Faith Christian Center
The Book of Esther (Part 1): Even When I Don't See It, You're Working
The Book of Daniel is the perfect book for you to study right now as you begin 2023! Join Pastor Kerrick as he shares from the Book of Esther and connects the eternal principles of the book to your life today!
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Wednesday 7:30 PM
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I am the salt of the earth. I am the light of this world. Jesus said it so I believe it. I am a carrier of the Glory of God. Today, I will experience the extreme goodness of God. Today, I make myself available for God to show His goodness to others through me. Today, I am increasing in influence. Today, I will see the goodness of God in my life! Today, something good is going to happen to me so I expect miracles.
I am the salt of the earth. I am the light of this world. Jesus said it so I believe it. I am a carrier of the Glory of God. Today, I will experience the extreme goodness of God. Today, I make myself available for God to show His goodness to others through me. Today, I am increasing in influence. Today, I will see the goodness of God in my life! Today, something good is going to happen to me so I expect miracles.
Extreme 30 Challenge
1. Attend All January Sunday & Wednesday Experiences
2. Participate in 30 Days of Prayer
3. Pray an extra 30 Minutes a day
4. Exercise 30 minutes a day
5. Drink 30 oz of water a day
6. Stream Faith in the Morning every week day
7. Perform a random act of kindness daily
2. Participate in 30 Days of Prayer
3. Pray an extra 30 Minutes a day
4. Exercise 30 minutes a day
5. Drink 30 oz of water a day
6. Stream Faith in the Morning every week day
7. Perform a random act of kindness daily
Who was Ahasuerus? We know him from history as Xerxes. He is a Persian emperor famously remembered from his invasion of Greece as portrayed in the movie 300.
Xerxes was the son of Darius I and Atossa, daughter of Cyrus. (We learned about Cyrus in our previous study of Daniel.). After the death of Darius 1, Xerxes ascended to the throne in 486 BC at the age of 35.
The opening events of the Book of Esther take place approximately 50 years after the events of Daniel 12. As we covered in our study of Daniel, by 537 BC, the Jews began their return to their homeland.
Xerxes was the son of Darius I and Atossa, daughter of Cyrus. (We learned about Cyrus in our previous study of Daniel.). After the death of Darius 1, Xerxes ascended to the throne in 486 BC at the age of 35.
The opening events of the Book of Esther take place approximately 50 years after the events of Daniel 12. As we covered in our study of Daniel, by 537 BC, the Jews began their return to their homeland.
By 520 BC, Haggai and Zechariah begin their prophetic ministry in Jerusalem. However, not all Jews returned to Israel. There are many who stayed in the places where they were scattered, including the heroic family in the Book of Esther. The Book of Esther takes place in the gap of time found in the middle of the Book of Ezra.
In the Book of Daniel, our maine location was Babylon. In the Book of Esther, we have moved to Shushan (or Susa) in modern day Iran. It is believed that the tomb of Daniel is located in Susa. Xerxes is the leader of the Persian Empire - the silver part of the statue, the ram, and the bear of the visions in the Book of Daniel.
In the latter part of Xerxes' feast, Queen Vashti holds a feast for the women. Xerxes commands for the Queen to come to his feast in order to show her off to all of the nobles gathered. Queen Vashti's refuses. The Bible does not say why she refused, but we do know that it resulted in Xerxes' anger and her being deposed as Queen. This opening chapter sets the understanding that it was dangerous to refuse the king's summons. Later chapters reveal that it was dangerous to approach the king without being summoned.
The book starts out with feasts filled with alcohol and a drunken ruler. The next chapter leads to a beauty pageant in the search for a new Queen, an assassination attempt, and begins to set the scene for plots of murder and genocide that are revealed later in the Book.
In the latter part of Xerxes' feast, Queen Vashti holds a feast for the women. Xerxes commands for the Queen to come to his feast in order to show her off to all of the nobles gathered. Queen Vashti's refuses. The Bible does not say why she refused, but we do know that it resulted in Xerxes' anger and her being deposed as Queen. This opening chapter sets the understanding that it was dangerous to refuse the king's summons. Later chapters reveal that it was dangerous to approach the king without being summoned.
The book starts out with feasts filled with alcohol and a drunken ruler. The next chapter leads to a beauty pageant in the search for a new Queen, an assassination attempt, and begins to set the scene for plots of murder and genocide that are revealed later in the Book.
Why is this information important? Kish is a royal family. It is the family of King Saul. Mordecai and Esther are descendants of the family of Kish.
When Esther's parents died, Mordecai adopted his cousin and raised her as his own daughter.
As in the life of Daniel, the favor of God had tremendous impact on the life of Esther.
The gate was a place for elders and city officials.
Is Haman being an Agagite important to this story? This reveals to us that Haman was a royal descendant of the Amalekite king, Agag. The Amalekites and Israel were enemies from the days of Book of Exodus, to the Book of Judges, throughout the time of Saul, David, and even in the days of Hezekiah.
An ancient enemy had arisen to destroy the people of God. This is a dangerous time under a dangerous king. In the midst of drunkenness, assassination attempts, and plots for genocide, God is at work.
What's unique about the Book of Esther is that it is the only Book of the Bible where God isn't mentioned.
What does that lead us to do? It leads us to dive into this book and see how God is at work.
1. Has there ever been times in your life where God was at work and you didn't realize it?
2. Have you ever just been at the right place, at the right time, with the right people, and doing the right thing?
What's unique about the Book of Esther is that it is the only Book of the Bible where God isn't mentioned.
What does that lead us to do? It leads us to dive into this book and see how God is at work.
1. Has there ever been times in your life where God was at work and you didn't realize it?
2. Have you ever just been at the right place, at the right time, with the right people, and doing the right thing?
Tonight's Confession
"The favor of God is upon my life! The Spirit of God lives with me. I follow His leading. I follow His direction. I am the salt of this earth. I am the light of this world. I am always in the right place, at the right time, with the right people, doing the right thing. I am not an accident; I am a miracle going somewhere to happen. My steps are ordered by the Lord."
"The favor of God is upon my life! The Spirit of God lives with me. I follow His leading. I follow His direction. I am the salt of this earth. I am the light of this world. I am always in the right place, at the right time, with the right people, doing the right thing. I am not an accident; I am a miracle going somewhere to happen. My steps are ordered by the Lord."