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The Story of Queen Esther - See How Esther Saved the Jewish People _ Bible Stories · truthunedited

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Speaker 1: In a world where the fate of an entire people
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Speaker 1: can depend on the courage of a single individual. The
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Speaker 1: story of Esther emerges, a young Jewish woman who became
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Speaker 1: Queen of Persia and saved her nation from annihilation. This
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Speaker 1: extraordinary narrative of faith, courage, and divine providence continues to
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Speaker 1: inspire generations, showing how God can use ordinary people to
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Speaker 1: achieve extraordinary deeds. Get ready to embark on an exciting
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Speaker 1: journey through corridors of power, pallace, intrigues, and decisions that
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Speaker 1: changed the course of history. In the third year of
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Speaker 1: xerxes reign King of Persia, a great banquet was held
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Speaker 1: in the Citadel of Susa. Esther one one three tells
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Speaker 1: us this is what happened during the time of Xerxes.
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Speaker 1: The Xerxes who ruled over one hundred and twenty seven
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Speaker 1: provinces stretching from India to Kush at that time. King
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Speaker 1: Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the Citadel of Susa,
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Speaker 1: and in the third year of his reign, he gave
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Speaker 1: a bank for all his nobles and officials. This feast
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Speaker 1: lasted an impressive one hundred eighty days, during which the
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Speaker 1: king displayed the wealth of his kingdom and the splendor
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Speaker 1: of his majesty. At the end of this period, as
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Speaker 1: Esther one five tells us, the king gave a banquet
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Speaker 1: lasting seven days for all the people who were in
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Speaker 1: the citadel of Susa, from the least to the greatest.
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Speaker 1: The palace was adorned with white and blue linens, and
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Speaker 1: guests drank from golden goblets, each different from the other.
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Speaker 1: On the seventh day of the banquet, when the king's
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Speaker 1: heart was merry with wine, he commanded that Queen Vashti
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Speaker 1: be brought into his presence. The king wished to show
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Speaker 1: off Vashti's beauty to the nobles and everyone present, for
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Speaker 1: she was very beautiful. However, something unexpected occurred. Esther one
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Speaker 1: twelve reveals but when the attendants delivered the king's command,
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Speaker 1: Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious
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Speaker 1: and burned with anger. This refusal infuriated King Xerxes, who
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Speaker 1: immediately consulted his wise men on what should be done.
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Speaker 1: One of the advisers, named Memukan, suggested that Vashti be
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Speaker 1: deposed from her position as queen. He argued that Vashti's
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Speaker 1: behavior could negatively influence all the women in the kingdom.
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Speaker 1: The king and the nobles agreed with this advice, and
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Speaker 1: a decree was issued throughout the vast empire. Ester On
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Speaker 1: nineteen says, therefore, if it pleases the King, let him
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Speaker 1: issue a royal decree, and let it be written in
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Speaker 1: the laws of Persia and media which cannot be repealed,
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Speaker 1: that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of
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Speaker 1: King Xerxes. Also, let the king give her royal position
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Speaker 1: to someone else who is better than she. Thus Vashti
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Speaker 1: was banished from the king's presence, leaving the throne of
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Speaker 1: the queen vacant. After these events, when King xerxi his
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Speaker 1: anger subsided, he began to miss Vashti. His attendants, noticing this,
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Speaker 1: made a suggestion Esther two two four tells us. Then
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Speaker 1: the king's personal attendants proposed, let a search be made
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Speaker 1: for beautiful young virgins for the king. The young woman
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Speaker 1: who pleases the king will become queen instead of Vashti.
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Speaker 1: This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it.
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Speaker 1: It was in this context that a young Jewish woman
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Speaker 1: named Hadassah, also known as Esther came into the picture.
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Speaker 1: Esther was an orphan and had been raised by her
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Speaker 1: cousin Mordecai. Esther two five to seven introduces her. Now,
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Speaker 1: there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of
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Speaker 1: the tribe of Benjamin named Mordecai, who had been carried
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Speaker 1: into exile from Jerusalem by nebucad Neza. Mordecai had a
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Speaker 1: cousin named Hadassa, whom he had brought up because she
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Speaker 1: had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was
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Speaker 1: also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful.
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Speaker 1: When the king's decree was announced, Esther was taken to
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Speaker 1: the King's palace along with many other young women. Esther
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Speaker 1: quickly gained the favor of Hegeye, the man in charge
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Speaker 1: of the Harem. Esther two nine says she pleased him
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Speaker 1: and won his favor immediately. He provided her with her beauty,
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Speaker 1: treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven female
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Speaker 1: attendants selected from the King's palace, and moved her and
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Speaker 1: her attendants into the best place in the harem. Mordecai
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Speaker 1: had instructed Esther not to reveal her nationality or family background,
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Speaker 1: and she faithfully followed this advice. Each young woman underwent
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Speaker 1: twelve months of beauty treatments before being presented to King Xerxes.
