Session 12: The Contest

Session Overview

Creedal Statement

And God spoke all these words, saying,
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.

Key Elements

• Key Passage - Esther 1:1–10:3
• Scripture Memory - We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. Colossians 1:28
• Catechism Question - Q: What is our goal for progress in the faith? A: Maturity.

Introduction

Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

Many Christians remain stunted and dwarfed in spiritual things, so as to present the same appearance year after year … It should not be so; we should, as good traders in heaven’s market, covet to be enriched in the knowledge of Jesus. It is all very well to keep other men’s vineyards, but we must not neglect our own spiritual growth and ripening … If we would ripen in grace, we must live near to Jesus—in his presence—ripened by the sunshine of his smiles.

Even if the whole world is against you, God’s ways are best. Truly, God’s ways are the path to the best possible life. Having glimpsed key narratives that show God’s plan for a godly lifestyle, we now address a final dynamic in the Christian life. Living in a world that opposes righteous living, we must come to understand how believers grow in the faith. Values of the surrounding society, pressure from family members, and unhelpful influence from peers can easily stymie progress in our spiritual journey of following Christ. Simply said, our fallen and broken world is opposed to faith in God and opposed to those who want to embody godliness. It is imperative to learn how God’s people can embrace God’s ways in a culture that clashes with a Christian lifestyle.

This endeavor is vital, and the stakes could not be higher. In the face of persecution, many of us become timid about our faith. Fearful of being ostracized or marginalized, we make moral compromises in pursuit of the world’s approval. In a world of tolerance, many are hesitant to be public about their faith for fear of being labeled an extreme fanatic. Because governments are growing increasingly cold and confrontational toward Christianity, we may allow political pressure to dictate our conduct. We run the risk of yielding to worldly policy rather than practicing submission to God. Christians live in a present world that is not their final home. As followers of Christ, we are a diaspora people: a community of disciples who are strangers and exiles in a world hostile to the Christian faith. It is hard for an exilic people to embrace a distinctive lifestyle. Cultural values exert pressure on Christ’s disciples to conform to the world’s patterns. Thankfully, God’s word helps us to understand how believers can embrace a distinct godly lifestyle in the most difficult of social situations.

The scriptural account in Esther 1:1–10:3 records the faith progress of a woman named Esther. Her life story gives a picture of an active, maturing faith in a godless, pagan world. During her life, God’s people lived under Persian rule. The Jewish community had been displaced from their homeland and dispersed throughout a foreign land. Therefore, they faced constant cultural pressure to compromise their faith. As a diaspora community, the identity and integrity of God’s people were threatened. In a providential turn of events, God unexpectedly gave Esther influence and power in this foreign land. A Jewish orphan raised by her uncle Mordecai, Esther became Queen of Persia. When a high official in the royal court threatened the Jewish people with annihilation, Esther became a faithful and courageous advocate of the Jewish people. She risked her own life in deference to God and in defense of her fellow Jews. As the story unfolds, Esther and Mordecai became not only defenders of the Jews but also influential leaders in Persian society.

In this narrative that recounts Esther’s courageous intervention on behalf of the Jewish people, we observe a faithful follower of God who ripens, grows, and matures even as the plot of her biblical account develops. The character of Esther depicted at the beginning of the story underwent a radical transformation by the end of the narrative. Living in a hostile culture and facing complex moral dilemmas, Esther exemplifies the best possible life. The difficulty of her social situation makes this transformation even more compelling and worthy of emulation. While we may not resonate with Esther’s specific struggles, we can relate to her general experiences. Her life is a compelling example, calling us to embrace and embody a life of conviction, courage, and advocacy. As we consider the life that God has called us to—the best possible life—we must remember that life is a journey. We are people in an ongoing process of transformation. As we explore phases of Esther’s journey of growth, let us pray for wisdom and humility to see what God would have us learn about the process of our own formation!

Biblical Interpretation: Hearing the Word

Study the Text: The Bible is God’s inspired word to his people. Christian disciples mature in the faith when they are grounded in God’s word. In this movement, you will study the basic details of the biblical text.

Observation Questions

Read (or listen to) the whole passage of Scripture. Discuss the questions below for each section of the story. Pay attention to the details of the text to recall what the passage is saying. Use the focus verses to guide your conversation.

Storycraft

Retell the story in your own words, recounting the overall flow of the narrative, the main segments of the story, and the major developments that take place.

Narrative Elements

Story Retell

Theological Dialogue: Discussing the Plot

Explore the Text: God’s word is his trustworthy and sufficient revelation to his people. We grow as Christ’s disciples by rooting our lives in God’s unchanging truth. In this movement, you will explore vital teachings of this biblical passage.

Discussion Questions

Summarize the biblical story. As a community, discuss the following questions. Be attentive to the truths taught in this text. Use the commentary on the next pages to uncover core principles this passage teaches about the Christian faith.

Biblical Commentary

Use this commentary to help you understand the meaning of the text. Refer to the infographic on the next page to think through how narratives work.

Passage Introduction

Key Idea

Pursue the best possible life as a work in progress.

Passage Overview

We are all works in progress. God bears with his people, calling them to move forward in the faith and make progress in personal spiritual development. Since the Christian life is a journey, it is essential to reflect on the nature of spiritual progress. To reflect on maturity gained and to envision future growth is part of the faith pilgrimage of the Christian life. Esther’s story greatly helps us in this regard. Esther gives us a picture of spiritual growth and faith formation. Throughout this narrative, we see Esther develop, mature, and progress in her maturity. Her beginnings as an orphaned Jew and compliant harem participant eventually give way to a courageous queen who advocates for God’s people at great risk to her own life. Although Esther’s unique circumstances differ from our contemporary situation, her life narrative demonstrates general principles of spiritual formation and faith progress. In particular, Esther’s life presents the picture of a person who develops through stages and seasons of the spiritual life. While the world around us wants to press us into its mold, we must be ever-vigilant to pursue a life of faith with active and faithful devotion. Esther’s life and vocation are most helpful in this aim. Use the following commentary to trace Esther’s development as a method of grasping aspects of faith progress.

Passage Outline

Making Progress in the Faith

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.

For a man is never in so good a state as when his whole life is a journey towards the unchangeable life, and his affections are entirely fixed upon that.

