Children's
Ministry

Jesus said,

"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs to the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 19:14

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The Story of Esther

The Biblical Book of Esther is set in the third year of Ahasuerus, King of Persia, who reigned from India to Ethiopia (usually identified with Xerxes I), and tells a story of palace intrigue, attempted genocide and a brave woman of Jewish background who would become queen.

In the story, King Ahasuerus is married to Vashti, but rejects her after she declines his invitation to appear at a festival before the people. So the King arranges all the beautiful young virgins in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather for his selection of a new queen. Mordecai's cousin Hadassah (to whom he is guardian since she became orphaned) was very beautiful and was the candidate selected by King Ahasuerus to become his new bride and assumes the throne under the name of Esther, not revealing her true heritage. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Haman (an Agagite) and his wife, Zeresh, plot to have King Ahasuerus issue an edict to kill all the Jews, not knowing that Queen Esther is Jewish. At the risk of endangering her own safety, Esther wept and pleaded with the King to avert the evil plan of Haman, thus, saving the lives of many people. Haman is then ordered to be hanged on the same 50 cubit stake he had built to hang Mordecai, and Mordecai becomes Prime Minister of Persia in Haman's place.

King Ahasuerus then issues another edict allowing the Jews to bear arms, so on the 13th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, Jews across the kingdom assembled and defended themselves. Thousands of their enemies were killed, including Haman's ten evil sons who were hanged from a tree. On the 14th of Adar, they praised God, gave thanks and celebrated.

In the walled capital city of Shushan, however, the fighting continued another day, so on the 15th of Adar, the Jews of Shushan celebrated their victory.

Esther asked the rabbis to write the story of Purim (which these days were called, meaning "of a broken piece") and include it in the Bible. Scrolls - megillot - were written and sent to the Jews throughout the kingdom. The rabbis commanded the people to keep the holiday of Purim forever as a day of thanksgiving and feasting and joy; of sending gifts to friends and money to the poor. Thus, the traditional Jewish celebrations continue yearly as follows:

The Fast of Esther on the 13th of Adar

Purim Day on the 14th of Adar

The celebration of Jerusalem: Shushan Purim on the 15th of Adar.

Esther, Queen of Persia, is a symbol of strength, devotion and love. Her symbolic deliverance of Israel in taking a stance with faith in saving her nation, signifys Christ's deliverance and love for the world by the saving of his people, representing the church.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life!" (John 3:16)

See the story of Esther come alive in motion picture with One Night With the King, rated PG.

Children's Ministry

Children's
Ministry