Esther - Lesson One

Lesson One: A Providential Divorce
DAY SIX: Living in Such a Time as This

1. What a story this has been so far . . . you’ll have to tune in next week for the next episode, same time, same channel! We have seen that this story alludes to several truths that pertain to our personal lives. Our memory verse defines for us the areas in which Ahasuerus and his men fell short in. Let’s think about these and ask ourselves some hard questions about how they apply to our lives.

The Lust of the Flesh: This can be seen in Ahasuerus’ gluttony and use of alcohol outside of safe boundaries, feeding into his fleshly nature. We saw that while some things may be lawful, not all things are profitable, and by partaking in them we can actually stumble others, keeping them from the Kingdom of God through our so-called display of liberty. Others around you look at your example and evaluate pursuing Christ by how you behave and live. Are there some things that you are doing that have just been feeding into your fleshly, sinful nature instead of the new person you are in Christ? What actions or habits do you need to rethink and replace with better, godly pursuits? How can your group pray for you in this?

The Lust of the Eyes: When Ahasuerus and his guests were “merry with wine,” their sexual lusts were stimulated. Ahasuerus sought to take advantage of this for his benefit by bringing out some Persian pornography for them, in the form of putting his own wife on perverted display! Verse 11 less genteelly translated clearly states that “he wanted all the men to gaze on her beauty” (nlt), gaining sexual pleasure and satisfaction by this.[xi] What are you allowing into your mind through what you are viewing? Is there any questionable or downright sinful behavior you are participating in that needs to stop here and now? How can you feed the new man you are in Christ instead of being seduced by the sexual drives of your flesh? How can your group pray for you and help you deal with these things? Remember the guideline that Job gave us by his great example, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl” (Job 31:1, niv), and Paul’s exhortation to his son in the faith, Timothy: “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts” (2 Timothy 2:22, nlt).

The Pride of Life: It seems that all of Ahasuerus’ actions in this chapter were due to his pride. He proudly displayed his worldly fortunes; he planned a major military attack to expand his kingdom into Europe, out of an over-boosted ego; he used pride to stimulate his guests; when he was humiliated by Vashti publicly, he responded in rashly, pride, which he would later regret. Has pride or self-seeking taken a foothold in your life? Do you find you are promoting yourself more than Christ in you? Are selfish thoughts crowding out the things that God would have you do? The main question is, are you suffering from “I” trouble? Big news flash, brothers: THIS LIFE IS NOT ABOUT YOU! It is about denying yourself, living for Christ and serving the others around you, and letting Christ take care of the rest of your needs as you seek Him. How can your group pray for you and help you with any “I” trouble in your life?

2. The other main point brought out in this week’s study is the providential hand of God at work even when we can’t see Him, feel Him, or don’t hear from Him. How has this story shown you that God is indeed at work to bring things to their best in your life, even though it may take a season of struggle and confusion about what is going on? How can your group pray for you in the challenges you face about trusting God’s work by faith, not necessarily by sight? Think about what Charles Swindoll said about God’s providence as you ponder your answer:

This is the wonder of God’s sovereignty. Working behind the scenes, He is moving and pushing and rearranging events and changing minds until He brings out of even the most carnal and secular of settings a decision that will set His perfect plan in place.”[xii]

Scripture Memory: Hopefully you now can write out this week’s passage completely by memory. Do so now, and keep on reviewing it so you will be ready to share it with others in your group time.

1 John 2:15–16

Click Here for Day Six

Esther Lesson One Footnotes
[i] John MacArthur, ed., The MacArthur Study Bible (Nashville: Word Bibles, 1997), p. 684.
[ii] F.B, Huey, Jr., Esther, in F.E. Gaebelein, ed., The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Vol. 4 (Grand Rapids: Regency Reference Library, 1988), p. 798.
[iii] Joyce G. Baldwin, Esther (Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1984), p. 57.
[iv] F.B, Huey, Jr., Esther, p. 798.
[v] Spiros Zodhiates, ed., The Complete Word Study Old Testament (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 1994), pp. 2325, 2363.
[vi] F.B, Huey, Jr., p. 798.
[vii] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Committed (Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1993), p. 75.
[viii] F.B, Huey, Jr., p. 798.
[ix] Warren Baker and Eugene Carpenter, eds., The Complete Word Study Dictionary Old Testament (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2003), p. 77.
[x] Spiros Zodhiates, ed., The Complete Word Study Old Testament, p. 2303.
[xi] Warren Baker and Eugene Carpenter, eds., The Complete Word Study Dictionary Old Testament, p. 461.
[xii] Charles R. Swindoll, Esther, A Woman of Strength and Dignity (Nashville: Word Publishing, 1997), p. 30.

© 2004 by Harvest Christian Fellowship. All rights reserved. Written by Thomas Klock for Men’s Bible Fellowship, 2004-2005. www.Harvest.org

Esther - Lesson One - Day 6