Introduction

Christians are an exiled people. The church is a diaspora community that lives in a world opposed to Christian teaching and antagonistic to godly living. Often, this exilic identity results in believers feeling disenfranchised, powerless, and marginalized in popular culture. Genuine Christians readily understand that godly living involves great risk, personal cost, and courageous conviction. At a fundamental level, devotion to Christ in faith and conduct is sacrificial. God intentionally places his people in difficult and complex situations to test our faith and display his power. Although a life of godliness is fraught with challenges, believers can live in the midst of a hostile culture with hope, joy, and peace. Christians are joyful exiles because God sustains his people in their exilic pilgrimage. Although there are times when it seems like God is silent, absent, and disengaged, we know that God’s word is sure, his presence is immanent, and he is ever-faithful in his work. Without fail, God is actively engaged in the world, accomplishing his eternal purposes: announcing salvation, bringing deliverance, sustaining his people, commanding obedience, comforting the weak, and maturing the faithful. Importantly, the covenant community of faith—an exilic people who are often persecuted, oppressed, and marginalized—plays a major role in these eternal purposes that God is working out in the details of human history.

Culture is a powerful force that works against God and God’s people. The customs, traditions, and values of society pressure God’s people to compromise, comply, and conform. Like a magnetic force, the sinful world is charged with a powerful draw that pulls God’s people away from faith and godliness. Surrounding culture lures people into destructive habits, unhealthy relationships, foolish decisions, and immoral living. But God calls his people to a countercultural life: to live across the grain and to walk against the currents popularly upheld as paths to the best possible life.

God saves sinners from the world and implants his redeemed people back in the world to live a distinctive and virtuous life. The beauty of a godly life becomes an attractive demonstration of God’s own brilliance and beauty. In fact, God redeems his people from sin and deploys them into the world as agents of his work. The transformed life of believers is one of the most powerful means by which God’s people serve God’s purposes in the world. God has connected spiritual maturity to missional impact. Progress in godly conduct, Christian character, and virtuous living is a God-ordained means of positively impacting the world around us. Growth in the faith not only paves the path for the best possible life and missional impact, but spiritual maturity is also a means by which God sustains his people in the midst of a hostile culture. Transformation does not occur all at once. It takes time and intentionality for us to experience growth and development in the faith. The Scriptures faithfully guide us to understand and embrace the nature of spiritual formation.

The biblical account of Esther 1:1–10:3 records the spiritual development and missional impact of an ancient heroine named Esther. At the beginning of this scriptural narrative, we meet Esther as a young and beautiful girl who has entered the harem of the powerful and wealthy King of Persia, Xerxes. She and her uncle, Mordecai, were among the exiled Jews living in the foreign Persian empire. Through a surprising turn of events directed by divine providence, Esther became Queen of Persia. In conviction and courage, she used her royal position to protect the Jewish people against a wicked plot that planned for their extermination. In the end, she not only became an emissary of God’s purposes but also a champion of God’s people, turning a time of sorrow and mourning into a season of feasting and joy. An orphaned girl raised by her uncle Mordecai, Esther progressed in her faith during a time that God established her as a royal figure in a pagan culture. She bravely used her God-given position and power to influence and shape her surrounding society.

In the story of Esther, the very life of God’s people was at risk. A woman of faith, Esther found herself in very difficult situations, matured in the faith despite harrowing circumstances, and submitted herself to God’s call on her life with fearless resolve. In the end, she was used by God in history-making ways. While Esther began as a passive character who acquiesced to the currents in the world around her, she eventually grew and became a woman of godly character and missional impact. Like Esther, each of us faces a journey of faith in a world hostile to the Christian faith. Let us turn to Esther’s journey to understand what it looks like to progress in the faith and embrace a life that is pleasing to God.

What Was Happening to Her: Observing the Stage of Compliance

Biblical Narrative (Esther 1:1–2:23)

At the beginning of this story, King Xerxes (also known as King Ahasuerus) was King of Persia. He ruled over his large territory from a fortress in Susa (1:1–2). In the third year of his reign, he hosted a lengthy and lavish feast for his royal court and the people in Susa (1:3). For six months—“a full 180 days”—he put on display “the glorious riches of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness” (1:4). Afterward, the king put on a week-long feast for “all the people in the citadel of Susa, from the least to the greatest” (1:5). This feast was extravagant in decoration (1:6–7) and permissive in drink (1:7–8). At the same time, Queen Vashti also hosted a banquet for “the women in the royal palace” (1:9). On the seventh day, after much drinking, the king called for his wife, Queen Vashti, to come before the people to show off her beauty (1:10–11). Using pomp and festivity to boost his own prestige, King Xerxes not only showed off his wealth and power but also aimed to showcase his wife’s lovely appearance.

In an act of defiance, Queen Vashti refused to heed the king’s command, causing Xerxes to become so furious that “his anger burned within him” (1:12). The king deliberated on how to respond to his wife’s conduct. After consulting with his advisors—“wise men who knew the times” (1:13) and who “ranked highest in the kingdom” (1:14)—the king issued an irrevocable royal decree that Vashti should be removed as queen and another woman should be given her position (1:19–20). In their view, this edict was issued in order to protect the kingdom and individual households, encouraging women to honor their husbands and deterring them from acts of disrespect, contempt, and defiance (1:16–18, 20–22). The nobles feared that Vashti’s noncompliance would embolden other women to act in unruly and insubordinate ways.

Sometime later, after the king’s anger had settled down, his servants planned to have young, attractive women brought to his harem in order for him to find a replacement queen (2:1–4). Not only did the servants select “beautiful young virgins” (2:1) but these young women were to be given “beauty treatments” (2:3) so that Xerxes could find a suitable replacement for Vashti that was pleasing to him (2:4). Living in Susa during this time was a Jew named Mordecai who was raising his orphaned cousin, Esther (also known as Hadassah) (2:5–7). Esther was a beautiful young woman—“lovely in form and appearance” (2:7)—and was eventually taken into the king’s harem (2:8). While Esther quickly advanced to the best place in the harem, she kept her Jewish identity secret (2:9–11). After they had beautified themselves for six months, each virgin would spend a night with the king (2:12–14). When it was Esther’s turn, she not only became the most loved by the king but was eventually chosen to be queen (2:15–18). Esther “found favor in the eyes of everyone who saw her” (2:15) and Xerxes “loved Esther more than all the other women, and she found grace and favor in his sight more than all of the other virgins” (2:17). Amazingly, Jewish Esther entered into Xerxes’ service as the new Persian queen (2:17), and the king held a banquet for her to celebrate this event (2:18). Even up to this point, Esther had not “revealed her lineage or her people” (2:20). Mordecai remained involved in Esther’s life. In fact, at one point, when a plot was made against the king’s life, Mordecai told Queen Esther, who then alerted the king (2:19, 21–23).

