God's Grace and Sovereignty in Esther's Journey

Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the second chapter of the Book of Esther, exploring the intricate and often hidden ways God works in our lives. We began by reflecting on the recent Vacation Bible School (VBS) and the importance of praying for our children as they navigate a world filled with distractions and temptations. We then transitioned into the story of Esther, a young Jewish woman who rose to prominence in the Persian Empire under King Ahasuerus. Despite God's name not being mentioned in the Book of Esther, His presence and influence are evident throughout the narrative.

King Ahasuerus, after a series of extravagant parties and a failed military campaign against Greece, sought a new queen to replace Vashti. Esther, a beautiful and compliant young woman, was chosen from among 400 candidates. Despite her outward beauty and charm, Esther was not without flaws. She hid her Jewish identity and disobeyed God's laws, yet God still used her for His divine purposes. This highlights a crucial lesson: God's plans for His glory and our good are not thwarted by our imperfections.

We also examined the stark contrast between Esther and Daniel, another biblical figure who faced similar challenges but chose to remain steadfast in his faith. While Esther compromised, Daniel stood firm, demonstrating that God blesses those who openly live out their faith. However, the story of Esther also reassures us that God's grace and forgiveness are available to all, regardless of our past mistakes.

As we reflect on Esther's journey, we are reminded of three key warnings: the consequences of disobedience, the dangers of hiding our faith, and the futility of investing in worldly pursuits over eternal ones. Yet, despite these warnings, the overarching message is one of hope and redemption. God calls us to trust Him, to repent, and to embrace the transformative power of His love and grace.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Consequences of Disobedience: Disobedience to God's commands has real consequences. Esther and Mordecai chose to stay in Susa rather than return to Jerusalem as decreed, leading to a series of events that placed Esther in morally compromising situations. This serves as a reminder that our choices have repercussions, but God's grace is always available to guide us back to His path. [38:20]

2. Hiding Our Faith: Mordecai instructed Esther to conceal her Jewish identity, fearing the potential negative impact. This act of hiding one's faith can resonate with many of us who may feel pressured to conform to societal norms. However, God calls us to be bold in our faith, trusting that He will protect and bless us when we stand firm in our beliefs. [40:57]

3. Investing in Worldly Pursuits: Esther spent a year preparing to meet the king, focusing on her outward appearance and compliance. This mirrors how we often invest significant time and effort into worldly achievements and appearances. God, however, desires that we invest in eternal pursuits, focusing on our spiritual growth and relationship with Him. [43:03]

4. God's Sovereignty and Grace: Despite Esther's flaws and disobedience, God used her to fulfill His divine purposes. This illustrates that our sins and shortcomings do not thwart God's plans. His grace is sufficient, and He can use even our mistakes for His glory and our good. This is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the boundless nature of His grace. [25:07]

5. Trusting in God's Plan: The story of Esther challenges us to trust in God's unseen hand at work in our lives. While we may prefer dramatic signs like those in the Book of Exodus, God often works quietly and subtly. He has given us His Word and promises, asking us to trust Him even when we cannot see the full picture. This trust is foundational to our faith journey. [14:08]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[03:17] - Prayer for Our Children
[06:33] - Introduction to King Ahasuerus
[10:07] - Queen Vashti's Refusal
[13:05] - God's Unseen Hand
[15:05] - Esther's Selection
[19:00] - Introduction to Mordecai and Esther
[22:09] - Esther's Favor with Haggai
[25:07] - God's Use of Imperfect People
[27:03] - The Year of Preparation
[29:10] - Esther Becomes Queen
[33:40] - Mordecai Uncovers a Plot
[35:48] - Relatability of Esther
[38:20] - Consequences of Disobedience
[40:57] - Hiding Our Faith
[43:03] - Investing in Worldly Pursuits
[45:12] - God's Grace and Forgiveness
[47:13] - Trusting in God's Plan
[49:09] - Invitation to Respond

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Esther 2:1-18 - The story of Esther's selection as queen.
2. Daniel 1:8-16 - Daniel's refusal to defile himself with the king's food.
3. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

#### Observation Questions
1. What were the circumstances that led to Esther being chosen as queen? ([15:05])
2. How did Esther's behavior contrast with Daniel's when faced with similar challenges? ([24:06])
3. What were the consequences of Esther and Mordecai's decision to stay in Susa rather than return to Jerusalem? ([38:20])
4. How does the story of Esther illustrate God's sovereignty and grace despite human flaws? ([25:07])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Esther's story teach us about the consequences of disobedience to God's commands? ([38:20])
2. How can hiding one's faith impact their life and the lives of those around them, as seen in Esther's concealment of her Jewish identity? ([40:57])
3. In what ways do we invest in worldly pursuits over eternal ones, similar to Esther's year-long preparation to meet the king? ([43:03])
4. How does the story of Esther challenge us to trust in God's unseen hand at work in our lives? ([14:08])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced consequences for disobeying God's commands. How did you see God's grace at work in that situation? ([38:20])
2. Have you ever felt pressured to hide your faith in a particular setting? How did you handle it, and what might you do differently now? ([40:57])
3. What are some ways you currently invest in worldly pursuits? How can you shift your focus to invest more in your spiritual growth and relationship with God? ([43:03])
4. Think of a situation where you struggled to see God's hand at work. How can you remind yourself to trust in His plan even when it is not immediately visible? ([14:08])
5. Esther's story shows that God can use our imperfections for His glory. How can you embrace your flaws and trust that God can still use you for His purposes? ([25:07])
6. Identify one area in your life where you need to repent and seek God's forgiveness. What steps will you take this week to address this? ([45:12])
7. How can you be more intentional about living out your faith boldly in your daily interactions? What specific actions will you take to ensure your faith is visible to others? ([40:57])

Devotional

Day 1: The Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience to God's commands has real consequences. Esther and Mordecai chose to stay in Susa rather than return to Jerusalem as decreed, leading to a series of events that placed Esther in morally compromising situations. This serves as a reminder that our choices have repercussions, but God's grace is always available to guide us back to His path. [38:20]

Ezra 9:7 (ESV): "From the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt. And for our iniquities, we, our kings, and our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as it is today."