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Speaker 1: When it was Esther's turn, she requested nothing but what
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Speaker 1: Hagey suggested. Esther two fifteen tells us, and Esther won
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Speaker 1: the favor of everyone who saw her. Finally, Esther was
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Speaker 1: taken to the king. The Book of Esther tells us
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Speaker 1: that the king loved her more than all the other women,
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Speaker 1: and that she won his favor more than any of
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Speaker 1: the virgins. Thus, as Esther two seventeen states, the king
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Speaker 1: was so pleased with Esther that he set a royal
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Speaker 1: crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
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Speaker 1: To celebrate, the king gave a great banquet known as
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Speaker 1: Esther's Banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He also
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Speaker 1: declared a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with
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Speaker 1: royal generosity. Esther, the Jewish Orphan, was now queen of
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Speaker 1: the vast Persian Empire. During this time, Mordecai was sitting
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Speaker 1: at the King's gate, a position suggesting some status in
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Speaker 1: the royal court. It was there that he overheard two
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Speaker 1: palace officials Bigthana and Teresh plotting to assassinate King Xerxes.
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Speaker 1: Esther two twenty two tells us, but Mordecai found out
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Speaker 1: about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn
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Speaker 1: reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. The
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Speaker 1: report was investigated and found to be true, and the
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Speaker 1: two officials were hanged. This event was recorded in the
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Speaker 1: royal chronicles. In the presence of the king. Some time later,
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Speaker 1: King Xerxes decided to honor a man named Hayman. Ester
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Speaker 1: three point one tells us. After these events, King Xerxes
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Speaker 1: honored Hayman, son of Hamadatha the Agagite, elevating him and
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Speaker 1: giving him a seat of honor higher than that of
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Speaker 1: all the other nobles. The king ordered all the royal
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Speaker 1: officials at the King's gate to kneel down and honor Hayman. However,
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Speaker 1: Mordecai refused to kneel or pay him honor. The other
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Speaker 1: royal officials at the King's gate noticed Mordecai's behavior and
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Speaker 1: asked him why he disobeyed the king's command. Ester three
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Speaker 1: four says day after day they spoke to him, but
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Speaker 1: he refused to comply Therefore, they told Hayman about it
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Speaker 1: to see whether Mordecai's behavior would be tolerated, for he
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Speaker 1: had told them he was a Jew. When Hayman saw
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Speaker 1: that Mordecai would not kneel or pay him honor, he
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Speaker 1: was enraged. When Hayman discovered that Mordecai was a Jew,
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Speaker 1: he was not satisfied with eliminating just Mordecai. Esther three
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Speaker 1: six reveals, Yet, having learned who Mordechai's people were, he
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Speaker 1: scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead, Hayman looked
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Speaker 1: for a way to destroy all Mordechai's people, the Jews,
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Speaker 1: throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes. Hayman then began to
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Speaker 1: devise a plan to destroy all the Jews in Xerxes' empire.
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Speaker 1: In the twelfth year of Xerxes's reign, Hayman cast the
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Speaker 1: pur that is the lot to determine the day and
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Speaker 1: month for his plan. The lot fell on the twelfth month,
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Speaker 1: the month of Adar. Then Hayman went to speak to
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Speaker 1: the king. Esther three eight to nine tells us what
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Speaker 1: he said. There is a certain people dispersed among the
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Speaker 1: peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep
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Speaker 1: themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all
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Speaker 1: other people, and they do not obey the King's laws.
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Speaker 1: It is not in the King's best interest to tolerate them.
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Speaker 1: If it pleases the King, let a decree be issued
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Speaker 1: to destroy them. The King agreed to Hayman's plan and
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Speaker 1: gave him his signat Ring, saying keep the money and
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Speaker 1: do with the people as you please. Thus, on the
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Speaker 1: thirteenth day of the first month, despatches were sent to
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Speaker 1: all the provinces of the king. Esther three p. Thirteen
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Speaker 1: informs us of the contents of these dispatches. Letters were
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Speaker 1: sent to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews, young
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Speaker 1: and old, women and children on a single day, the
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Speaker 1: thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar,
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Speaker 1: and to plunder their goods. When Mordecai learned of all
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Speaker 1: that had been done, he was deeply distressed. Ester four
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Speaker 1: one tells us when Mordecai learned of all that had
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Speaker 1: been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes,
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Speaker 1: and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.
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Speaker 1: In every province where the edict was issued. There was
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Speaker 1: great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing.
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Speaker 1: Many lay in sackcloth and ashes. Esther's maids and eunuchs
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Speaker 1: came and told her about Mordecai. Upon hearing this, she
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Speaker 1: was deeply distressed. Ester four five to eight tells us.
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Speaker 1: Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king's eunuchs assigned
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Speaker 1: to attend her, and ordered him to find out what
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Speaker 1: was troubling Mordecai and why. Hathak went out to Mordecai
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Speaker 1: in the open square of the city in front of
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Speaker 1: the King's gate. Mordecai told him everything that had happened
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Speaker 1: to him, including the exact amount of money Hey had
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Speaker 1: promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction
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Speaker 1: of the Jews. He also gave him a copy of
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Speaker 1: the text of the edict for their annihilation which had
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Speaker 1: been proclaimed in Susa, to show to Esther and explain
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Speaker 1: it to her, And he told him to instruct Esther
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Speaker 1: to go into the King's presence to beg for mercy
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Speaker 1: and plead with him for her people. Thus the stage
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Speaker 1: was set for Esther to face her greatest challenge and
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Speaker 1: fulfill her destiny. When Esther received the news about Hayman's
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Speaker 1: decree through Hathak, she found herself facing a great dilemma.
