God's Providence: Opportunities in Esther's Journey
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to Shiloh! Today, we delved into the book of Esther, focusing on Esther 2. We explored the story of Esther, a Jewish orphan who rose to become the queen of Persia, highlighting God's providence and sovereignty. Despite God's name not being mentioned in the book, His fingerprints are evident throughout Esther's journey. We discussed how God often works behind the scenes, orchestrating events for His purposes, even when He seems absent.
We emphasized the importance of being intentional with the influence God has given us. This involves recognizing that opportunities often come disguised as obstacles. Esther's life exemplifies this, as she faced significant challenges but ultimately stepped into a position of great influence. We also noted that God often delivers opportunities through people, and it's crucial to build bridges rather than burn them.
Patience and preparation are key to seizing God-given opportunities. Esther's journey to becoming queen took time and involved significant preparation. We must be willing to wait and prepare for God's timing. Lastly, we learned that God opportunities are always bigger than us. They are meant to bless others and advance God's kingdom, not just our personal agendas.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Providence and Sovereignty: Even when God seems absent, He is working behind the scenes to fulfill His purposes. Trusting in God's providence means believing that He is in control, even when we can't see it. This trust is crucial during times of uncertainty and doubt. [09:39]
2. Opportunities Disguised as Obstacles: God often wraps opportunities in the form of obstacles. Esther's rise from an orphan to a queen is a testament to this. We must not be deterred by challenges but see them as potential opportunities for God's work in our lives. [19:30]
3. The Role of People in Delivering Opportunities: God frequently uses people to deliver His opportunities. Building and maintaining relationships is essential, as God can use anyone, even those who do not share our faith, to bring about His plans. [27:42]
4. Patience and Preparation: Seizing God-given opportunities requires patience and preparation. Esther's journey to becoming queen took years of preparation. We must be willing to wait and prepare for God's timing, understanding that significant promises often take time to fulfill. [32:28]
5. God Opportunities Are Bigger Than Us: God blesses us not just for our benefit but so we can be a blessing to others. Our influence and opportunities should be used to advance God's kingdom and help others, reflecting the selfless nature of Jesus. [44:44]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:31] - Introduction to Esther 2
[02:50] - Esther's Background
[03:47] - Prayer and Surrender
[04:47] - God's Faithfulness and Influence
[06:04] - The Importance of Being Intentional
[07:29] - Esther: A True Cinderella Story
[08:32] - Trusting God's Providence
[09:39] - God's Sovereignty
[10:43] - Background of King Ahasuerus
[11:49] - Historical Context of Esther
[13:16] - The Persian Party
[14:40] - Vashti's Rebellion
[16:12] - Esther's Selection
[17:51] - Differentiating Good and God Opportunities
[19:30] - Obstacles as Opportunities
[22:45] - Steven Spielberg's Jaws Analogy
[25:55] - Overcoming Challenges
[27:42] - Opportunities Through People
[29:27] - Importance of Alignment
[32:28] - Patience and Preparation
[34:05] - Esther's Year of Preparation
[35:31] - Serving God in All Seasons
[38:26] - Being Ready for God's Call
[40:03] - Setting Up Systems for Success
[41:39] - Living Prepared for Influence
[43:11] - God Opportunities Are Bigger Than Us
[44:44] - Using Influence for God's Glory
[46:19] - Esther as a Type of Jesus
[47:51] - Nothing is Wasted in God's Kingdom
[49:32] - Communion and Reflection
[51:16] - The Significance of Jesus' Sacrifice
[54:55] - Invitation to Salvation
[56:02] - Closing and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Esther 2:1-9 (ESV)
> "After these things, when the anger of King Ahasuerus had abated, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her. Then the king's young men who attended him said, 'Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king, and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in Susa, the citadel, under custody of Haggai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women. Let their cosmetics be given to them. And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.' This pleased the king, and he did so. Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite, who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away. He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter. So when the king's order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of Haggai, Esther also was taken into the king's palace and put in custody of Haggai, who had charge of the women. And the young woman pleased him and won his favor. And he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her portion of food, and with seven chosen young women from the king's palace, and advanced her and her young women to the best place in the harem."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the initial reason for King Ahasuerus to seek out a new queen? ([01:31])
2. How did Esther come to be in the king's palace, and what was her background? ([02:50])
3. What role did Mordecai play in Esther's life, and how did he influence her journey? ([02:50])
4. How did Esther find favor in the eyes of Haggai, the king's eunuch? ([02:50])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Esther illustrate God's providence and sovereignty, even when His name is not mentioned? ([07:29])
2. In what ways can obstacles in our lives be seen as opportunities for God's work, similar to Esther's journey from orphan to queen? ([19:30])
3. How does the relationship between Esther and Mordecai demonstrate the importance of people in delivering God's opportunities? ([27:42])
4. What can we learn from Esther's patience and preparation before she became queen, and how does this apply to our own lives? ([32:28])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence was absent in your life. How did you see His providence and sovereignty in hindsight? ([09:39])
2. Think of a current obstacle you are facing. How might this be an opportunity for God to work in your life? ([19:30])
3. Identify a person in your life who has been instrumental in delivering opportunities to you. How can you build and maintain this relationship? ([27:42])
4. What steps can you take to be more patient and prepared for God's timing in your life? ([32:28])
5. How can you use your current influence and opportunities to bless others and advance God's kingdom? ([44:44])
6. Are there any relationships in your life that need mending to ensure you are not burning bridges that God might use for His purposes? ([27:42])
7. How can you live today as if God is already doing what you are waiting for, similar to how Esther lived like a queen before she was crowned? ([43:11])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Hidden Hand
Description: God's providence and sovereignty are often at work behind the scenes, even when He seems absent. The story of Esther is a powerful reminder that God is in control, orchestrating events for His purposes. Esther, a Jewish orphan, rose to become the queen of Persia, a position that allowed her to save her people. This journey was not without its challenges, but through it all, God's fingerprints were evident. Trusting in God's providence means believing that He is in control, even when we can't see it. This trust is crucial during times of uncertainty and doubt. [09:39]
Esther 4:14 (ESV): "For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you feel God's presence is absent. How can you trust that He is working behind the scenes for your good?