Biblical Principles

Youth and Passivity. The beginning of Esther’s narrative introduces her during an early stage of life and faith. She was an orphaned “young woman” (2:7; cf. 2:4, 9) who was adopted by her uncle (2:7, 15) and eventually joined Xerxes’ harem of “beautiful young virgins” (2:2; cf. 2:19) and “beautiful young women” (2:3; cf. 2:8, 12–13). Her youthfulness in age was paralleled by her youthfulness in maturity. Some of the first descriptions of Esther show her as a passive figure who was compliant with those around her. These opening chapters focus on “Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her” (2:11). Throughout this introduction many things “happened” to Esther, highlighting her as a passive character who was influenced and impacted by her surroundings: she was adopted and brought up by Mordecai (2:7, 15, 20), she was placed into the king’s harem (2:8), she was put in the custody of Hegai (2:8), she was provided cosmetics and food (2:9), she was advanced to the best place in the harem (2:9), and she was eventually taken to be with the king (2:16). The word “to take” (2:8, 15–16) hints at her passivity, compliance, and lack of assertiveness. She was taken by Mordecai as an adopted daughter (2:7, 15), taken into the harem (2:8), and eventually taken to the king for the night (2:16). People were acting (for good or for ill) on her behalf, even treating her like an instrument. Rather than being an active subject, the Esther we meet at the beginning of the story appears as an acquiescing figure defined by “what was happening to her” (2:11).

Externality and Cultural Adaptation. Esther used her external figure to gain approval from others. Whether her motive was misguided or not, Esther advanced in Persian society, the harem community, and royal status because of her external beauty. One of the main characteristics of Esther in these early scenes of her life is her physical beauty: both her physical attractiveness (2:7, 9) and the beauty treatments she received (2:9, 12). While Esther and Vashti shared a common characteristic of beauty (1:11; 2:7), they differed, in that Esther gave in to the corrupt system of the king’s harem (2:8, 9, 15) whereas Vashti defied the king’s demand to use her beauty as a trophy display (1:12). While Esther’s physical beauty was put on display, she was secretive about her Jewish identity. Taking her cue from Mordecai, we are told twice that Esther did not reveal her identity as a Jewish woman (2:10, 20). Whether the motivation behind this secret was fear or shrewdness, Esther became one of the most renowned people in the empire without openly and honestly revealing her identity. She was living as a public figure yet withholding a large secret about her life. Esther also became fluent in harem culture and Persian society. Esther not only acquiesced to the culture of the Persian Empire, but she also learned to win favor in the corrupt system of a pagan world. Esther won favor before the harem keeper (2:9), all who saw her (2:15), and the king (2:17). In fact, Esther became one whom the king delighted (2:14). To win favor in this corrupt world would likely have involved compromise and conformity. Although Ester was a Jew called to live a holy—distinct and set apart from the world—Esther excelled in the ways of her surrounding culture.

Compliance. During this season of youth, compliance, and passivity, Esther lived in a collision of two worlds. Esther maintained her Jewishness but kept it undisclosed (2:10, 20). The secrecy of her Jewish identity was in stark contrast to the public display of her beauty (2:7, 9). Esther was obedient, deferential, and submissive to Mordecai (2:10, 20, 22), but she was also acclimating, conforming, and acquiescent to Persian culture (2:9, 15, 17–18). She garnered the favor of those around her and mastered the customs and mores of the day. Eventually, Esther became a notable (and influential) member of Persian society (2:18), using her position to serve the well-being of the king (2:21–23).

In these opening chapters, Vashti’s refusal and Esther’s compliance are contrasting character portraits. While it is difficult to characterize either Vashti or Esther as entirely virtuous or completely unprincipled, the mixture of their conduct seems to be one of the main points of the opening narrative. Living in a complex culture, these two figures depict the pressure to conform and the proclivity to comply with the world around us. Like in Esther’s day, a focus on external appearance—as opposed to the hidden and enduring nature of godly character—drives surrounding society. Public opinion, majority status, and the outlook of the masses exert great force against those who stand in conviction, truth, and principle. Rather than influencing the culture around us, we have a tendency to conform to the patterns of the world. While we may begin our faith journey with a blend of godly character and worldly values, we cannot remain in this condition long before the world continues to shape us in its image. Accordingly, to live out our faith in a hostile culture, we must eventually move beyond passive compliance to bold conviction.

For Such a Time as This: Stage of Conviction

Biblical Narrative (Esther 3:1–4:17)

Sometime after the king crowned Esther as queen, he promoted Haman as a chief official in his royal court (3:1). When the rest of the king’s servants bowed down to honor Haman, Mordecai refused to do so (3:2–4) because “he was a Jew” (3:4). A man of faith whose ultimate loyalties were to God and God’s people, Mordecai allowed his faith convictions and spiritual identity to guide his conduct, even emboldening him to “disobey the command of the king” (3:3; cf. 3:2). Even though Mordecai was warned “day after day,” this man of faith would “not comply” (3:4) with the king’s edict. Haman was infuriated—“filled with rage” (3:5)—and plotted to take revenge on Mordecai by killing all of the Jews in the kingdom (3:5–6).

Eventually, Haman persuaded the king to allow a decree to slaughter all the Jewish people in the kingdom (3:7–15). Haman made serious allegations against the Jews. He said that the Jewish people disobeyed regal commands because they had laws that were “different from everyone else’s” (3:8). Haman even volunteered his own money to compensate people to execute this extermination (3:9). Xerxes told Haman to keep his money and endorsed his scheme with kingdom resources and royal approval (3:10–11). Facilitating a Jewish annihilation that was vast and comprehensive, the king appointed his scribes to record Haman’s exact instructions so the edict could be known in every language and in all the provinces of the kingdom (3:12; cf. 3:15). Haman’s orders were sent throughout Xerxes’ kingdom (3:12–15), ordering people to “destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews … and to plunder their possessions” (3:13). The target of this ethnic and religious extermination was all Jews, “young and old, women and children” (3:13). The plot was to be carried out swiftly and effectively: the elimination of the Jews was to take place on “a single day” (3:13; cf. 3:14). After the edict was distributed to the provinces, Haman and Xerxes “sat down to drink” while the city “was in confusion” (3:15). The plot was set in motion, with royal approval, and Haman was well-pleased with his conniving calculations.