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Speaker 1: The situation was extremely grave, as the Book of Esther
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Speaker 1: reveals in chapter four, verse eleven, all the King's officials
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Speaker 1: and the people of the royal provinces know that for
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Speaker 1: any man or woman who approaches the King in the
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Speaker 1: inner court without being summoned, the King has but one law,
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Speaker 1: that they be put to death unless the King extends
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Speaker 1: the gold scepter to them and spares their life. But
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Speaker 1: thirty days have passed since I was called to go
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Speaker 1: to the king. This law put Esther in a very
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Speaker 1: dangerous position. If she approached the king without being summoned,
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Speaker 1: she could be killed immediately. On the other hand, if
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Speaker 1: she did not go, her people would be destroyed. Esther
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Speaker 1: was faced with an impossible choice risk her own life
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Speaker 1: or allow her people to be exterminated. In light of
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Speaker 1: this danger, Esther sent a message to Mordecai explaining the situation. Mordecai, however,
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Speaker 1: responded with strong and challenging words. In Ester four thirteen
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Speaker 1: to fourteen, we read Mordecai sent this reply to Esther,
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Speaker 1: do not think that because you are in the King's house,
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Speaker 1: you alone of all the Jews, will escape. For if
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Speaker 1: you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for
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Speaker 1: the Jews will arise from another place, But you and
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Speaker 1: your father's family will perish. And who knows but that
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Speaker 1: you have come to your royal position for such a
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Speaker 1: time as this. Mordecai's words were a powerful reminder to
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Speaker 1: Esther that her position as queen was no accident, but
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Speaker 1: possibly had a divine purpose. He challenged her to look
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Speaker 1: beyond her own safety and consider the welfare of all
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Speaker 1: her people. Mordecai's response also demonstrated unshakable faith that God
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Speaker 1: would save his people even if Esther chose not to act.
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Speaker 1: Mordecai's words had a profound impact on Esther. She realized
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Speaker 1: she could not remain silent in the face of the
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Speaker 1: threat looming over her people. After reflecting on the situation,
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Speaker 1: Esther made a courageous decision. She decided she would go
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Speaker 1: to the king, even if it could cost her life. However,
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Speaker 1: before doing so, she asked for the spiritual support of
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Speaker 1: her people in Esther for sixteen she says, go gather
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Speaker 1: together all the Jews who are in Susa and fast
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Speaker 1: for me. Me. Do not eat or drink for three days,
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Speaker 1: night or day. I and my attendants will fast as
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Speaker 1: you do. When this is done, I will go to
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Speaker 1: the King, even though it is against the law. And
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Speaker 1: if I perish, I perish. This famous statement reflects Esther's
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Speaker 1: courage and determination. She was willing to sacrifice her own
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Speaker 1: life for the sake of her people. Her decision was
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Speaker 1: not made lightly, but with full awareness of the risks involved.
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Speaker 1: Esther's request for a fast was not merely a form
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Speaker 1: of abstaining from food, but a profound expression of dependence
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Speaker 1: on God. During those three days, the Jews surely prayed fervently,
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Speaker 1: asking for divine intervention. Esther knew she would need supernatural
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Speaker 1: strength to face the challengerhead. She was not just risking
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Speaker 1: her life, but carrying the fate of her entire people
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Speaker 1: on her shoulders. The collective fast showed that Esther recognized
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Speaker 1: the situation was beyond her own strength. She understood that
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Speaker 1: she needed God's help and the unity of her people
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Speaker 1: to succeed in her mission. This collective act of fasting
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Speaker 1: also united the Jews in a common purpose, spiritually strengthening
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Speaker 1: them for the events to come. After three days of fasting,
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Speaker 1: the time had come for Esther to put her plan
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Speaker 1: into action. The Book of Esther, chapter five, verse one
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Speaker 1: tells us on the third day, Esther put on her
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Speaker 1: royal robes and stood in the inner courtyard of the
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Speaker 1: palace in front of the King's hall. The king was
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Speaker 1: sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.
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Speaker 1: This was a moment of great tension. Esther was about
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Speaker 1: to find out whether she would be accepted by the
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Speaker 1: king or face immediate death. All the spiritual preparation over
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Speaker 1: the past three days would be tested at this crucial moment.
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Speaker 1: Esther must have felt her heart pounding as she walked
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Speaker 1: towards the King's throne. Every step brought her closer to
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Speaker 1: her destiny, whether it be life or death. Esther's courage
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Speaker 1: in this moment is truly inspiring. She was willing to
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Speaker 1: risk everything for the sake of her people. To Esther's relief,
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Speaker 1: the King received her favorably. Esther five two says when
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Speaker 1: he saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, he was
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Speaker 1: pleased with her and held out to her the gold
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Speaker 1: scepter that was in his hand, so Esther approached and
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Speaker 1: touched the tip of the scepter. This gesture from the
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Speaker 1: king meant that Esther was safe and could speak. The king,
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Speaker 1: seeing that Esther had come uninvited, realized that she must
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Speaker 1: have something very important to discuss. He was willing to
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Speaker 1: hear what she had to say. This moment of acceptance
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Speaker 1: was crucial for Esther's plan. Had the king not extended
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Speaker 1: the scepter, the entire story could have ended right there.
