Introduction

Messengers of the Good News!

• Today, we will learn about a proclamation of good news for the Jews. Their lives were going to be saved from the wicked plan of Haman. Is it not wonderful that someone shared with us the good news of salvation in Jesus? Satan wants to destroy us, but Jesus has provided salvation for all who believe on Him. Use this game to introduce today’s lesson and theme.
• Tape the paper to each corner of your room. Have the volunteer’s line up on opposite sides of the room against the wall. The object of the game will be to have one volunteer at a time take the message (bean bag) to the four corners of the room (can represent the four corners of the world) and tag each corner. After tagging all four corners, the volunteer will hand the bean bag to the person in the front of the line, go to the end of the line, and sit down. The person at the front of the line will take the message to the four corners and then, pass it on to the next person.
• With purpose, passion, and a sense of urgency, let us take the good news of the Gospel to the four corners of the world as Jesus commanded!

Bible Story

• Esther chose to yield her life to God’s purposes, and God used her in a mighty way—to deliver the whole Jewish population that had been sentenced to death. Let’s consider the godly characteristics of Esther— one who God used as a leader in accomplishing His will.
  1. Esther disciplined herself to be obedient to authorities in her life
  (Esther 2:8-9, 20).
  2. She had God’s call upon her life (Esther 4:13, 14).
  3. Esther trusted God’s promises for her life (Esther 4:14-16).
  4. God gave Esther His instructions (Esther 2:22, 4:8-14).
  5. She accepted God’s will (Esther 4:16).
  6. She was confident of God’s providence and help (Esther 4:15,16).
  7. She was able to stir her people to fasting and prayer as she herself
  set the example of fasting (Esther 4:15,16).
  8. She considered the timing of her actions (Esther 5:1-8).
  9. Her influence was unusual for a woman of her time.
  10. She wrote an edict that was entered in official records (Esther
  9:29, 32).
  11. Esther was courageous and self-sacrificing (Esther 5:16).
• Esther was quite an example to follow for those of us who seek to live our lives in a way that will please God. In today’s lesson, Esther will again demonstrate courage and self-sacrifice. You may remember from our last lesson, God’s people in Persia have a big problem. The king’s decree which gave permission to the people of Persia to destroy the Jews on a certain day—the thirteenth day of the twelfth month—could not be reversed, even by the king himself! It was law.
• King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman to Esther. Note, Haman is referred to as the “Jews’ enemy.” What a sad legacy! As the Jews enemy, he had become God’s enemy. Zechariah 2:8 tells us, “For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.’”
• It was the custom that the properties of a traitor, in this case Haman, became the property of the king. King Ahasuerus gave the confiscated property to Queen Esther as restitution for the offence against her. Not only was Mordecai’s life saved from Haman’s wrath, when the king gave Mordecai his signet ring, it indicated he was promoted as Haman’s successor in the court.
• Esther again boldly approached the king who held out the golden scepter. (Esther, once more, endangered her life; remember, if the king
  does not hold out the golden scepter, an uninvited guest will be put to death.) Esther’s life and Mordecai’s life had been spared, but Esther was concerned for the lives of her people who remained sentenced to death by the king’s decree. She pleaded to the king, imploring him to take away Haman’s wicked decree against the Jews in the kingdom and, thus, spare their lives. What a beautiful picture is created as Queen Esther identifies herself with her people, showing her love for them. “For how can I endure to see the evil that will come to my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my countrymen?”
• What an example of love! The Bible says, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus loves us that way! The Bible says the Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance. God does not want to see anyone die and spend eternity in hell. Roman 5:7,8 states, “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We were all under a death sentence. God provided forgiveness and redemption through faith in Jesus Christ. Have you received His gift of grace?
• By law, the king could not revoke his edict. However, nothing could prevent him from making a new law. The king gave Esther and Mordecai the permission and responsibility to create a new law; and he would approve it with his seal.
• Now, there would now be a second law that would be as strong as the first one, but would turn the whole situation around. The new law gave the Jewish people the right to arm and protect themselves and nine months to prepare themselves. Now, the people of the land would understand that the king did not want the Jews to be harmed. God protects His people.
• Mordecai, dressed in royal attire, receives a joyful welcome from the city of Shushan from both the Gentiles and Jews. God exalted Mordecai to a position he did not seek. The Bible says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up” (James 4:10). Psalm 75:6,7 states, “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one and exalts another.”
• Now, the Jews are rejoicing; what a contrast to their reaction when they heard the first decree of death! As the people around them saw how they had been delivered, many of them “became” Jews. They were converted! While under Haman’s decree, it was dangerous to be a Jew; under Mordecai’s decree, it was no longer a danger, but a desire to many.
• God had delivered His people. He had worked behind the scenes. He used willing vessels to accomplish His purposes and plans—Esther and Mordecai. Once, again God’s heart of love and desire to work on behalf of His people was beautifully displayed. God protects His people.

Prayer

Lead the children in a prayer of trust to commit to the Lord anything that might make the children afraid, knowing that God will always protect His people. If there are any children who have not yet responded to the Gospel, give them opportunity.