When Mordecai learned of the plot against the Jews, he was filled with grief (4:1–3). As a sign of his extreme mourning, Mordecai “tore his clothes” and “put on sackcloth and ashes” (4:1). His overwhelming sorrow was so intense that he “went out into the middle of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly” (4:1). Jews throughout the kingdom shared in Mordecai’s grief and mourned when they heard about Haman’s villainous edict. Fasting, weeping, and lamentation filled the kingdom (4:3). When Queen Esther heard of Mordecai’s mourning, she sent a servant, named Hathach, to find out what had made him so distraught (4:4–5). Esther learned of the plot (4:6–8)—a plot “to destroy the Jews” (4:7)—and received a message from Mordecai, asking her to intercede on behalf of the Jews (4:8–9).

Esther responded to Mordecai’s request, telling him that she could not simply walk into the king’s presence without being summoned for fear of being executed (4:10–11). Mordecai replied that her life was also at risk because she was a Jew (4:12–13). He also told her that if she did not act on behalf of the Jews, “relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place” (4:13), even if she and her family died. Mordecai summoned Esther to act with conviction as an intermediary and deliverer for God’s people, knowing that she had “come to the kingdom for such a time as this” (4:14). In essence, he was suggesting that her unexpected rise as Queen of Persia was a providential means by which God would bring about the deliverance of the Jewish people. In a dramatic turn for the previously compliant Esther, she instructed all the Jews in Susa to fast for her for three days as she prepared to enter into the king’s presence (4:15–16). With determination and devotion, Esther assumed the role of intermediary, courageously planning to enter the king’s presence, “even though it is against the law” (4:16), and even though it put her life at risk. With courage and self-denial, she bore responsibility and embraced her faith duty above her own personal safety. This sacrificial devotion and faith-filled conviction was evidenced by her confession, “If I perish, I perish” (4:16). In a reversal of roles, Mordecai “did all that Esther had instructed him” (4:17), setting the stage for a dramatic deliverance of God’s people.

Biblical Principles

Collision of Values. We cannot live in the world without experiencing a collision between the commands of God and the edicts of man, between cultural customs and godly conduct, between personal gain and sacrificial living, or between a self-determined life and a God-centered identity. In this narrative, Haman is the foil of godly maturity. Insecure and self-conscious, Haman was enraged when Mordecai did not bow down to him (3:2–3). His fragile identity led him to emotional instability. Haman’s infuriation turned into a targeted attack against Mordecai and the Jewish people (3:6). Many times, the world will use human authority—laced with intimidation—to conform people to its values. Like the royal command to pay homage to Haman, the world’s summons to its value system is insistent (3:2–3), persistent (3:4), passionate (3:5), and even militant (3:6). While the world seeks (and demands) our compliance, we must heed the example of Mordecai to live by faithful conviction in truth and godly living (3:4). Truly, God’s people should live a distinct life—countercultural and peculiar in conduct—in the world, since our “laws are different from everyone else’s” (3:8). At the foundation of the conflict between Haman and Mordecai is a collision of the orders of men (3:2–4) and the authority of God (3:2–6). Faithful conviction is a necessary foundation for one’s faith to be mature and enduring. Such conviction allows God’s people to remain steadfast when the principles of the world abrade against the tenets of the faith.

Active Concern and Emotional Investment. At this phase in the narrative, a phase that showcased a conflict of values, Esther exhibited deep concern and genuine care. She was an active agent of faithful devotion in a precarious situation. When Esther heard of Mordecai’s grief, she was “overcome with distress” (4:4). In fact, Esther was moved by “what was troubling” (4:5) her uncle, Mordecai. Esther did more than merely try to ameliorate Mordecai’s anguish (4:4). When she learned about Mordecai’s distraught condition and public lament, she also took the initiative to reach out to him to discover the nature of and the reason for his distress (4:5–7). Queen to Xerxes, Esther even expressed the delicacy and danger of approaching Xerxes unsolicited (4:11). So engaged was Esther in this new season of her life and faith maturity that she was the one giving instructions to her uncle Mordecai (4:17) rather than the one receiving instructions (cf. 2:10, 20). She had become more than a passive object in a string of narrative events; Esther embodied active engagement and emotional investment in an extremely trying situation. During the questionable developments that led to Esther’s rise to royalty, we were not alerted much to Esther’s emotional state. In all the drama that took place in her life—her orphan beginnings, her conscription into the king’s harem, her beautification and adornment under the care of Hegai, and her one-night stand with Xerxes—Esther was passive, acquiescent, and inactive. At this point in the narrative, Esther assumed an active and operative role in the storyline. Motivated by a concern for Israel’s well-being, Esther expressed concern, care, and disquiet as harrowing times came upon the Jewish people.

Conviction. Esther responded to Mordecai’s appeal with receptivity and sincerity. In so doing, she exemplified a life of conviction. Her principled and faith-based character is clearly depicted in the narrative. Mordecai’s message appealed to Esther’s sense of identity and purpose (4:8). He reminded her that she was a Jew (4:13–14; cf. 4:8; 3:6) and suggested that she had been appointed queen in Persia “for such a time as this” (4:14; cf. 4:8). Mordecai’s own conviction that deliverance would certainly come to God’s people, whether through Esther or another, modeled genuine faith in God’s active care for his people (4:14). Such a faith in God’s providence is the only sure foundation of all godly conviction and spiritual resolve. This faith activated wisdom and understanding. Queen Esther demonstrated foresight and prudence in that she understood the danger to herself (4:11) and her people (4:8, 14). The potential peril before her tested her faith and revealed its genuine character. Without conviction, her Jewish ethnicity was merely a superficial facet of her life. The pending slaughter of the Jewish people compelled Esther to decide what beliefs, commitments, and values would define her life. Would she give in to self-preservation, continuing to hide her Jewish identity? Or would she be true to her faith and people by taking action for what was right and true? In the end, Esther’s conviction prompted her to put her life in danger in the service of God and God’s people.

Amazingly, Esther’s conviction was not brash or arrogant. She was humble, recognizing the grave threat to the Jews (4:14; cf. 3:5–15) and the danger to her own life (4:13). In an astonishing display of humility, she marshaled the Jewish community to fast (3:16). Her newfound conviction was not rash or hasty. She and her maidservants even participated in the fast, demonstrating a sensitivity to God’s presence. Her conviction eventually translated into clear vision, purposeful determination, and courageous action as she expressed her willingness to break the king’s command and risk her life by entering into the king’s presence unsolicited (4:16). All this resembled Mordecai’s own display of conviction when he defied the king’s command to bow down to Haman in order to remain true to his Jewish faith (3:2–4). The self-denial and personal sacrifice expressed in her phrase “if I perish, I perish” (4:16) is a clarion call to God’s people.