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Speaker 1: The King's favorable response was the first step in the
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Speaker 1: chain of events that would lead to the salvation of
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Speaker 1: the Jewish people. We can imagine the relief and gratitude
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Speaker 1: Esther must have felt at that moment. Surprisingly, instead of
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Speaker 1: immediately presenting her request, Esther invited the king to a banquet.
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Speaker 1: She said, as we read in Esther five four, if
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Speaker 1: it pleases the King, let the King, together with Hayman,
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Speaker 1: come to day to a banquet I have prepared for him.
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Speaker 1: The King quickly agreed and summoned Hayman to join them
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Speaker 1: at Esther's banquet. This strategy of Esther shows her wisdom.
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Speaker 1: Rather than making her request directly, she first sought to
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Speaker 1: create a favorable atmosphere and further win the King's favor.
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Speaker 1: Esther understood that timing was crucial. She didn't want to
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Speaker 1: rush things, but carefully prepared the ground for her request
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Speaker 1: By inviting Hayman along with the King. Esther also kept
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Speaker 1: her enemy close where she could observe him. This tactic
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Speaker 1: demonstrates Esther's intelligence and insight in navigating the complex politics
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Speaker 1: of the court. During the banquet, the King asked Esther
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Speaker 1: what her request was, promising to grant her up to
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Speaker 1: half the kingdom if she so desired, but once again
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Speaker 1: Esther delayed her request. Instead, she invited the King and
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Speaker 1: Hayman to another banquet the following day, where she would
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Speaker 1: then reveal her request. This tactic of Esther created suspense
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Speaker 1: and heightened the King's curiosity, while at the same time
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Speaker 1: giving Hayman a false sense of security. Esther five eight
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Speaker 1: tells us, if the King regards me with favor, and
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Speaker 1: if it pleases the King to grant my petition and
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Speaker 1: fulfill my request, let the King and Hayman come tomorrow
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Speaker 1: to the banquet. I will prepare for them. Then I
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Speaker 1: will answer the King's question by delaying her request Esther
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Speaker 1: was increasing the king's anticipation and in assuring that he
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Speaker 1: would be fully focussed when she finally revealed her petition.
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Speaker 1: This strategy also gave time for providential events to unfold,
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Speaker 1: which would ultimately help Esther's cause. That night, after the
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Speaker 1: first banquet, something unexpected happened. King Xerxes couldn't sleep. Esther
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Speaker 1: six one tells us that night the king could not sleep,
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Speaker 1: so he ordered the book of the Chronicles, the record
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Speaker 1: of his reign, to be brought in and read to him.
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Speaker 1: This sleeplessness of the king was a providential event that
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Speaker 1: would change the course of events. As the records were
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Speaker 1: read to the king, he was reminded of something important
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Speaker 1: he had forgotten. This moment of the king's insomnia seems
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Speaker 1: to be a divine intervention, paving the way for the
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Speaker 1: salvation of the Jews. It's interesting to note how God
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Speaker 1: often works behind the scenes, using seemingly insignificant events to
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Speaker 1: accomplish his purposes. The king's insomnia on that specific night
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Speaker 1: was a crucial turning point in the story. The records
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Speaker 1: mentioned how Mordecai had uncovered and reported a plot to
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Speaker 1: assassinate the king Xerxes asked what honor Mordecai had received
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Speaker 1: for this act of loyalty, and discovered that nothing had
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Speaker 1: been done. Ester six' three says what honor and recognition
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Speaker 1: Has mordecai received for? This the king, asked nothing has
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Speaker 1: been done for? Him his attendants. Answered this discovery must
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Speaker 1: have made the king feel embarrassed for having neglected to
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Speaker 1: reward someone who had saved his. Life he immediately decided
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Speaker 1: to correct this. Oversight just at that, Moment hayman entered
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Speaker 1: the palace. Courtyard The king called him in and asked
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Speaker 1: what should be done for the man the king delights to. Honor,
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Speaker 1: hayman thinking The king wanted to honor, him suggested a
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Speaker 1: grand public display of. Honor this co incidents Of haman
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Speaker 1: being present at that exact moment is another example of
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Speaker 1: how events were providentially aligning To hayman's shock and. Horror
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Speaker 1: the king ordered him to personally bestow all these honors On,
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Speaker 1: mordecai the man he hated most and had planned to.
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Speaker 1: Kill ester six ten to eleven says Go At, once
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Speaker 1: The king, Commanded, hayman get the robe and the, horse
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Speaker 1: and do just as you have. Suggested For, mordecai The
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Speaker 1: jew who sits at the king's, gate do not neglect
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Speaker 1: anything you have. Recommended So hayman got the robe and the.
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Speaker 1: Horse he Robed mordecai and led him on horseback through
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Speaker 1: the city, streets proclaiming before, him this is what is
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Speaker 1: done for the man the king delights to. Honor this
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Speaker 1: humiliating reversal For haman was just the beginning of his.
