Week 2 DAYS 3 and 4
Today AND Tomorrow
We will:
- LOOK at Esther Chapter 9:20-10:3.
- LEARN ‘how‘ to incorporate GODcha’s tools along the way.
- LISTEN to God speak to us as we focus on GODcha’s LEARN/LIVE question –
Open GODcha to the Book of Esther
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Do you remember. . .
Why Was Esther Written? 
To Find the Purpose of Esther
Scan the Overview in GODcha to refresh your memory!
Let’s Begin With Prayer
And Continue With an Attitude of Prayer
Perhaps. . .
Oh Lord, thank you for loving us. Thank you for loving us so much that You give us what we need, Your Holy Word, that reveals Your heart and ways, and reveals to us our hearts, and where we fall short. We want to hear You speak to us today. Give us eyes to see, and ears to hear. Grant us the understanding we need to be changed and live as You so desire. Thank you!
If you get STUCK at any point in your discovery, stop, and pray!
GOD, your Creator, loves you and desires to reveal much to you.
Context
Context Tutorial >
We left off with the Jews in Susa and the rural towns celebrating their salvation from their enemies.
These next few days we will come to the end of our journey with Mordecai and Esther, and as we do please consider how God is showing us the need to remember, remember what He has done in the past that gives us hope and security for the future.
Let’s not miss how God ends this drama.
Today: The Need to Remember!
LOOK
At Verses 20-28
READ
READ Esther 9:20-28 by asking the who, what, where, when, why, and how questions.
Remember, reading and re-reading helps us cement God’s Word down deep in our hearts.
Remember to:
Reflect on the events that demonstrate God’s hidden hand.
What Might Be Key?
Mordecai and the Jews are still Key.
Remember, we saw Mordecai’s spiritual salvation back in Chapter 4, and most recently he was saved physically, now 2nd in command to the king.
And the Jews who were under a death sentence were saved!
Let’s Zoom In.
Take small bites, go verse by verse, dig a bit deeper, and see what you can discover. As you do, you will want to check out:
Word Meanings
Cross References (aka CR) on These Key Points.
Note: Remember to check the context of these passages.
Read Est 9:20-22.
What does Mordecai do?
What does he oblige the Jews to do?
Celebrate!
This Celebration is definitely Key!
Who celebrates?
When do they celebrate?
Why do they celebrate?
How are they to celebrate?
Let’s investigate.
Do you see the 
Time Phrases that are Key?
What 2 days were set aside to celebrate annually.
Why? What happened on those days? And during that month?
Do you remember what you learned about the Jews getting rid of their enemies? You might want to do a quick review.
Doesn’t it make sense that the Jews who were under this death sentence, but saved, would experience their sorrow being turned to gladness?
What Does Gladness Mean?
GLADNESS s;imḥāh imchâh, sim-khaw´; joy (-fulness), mirth, pleasure, rejoice.
We looked at gladness back in Esther 8:16-17. You might go back and review.
Let’s Check Out Some More Cross References
1. What does God promise?
Psa 30:11
2. Why did Christ come?
Isa 61:3
Joh 15:11
3. How do we capture that joy [gladness]?
What illustration did Jesus give His disciples to help them understand this concept?
What is gladness [joy] based on?
Joh 16:20-22
Gal 5:22-23
4. What does Peter connect joy with?
1Pe 1:6-9
5. What is our part?
Isa 61:3
LISTEN to the Spirit
Do I have gladness [joy]? If not why not?
Where am I looking for joy? From the world, and/or my circumstances?
Or do I have a built-in joy that can only come from God when saved from my sentence of death?
Have I learned to restore that joy by praising God for who He is and what He has done, and continues to do?
Chat With God!
Let that conversation begin, this is how communion takes place with your Creator!
READ Esther 9:20-28 again by asking the who, what, where, when, why, and how questions.
Focus on Verses 23-25.
What did the Jews do?
Why?
As we consider this celebration, do you see the summary about the Jew’s enemy?
What is the Contrast?
What’s the point?
The evil scheme that Haman devised against the Jews returned on his own head, and his sons were hanged on the gallows.
Have you heard the saying, what goes around comes around?
Let’s Check Out Some Cross Reference (aka CR)
What does God say about ‘returned on his own head’?
