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Esther

Scripture Content Outline	Supplementary Study Sources
Esther 1–2. Esther Replaced Vashti As Queen Vashti was dethroned for refusing to appear before King Ahasuerus (see Esther 1). Esther, a Jewish girl, was reared by her cousin Mordecai after her parents died (see Esther 2:5–7). Esther was chosen from among many young virgins to be the new queen (see Esther 2:1–4, 8–20). Mordecai overheard a plot to kill the king; through Esther, he informed the king, and the would-be assassins were hanged (see Esther 2:21–23).	Religion 302 student manual, 31-1 through 31-7. Bible dictionary, s.v. “Esther, Book of.” An overview of the book of Esther is given.
Esther 3–5. Haman Secured a Death Decree for All Jews, So Esther Petitioned the King for Their Lives Haman, angered by Mordecai’s refusal to bow to him, sought the extermination of all Jews (see Esther 3:1–7). Haman persuaded the king to order the annihilation of the Jews by portraying them as rebellious and by promising the king that this action would increase revenues (see Esther 3:8–15). Mordecai asked Esther to plead for her nation before the king (see Esther 4:1–14). At considerable risk, Esther gained an audience with the king; she then invited the king and Haman to a banquet she had prepared (see Esther 4:15–5:8). Haman, angered again by Mordecai, constructed a gallows, hoping to obtain permission from the king to hang Mordecai (see Esther 5:9–14).	Religion 302 student manual, 31-8 through 31-13. Genesis 45:1–8. Through what means does God, on occasion, deliver his people when destruction seems imminent? (see Esther 4:14). Esther 4:16. What means did Esther employ to gain additional spiritual strength before undertaking her perilous assignment? Exodus 34:28; 2 Chronicles 20:3; Ezra 8:21–23; Daniel 6:18. Examples are given of Old Testament people who, like Esther, fasted when they were faced with an imposing task. Ezra Taft Benson, in CR, Oct. 1974, p. 92. What are some of the elements and the benefits of a fast? (see also Isaiah 58:3–12).
Esther 6–7. Hainan’s Plan Went Awry: Mordecai Was Honored, and Haman Was Hanged The king learned that Mordecai had saved his life and had not been rewarded (see Esther 6:1–3). Haman entered the king’s court to receive permission to hang Mordecai (see Esther 6:4). When asked how one should reward a noble servant, Haman, believing that he himself was to be honored, suggested the individual be paraded on horseback through the streets (see Esther 6:5–9). The humiliated Haman paraded Mordecai on horseback through the city streets as instructed by the king (see Esther 6:10–12). At the banquet Esther told the king that because of Haman’s intrigues she and her people were to be killed (see Esther 7:1–6). The angered king ordered Haman to be hanged (see Esther 7:7–10). Mordecai was honored and placed over the house of Haman (see Esther 8:1–2).	Religion 302 student manual, 31-14 through 31-15. Proverbs 16:18. What principle should Haman have known that would have saved him embarrassment and humiliation? (Esther 6:6–11). Matthew 7:2. In what way was Haman’s death consistent with the principle enunciated by the Savior about those who condemn unjustly? Matthew 23:12. What has the Lord promised to those who are willing to humble themselves? What will happen to the proud?
Esther 8–10. The Jews Defeated Their Enemies and Instituted the Feast of Purim Despite Esther’s request, Haman’s edict could not be revoked because it had been issued with the king’s seal (see Esther 8:3–8). Given permission to issue a second edict, Mordecai proclaimed that the Jews should defend themselves (see Esther 8:9–14). The Jews slew their enemies on the appointed day (see Esther 9:1–16). The Jews instituted the feast of Purim to commemorate their victory (see Esther 9:17–32). Mordecai was promoted to second in command in the kingdom, and he ruled with greatness (see Esther 10).	Religion 302 student manual, 31-16 through 31-20.

Some Suggestions for Presentation

A Sovereign God and a Select People (Sections A–D)

To help students appreciate the religious message of Esther, note the following three items:

1. The sovereignty of God is evident throughout the book. The Lord clearly is overseeing things. Had Haman’s plot been successful, there would have been no Nehemiah and the course of history would have been changed considerably. The Lord oversees people and events, and though men commit deeds of wickedness, they cannot alter his divine blueprint.

2. The Lord’s interest in his chosen people is clearly manifest in the book of Esther. Judah had been chastened, scourged, and, during Esther’s time, scattered among 127 provinces in the Persian empire; but the Lord would not permit them to be destroyed nor their destiny altered.

   In an 1882 general conference address, Elder Lorenzo Snow related the story of Esther as a convincing example of the Lord’s intent to preserve his chosen people. Elder Snow observed that the Lord had always intervened and would continue to intervene when destruction of his people was imminent (see Journal of Discourses, 23:290).

3. The Lord often intervenes to save his chosen people, usually by raising up individuals to accomplish the task. Mordecai said to Esther, “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). Individuals in our generation may be called upon to perform tasks requiring strengths similar to those possessed by Esther. Elder Lorenzo Snow taught that “it may become necessary in the future—and this is the point I wish to make—for some of the Saints to act the part of Esther, the queen, and be willing to sacrifice anything and everything that is required at their hands for the purpose of working out the deliverance of the Latter-day Saints” (in Journal of Discourses, 23:290).

Tell the students that the Lord’s intervention does not eliminate human responsibility for moral decision and moral action. Had Esther failed, deliverance would have come from another quarter or channel (see Esther 4:14).

Esther, a True Patriot (Section B)

Ask a student in the class to define patriotism. Expand the definition if you need to. According to the dictionary, patriotism means devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country. Read Esther 4:11–16. Ask the students how patriotic Esther was. What is the greatest sacrifice a country can expect from an individual citizen? What price was Esther willing to pay for the lives of her countrymen? Stress that Esther was willing to give her life (see Esther 4:16).The Saints of God should also be willing to give whatever is necessary to preserve their freedom and assist in fulfilling the Lord’s word.

Fasting, a Source of Spiritual Strength (Section B)

It is significant that Esther initiated a community fast before she confronted the king about Haman’s decree. Fasting is a principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ and has always been a means of developing or enhancing spiritual sensitivity. Besides a voluntary abstinence from food and drink, a proper fast should include fervent prayer, contemplation, soul searching, and other activities that invite the Lord’s spirit. Discuss these concepts. Indicate that fasting was important to Old Testament peoples and that they practiced it. It remains an important gospel principle today.

Ask the students if they can think of any instances in the Old Testament of individuals or peoples fasting. Supplement their choices by selecting some examples from Exodus 34:28; Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6; 31:13; 2 Samuel 1:12; 3:35; Psalm 35:13–14; 2 Chronicles 20:3; Isaiah 58:3–12; Jeremiah 14:11–12; Ezra 8:21–23; Daniel 9:3; Jonah 3:5; Joel 1:14.

Fasting is an important aid in gaining spiritual strength, correcting spiritual ailments, and developing peace of mind. Ask students how they can gain the most from fasting. Conclude by reading and discussing the quotation from President Ezra Taft Benson in the October 1974 Conference Report, page 92, which deals with overcoming despair; President Benson listed fasting as one of a dozen ways to lift our spirits.

Students should understand that the Brethren discourage fasting longer than twenty-four hours.