Two thousand five hundred years ago one of the most amazing dramas of all time unfolded in the heart of the world's super power. A young girl named Hadassah became queen. Her adopted father pushed her to endanger her life for the life of her people. Hadassah was reluctant. Her settled determination became, “If I perish, I perish” (Est. 4:16). The book of Esther tells one of the most moving stories of all time. Some believe it is fictional. We know it is historic. It inspires us: To have faith in God; To know God is in control; To take a stand for what is right - for God’s people & for His kingdom; To think we might be in the “kingdom for such a time as this.” This is the first of several lessons from Esther and will look at: 1. Background. 2. Overview of chapter 1. 3. Lessons from chapter 1.

2. Amazing drama 2,500 years ago
✲ Young woman
✲ Great danger – life & death
✲ No choice

3. Esther
One of the most inspiring stories of all time
✲ Faith in God
✲ Know God is in control
✲ Take a stand
✲ We are here “for such a time as this”

4. Esther

5. Esther
Persian Empire – “super power”
✲ India to Ethiopia, Est. 1:1

6. Esther

7. Esther
Persian Empire – “super power”
✲ India to Ethiopia, Est. 1:1
✲ Capital: Susa, Est. 1:2
✲ Conquered Babylon, Dan. 5:30, 31
✲ King Ahasuerus (Xerxes): 486-465 BC

8. Esther
Events take place 483-473 BC
✲ Judah conquered by Babylon 606-586 BC
✲ Esther’s great-grandfather captive in 597 BC
✲ Daughter of Abihail, Est. 2:15
✲ Cousin of Mordecai, Est. 2:5-7
✲ Fits between Ezra 6 & 7
✲ Chapter 1: before Xerxes invaded Greece
✲ Chapter 2: after humiliating defeat in Greece

9. Esther
Purpose – Theme
✲ Providence of God
◇ God not mentioned
◇ Worship not mentioned
◇ Prayer not mentioned
✲ Origin of Purim
✲ God exalts the humble
& humbles the exalted

10. Esther
Glory of the kingdom displayed 180 days,
Est. 1:1-9
✲ Building confidence
✲ Seven-day feast, Est. 1:5-8
◇ For all the capital
◇ Opulent fixtures
◇ Women had separate feast

11. Esther
Queen Vashti ordered to display her beauty,
Est. 1:10-12
✲ Xerxes intoxicated, 1:10
✲ Improper
✲ Vashti refused

12. Esther
Xerxes & advisors acts against the queen,
Est. 1:13-22
✲ Angry & drunk, 1:12
✲ Council likely intoxicated
✲ Vashti removed from being queen
✲ Decree
◇ Women to honor husbands
◇ Man is the master of his home

13. Esther
Money is the root of all kinds of evil,
1 Tim. 6:6-10
✲ Arrogance for Xerxes
✲ Wealth & power does not equal leadership
✲ Christians to pursue righteousness,
1 Tim. 6:11-14

14. Esther
Intoxication leads to foolish actions,
Prov. 31:4, 5
✲ Caused a “national crisis”
✲ Not wise, Prov. 20:1
✲ Be sober to fight the devil, 1 Pt. 5:8, 9

15. Esther
Poor advisors lead to poor advice,
Prov. 13:20
✲ Need people to clarify your thinking
✲ Need wounds of a friend, Prov. 27:6
✲ Seek exhortation, Heb. 3:12, 13

16. Esther
A man is the head of his household,
Eph. 5:22-24
✲ Sacrificial love, Eph. 5:25
✲ Cherish & nourish, Eph. 5:28, 29
✲ Respect wife’s dignity, 1 Pt. 3:1-7

17. Esther
One of the most inspiring stories of all time
✲ Faith in God
✲ Know God is in control
✲ Take a stand
✲ We are here “for such a time as this”