Isa 3:11
Mat 7:12
Col 3:25
Gal 6:7-8
“There are natural consequences to our actions. The world operates under the law of cause and effect. There is no way around it: every time we choose an action, we also choose the consequences of that action.” GotQuestions.
LISTEN to the Spirit
What has returned on my own head?
What am I sowing? What are my actions, words, behavior?
Chat With God!
Oh, engage with Your Creator, who loves you and is waiting to talk.
READ Esther 9:26-27.
What is the Conclusion?
What did they call these days?
Why?
Check Out The Cross References if you need to about Pur.
Est 3:7
Pro 16:33
If you have time you might stop and google this holiday called ‘Purim’ that the Jews still celebrate to this day. It is usually around March, they eat together, give gifts to one another, and give generously to the poor.
Note: God never gives us the command to celebrate the feast of Purim. But we certainly want to celebrate Jesus. We need to shout and rejoice that we have been redeemed and given life!
LISTEN to the Spirit
God is a giver, for God so loved the world, He gave . . .and if I am a child of God, am I a giver? Am I a generous giver?
What did I do today for others?
What do I do for the poor?
READ Esther 9:28.
What is the Final Conclusion regarding these days?
What do ‘remember’ and ‘memory’ Mean?
REMEMBER zākar; A verb meaning to mention, to recall, to think about, to think on, to acknowledge, to make known. The basic meaning indicates a process of mentioning or recalling either silently, verbally, or by means of a memorial sign or symbol.
MEMORY zēker; A noun meaning remembrance.
I don’t know about you, but I do forget. It is a reality whether young or old. Perhaps that is why God is constantly reminding us of certain Truths, telling us to remember.
LISTEN to the Spirit
What do I remember?
What can I do to remember those things that are most important?
Check Out The Cross References.
What are a few things God tells us to remember and not forget?
THINK and REASON
Why this is so important?
Let this be a time of worship as you go through these passages.
Ecc 12:1
LISTEN to the Spirit
What do I know and understand about my Creator? How and why do I remember my Creator?
How have I served Him in my younger years, knowing my service will be limited as I get older?
Psa 20:7; 119:55
LISTEN to the Spirit
Do I know the name of the LORD? How can I boast [means remember] in His name if I don’t know it?
What will I do to remember His name and keep His law?
Psa 119:16
LISTEN to the Spirit
What must I do to delight in and not forget God’s Word?
Psa 77:11; 105:5
What incredible deeds and wonders of the Lord will I remember, and not forget?
Exo 13:3
What do I remember about the day the Lord brought me out of my slavery? How do I celebrate this wonder in my life?
1Co 11:24-26
LISTEN to the Spirit
How often do I eat the bread and drink the cup in remembrance of the Lord’s death? How does this offering affect me?
2Ti 2:8-10
LISTEN to the Spirit
How do I celebrate and remember Jesus Christ is risen from the dead?
Heb 13:7
LISTEN to the Spirit
Who do I remember that had a great impact on my life, leading me, speaking the Word of God to me? Can I imitate their example and faith?
Psa 103:2-5
LISTEN to the Spirit
What are the Lord’s benefits to me? What will I do to not forget them?
Lam 3:21-23
LISTEN to the Spirit
What can I recall about the Lord’s lovingkindness, compassion, and faithfulness to me? How does this bring me hope?
If you have time you might do a 
Word Search on ‘remember’, ‘remind’, ‘recall’, ‘forget’ (looking for ‘not forget’).
LISTEN to the Spirit
Will I remember?
What must I do so I don’t forget?
Chat With God!
This is the most glorious part of your journey! Sit with the Lord!
What Did You LEARN 
Check out GODcha’s #13 LEARN Question(s).
#13. After this great deliverance, Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews who were near and far to oblige them to celebrate.
a. What do you learn about the celebration?
b. Why was it established and still celebrated to this day by the Jews? (v20-32)
Sum It Up!
We LEARN:
Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, v20.
These would be all the events that led up to this day.
Mordecai obliged the Jews to set aside 2 days – the 14th and 15th days of the month Adar, to celebrate annually, v21.
We Discover:
Adar is the month of Feb/Mar.
These dates were decided by God when Haman cast the Pur (lot).
These dates were the days that the Jews were delivered from their enemies.
