Scripture: Esther 3-5
Symbol: Star of David
Why is Esther a significant part of our "Jesse Tree" story? Was she also in the "family tree" of the Messiah? Did she prophesy of his coming? Was she a "figure" of Christ?
You may have answered no to all of these, and you would be right. But what then? Think of this . . . if the Jewish people were to be annihilated there would be no stump of Jesse, no line of Judah, no son of David, no Messiah.
In the time of Esther, Israel's former days of glory had come to an end. The days of the victorious King David; the great, wise and wealthy King Solomon had long been past. Israel had turned against God, and now God had removed His hand of protection. Babylon came in and seized their land and their people - they were captives in a foreign land. A few years after Queen Esther courageously preserved her people, would begin the 4 centuries of waiting, between the Old Testament (Malachi) and the New Testament (the Advent of Christ).
Discussion Questions
- What was Mordecai confident of regarding the salvation of the Jews when he exhorts Esther to go to the King? (4:14a)
- What was the second thing Mordecai was confident of regarding Esther? (4:14b)
- What was Esther's response? (4:16)
- Who else took part of God's plan to deliver the Jews? How? (4:16,17)