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Speaker 1: Downfall we can imagine the shock and Humiliation hayman must
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Speaker 1: have felt as he had to publicly honor the man
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Speaker 1: he planned to. Kill Ill this event not only Elevated
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Speaker 1: mordecai in the eyes of the, public but also began
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Speaker 1: to Undermine hayman's position in the. Court at the second,
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Speaker 1: banquet the king again Asked esther what her request. Was this,
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Speaker 1: Time esther revealed her true. Intention In esther seven three to,
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Speaker 1: four she, says IF i have found favor with, YOU O,
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Speaker 1: king and if it pleases, you grant me my. Life
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Speaker 1: this is my, request and spare my. People this is my,
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Speaker 1: petition FOR i and my people have been sold to be,
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Speaker 1: destroyed killed and. Annihilated these words shocked the, king who,
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Speaker 1: asked who would dare do such a. Thing esther's revelation
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Speaker 1: was dramatic and. Emotional she finally exposed the threat hanging
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Speaker 1: over her people and identified herself as one of. Them
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Speaker 1: esther's courage at that moment is. Admirable she risked everything
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Speaker 1: to defend her, people trying that the king would hear her.
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Speaker 1: Plea esther then pointed directly To, hayman, saying the adversary
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Speaker 1: and enemy is this Vile. Hayman The book Of esther
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Speaker 1: tells us That hayman was terrified before The king And.
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Speaker 1: Queen esther's revelation not only Exposed hayman's, wickedness but also
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Speaker 1: revealed that she herself Was, jewish a fact previously unknown
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Speaker 1: in the. Court this moment must have been shocking for everyone. Present,
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Speaker 1: hayman who just a day earlier was at the height
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Speaker 1: of his, power now found himself exposed as a villain
22:36
Speaker 1: before The. King esther's wisdom in waiting for the right
22:40
Speaker 1: moment to make her revelation proved. Crucial she had carefully
22:44
Speaker 1: prepared the, situation ensuring The king would be receptive to her.
22:48
Speaker 1: Appeal The, king furious At hayman's, betrayal got up and
22:53
Speaker 1: went to the palace. Garden, hayman realizing the danger he was,
22:58
Speaker 1: in stayed behind to Beg esther for his. Life but
23:01
Speaker 1: when the king returned and Saw hayman fallen on the
23:04
Speaker 1: couch Where esther was, reclining his anger grew even. More
23:09
Speaker 1: esther seven to eight tells us just as The king
23:12
Speaker 1: returned from the palace garden to the banquet, Hall hayman
23:16
Speaker 1: was falling on the couch Where esther was. Reclining The king,
23:19
Speaker 1: exclaimed will he even molest the queen while she is
23:23
Speaker 1: with me in the. House as soon as The king said,
23:26
Speaker 1: this they Covered hayman's, face a sign that he was.
23:30
Speaker 1: Condemned The king's wrath Against hayman was. Evident the man
23:34
Speaker 1: whom he had trusted and elevated to a position of
23:38
Speaker 1: power was now seen as a traitor and a. Threat
23:42
Speaker 1: hayman's downfall was as swift as his. Rise one of
23:45
Speaker 1: the eunuchs, present Named, harbona informed the king about the
23:49
Speaker 1: Gallows hayman had built seventy five feet high For. Mordecai
23:54
Speaker 1: the king then gave his final, sentence hang him on.
23:58
Speaker 1: It esther seven ten, Concludes so they Hanged hayman on
24:03
Speaker 1: the gallows he had prepared For. Mordecai this dramatic reversal
24:08
Speaker 1: not only Saved mordecai's, life but also marked the beginning
24:12
Speaker 1: of the deliverance of The jewish. People the irony of
24:15
Speaker 1: the situation is. Striking hayman was executed on the very
24:19
Speaker 1: gallows he had prepared for his. Enemy this outcome serves
24:23
Speaker 1: as a powerful reminder that evil often turns back on
24:27
Speaker 1: those who practice. It justice prevailed in a way that
24:30
Speaker 1: no one could have. Predicted hayman's fall was as swift
24:34
Speaker 1: as his. Rise in a matter of, hours he went
24:37
Speaker 1: from being the most powerful man in the, kingdom second
24:41
Speaker 1: only to the, king to a condemned. Traitor this reversal
24:45
Speaker 1: reminds us of how quickly circumstances can, change and how
24:50
Speaker 1: justice can prevail in unexpected. Ways esther's, Courage mordecai's, loyalty
24:56
Speaker 1: and divine providence all came together to bring about an
25:00
Speaker 1: outcome that seemed impossible just days. Earlier the story Of
25:05
Speaker 1: esther teaches us about the importance of, courage, faith and
25:09
Speaker 1: taking action at the right. Moment it shows How god
25:13
Speaker 1: can use ordinary people placed in strategic positions to fulfill
25:18
Speaker 1: his purposes and protect his. People With hayman's, Execution esther
25:23
Speaker 1: And mordecai gained favour With King. Xerxes esther eight one
25:27
Speaker 1: to two tells us that same Day King xerxes Gave
25:32
Speaker 1: Queen esther the estate Of, hayman the enemy of The,
25:35
Speaker 1: jews And mordecai came into the presence of the, king
25:39
Speaker 1: For esther had told how he was related to. Her
25:43
Speaker 1: the king took off his signet, ring which he had
25:46
Speaker 1: reclaimed From, hayman and presented it To, mordecai And esther
25:50
Speaker 1: appointed him Over hayman's. Estate this act of the king
25:55
Speaker 1: demonstrated not only his trust In esther And, mordecai but
25:59
Speaker 1: also though his willingness to correct the wrongs that had
26:02
Speaker 1: been planned against The. Jews mordecai's rise to the position
26:07
Speaker 1: formerly held By hayman was a remarkable, turnaround showing How
26:11
Speaker 1: god can dramatically change. Circumstances despite this initial, Victory hayman's
26:17
Speaker 1: decree to destroy The jews was still in. Effect esther
26:21
Speaker 1: once again courageously approached the king to intercede for her.