The life-and-death circumstances of Esther’s life galvanized her purpose. In the same way, life’s calling becomes crystallized through difficulty and hardship. Confronted with the brevity of life, the imminence of death, the proximity of danger, and the trials of the moment, we are gifted with an opportunity to precisely clarify our life calling: For what are we willing to die? And for what are we called to live? Answering these questions further helps to fortify faith and build resolve. Faith conviction helps to shape the way we spend our time, and it determines the priorities that impact the way we live. Conviction and calling are forged in the midst of difficulty. As we grow in our faith, our conduct will resemble God’s character to the extent our belief in God is deepened. By embracing one’s God-given calling, Esther (and all of God’s people throughout the generations) actively put life, livelihood, and well-being in the hands of divine providence. With this foundation of faith and conviction, many of the other characteristics of a mature faith blossom: a secure identity, a God-centered purpose, a wise and shrewd mentality, a humble spirit, a courageous resolve, and a self-denying attitude of sacrifice.

If I Perish I Perish: Stage of Courage

Biblical Narrative (Esther 5:1–6:14)

When Esther’s conviction emboldened her to appear before the king, she committed to do so with a mentality of courageous, self-denying sacrifice: “if I perish, I perish” (4:16). Esther did the unthinkable: she entered the king’s presence without being summoned. Braced with courage, Esther dressed in royal clothes and stood in inner court while the king was sitting on his throne (5:1). Although such an act warranted death, the king showed favor to Esther, extending his golden scepter toward her (5:2). When Xerxes asked about the nature of her request, he also offered her “up to half the kingdom” (5:3). Esther respectfully asked the king and Haman to attend a banquet that she had prepared (5:4). The king summoned Haman in haste, and they attended Esther’s banquet (5:5).

At the feast, the king asked Esther once again to name her request (5:5–6). Rather than making her request known at that time, she invited them to another feast, on the next day, when she would reveal her request (5:7–8). Haman left the feast in joy, but he was quickly filled with anger when Mordecai remained fearless in his presence (5:9). Haman returned home, gathered his friends and wife, and boasted about his own importance (5:10–12). In self-adulation, he “recounted to them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored and promoted him” (5:11). He told them that he could not enjoy any of these privileges—not even the invitation to Esther’s feast—as long as Mordecai was present (5:12–13). Haman’s joy only returned when his wife, Zeresh, suggested that he build gallows—a tall wooden beam to hang a person—and request tomorrow that Mordecai be executed (5:14). Curt and calloused, Zeresh offered a villainous means for her insecure husband to enjoy the feast: dispose of Mordecai.

That same night, the king had a hard time sleeping. To pass the time, he ordered “the Book of Records, the Chronicles” to be read to him (6:1). In it was recorded the story of how Mordecai earlier revealed the plot against the king’s life (6:2; cf. 2:21–23). Xerxes learned Mordecai had not been paid honor for this act of loyalty: “nothing has been done for him” (6:3). Xerxes wanted to rectify this oversight. At that time, Haman came to the king to seek his own honor and ask for Mordecai to be hanged. Thinking he was securing his longed-for honor, Haman suggested that the one whom the king wanted to honor should be dressed in royal garb and paraded on a royal horse in the city square (6:4–9). Xerxes was thinking of a way to honor Mordecai (6:10), but Haman thought the king was intending to honor him. The king then told Haman to do what he suggested to Mordecai, “the man whom the king is delighted to honor” (6:11). This devastated Haman (6:12). He told his wife and friends everything that took place, and his wife warned him that his downfall had already begun—this was the beginning of Haman’s tragic end (6:13). Haman’s plot was a means to take revenge upon Mordecai and to establish his own honor; his diabolical devices were about to come crashing down on his own head. During this conversation, the king’s eunuchs hastily brought Haman to Esther’s prepared banquet (6:14).

Biblical Principles

Power and Institutional Structure. Esther navigated a world with people and structures of great power. Although she became influential in this regal system, she was still subordinate in the larger societal context. Xerxes was an exalted human king who ruled the vast Persian empire. He held a gold scepter that was a symbol of his royal power and kingdom authority (5:2; cf. 4:11; 8:4). His kingdom was glorious in wealth and magnificent in splendor (1:3–8), his decrees were codified into the laws of the land (1:19–22; 2:1; 3:8–15; 4:3, 8), his wishes were attended to with immediacy (2:2–4, 14–18; 3:2–3; 6:1), and his demands were only refused with grave consequence (1:10–18). The king was to be held in so much honor and respect that no one was allowed to approach him without being summoned (4:11, 16). The life, livelihood, and honor of people were at the disposal of this Persian monarch (2:18; 4:13; 6:3–11). Haman’s desire for honor, power, and authority is a humorous foil in this narrative (5:9–14; 6:12–14). His sinful and selfish pursuit of power led to his own destruction.

People and structures of power often present challenges to the community of faith. Seldom do God’s people occupy primary positions of power and influence in which they can shape culture through policy and decree. Of course, this has happened throughout history. This biblical narrative of Esther tells how Esther (and eventually Mordecai) occupied important positions in the royal administration. Their influence in these roles is noteworthy and significant. Nevertheless, Esther and Mordecai did not have the full and expansive power that Xerxes possessed. However influential these two faithful Jews were, they were still subservient to and embedded within institutional structures in which their power, authority, and influence were (humanly speaking) limited. This is no surprise to God. In his sovereign plan, God enables his people to navigate conditions of powerlessness and positions of limited authority in ways that serve his eternal purposes. Confident in God’s all-powerful and all-sovereign working, disciples develop devotion to God that is characterized by courage, wisdom, and honor.

Courage, Wisdom, and Respect. At this point in the narrative, Esther embraced her life calling by acting in faithful devotion. Characteristic of a mature faith, her devotion was bold, respectful, and wise. To approach the king unsummoned was to put her life on the line (4:11, 16). Her courageous approach to Xerxes involved self-denial and self-sacrifice. When she talked with the king, she displayed a respectful and honoring spirit (5:4, 8). Although she served a pagan king, she still held human authority in high regard because all human authority comes from God (cf. Romans 13:1). Even though Esther showed respect to the king, she wisely navigated her relationship with him. Her plan to invite the king (and Haman) to a banquet—rather than immediately making her request—was a sign of this wisdom. Esther’s wisdom and discernment helped to protect the Jewish community (5:4–8, 14). Esther’s delayed request secured the favor of Xerxes (6:1–11) and the demise of Haman, both by their own doing (5:9–14; 6:12–14).

