20 And Mordecai recorded these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, 21 obliging them to keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same, year by year, 22 as the days on which the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor. 23 So the Jews accepted what they had started to do, and what Mordecai had written to them. 24 For Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur (that is, cast lots), to crush and to destroy them. 25 But when it came before the king, he gave orders in writing that his evil plan that he had devised against the Jews should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. 26 Therefore they called these days Purim, after the term Pur. Therefore, because of all that was written in this letter, and of what they had faced in this matter, and of what had happened to them, 27 the Jews firmly obligated themselves and their offspring and all who joined them, that without fail they would keep these two days according to what was written and at the time appointed every year, 28 that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, in every clan, province, and city, and that these days of Purim should never fall into disuse among the Jews, nor should the commemoration of these days cease among their descendants. 29 Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew gave full written authority, confirming this second letter about Purim. 30 Letters were sent to all the Jews, to the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, in words of peace and truth, 31 that these days of Purim should be observed at their appointed seasons, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther obligated them, and as they had obligated themselves and their offspring, with regard to their fasts and their lamenting. 32 The command of Esther confirmed these practices of Purim, and it was recorded in writing.
1 King Ahasuerus imposed tax on the land and on the coastlands of the sea. 2 And all the acts of his power and might, and the full account of the high honor of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people. —Esther 9:20-10:3

Intro: As we conclude our time in the book of Esther, we reflect on the lessons we’ve learned. God uses broken and unlikely vessels. God is sovereign and knows what is best for us. Evil will become a victim of its own devices. We must learn to navigate living as followers of God and living as good citizens in a pagan society. What a gift God has given us in the powerful reminder that God is working in all things. Like the Jews, we have much to delight in when we give attention to the person and work of God.

Big Idea: The person and work of God is to be

1.

Reveal Answer

the person and work of God (9:19-22)

• a. A day of gladness, feasting, holiday, food, and gifts (9:19)
• b. Sorrow into gladness (9:22)
• c. Gifts to the poor (9:23)

2.

Reveal Answer

the person and work of God (9:23-32)

• a. Remember the relief from enemies (9:22)
• b. Remember God’s sovereignty (9:23-26)

Do I

• c. Remember throughout generation to generation (9:27-32)

3.

Reveal Answer

the person and work of God (10:1-3)

• a. Mordecai’s honor (10:2)
• b. The good of the people (10:3)
• c. The peace for all his people (10:3)

• d. Our present peace:

  1. Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom 8:38-39)

     38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 8:38-39

  2. “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20)

     teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:20

  3. Ultimately, we will be with him forever, face-to-face, in His Father’s house (John 14:1-3)

     1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. —John 14:1-3

  4. We have an advocate close to the king. (Heb 4:16)

     Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. —Hebrews 4:16

God has not

Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

3. If followers of Jesus made celebration a regular habit, how would that shape us as individuals, communities, and cultures?

4. What areas of your life have you found the most difficult to trust God in? How does remembering the person and work of God empower you to trust Him more?

5. How have you delighted in the Lord lately? How can we organize our schedule to enjoy God this week?