Day 2: Seeing Obstacles as Opportunities
Description: God often wraps opportunities in the form of obstacles. Esther's rise from an orphan to a queen is a testament to this. She faced significant challenges, including the risk of her life, but these obstacles were actually opportunities for God's work in her life. We must not be deterred by challenges but see them as potential opportunities for God's work. This perspective shift can help us embrace difficulties with faith and courage, knowing that God can use them for His greater purposes. [19:30]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Identify a current obstacle in your life. How can you reframe it as an opportunity for God to work through you?
Day 3: Building Bridges for God's Opportunities
Description: God frequently uses people to deliver His opportunities. Building and maintaining relationships is essential, as God can use anyone, even those who do not share our faith, to bring about His plans. Esther's relationship with Mordecai and her ability to navigate the Persian court were crucial in her journey. We must be intentional about building bridges rather than burning them, recognizing that God often delivers opportunities through people. [27:42]
Proverbs 27:17 (ESV): "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that needs mending or strengthening. What steps can you take today to build a bridge in that relationship?
Day 4: Embracing Patience and Preparation
Description: Seizing God-given opportunities requires patience and preparation. Esther's journey to becoming queen took years of preparation. She had to undergo a year of beauty treatments and learn the ways of the Persian court. Similarly, we must be willing to wait and prepare for God's timing, understanding that significant promises often take time to fulfill. This process of preparation is crucial for us to be ready when God's opportunities arise. [32:28]
Psalm 27:14 (ESV): "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you need to be more patient. What practical steps can you take to prepare yourself for God's timing?
Day 5: Using Influence for God's Kingdom
Description: God blesses us not just for our benefit but so we can be a blessing to others. Our influence and opportunities should be used to advance God's kingdom and help others, reflecting the selfless nature of Jesus. Esther used her position as queen to save her people, demonstrating that God-given opportunities are always bigger than us. They are meant to bless others and advance God's kingdom, not just our personal agendas. [44:44]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: Consider the influence and opportunities you have in your life. How can you use them today to bless others and advance God's kingdom?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Even when we can't feel God, we can still learn to have faith in God. Even when God seems absent, we can rest and ensure that God is present. While you are waiting, God is working it all out for your good. He is a providential God providing for His people." [10:43] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God blesses you not so you could just be blessed. He blesses you so you could be a blessing to others. He doesn't promote you just to be on the top of the mountain. He promotes you on the top of the mountain to bring others up with you." [44:44] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Tell your neighbor, God never said it would be easy. I'm telling you right now, opportunity is knocking. There's a God opportunity awaiting you. And I believe it. I heard it so clear even as I was writing this sermon." [25:55] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God's opportunity is going to come laced in obstacles, laced in challenges. So don't be surprised when you step into your future and there's headwinds. But don't let those setbacks or deficiencies stop you from being efficient for God." [21:11] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God's saying I want you to pray. I want you to set up a system to be a better steward of the body I've given you. See I need that accountability. I need that structure around me so that when I start the new year or we start here at Shiloh a new school year we want to make sure we're always putting God first because I believe that on the other side of that action of prayer and fasting and humbling ourselves there's going to be a God opportunity." [41:39] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "God opportunities are disguised as obstacles. I've discovered in my life that God opportunities often, more often than not, come wrapped up in the form of an obstacle. We see this in Esther's life. Because it was, it's fun to talk about her being a queen, her being a big deal, how she was the most beautiful one of all. But don't miss the facts that she was an orphan. Her mom and dad died. She was raised by Mordecai. Don't miss the fact that she had some setbacks. She had real pain. She had real heartache." [19:30] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God opportunities are delivered through people. 99% of the time, God will bring opportunity through a person. James says that God, is the father of good gifts. God is the sender of every good gift. But more often than not, He will deliver the gift through the form of a person." [27:42] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God opportunities open wide for those who patiently prepare. See our mistake we make as believers is we think that as fast as we read this Bible is the same amount of time it takes for it to happen. Well let me tell you real life is not a Disney fairytale. It's not 80 minutes with a great story. It's not a movie. It's not a great plot and some twists and some turns and some climax and then a resolution. That's not real life. When real life unfolds there's a process to it. It requires patience and waiting." [32:28] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God opportunities are always bigger than you. Tell your neighbor it's not about you, boo. Come on, tell somebody you don't know it's not about you, boo. Tell the other person that you picked third. Tell them, tell them it's bigger than you, boo. See, God blesses you not so you could just be blessed. He blesses you so you could be a blessing to others." [44:44] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Your alignment is more important than your assignment. All of you worried about your assignment. Your promotion. Your position. And your dollars. And your cents. And your address. And your location. It was in a heathen kingdom that God blessed Esther. You want to know what God's going to do in this house? Look at how we're blessing. We're going to. They're going to say look at the look at the move of God that went from the west coast to the east coast and around the world." [29:27] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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