-06-15
LESSON FOR JUNE II
ESTHER, THE PATRIOT QUEEN
LESSON TExT-Esther 4:1s-5.s.

LESSON TEXT-Esther 4:I3-5:s.
GOLDEN TEXT-"Who knoweth
whether thou art come to the kingdom
for such a time as this ?'-Esther 4:14
PRIMARY TOPIC-Esther. the Brave
Queen.
JUNIOR ToPIC-what Esther Did for
Her People.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOP
EC-Esther's Heroism
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
"A study OF Patriotism.
I. Esther Made Queen Chapters 1,
p.
This drama took place in the Per-
sian court, where AhaSuerus (XerxeS)
sat upon his throne, surrounded by his
princes and servants Six months Of
festivity were drawing to a close, ar
ranged by the king in order to impress
upon the people Of his mighty empire
the fact of his greatness. The last
days of this feast were marked with
drunken debauchery. In drunken
frenzy the king commanded Vashti to
come before the people to display her
beauty Nashti showed her indie
was instantly deposed. In providing a
queen to take her place, the most beau
tiful maidens in the empire were
brought together from whom the king
might make selection. The choice
fell upon Esther, a maid of the Jewish
captivity. The king did not know that
she was a .JeWess. but God knew, and
He put her there for purpose.
II. Haman's Plot Against the Jews
(Chapter ~.
/. The Occasion Of wv. 1-6). For
some reason Haman was given chief
place over the princes. Though all
bowed before him, Mordecai, Esther's
cousin, stoutly refused to do so
2. It's Nature wv. 7-15). Haman
desired to lay hands upon Mordecai for
his characterization. but hesitated. In
stead of such drastic action he laid a
plot to destroy all the Jews. and there
by take vengeance on Mordecai, who
he learned WAS a Jew. He made the
king believe that the Jews We're an un-
profitable people and induced him to
order their annhilation. promising to
bring into the royal treasury an enor.
nous sum of money.
III. Haman's Plot Foiled (4:1-S:14
1. Fasting Among the Jews a :1-3).
When Mordecai and his people per
ceived all that was done they put on
sackcloth and ashes and cried to God.
2. Mordecais Charge to Esther a a
14). He sent to Esther copy of the
decree and charged her to go before
the king and make supplication for her
people. Esther pointed out the Difficult
ties in the way Possible death await
ed her should her unlimited presence
not meet the approval of the king.
3. Esther's Daring Adventure a :16-
5:2) MOrdecai pointed out to her that
her own life was endangered. She
might meet death by venturing into
the kings presence. She would surely
meet death were Haman's plot not
fOiled When thus brought face to
face with duty. the herOism which so
frequently has characterized her race
moved her to undertake the hazardous
task and prayerfully carry 1t out
After three days of fasting and prayer
she put on her royal apparel and stood
In the kings court. winning his ap-
prOval.
t. Esther Pleading for Her People
g 81 :6). Esther knew that an easy
way to the heart of the king was
through his stomach so she invited
him and Haman to a banquet. She
proposed second banquet, at which
she planned to make her request
known During the interval some
strange things took place. A gallows
was built upon which to hang Morde
cal. at the heartleSs suggestion of Ha-
mans wife. And the king, during
sleeplesS night, was moved to search
the court records, where he found that
Mordecai had not been rewarded for
saving his life. SO, in order to eX-
press his appreciation for this act of
heroism on the part Of Mordecai, he
gave orders obliging 4aman to do hon
or to the one he was preparing 10
hang At the second banquet Esther
pointed out Haman's wicked plot to
kill the Jews and asked of the king
that her people be saved. In his wrath
the king ordered Haman hanged on
the gallows which had been prepared
for Mordecai.
5. The Counter Decree Issued $50
40. The original decree could not be
reversed, so a counter decree was is
sued which enabled the Jews to de
fend themselves. This was dispatched
to the furthest parts of the kingdom
At the appointed time there was great
slaughter and the Jews were saved
God granted relief and the Feast of
pulim was instituted as memorial
of their deliverance.
Gods PloW,