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What would happen if the president asked his wife to parade herself in front of a crowd of world leaders…who were drunk? What if she refused? And he divorced her? This is essentially what happened with Xerxes and Vashti.In the search for a new queen, a young Jewish girl takes center stage and sets an example for young women everywhere--and truly for all people. She is moral. She is submissvie. She is beautiful in character.This lesson looks at the true beauty of Esther.
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What would happen if the presidenttold his wife to parade herselfin front of drunken world leadersfor them to gawk at her?
✲ She refused✲ He divorced her
True BeautyEsther
Search for a queen in Persiaput a young Jewish girl at center stage
✲ Moral✲ Submissive✲ Beautiful character
Esther True Beauty
True Beauty
Xerxes Needed a Queen
Esther Exhibited True Beauty
Esther
Esther True Beauty
Xerxes “remembered” Vashti, Est. 2:1✲ Concern, affection, compassion – regret✲ God “remembered,” Gen. 8:1; 19:29; 30:22
Xerxes Needed a Queen
Esther True Beauty
Servants have a solution, Est. 2:2-4
Xerxes Needed a Queen
Esther True Beauty
Xerxes needed a wife✲ Companion, Gen. 1:18✲ Not a concubine
Xerxes Needed a Queen
Esther True Beauty
Esther obtained the favor of Hegai, Est. 2:8-11
✲ “Obtained” – translated◇ Up, Gen. 7:17◇ Bear, Gen. 13:6◇ Lift “up,” Gen. 21:18◇ Take, Gen. 27:3◇ Set, Gen. 31:17
✲ Active labor to gain favor
Esther Exhibited True Beauty
Esther True Beauty
Esther obtained the favor of Hegai, Est. 2:8-11
✲ Not based on sensuality✲ Based on personality
◇ Character◇ Attitude
Esther Exhibited True Beauty
Esther True Beauty
Esther gained the favor of Xerxes,Est. 2:12-18
✲ All the young women◇ Prepared with treatments for 1 year◇ Were “beautiful young virgins,” 2:2◇ Gave up the rest of their lives
Esther Exhibited True Beauty
Esther True Beauty
Esther gained the favor of Xerxes,Est. 2:12-18
✲ Esther took only what Hegai advised◇ Did not pick what she wanted◇ Listened to advice, Prov. 1:8, 9; 3:1, 2
Esther Exhibited True Beauty
Esther True Beauty
Esther gained the favor of Xerxes,Est. 2:12-18
✲ Esther “won” out over all others◇ Obtained grace & favor, 2:17◇ Feast of Esther
Esther Exhibited True Beauty
Esther True Beauty
The Bible tells us about true beauty✲ Deceitful charm & passing beauty,
Woman who fears the Lord to be praised, Prov. 31:30
Esther Exhibited True Beauty
Esther True Beauty
The Bible tells us about true beauty✲ Gracious = honor, Prov. 11:16✲ Lack discretion = gold ring in pig’s nose,
Prov. 11:22✲ Virtuous wife = crown of husband, Prov. 12:4
Esther Exhibited True Beauty
Esther True Beauty
The Bible tells us about true beauty✲ Inner beauty is what matters, 1 Pt. 3:1-6
◇ Humble/submissive◇ Chaste conduct◇ Outward deemphasized◇ Inward: gentle, quiet spirit◇ Inward incorrupt. vs. outward corrupt.
Esther Exhibited True Beauty
Esther True Beauty
Our daughters need to be taught✲ Mothers…
◇ 5 conversations [The Body Project]Resolved, not to talk about myself or feel ings. To think before speaking. To work seriously. To be self restrained in conversation and actions. Not to let my thoughts wander. To be dignifi ed. Interest myself more in others.
Esther Exhibited True Beauty
- Journal entry 1882
Esther True Beauty
Our daughters need to be taught✲ Mothers…
◇ 5 conversations [The Body Project]◇ Hope of successful conversation
only if mothers believe it
Esther Exhibited True Beauty
Esther True Beauty
Our daughters need to be taught✲ Fathers: reinforce principles of true beauty
◇ Treat her with dignity◇ Instill modesty◇ Teach her to value herself: mind, body, soul◇ Show respect for wife/women
Esther Exhibited True Beauty
Esther True Beauty
Note to young men – look for true beauty✲ The wise man warns against following lust
◇ Flatter, Prov. 2:16, 17◇ Lips of honey, Prov. 5:3, 4◇ Allure with eyelids, Prov. 6:24-26◇ Attire, Prov. 7:10, 21-23
Esther Exhibited True Beauty
Search for a queen in Persiaput a young Jewish girl at center stage
✲ Moral✲ Submissive✲ Beautiful character
Esther True Beauty