Esther commends to us a life of boldness, wisdom, and respect. Living in a world where power is wielded for selfish ends and evil purposes, Esther’s example is inspiring and instructive. Esther risked her life, her favorability, and her prosperity to embrace her divine calling. She faced worldly systems of great power and institutional force. Nevertheless, her conviction bore the fruit of courage, discernment, and honor. Maturity in the faith equips God’s people to navigate complex and dangerous situations by maintaining faithfulness to God. Christian disciples have the sovereign and mighty God on their side. Consequently, they are willing and able to put their lives on the line, treat human authorities with respect, and remain faithful to God with unshrinking resolve regardless of the circumstances. To live shrewdly in very complex situations, one must have complete and undivided trust in God. When people trust God in this way, God’s approval matters more than the opinions of men. God’s character and word define one’s values and lifestyle. God’s honor eclipses our personal status and reputation. Personal prosperity is unimportant compared to God’s glory and praise.

Going Public: Stage of Confession

Biblical Narrative (Esther 7:1–10)

On the second day of Esther’s feast (cf. 6:14), the king again asked Esther to reveal her request (7:1–2). At this point, Esther finally revealed not only Haman’s plot to exterminate the Jewish people but also her own Jewish identity (7:3–4). In a heroic confession to the Persian king, Esther told Xerxes that her people had been “sold out to destruction, death, and annihilation” (7:4). Her request was a plea for the king to spare her life and “the lives of [her] people” (7:3). She emphasized to Xerxes that the Jewish people did not merely face oppression or enslavement but extermination. When the king asked who the mastermind of this plot was (7:5), Esther revealed that it was Haman, an “adversary and enemy” and “wicked man” (7:6).

Unmasked and exposed, Haman “stood in terror before the king and queen” (7:6). As this narrative unfolds, it is helpful to note the emotional change Haman experienced: anger (3:5), joy (5:9, 14), grief (6:12), and fear (7:6). At this time, the king got up in anger and went to his garden while Haman begged Esther for his life (7:7). Haman knew that the king was “planning a terrible fate for him” (7:7). When the king returned and saw Haman near Esther’s couch, he accused him of assaulting the queen (7:8). Immediately, “as soon as the words had left the king’s mouth” (7:8), the king’s attendants covered the face of Haman and the king ordered that Haman been hung on the same gallows that were made for Mordecai (7:9). Only after Haman’s hanging had “the fury of the king subsided” (7:10).

Biblical Principles

Kings and Adversaries. In this scene of the story, Esther faced Xerxes and Haman with faithful devotion to God. She made her Jewish identity known to the king (7:3–4; cf. 8:1) and exposed Haman’s wicked plot (7:5–6). In doing this, she brought her faith into the public sector. In confessing to the king, she was revealing her Jewish identity to the highest rung of society. By exposing Haman’s plot, she was taking an unflinching stance against human foes. Like the Jewish people in Esther’s day, God’s people have always lived in contexts where enemies seek and plot their demise. Similar to Esther’s display of courageous faith, Christian disciples have boldly stood before kings and human authorities in order to bear witness to Jesus Christ. Bold faith results in public confession of our loyalty to Jesus and our solidarity with other believers. A private faith remains an immature faith. A public faith grows into a sincere and substantive faith, even if we become the targets of nefarious enemies. Although we put our own lives on the line, going public with our faith—before kings, foes, family, friends, and wider society—is a necessary step in spiritual progress.

Public Confession. Earlier, Mordecai made his Jewish identity clearly known by refusing to bow down to Haman (3:1–6). This placed his life and the lives of other Jews inside the violent scope of Haman’s plot. Up to this time, Esther had not revealed her Jewish identity (2:10, 20). However, even though Esther had not revealed her Jewish identity, her life was also at risk (4:13–14). Consequently, Mordecai appealed to Esther to advocate—to not “remain silent” (4:13; cf. 7:4)—on behalf of the Jewish people (4:8). Not only did Esther courageously approach King Xerxes (5:1–8), but she hosted a banquet in which she would make a special request of the king. At the time Esther revealed her request to Xerxes, she told the king about Haman’s plot and finally revealed her own Jewish identity (7:3–4). Importantly, Esther’s words of confession both claim her Jewish devotion and confront evil. True and thorough confession maintains both of these characteristics: profession of faith and exposure of wrongdoing. Being public about our faith is a vital step in our spiritual journey. As we live lives aligned with God’s ways, we will have opportunities to explain our faith to others—to go public. A public stance about Christ is an undaunted attestation of Jesus’ lordship and a clarion rejection of evil. Entering into this stage of confession is vital to spiritual progress, missional engagement, and the strengthening of the community of faith. As God intended it, our heartfelt devotion to Christ is meant to be publicly expressed as we openly acknowledge before the watching world our unashamed devotion to Jesus, regardless of what may come our way.

Serving the Cause of God’s People: Stage of Champion

Biblical Narrative (Esther 8:1–9:16)

The same day of Haman’s execution, the king “awarded Queen Esther the estate of Haman” (8:1). After Mordecai told Xerxes his relation to Esther, the king gave him Haman’s “signet ring” and appointed him as guardian “over the estate of Haman” (8:2). In a dramatic turn of events, “the enemy of the Jews” had been defeated, and the targeted Esther and Mordecai had been inherited Haman’s possessions. Although God’s name is not mentioned in the narrative, such a reversal of fortunes is a clear testimony to the providential hand of a merciful, just, and sovereign God.

Although the inimical Haman was eliminated as a threat, the plot against the Jewish people was still in effect. The king himself had approved an edict to exterminate all the Jews in the kingdom (8:3), and “a decree that is written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked” (8:8). Consequently, Esther fell at the king’s feet and begged him to reverse the plot against the Jews (8:4–6). After hearing Esther’s appeal, the king granted her permission to write an edict according to her liking—“as you please” (8:8)—in the name of the king (8:7–8). At that very moment, the scribes were called to write a decree—“all Mordecai’s orders” (8:9)—that the Jewish people throughout the kingdom were allowed to fight and defend themselves against any enemy that sought to kill them (8:9–14). Similar in scope to the original decree (cf. 3:12–15), Mordecai’s decree was “issued in every province and published to all the people” (8:13). Its aim was to help the Jewish people “be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies” (8:14). Not only were the Jews in the filled with joy (8:15–17), but many others also declared themselves to be Jews “because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them” (8:17).

When the day came for Haman’s plot to be implemented, the Jews defeated those who schemed to take their lives (9:1–15). The plot of the Jewish enemies “was overturned and the Jews overpowered those who hated them” (9:1). Courageous and stalwart in defense, the Jewish people stood victorious. Their victory was definitive and decisive (9:5–12, 16–17), but the people “did not lay a hand on the plunder” (9:10; cf. 9:15–16). In fact, so successful were the Jewish people that “no man could withstand them, because the fear of them had fallen upon all people” (9:2; cf. 8:17; 9:3). In addition to the defeat of the Jewish enemies (9:5–12, 16–17), Haman’s sons were also killed (9:12). On the next day, Esther had the bodies of Haman’s sons hung on the gallows (9:13–14). From citizen to royal official, Mordecai exercised power and experienced fame that spread over the Persian empire (9:4).

