Cornerstone Class Outline for 5/26/19
·
Announcements,
praises and prayer requests—Vicki Kerns
·
Greeting:
o
Good morning!
§ Planted tomatoes in the rain
§ Had to pull a bunch of mint
·
Introduction: I’d
like to start by reading Isaiah 40:31 NKJV:
“But
those who wait on the LORD
Shall
renew their strength;
They
shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They
shall run and not be weary,
They
shall walk and not faint.”
o
Sometimes,
instead of waiting for God’s timing, we get impulsive and do something we’re
not ready for.
o
Often, an
impulsive decision has bad consequences.
o
When Esther
decided to risk her life by approaching King Xerxes, she chose to wait three
days before actually doing it.
o
She wisely did
this so the Jews in Susa could fast and pray for her before she approached the
king. These prayers would certainly result in spiritual strength and wisdom
from God.
o
Also, this
waiting period gave Esther time to plan her strategy on how she would
effectively approach Xerxes and make her request.
o
It’s safe to say
that Esther waited on the Lord for three days so she would gain inner strength
and wisdom before undertaking her difficult task.
·
A quick recap of
Esther 3-4
o
Haman, who was Xerxes’
most powerful official, issued an edict that all the Jews were to be
annihilated. The edict would take effect in 11 months.
o
Mordecai informed
Queen Esther of Haman’s evil plan. Mordecai requested that Esther plead with
the king to show mercy to the Jewish people.
o
Esther did not
answer yes to Mordecai’s request. She explained that if she approached the king
and he didn’t extend the gold scepter, then she would be killed.
o
Mordecai responded
to Esther’s hesitancy with more intensity. He told her that she and her family
would die if she refused to approach Xerxes. He also said that God would
provide another way to deliver the Jews.
o
Esther then said
yes and boldly instructed Mordecai to have the Jews in Susa fast for her for
three days. Then Esther would approach the king.
·
Let’s read Esther
5:1-5 NIV
1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and
stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king
was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw
Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her
the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip
of the scepter.
3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What
is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”
4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the
king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”
5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we
may do what Esther asks.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had
prepared.
·
QUESTIONS on
Esther 5:1-5
o
Esther instructed
Mordecai to tell the Jews in Susa to fast for three days before she approached
Xerxes. This waiting period gave her time to gain wisdom and strength from
God—and to develop a strategy. In your
own life, how has waiting on the Lord resulted in spiritual strength, wisdom or
some other blessing from God?
o
Why do you think Esther also invited Haman to the two banquets?
§ With Haman present, Esther could directly accuse him
of being the mastermind behind the plot to annihilate the Jews. If Haman were
not present, her accusation would have less impact with Xerxes.
§ “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”
Perhaps Esther wanted to size Haman up and get to know him better before
unloading her accusation.
·
Application/Conclusion
·
Closing prayer
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