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Haman Plans to Kill the Jews
At this point we are introduced to a man named Haman. He was the most powerful official in Persia after the king, and he was a pompous jerk!
Esther 3:5-6 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. 6 He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes.
Mordecai refused to bow to Haman. And Haman got mad. He didn’t just hate Mordecai, but all the Jews. Haman came up with a plan to exterminate the Jews from Persia. He told the king that if he was allowed to kill this group of people, he would take their money and give it to the king. Xerxes agreed to this arrangement without hearing the details: like who they were going to kill! So, in about 11 months, the Jews would be killed.
Mordecai Appeals to Esther for Help
Mordecai and the Jews began to be in mourning because of this decree. Esther wanted to know what was the matter with Mordecai, and why he was in mourning. Mordecai believed that Esther can help, but she was afraid to go before the king. If a person came before the king unannounced, they would be executed unless the king raised his golden scepter.
Esther 4:13-14 Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
God would save the Jewish people. He promised to do it in the Old Testament. But Mordecai saw that Esther might be God’s instrument of salvation for the Jews. You have to remember, neither Mordecai or Esther knew how the story was going to end. Both of them could have been killed.
Finally, Esther decided to help, although death was a real possibility for her. She asked the Jews to fast and pray for her. This was a turning point in Esther’s life. She went from being a young woman who was at the mercy of the king and her cousin, to a person who was decisive and in control.
Everyone Faces Turning Points in Their Lives
Have you faced a turning point in your life yet? It’s a moment where you are forced to make a decision for or against God. Turning points have consequences for your life. We have to make a decision for Jesus. Will you accept him or not? That’s a turning point. We have to make a decision to obey him. Some possible turning points in our lives:
- Will I cheat on this test or not?
- Will I date a non-Christian or not?
- Will I have sex with my boyfriend/girlfriend or not?
- Will I let everyone know that I am a Christian or not?
Maybe you can see some turning points in your life where you didn’t follow God with your decision. There is good news. God forgives you.
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- Who is your favorite villain from movies, tv, or comic books?
- Have you ever faced a turning point in your life? If so, describe it.
- Read Esther 4:14. Rephrase this verse in your own words. What was Mordecai saying to Esther?
- Think about smaller decisions you make in life: whether or not to gossip, cheat on a test, etc. How can these small decisions affect your character?
- Why is prayer important when you are making a decision in your life?
- Have you made the wrong decision in a turning point in your life? Ask God for forgiveness now.
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
