God's Redeeming of Jewish People

Once again I only had a class of one, but we had class none the less. This week's lesson looked at the Book of Esther. To give a bit of background to the passage we studied today, Esther had been chosen from all of the young women of the land to be King Xerxes' new queen. Her cousin Mordecia was a captain of the king's guard, and as such had gotten on the bad side of the king's advisor, Haman, when he refused to bow to Haman. As a result, Haman got the king to pass a law that allowing for the destruction of not just Mordecia, but all Jews. We skip ahead to Chapter 4:12-17 where we read:

4:12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.
4:13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
4:14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
4:15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
4:17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.


Have you ever had the opportunity to say something to help someone else in trouble, but stayed quiet?

No, we would speak up and help others if we could.

Has someone ever had the opportunity to help you when you were in trouble, but didn't say something?

No.

Think about what it's like when you had a chance to do something that was right, but you knew it might cost you something. For example, you see someone your age setting by themselves in a social setting. They don;t look like you, they don't have the same friends, but they look very alone. The right thing to do would be to talk to that person. Yet, you know it might cost you something. It might cost you your pride is the conversation doesn't go well. It might cost you your reputation if someone judges you for sitting with someone different that yourself. It might cost you time when there are so many other "better things" to do. Esther had a choice to do the right thing by trusting God and speaking for a group of people who could not speak on their own behalf.

What would it take for you to actually do something to make a difference?

A lot of courage.

Would you be willing to address a group of your peers?

Yes, but it would be a very nervous situation.

Write letters to people in authority?

Yes, much easier than talking to a group of peers.

What if you have to do it alone?

It would be much harder to stand up as an individual than as a member of a group.

God created you to live today, that you might use your voice, your gifts, your talents and passions to bring life, love, joy, hope, and justice around the world. Where do you feel God is calling you to speak up?

That was the challenge that we ended our lesson on, where do you feel God is calling you to speak up? Is he calling you to speak against drinking and drugs in your town, against bullying in your school, or against intolerant attitudes within your own church. Once you have decided where God wants you to be, comment and share your mission with everyone. Who knows, maybe there are others who share the same goal from God.