Biblical Principles

Conflict and Warfare. The death of Haman did not completely resolve the crisis the Jews faced. The king’s empire-wide edict for the annihilation of the Jews was still in effect (8:5–6). Esther, Mordecai, and the Jews faced a pending and violent attack from “those who sought to harm them” (9:2). This time was a tenuous moment of social, ethnic, and political unrest. Throughout history, God’s people have often faced violent wars, armed conflicts, and physical assaults. God’s people regularly find themselves in a struggle that can be sociopolitical, cultural, or spiritual in nature. A fallen and broken cosmos, the world is unstable and inhospitable to earnest believers, forcing God’s people to live out their faith when they are despised and forsaken by society. They often become targets of the world’s animosity and antipathy. Christlike endurance through all manner of hardship establishes Christ’s disciples as spectacles in the world, bearing witness to Christ in the midst of their suffering. Christ’s followers mature as they engage God’s purposes in the midst of harrowing and dangerous times.

Champion. Esther and Mordecai actively served God’s purposes by advocating for the Jewish people as intermediaries (8:3, 9). Esther pleaded with Xerxes to revoke his decree that allowed for the extermination of the Jews. While this could not be done (8:8), the Persian king gave authority to Esther and Mordecai to issue another decree in his name. Under these new circumstances, Esther and Mordecai prospered (8:1, 7), increased in authority (8:2, 8, 10), and grew in status (9:4). This new edict allowed the Jews to defend themselves on the day of the extermination, resulting in great joy and gladness (8:11–17). In an incredible turn of events, the advocacy of Esther and Mordecai resulted in many people becoming Jews (8:18). On the day of battle, the Jews overpowered their enemies in a decisive defeat (9:1–2, 5–16) and even garnered the support of the kingdom officials (9:3).

Though Esther began as a young and vulnerable orphan girl, she eventually became an ambassador for the Jewish people, a champion of God’s ways, and an agent of God’s global purposes. As our conviction brings us to courage and public confession, we mature into a life of service. As Esther acted on behalf of God’s people, so we are called to champion God’s causes in the world. The Christian life was never meant to be cloistered and closed off. Rather, we have been activated and deployed into the world to serve God and his redemptive work. As Esther modeled the life of an intermediary, we too have been called to mediate the gospel of Christ to the world in which we live, so that God’s people may both multiply and endure.

Embracing Leadership Authority: Stage of Competence

Biblical Narrative (Esther 9:16–10:3)

So successful were the Jews in defending their lives that a holiday was declared to celebrate the victory and deliverance of the Jewish people (9:16–19). This day was decreed to be “a day of feasting and joy” (9:17; cf. 9:18–19, 22). Mordecai recorded the events of the Jewish victory and sent this news throughout the kingdom (9:20–22). This news spread to “all the Jews in all the provinces,” to those who were “both near and far” (9:20). In a marvelous reversal of fortunes, the Jews had “gained rest from their enemies” and “their sorrow turned to joy and their mourning into a holiday” (9:22). In this feast of joy, gifts were exchanged and even given to the poor (9:22).

Although Haman and his allies had intended evil—a “wicked scheme” (9:25)—against the Jews in pursuit of his self-promotion, “their plan was overturned” (9:1). The evil plan of a wicked man (9:24–25) had “come back upon his own head” (9:25). This day of deliverance was established as the Feast of Purim (9:26). It became a custom for the Jewish people (9:23, 27), a celebration for Jews of future generations to remember the Jewish deliverance from the hands of their adversaries (9:26–28). Now, operating as a woman with great influence and “with full authority” (9:29), Esther confirmed the celebration of this feast (9:29–32). Communicating with the Jews throughout the kingdom, Mordecai sent messages of “peace and truth” (9:30) to the Jews living in the kingdom. So defining and significant were these events that Esther and Mordecai committed themselves and future Jewish descendants to this celebration (9:30) and Esther had the events recorded in the official royal records (9:32).

That these events took place in the empire of Persia under the rule of Xerxes makes them all the more significant. So powerful was Xerxes that he “imposed tribute throughout the land, even to its farthest shores” (10:1). In the context of a foreign empire ruled by a most powerful monarch, God’s people prospered. Mordecai’s fame and influence grew: his “powerful and magnificent accomplishments, together with the full account of the greatness” were recorded in the royal records (10:2). In fact, Mordecai was second in command in the Persian empire, only subservient to Xerxes himself (10:3). He was not only “preeminent among the Jews” (10:3) but also influential in Persia. Rather than using his power and influence for selfish ends, Mordecai (and Esther) used their positions of power for the good of their fellow Jews, “seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen” (10:3). In a display of godliness and courageous leadership, they became champions of the Jewish people in a kingdom and culture hostile to the people of faith.

Biblical Principles

Aftermath. After the definitive defeat of Jewish adversaries, God’s people organized life for their newfound freedom. Even though the Jewish exiles still lived in Persian territory, their triumph enabled them to live victorious lives as individuals, families, and a larger community of faith. To commemorate this victory, a day was set aside as a holiday. It was called the Feast of Purim (9:26). It was a time of joy and feasting (9:17, 18–19, 22), rest (9:18), giving gifts (9:19), care for the poor (9:22), peace (9:30), and truth (9:30). Not only was this an annual celebration (9:21), etched into the generational legacy of the Jewish people (9:27–28), but events of those days were also recorded in the historical annals of the Persian empire (10:2). While God’s people face difficult ordeals of the present, God secures for his people a victorious life. Moreover, Christian disciples should live their short lives to leave an impact on future generations. The experience of God-given victory and a life of enduring faith legacy serve as fertile soil from which disciples mature in their faith.