We LEARN:
The Jews were to celebrate annually because in those days the Jews had rid themselves of their enemies. Their sorrow and mourning had been turned into gladness; into a holiday, v22.
We Discover:
Gladness is joy.
God promises to turn our mourning into dancing; He has loosed our sackcloth (mourning) and girded us with gladness, Psa 30:11.
God is the one who puts gladness in a person’s heart, Psa 4:7.
Gladness comes through Christ, who came to bring the oil of gladness instead of mourning, Isa 61:3.
Jesus explained to His disciples that He had to go away for the Spirit, the Helper, the Comforter to come. Sorrow had filled their hearts. He told them they would grieve at His going, but their grief would be turned to joy, John 16:5-7.
To get His point across He gave the illustration of a woman who is in labor, in pain, because her hour has come. But she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.
Yes, His disciples would have grief now; but He would see them again, and their hearts would rejoice, and no one would take their joy away from them, John 16:20-22.
Jesus gives us His joy, by the power of His Spirit whose fruit is joy, Gal 5:22-23.
Understand:
Salvation and celebration go hand in hand.
The Resurrection and the Spirit are the basis of our joy.
Jesus gives us His joy by the power of His Spirit, whose fruit is joy.
God promised to give those who mourn in Zion: a garland instead of ashes; the oil of gladness instead of mourning; the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting so that He would be glorified, Isa 61:3.
“Praise works like a magnifying glass. It causes what you’re focusing on to become bigger, to be magnified.” Bob and Debby Gass
Understand:
When we praise God, we get our focus on God, His attributes, His promises, His actions, and His ways, then our fainting spirit fills with gladness, joy.
We LEARN:
The Jews were to celebrate for 2 days with feasting and rejoicing; rest; sending food to one another and gifts to the poor.
Thus the Jews undertook what they had started to do, and what Mordecai had written to them, v23.
We LEARN:
From the summary about Haman, the wicked scheme he devised against the Jews came upon his own head, and he and his sons were hanged on the gallows, v24-25.
We Discover:
God warns that it will go badly for the wicked, for what he deserves will be done to him, Isa 3:11.
We are to treat others as we would like to be treated, Mat 7:12.
God says he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and without partiality, Col 3:25
The sowing and reaping principle. We are not to be deceived about ourselves. God who searches ALL hearts, knows and is not mocked. What we sow, we reap. If we sow to please the flesh, then we reap destruction. If we sow to the Spirit, then we reap eternal life, Gal 6:6-8.
We LEARN:
These days were called days of Purim after the name of Pur, v26.
We Discover:
These days were called Purim:
– Which is the plural for Pur, 2 days, not 1.
– Because of the providential casting of the pur, that is the lot, that was cast before Haman from day to day, month to month, until the twelfth month, that is the month Adar, Est 3:7.
The lot was cast, but the Lord decided this date, Pro 16:33.
We LEARN:
Who Celebrates?
Because of the instructions in Mordecai’s letter, both what the Jews had seen and what had happened to them, they established and made a custom for themselves, their descendants, and all those who allied themselves with them, v27.
When to Celebrate?
The Jews did this so they would not fail to celebrate these two days according to their regulation and their appointed time annually, v27.
Specifically, Who Celebrates?
So these days were to be remembered and celebrated throughout every generation, every family in every province, and every city, v28.
What and Who?
And these days of Purim were not to fail among the Jews, or their memory fade from their descendants, v28.
We Discover:
We are to Remember and Not to Forget:
Ecc 12:1 – Our Creator
We should be in absolute awe of God who created us. We are not our own. We are obligated to Him, our Creator, the author and giver of our lives, who created us to glorify Him, Rev 4:11.
Psa 119:16 – God’s Word
God speaks to us through His Word that is alive and powerful, Heb 4:12. Thus we are to live by every Word He speaks, Mat 4:4.
Psa 77:11; 105:5 – The Deeds of the Lord
To remember His wonders of old that He has done, His marvels, and the judgments uttered by His mouth, helps us keep our focus on Him, the God of the impossible, and not on ourselves and our problems.
Exo 13:3 – The LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, out of slavery by His powerful hand
– This helps remind us of God’s awesome power.
– That the Israelites did not deliver themselves, but their deliverance came by God’s power, as does our deliverance.