26:25
Speaker 1: People esther eight three to six describes her emotional. Appeal
26:30
Speaker 1: esther again pleaded with The, king falling at his feet and,
26:34
Speaker 1: weeping she begged him to put an end to the
26:37
Speaker 1: evil plan Of hayman The, agagite which he had devised
26:41
Speaker 1: against The. Jews then The king extended the gold scepter To,
26:45
Speaker 1: esther and she arose and stood before. Him if it
26:50
Speaker 1: pleases The, king she, said and if he regards me
26:53
Speaker 1: with favor and thinks it the right thing to, do
26:57
Speaker 1: and if he is pleased with, me let an order
27:00
Speaker 1: be written over ruling the despatches That, hayman son Of
27:03
Speaker 1: hamadatha The, agagite devised and wrote to destroy The jews
27:08
Speaker 1: in all The king's. Provinces ester's plea demonstrates her continued
27:13
Speaker 1: bravery and unwavering dedication to her. People King xerxes responded
27:18
Speaker 1: favorably To esther's, request but explained that a law signed
27:22
Speaker 1: with the royal seal could not be. Revoked, however he
27:26
Speaker 1: offered an alternative. Solution esther eight eight, says now write
27:31
Speaker 1: another decree in The king's name in behalf of The,
27:33
Speaker 1: jews as seems best to, you and seal it with
27:37
Speaker 1: The king's signet. Ring for no document written in The
27:40
Speaker 1: king's name and sealed with his ring can be. Revoked
27:44
Speaker 1: The king's response opened the way for a new strategy
27:47
Speaker 1: to save The. Jews while the original decree could not be,
27:50
Speaker 1: undone a new decree could be issued to counteract its.
27:54
Speaker 1: Effects this situation reminds us that, sometimes when faced with
27:59
Speaker 1: seemingly the insurmountable, obstacles we need to seek creative and alternative.
28:05
Speaker 1: Solutions with the authority granted by the, King mordecai immediately
28:10
Speaker 1: acted to create a new. Decree esther eight nine eleven
28:14
Speaker 1: describes the content of this new. Edict the king's scribes
28:19
Speaker 1: were summoned at that, time on the twenty third day
28:22
Speaker 1: of the third, month the month Of, sivan they wrote
28:26
Speaker 1: out all Of mordecai's orders to The jews and to The,
28:29
Speaker 1: satraps governors and nobles of the one hundred twenty seven
28:33
Speaker 1: provinces stretching From india To. Kush these orders were written
28:38
Speaker 1: in the script and language of each, people and also
28:41
Speaker 1: in the script and language of The. Jews mordecai wrote
28:45
Speaker 1: in the name Of King, xerxes sealed the dispatches with
28:48
Speaker 1: the king's signat, ring and sent them by mounted couriers
28:52
Speaker 1: who rode fast horses bred from the royal Stud The
28:56
Speaker 1: king's decree granted The jews in every city the right
29:00
Speaker 1: to assemble and protect, themselves to, destroy, kill and annihilate
29:05
Speaker 1: the armed forces of any nationality or province that might attack,
29:09
Speaker 1: them including women and, children and to plunder the property
29:12
Speaker 1: of their. Enemies this new decree essentially gave The jews
29:16
Speaker 1: the right to defend themselves against any. Attack it was
29:20
Speaker 1: a complete reversal of the previous, situation where The jews
29:24
Speaker 1: had been defenseless against the threat of. Annihilation the announcement
29:29
Speaker 1: of this new decree brought great joy and relief to
29:32
Speaker 1: The jewish community throughout The Persian. Empire esther eight sixteen
29:37
Speaker 1: to seventeen describes their. Reaction for The, jews it was
29:42
Speaker 1: a time of happiness and, joy gladness and honor in
29:47
Speaker 1: every province and in every city where the edict of
29:50
Speaker 1: The king. Came there was joy and gladness among The,
29:53
Speaker 1: jews with feasting and, celebrating and many people of other
29:57
Speaker 1: nationalities Became jews because fear of The jews had seized.
30:02
Speaker 1: Them this celebration not only marked relief from the immediate,
30:06
Speaker 1: threat but also strengthened the identity and unity of The
30:10
Speaker 1: jewish people throughout the. Diaspora when the day designated In
30:14
Speaker 1: hayman's original decree, arrived The jews were prepared to defend.
