Esther 4:14 NIV For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Things God has taught us through the book of Esther: God is behind the scenes Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away. He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther. Mordecai took her as his own daughter. So when the king's order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king's palace. Esther 2:5, 6, 8 NIV Mordecai wrote all this down and sent copies to all the Jews in all King Xerxes’ provinces, regardless of distance, calling for an annual celebration on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar as the occasion when Jews got relief from their enemies, the month in which their sorrow turned to joy, mourning somersaulted into a holiday for parties and fun and laughter, the sending and receiving of presents and of giving gifts to the poor. And they did it. What started then became a tradition, continuing the practice of what Mordecai had written to them. Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the archenemy of all Jews, had schemed to destroy all Jews. He had cast the pur (the lot) to throw them into a panic and destroy them. But when Queen Esther intervened with the king, he gave written orders that the evil scheme that Haman had worked out should boomerang back on his own head. Esther 9:22-25 MSG Remember you are Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” Esther 3:3 NIV When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? Esther 5:2a, 3 NIV Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. Romans 5:1-2a NIV God uses to accomplish His purposes. “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14b NIV Questions for Discipleship Group and/or personal study: Opener: What has been your biggest take-away from the book of Esther during our series? Go to the Source: Read Esther 4:14 Do you see yourself as royalty? If so, what difference does that make in your life? If not, what alternate identities do you need to turn away from so you live as God’s beloved child. Live it out: Pray into and ponder your life in light of the expression “for such a time as this.” What could this look like in your life in this next season?