– That their deliverance out of slavery is a picture of our deliverance out of slavery to sin and death.
– And as they were brought out of Egypt, we are brought out of the world, and enter into the kingdom of God.
– We need to remember our bondage to sin; where we were and what we were like. And remember the Lord leading us out of our slavery; our deliverance!
Psa 20:7; 119:55 – The Name of the LORD
To boast [remember] His name (all that He is and does) brings incredible security and hope.
1Co 11:24-26 – The Lord’s Sacrifice
As we break the bread and drink the cup we are reminded that Christ gave His body and shed His blood for us. We surely are more sensitive to what it cost God the Father and His Son to redeem us from our sin.
2Ti 2:8-10 – Jesus Christ Rose From the Dead
A descendant of David, according to the gospel – thus salvation is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.
Christ’s Resurrection gives us freedom, security, and hope. Encouraging us to be steadfast in our faith and hope, strengthening us to keep pressing forward.
Heb 13:7 – Those who Led You
– It is helpful to our walk to remember those who have led us and were faithful to speak and teach the Word of God, giving us a godly example to follow.
– We all are leading someone, thus we are to lead a life that will be a godly example for others to imitate. And we are to speak, teach the Word of God.
Psa 103:2-5 – All God Has Done for Us
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle
Lam 3:21-23 – God’s Lovingkindness, Compassion, and Faithfulness
And LIVE it out!
Check out GODcha’s #13 LIVE Question(s).
#13. What great works of God do I remember and celebrate yearly?
a. How do I celebrate?
b. What must I do to not let these celebrations not become rote, but continue to be holy, meaningful and joyful?
Respond to God. . . LIVE it out!
Now We Don’t Just LISTEN,
But, We Speak to God!
Oh, chat with God, your Creator who loves you! He is waiting, desiring this intimate communication with you.
That’s It For Now!
Oh, I pray you have engaged with God in a very special way as you LISTENED to Him speak to you personally.
Meditate on everything God is teaching you. “For the one who meditates on God’s Word is blessed,” (Psalm 1:1-2).
What have you learned about yourself?
Is there some action God is requiring of you?
Do you need to confess and repent?
Put this Review and Summary
in Your Notes
Video Tutorial> Notes Tutorial >
If you will take the time to put this Review in your Notes, you can return to it anytime and anywhere. You will be so glad you did.
If short on time, copy and paste into your Notes.
Let’s Bow Before the Father
FATHER GOD, BLESSED LORD JESUS, and HOLY SPIRIT – GOD in three persons, we praise You! Oh, Father help each one of us remember the day of our salvation. It is a different day for all of us, but help us to recall when You delivered us from our enemies of sin and death! Help us to remember what we were like, where we were at, and what You pulled us out of! And pierce our hearts to see if not for Your powerful grace, where would we be right now? Oh, we praise You, Father, that You raised Your Son from the dead, and we too have been raised from death to newness of life. Thank you that You have sealed us with Your Spirit of promise, who fills us with joy! May our hearts spill over with joy daily for all You have done for us, sowing unto the Spirit and not our flesh! Oh, quicken our hearts the minute we give in to our flesh Lord!
Father, You are our Creator, help us to remember daily that we are not our own, and that You created us to glorify You. May we live our lives purposely each day committed to honor and glorify You!
Father, the Word, from Genesis to Revelation, is how You speak to us, through Your Son, by the power of Your Spirit. As we learn to hear You speak, help us to remember all that You are teaching us to believe; how You are admonishing and correcting us; and then to go forth and live rightly before You and others.
Father, oh help us to remember Your marvelous, miraculous deeds. The miracle of Your Resurrection from the dead, for starters. And then our wonderful salvation, changing us from the inside out, and exchanging our sin for Your righteousness, and putting Your Spirit within each one of us.
Father, may we never forget what our salvation cost You, and You Lord Jesus. May we never take for granted Your incredible sacrifice to redeem us. And then all Your benefits that come with this. Help us to remember that You have pardoned us, healed us, crowned us with lovingkindness and compassion, and You satisfy our years with good things.
Father thank you for Your word to us today. In Your name sweet Jesus, we pray and ask these things. Amen.
Next: We will finish up Chapter 9.
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