30:19
Speaker 1: Themselves esther nine one to two tells us on the
30:23
Speaker 1: thirteenth day of the twelfth, month the month Of. Ada
30:27
Speaker 1: the edict commanded by the king was to be carried
30:31
Speaker 1: out on this. Day the enemies of The jews had
30:34
Speaker 1: hoped to overpower, them but now the tables were turned
30:38
Speaker 1: and The jews got the upper hand over those who hated.
30:41
Speaker 1: Them The jews assembled in their cities in all the
30:44
Speaker 1: provinces Of King xerxes to attack those seeking their. Destruction
30:49
Speaker 1: no one could stand against, them because the fear of
30:51
Speaker 1: The jews had fallen on all the. People the jews
30:55
Speaker 1: victory over their enemies was, complete demonstrating How god had
30:59
Speaker 1: in highly reversed their, situation turning a day meant for
31:03
Speaker 1: their destruction into a day of. Triumph The jewish victory
31:08
Speaker 1: was so significant that the king extended the defense period
31:11
Speaker 1: by another. Day In, susa the, Capital esther nine fifteen
31:17
Speaker 1: to sixteen reports The jews In susa came together on
31:21
Speaker 1: the fourteenth day of the month Of adar and they
31:24
Speaker 1: put to death In susa three hundred, men but they
31:27
Speaker 1: did not lay their hands on the. Plunder, meanwhile the
31:30
Speaker 1: remainder of The jews who were in The king's provinces
31:33
Speaker 1: also assembled to protect themselves and get relief from their.
31:37
Speaker 1: Enemies they killed seventy five thousand of, them but did
31:41
Speaker 1: not lay their hands on the. Plunder this overwhelming victory
31:46
Speaker 1: not only protected The jews but also established a strong
31:49
Speaker 1: deterrent against future. Attacks the decision not to take their
31:54
Speaker 1: enemy's property showed that The jews were acting in self,
31:57
Speaker 1: defense not out of greed or Revengeh to commemorate this great,
32:02
Speaker 1: Deliverance mordecai established a new festival called Purim esther nine
32:07
Speaker 1: twenty to twenty two. Explains mordecai recorded these, events and
32:13
Speaker 1: he sent letters to all The jews throughout the provinces
32:16
Speaker 1: Of King xerxes near and far to have them celebrate
32:20
Speaker 1: annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month Of
32:23
Speaker 1: adar as the time when The jews got relief from their,
32:26
Speaker 1: enemies and as the month when their sorrow was turned
32:29
Speaker 1: into joy and their mourning into a day of. Celebration
32:33
Speaker 1: he wrote them to observe the days as days of
32:36
Speaker 1: feasting and, joy and giving presents of food to one
32:39
Speaker 1: another and gifts to the. Poor the establishment Of purim
32:43
Speaker 1: was not only a celebration of the past, victory but
32:47
Speaker 1: also a way to preserve the memory of these events
32:49
Speaker 1: for future, generations ensuring that The jewish people would never
32:53
Speaker 1: forget How god had delivered. Them the Name purim comes
32:57
Speaker 1: from the word, pur which means, lot referring to How
33:01
Speaker 1: hayman had cast lots to choose the day for The jews.
33:05
Speaker 1: Destruction ester nine twenty six explains therefore these days were
33:10
Speaker 1: Called purim from the word. Pur the irony of this
33:15
Speaker 1: name was not. Lost what was meant to be a
33:18
Speaker 1: day of destruction determined by, chance became a day of
33:22
Speaker 1: celebration and remembrance of divine. Providence the festival Of purim
33:27
Speaker 1: became an integral part Of jewish culture and, tradition celebrated
33:31
Speaker 1: to this. Day During, purim The book Of esther is
33:36
Speaker 1: read in, synagogues reminding The jewish people of their deliverance
33:40
Speaker 1: And god's. Faithfulness with the threat against The jews eliminated
33:44
Speaker 1: and the festival Of purim, Established mordecai was elevated to
33:48
Speaker 1: a position of great power in the. Kingdom ester ten
33:52
Speaker 1: three summarizes his rise and. Character mordecai The jew was
33:57
Speaker 1: second in rank To King, xerxes pre eminent among The,
34:00
Speaker 1: jews and held in high esteem by his many Fellow
34:04
Speaker 1: jews because he worked for the good of his people
34:07
Speaker 1: and spoke up for the welfare of all The. Jews
34:10
Speaker 1: mordecai's elevation to this position of authority not only ensured
34:15
Speaker 1: the continued safety of The jews in The Persian, empire
34:18
Speaker 1: but also demonstrated How god can elevate those who remain
34:22
Speaker 1: faithful To him and his people even in difficult. Circumstances
34:27
Speaker 1: the legacy Of esther And mordecai extended far beyond their.
