4 February 25 Tae WHat Is Wor “CELEBRATING i a Background Passage: Esther 8:1—10:3 Lesson Passages: Esther 8:3,6-8, 11; 9:1-2,20-22 BIBLICAL TRUTH God's acts on our behalf are worth cel- ebrating. KEY BIBLE VERSES ~» | Esther 9:21-22 PRONUNCIATION AID Adar [AY dahr] Agagite [AY gag ight] ss Ahasuerus [uh haz yoo EHR uhs] Esther [ESS tuhr] Haman [HAY muhn] : Mordecai [MAWR duh kigh] Purim [PYQO rim] Devers years ago a friend of mine was asked to write the history of a church about to celebrate its centennial. His research showed that this church had experienced its share of triumphs and tragedies. Overall, however, it had much to celebrate as it looked forward to ministry in the next century. When a church celebrates its anniversary, it recalls how God has worked through its members and ministries to follow God’s leadership across the years. The church also celebrates God’s mighty acts in that church. Many churches have had seasons of growth and renewal, and they probably also have experienced some turmoil. Wise church members can discern how God has worked through their own church to address the needs of that communi- ty. Recalling what God has done for us and through us in the past can ener- gize us to work for Him in the future. This week’s lesson highlights the way Esther continued to work to deliver her people. When the victory was won, the Jews decided to celebrate their deliverance with a new annual festival. Today we can celebrate God’s acts in our lives with appropriate celebrations. U9 What Is Worth Celebrating ==1. What did the new edict allow the Jews to do? (8:11) 2. What happened on the day the Jews were supposed to be slaughtered? (9:2) 3. Why did the Jews celebrate? (9:22) BACKGROUND PASSAGE OVERVIEW After Haman was executed, the king gave Haman’s estate to Esther. He also gave Mordecai the signet ring he had given earlier to Haman. Esther hoped the king could revoke the de- cree that authorized the attack on the Jews. The king replied that he could not do so, but they could write a new decree under his name, allowing the Jews to defend themselves. The new decree was sent throughout the provinces. The Jews were authorized to defend themselves and to take plun- der from their attackers. They celebrated when they heard the news. When the day chosen for the slaughter arrived, the Jews successfully defended themselves. Many government officials helped the Jews. The victorious Jews did not take any plun- der. Esther asked the king for an additional day for the Jews to protect themselves. Mordecai recorded these events and ordered the Jews to celebrate their victory every year. The new holiday was called Purim, since the original day of destruc- tion had been chosen by the casting of a lot, or Pur. The news. about Purim was sent to the Jews. An account of Mordecai’s accomplishments was recorded, and Mordecai became the second most powerful person in the Persian government. DELIVERANCE THROUGH LEGAL MEANS (ESTH. 8:3,6-8,11) 3 Then Esther addressed the king again. She fell at his feet, wept, and begged him to revoke the evil of Haman the Agagite, and his plot he had devised against the Jews. . eae 3 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mis- chief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews...........2.008 an Week of February 25 Wim6 For how could I bear to see the evil that would come on my people? How could I bear to see the destruction of my | relatives?” 7 King Ahasuerus said to Esther the Queen and to Mor- decai the Jew, “Look, I have given Haman’s estate to Esther, and he was hanged on the gal- lows because he attacked the Jews. 8 You may write in the king’s name whatever pleases you concerning the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. A document written in the king’s name and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be FEVOKED.” 50.055 04 se i onseemev sce 11 The king’s edict gave the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate every ethnic and pro- vincial army hostile to them, including women and children, and to take their possessions as spoils of war. 6 For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kin- dred? 7 Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. 8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may NO MAN Keverse|ie sarge itieeiees 11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves to- gether, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, Verse 3. Haman had been executed after Esther revealed to the king that Haman had plotted the destruction of the Jews. King Ahasuerus gave Haman’s estate to Esther. The king gave Mordecai the signet ring that he had given earlier to Haman. Although the plot to attack the Jews had been revealed to the king, the Jews were still in danger. A royal decree had been sent out announcing the day people could legally attack the Jews throughout Persia. Esther approached the king again, begging him to revoke the evil of Haman. Esther hoped the MY What Is Worth Celebrating