Competence. Maturity in the faith empowers God’s people for impactful leadership. While Esther and Mordecai demonstrated great leadership skills in prior scenes, this final part of the narrative emphasizes their competent and skillful leadership over God’s people. After the plot against the Jewish people was averted, Esther came to a position of full authority (9:29) and used it to build a tradition among the Jewish people that would last well beyond her own life. Even Mordecai rose in power, magnificence, achievement, greatness, and authority (10:2–3). Although she was already a queen, Esther became a unique leader at this moment in history. After he was given oversight of Haman’s estate, Mordecai gained significant influence in the kingdom at this time. After the battle, God’s people needed to learn how to live lives of faith in freedom and with a perspective of caring for future generations. Esther and Mordecai displayed skillful and proficient leadership in this realm. We, too, should grow in our faith with an eye toward competent and godly leadership. Not every disciple will embrace top-tiered leadership in the Christian community (not even Esther or Mordecai achieved this in Persia). Nevertheless, aspiring to leadership with godly motives can cause our faith to mature in deeper ways. As believers mature, God empowers some to leadership roles that assist the whole of God’s people in collective faith development for the whole faith community.

Conclusion

In the story of Esther, we see a character who grows, develops, and matures. Established as queen in Persia, she progressed from a passive object to an active subject: a faith-filled agent devoted to God and God’s people. She matured from holding a private maintenance of a hidden faith to exhibiting an open declaration of public confession when she appealed to Xerxes in defense of the Jewish people. Putting her own life on the line, Esther outgrew fear and timidity and became a person of courage and boldness. Rather than seeking her own advantage, this Jewish heroine assumed personal risk in a way that buried impulses of self-protection and self-preservation. At the end of her story, Esther became a champion of the Jewish people and a wise influence on Persian society. Possessing power, influence, and honor, she embraced her calling with a God-honoring humility and reverence.

Indeed, Esther is an exemplary figure who learned to act boldly and wisely in a pagan world. She is a reflection of the hand of God at work in the world. Although God’s name is not mentioned in the book of Esther, he is everywhere at work. The God of reversals, who brings low the proud and exalts the humble, used a faithful, submissive, and obedient Esther to accomplish his eternal purposes in a unique place and time. Her influence cannot be underestimated; neither can her progress in the faith be ignored. No disciple occupies an impactful life calling without growth in godliness. As we submit our lives to God and align our conduct to God’s commands, our ever-deepening faith can translate into ever-increasing obedience. God can bring a reversal of fortunes in our lives, and he can use our changed lives to bring about a transformation in the world around us. Fundamental to the life of faith in a hostile world—in fact, key to the best possible life—is to fully surrender our life and well-being to the living God, who may seem hidden and inactive at the moment, but who is ever-present and always at work through the lives of his faithful and devoted followers.

Session Synopsis

SESSION 12 SYNOPSIS
Making Progress in the Faith	In this passage, Esther demonstrates progress in faith development. At the beginning of this biblical account, she was compliant and passive in a powerful and pagan Persian kingdom. After becoming queen to King Xerxes, Esther demonstrated deep conviction and risk-taking boldness to defend God’s people from extermination. Using wisdom and respect, Esther acknowledged her Jewish identity to the king, and she exposed Haman’s sinister plot to kill the Jews. Esther put her life in danger in a powerful display of faith. The tables turned on Haman’s evil plot. Eventually, he was killed, and the Jewish people defended themselves from Haman’s violent plot. Esther became a public champion and a competent leader of her people. Her life highlights the nature of spiritual growth and stages of spiritual progress toward faith maturity. A summary of this story’s principles is outlined below.
Spiritual Progress and Stages of Development	Over time, Christians grow in their faith as a process of life transformation. In this biblical narrative, Esther went through various stages of growth: passiveness and compliance (1:1–2:23), deepening conviction (3:1–4:17), risk-taking courage (5:1–6:14), open confession of faith identity (7:1–10), public champion for the faith (8:1–9:16), and a competent leader in society and the community of believers (9:16–10:3). While Esther’s life represents meaningful insight in the progress of the faith, this does require us to say her life is a formulaic sequence of spiritual progress for every person.
The Difficulty of the Life of Faith	Like the Jews during the days of Esther, the Christian life is lived amid a culture and a world hostile to the faith. The Jews in Persia were exiles scattered throughout a foreign land (3:8; 9:16, 18–20) who were surrounded by the powerful influences of an ungodly culture (1:1–2:18). They experienced targeted persecution (3:1–15; 4:7, 13; 8:1, 3, 5, 7; 9:24–25) and practiced their faith in battle against attacking enemies (8:1–9:19).
Spiritual Maturity	In her early years, Esther was characterized as young (2:2, 4, 7, 9, 15, 19), beautiful (2:2, 7, 9, 12–13, 2:19; cf. 1:1), and passive (2:7–9, 11, 15–16, 20). Those who are young in their faith can easily be drawn into the values of society and conform to the patterns of the world. God calls his people as an exiled people to heartfelt devotion to God and God’s people (4:1–4, 16–17; 7:3). Instead of following the course of the world, God’s people are to live countercultural lives of obedience and holiness (2:10, 20, 22; 3:8; 4:17; cf. 1:12). Faith maturity requires conviction (3:1–6), wisdom (5:1–8, 6:14–7:6; 8:1–17), respect (5:4, 8; 8:3–6), and courage (4:16; 5:1–2; 9:1–19). Godly disciples confront evil (7:3–6), help God’s people grow into a vibrant community of faith (9:20–32), and make an enduring impact on larger society (2:19–23; 8:1; 10:1–3).

Personal Reflection: Entering the Story

Apply the Text: The word of God is binding and authoritative, the only reliable guide for faith and godliness. True disciples submit themselves to God’s word. In this movement, you will apply God’s word to your lives.

Reflection Questions

Encourage one person to share a testimony about how this story has impacted them so far. Use the reflection questions to examine your life in light of this biblical passage.

Spiritual Practice

Ponder Your Faith Journey

In this final exercise, take time to spend with a mentor and review all the previous stories. Go back through and reflect on the big ideas and next steps for each story. Then take time to celebrate the progress you made in this journey, talk about the challenges you faced, reflect on the surprises along the way, and anticipate the upcoming road God has for you. Progress to Celebrate Challenges Faced, Surprises You Encountered, Upcoming Road God Is Directing You

Ministry Practice: Rehearsing the Script

Minister the Text: God’s word is living and active. Through God’s word, the Christian community is edified. In this movement, you will utilize the biblical passage to minister to other believers and build them up in their faith.

Application Questions

Look at the infographic below. Use the questions to think about how to minister this text to other believers.

Missional Outreach: Publicizing the Truth

Witness the Text: The Bible is a message of God’s gracious salvation to the world. In word and deed, God’s people proclaim the good news of the gospel. In this movement, you will use this biblical passage to reach out to unbelievers.

Strategy Questions

Reflect on the infographic below. Consider how you can use this passage to witness to the surrounding world. Use the suggested ideas to prime your imagination. Then, put together a plan to share this passage with unbelievers, Afterward, reflect on this mission experience.