34:30
Speaker 1: Time esther's story became a source of inspiration and encouragement
34:35
Speaker 1: for The jewish people throughout the, centuries especially in times
34:39
Speaker 1: of persecution and. Adversity esther's courage in risking her life
34:44
Speaker 1: for her, People mordecai's wisdom in advising and Guiding, esther
34:49
Speaker 1: and their faithfulness To god in the face of danger
34:52
Speaker 1: became models of faith and action for generations Of jews
34:56
Speaker 1: and Non jews. Alike the narrative of est reminds us
35:00
Speaker 1: That god often works behind the scenes of, history using
35:03
Speaker 1: ordinary people to accomplish his extraordinary. Purposes the story Of
35:08
Speaker 1: esther also holds special significance as an example of female
35:12
Speaker 1: leadership in ancient. Times in an eraror and culture where
35:17
Speaker 1: women generally had little power or public, Influence esther emerged
35:22
Speaker 1: as a central figure in the salvation of her. People her, courage,
35:26
Speaker 1: wisdom and decisive action demonstrate That god can use, anyone
35:31
Speaker 1: regardless of, gender social, position or, circumstances to accomplish his.
35:37
Speaker 1: Will esther's example continues to inspire women of faith to
35:42
Speaker 1: take on leadership roles and to use their influence for
35:45
Speaker 1: the good of. Others the narrative Of esther also invites
35:49
Speaker 1: us to reflect on the role of destiny or divine
35:52
Speaker 1: providence in. History Although god's name is not explicitly mentioned
35:57
Speaker 1: in The book Of, esther his guiding and is evident
36:01
Speaker 1: throughout the. Story esther's rise to the position Of Queen
36:05
Speaker 1: mordecai's discovery of the plot against the, king The king's
36:09
Speaker 1: sleepless night that led To mordecai's, honor and the dramatic
36:13
Speaker 1: reversal of The jew's. Fortune all these events point To
36:17
Speaker 1: god's work behind the. Scenes this perspective encourages us to
36:21
Speaker 1: trust in divine providence in our own, lives even when
36:25
Speaker 1: we cannot clearly see How god is. Working the lasting
36:28
Speaker 1: impact Of esther's story On jewish culture is evident not
36:32
Speaker 1: only in the annual celebration Of, purim but also in
36:36
Speaker 1: how it has shaped the identity and resilience of The jewish.
36:40
Speaker 1: People the narrative Of esther provided hope and encouragement For
36:44
Speaker 1: jews in times of, exile, persecution and adversity throughout. History
36:51
Speaker 1: it serves as a powerful reminder That god does not
36:54
Speaker 1: abandon his people even when circumstances seem. Bleak the story
37:00
Speaker 1: also emphasizes the importance of unity and collective action within
37:05
Speaker 1: The jewish, community as seen in their shared fasting and
37:08
Speaker 1: mutual defense against their. Enemies esther's story also teaches us
37:13
Speaker 1: valuable lessons about, courage, faith and. Action esther demonstrated extraordinary
37:19
Speaker 1: courage by approaching The king, uninvited risking her life for
37:23
Speaker 1: the sake of her. People her famous declaration IF i,
37:27
Speaker 1: PERISH i perish illustrates a willingness to sacrifice everything for
37:33
Speaker 1: what is. Right at the same. Time the story shows
37:36
Speaker 1: us the importance of active. Faith esther did not only
37:41
Speaker 1: pray and, fast but she also acted. Decisively this combination
37:46
Speaker 1: of faith and action serves as a model for all
37:49
Speaker 1: of us to face challenges in our own. Lives The
37:52
Speaker 1: book Of esther also provides insights into the nature of
37:56
Speaker 1: power and its responsible. Use we see How hayman abused
38:01
Speaker 1: his authority for selfish and evil, purposes While esther And
38:05
Speaker 1: mordecai used their positions of influence for the good of.
38:08
Speaker 1: Others this contrast reminds us of the responsibility that comes
38:13
Speaker 1: with power and, influence and it challenges us to use
38:17
Speaker 1: whatever authority we may have for the benefit of others
38:21
Speaker 1: rather than for personal. Gain mordecai's rise to the position
38:26
Speaker 1: of second in command in the kingdom demonstrates how integrity
38:30
Speaker 1: and selfless service can lead to positive and lasting. Influence in,
38:35
Speaker 1: conclusion the story Of esther is a powerful narrative of, courage,
38:39
Speaker 1: faith and divine providence that continues to resonate with people
38:44
Speaker 1: from all walks of. Life it reminds us that each
38:47
Speaker 1: of us can play a significant role In god's, plan
38:51
Speaker 1: regardless of our. Circumstances the story encourages us to remain
38:55
Speaker 1: faithful to our faith and identity even in hostile, environments
39:00
Speaker 1: and to be willing to stand up for what is,
39:02
Speaker 1: right even when it involves personal. Risks dear, viewers the
39:07
Speaker 1: story Of esther is as relevant today as it was
39:10
Speaker 1: thousands of years. Ago it challenges us to consider what
39:14
Speaker 1: haymans do we face in our society. Today where can
39:18
Speaker 1: we Be esther's in our own spheres of? Influence how
39:22
Speaker 1: can we use our, position no matter how, humble to
39:26
Speaker 1: make a difference in the lives of. Others reflect on
39:29
Speaker 1: these questions and consider how you can apply the lessons
39:32
Speaker 1: Of esther's, courage, faith and action in your own. Life
39:37
Speaker 1: if you were inspired by this story and want to
39:40
Speaker 1: learn more About biblical characters who change the course of,
39:44
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39:53
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39:58
Speaker 1: the rich truths Of scriptture and discover how they can
40:02
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40:05
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40:09
Speaker 1: stories of The. Bible