1. That in time of trouble we should seek God's help.

3. That deliverance from trouble can be expected when God's people turn to Him. Exodus 3

5. That we must desire to help God's people whenever, however and wherever we can.

9. That prayer by God's people is to be valued.

INTRODUCTION: In the last chapter we saw the rise of Haman and the King's decree he obtained for the purpose of killing all of God's people. The Jews would not have had this trouble to come upon them if they had all gone back to Jerusalem with Zerubabel. (Ezra 1). But being content to stay out of God's chosen place of blessing (Palestine) they would have chastisement and so Christians today, when they get out of God's will, must expect chastisement, too. Hebrews 12:5-11. Our lesson today tells us how God's people acted under the threat of annihilation.

Vs. 1 -- Sackcloth and ashes speak of humility, fasting and great mourning. Daniel 9:3. Mordecai humbled himself before God, mourned and looked to God for help. He led his people (3:6) to turn to God at this grave catastrophe.

Vs. 2 -- That Mordecai could not enter the King's gate unless properly clothed reminds us that none can enter heaven (God's presence) unless they are clothed in a Robe of Righteousness. Isaiah 61:10; Romans 3:21,22.

Vs. 3 -- God's people turned to God. These people knew (for past history had so taught them) that if they turned to God they could expect deliverance. II Chronicles 7:14.

Vs. 4 -- Esther's concern for Mordecai is shown but concern was not sufficient for the root of the matter had not been taken care of. To change the outward appearance or the environment of a person is not sufficient to help a person's total welfare. Their spiritual need must be met. II Corinthians. 5:17.

Vs. 5 & 6 -- These verses show the power and authority of Esther as the queen.

Vs. 7 -- Mordecai blamed the King's ready acceptance of Haman's offer on the King's desire for money. I Timothy 6:10 and Esther 3:9.

Vs. 8 -- Mordecai furnishes the written decree and charges her with doing something about it because they were her people, too. We should want to help God's people. Philippians 2:25-30. We can help by relieving them of some of their heavy responsibilities in the Lord's work.

Vs. 9 & 10 -- Hatach, the declarer of important matters. He declared the message in exactness, in obedience and seemingly, in haste. We would do well to be as good a servant to our Lord.

Vs. 11 -- The stringent demands of the King are noticeable. God's demands are just as strict. John 6:44. These demands of the King along with the necessity of the holding out of the Golden Sceptre is a picture of the fact that none can come into God's presence except Grace has been extended. Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 10:13-17; John 16:7-9.

Vs. 12-14 -- Esther is reminded that as a Jewess she was under condemnation, too and that probably God hath placed her where she was so she could use her position for His glory. Who knows but that we live at just this time so that we might use our talents and lives to influence certain people for God's cause.

Vs. 15-17 -- Esther realizes God must place in the King's heart the desire to offer grace and so she requests that God's people intercede (fast) for her and after that she would go in and resign herself that whatever happens will be God's will. She showed dependence on god and a complete trust in Him. Romans 8:28; Proverbs 3:5,6.

CONCLUSION: When God's people become chastised by God they would do well to not try on their own to weather the storm but to turn to God in humility, repentance and faith as these people did. In the lessons that follow, we will see how God delivers them.