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Call to worship: Numbers 24:4-9

Text: Esther 2:19-3:15

Sermon Outline:

1. Standing for God...
   • A fortuitous seed, 2:19-23.
   • A final straw, 3:1-4.
   • A fiery snowball, 3:5-11.
   • A frightening scheme, 3:12-15.
2. ...Who sits on the Throne.

Prepare

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Esther 2:19-3:15.
2. In 2:19-23, Mordecai saves the king's life. He proves to be a neighbor to an enemy. What would we have done with the information he had? Would we have done good to this evil king?
3. In 3:1-4, we expect Mordecai to be promoted. He's not. Who is? What's said about Haman? What's his lineage? Read 1 Sam 15 and Exodus 17, and see if you can discern why it's important to the story? Mordecai does good, but suffers wrong. Are we prepared for that? Why do we good? Think 1 Peter. What reason is given for why he won't bow to Haman?
4. What's Haman's response in 3:5-11? Is this the first time that a powerful pagan has tried to murder off Israel? Who's ultimately behind Haman's efforts, driving from the heart? Squint, you'll see. What matters to the king? What doesn't? Any other attempts at destroying a Jewish man and His people having to do with a sum of silver?
5. How would you describe the scene in 3:12-15? What you may not know is that the thirteenth day of the first month (3:12) was the eve of Passover! What did Israel celebrate at Passover? How does Haman's decree intend to blow that up? How is it an evil irony? How, however, will God make use of it? Who's in control here? You know the rest of the story. How does God take this 'cross' and save the world? How do we see Him guiding these events? When we stand for Him, can we trust Him Who stood in for us on the cross?