Reflection: Think of a time when you faced consequences due to disobedience. How did you see God's grace guiding you back to His path?

Day 2: Hiding Our Faith
Mordecai instructed Esther to conceal her Jewish identity, fearing the potential negative impact. This act of hiding one's faith can resonate with many of us who may feel pressured to conform to societal norms. However, God calls us to be bold in our faith, trusting that He will protect and bless us when we stand firm in our beliefs. [40:57]

Matthew 10:32-33 (ESV): "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you felt pressured to hide your faith. How can you take a step towards being more open about your beliefs today?

Day 3: Investing in Worldly Pursuits
Esther spent a year preparing to meet the king, focusing on her outward appearance and compliance. This mirrors how we often invest significant time and effort into worldly achievements and appearances. God, however, desires that we invest in eternal pursuits, focusing on our spiritual growth and relationship with Him. [43:03]

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV): "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."

Reflection: Identify one area where you are investing too much in worldly pursuits. What is one practical step you can take to invest more in your spiritual growth?

Day 4: God's Sovereignty and Grace
Despite Esther's flaws and disobedience, God used her to fulfill His divine purposes. This illustrates that our sins and shortcomings do not thwart God's plans. His grace is sufficient, and He can use even our mistakes for His glory and our good. This is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the boundless nature of His grace. [25:07]

Romans 5:20 (ESV): "Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more."

Reflection: Think about a mistake or shortcoming in your life. How can you trust in God's grace to use it for His glory and your good?

Day 5: Trusting in God's Plan
The story of Esther challenges us to trust in God's unseen hand at work in our lives. While we may prefer dramatic signs like those in the Book of Exodus, God often works quietly and subtly. He has given us His Word and promises, asking us to trust Him even when we cannot see the full picture. This trust is foundational to our faith journey. [14:08]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: Reflect on a current situation where you are struggling to see God's hand at work. How can you practice trusting in His plan today?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "That they would know that they are loved. That they are cherished. That you have a plan for their life. And it is a plan. Plan to do them good for your sake. Lord, I pray for the parents and the grandparents that are raising up these kids, that are discipling them. Lord, I pray that you would give them wisdom in the way that they should treat them and disciple them." [03:17] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "But what God has said to us is he said, hey, I've given you my word. I've given you my word, the Bible. And he says, you know what? I've also given you a promise. I've given you a promise that I love you. I will never leave you. This is my promise to you. And what he says is, I need you to trust me. I need you to trust me. In your life, I am working all things for my glory and your good." [14:08] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If you will come to me. See the Jesus that we serve. Loves you no matter what mistakes. You've made in the past. Doesn't matter what you've done. How bad you've been. How imperfect you have been. The Jesus that we serve says. I am the way. The truth and the life. Come to me. And if you will come to me. I will forgive you. I will make you clean. I will redeem you. And change your life forever." [46:14] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "But. But. Our God is bigger. Our God is stronger. And our God is more loving. Than anything we could ever imagine. And all he says. Is will you trust me. Will you. Trust me." [47:13] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Walk away different. Knowing that you have a God. That loves you more than you could ever imagine. And that is good news. Amen." [49:38] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "One of the things that I really want you to see. Is that despite Esther and Mordecai's sin. God still chose them. And used them for his purposes. Folks, one of the lessons we will learn throughout Esther. Is that even when we sin. God still has a plan for us. God is not going to let this happen. Even though we have sin in our lives. Even though it hurts him. Stop his plans. For his glory. And our good. Our sins cannot stop it. And folks, that's really good news." [25:07] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "As I read the book of Esther. And I hope as you're seeing. Time and time again. God is going to say. Don't disobey me. I don't want you. To disobey me. There are consequences for it. I don't want you to hide your faith from people. But I want you to shine your light. To the world. I don't want you. To put your time and your effort. Into the things of this world. Put it into the things. Of eternity. Put it into my. Kingdom." [44:10] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You hear these warnings. Consequences. For disobedience. Lack of showing your faith. Putting in the wrong type of work. If that is your life. If you sit here and you go. Yeah. I can relate to that. That's me. Then I have good news for you. Jesus Christ came. And Jesus Christ says simply. Repent. Run to me. I am here. And I have arms wide open. To forgive you. To love you. To change your life. To give you purpose. Far beyond what you could ever have imagined." [45:44] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "One of the things that we know about our God. Even though his name is not mentioned. In the book of Esther. Even though he does not speak directly. In the book of Esther. We know that he is moving. To teach us something. From that book. You see we don't live. With a God. That is out there. We live with a God. Who is present." [36:20] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The God that we serve. Intimately loves us. And wants to know us. And so one of the things he did. Is he gave us. The Bible. He gave us the Bible. So that we could know his will. And his purposes. In our lives." [37:21] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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