Esther

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Esther
The Strength Dignity Of Faith
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The Virtuous Wife
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she
smiles at the future Many daughters have done
nobly, but you excel them all. Charm is
deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who
fears the LORD, she shall be praised. (Prov.
3125, 29-30)
These words form a beautiful picture of the faith
and character of Esther! Strength dignity are
her clothing!
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...In Her Inward Character

• Setting the stage
• Judah in captivity under Medo-Persian rule
• The king, Ahasuerus threw a huge feast of
  pride lots of alcohol! (Est 14 7-8)
• Vashti refuses to parade her body before the
  drunk men is banished (Est 111-12)
• Later, now sober, he regrets this (Est 21)

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...In Her Inward Character

• Esthers inward beauty shines during a greatly
  superficial event
• Ahasuerus throws a beauty pageant... the
  winner to replace Vashti (Est 212-13)
• Esther was TAKEN to participate due to her
  outward beauty (Est 28)
• True beauty emerges... She didnt need extra
  superficial things! (Est 212-15)
• The difference grabbed the kings attention
  and he chose Esther (vs. 17)

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...In Her Inward Character

• Her submissive spirit
• Mordecais instructions Dont tell anyone
  you are a Jew! (Est 210)
• Even as queen, she follows his words till she
  had to reveal herself (Est 220)
• She didnt view being out of his care as a
  license to do her own thing!

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...In Her Inward Character

• Women and men of faith today still focus on
  developing their inward beauty!
• Developing the hidden person of the heart is
  to be our focus (I Peter 31-6)
• Our outward appearance must demonstrate a
  heart striving for godliness (1 Tm 39-10)
• Question What are you defined by?
• Walking by faith demands striving to develop
  the character not seen (2 Cor 416-18)

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...In Her Strength Stand Of Faith Despite Any
Consequences

• Hamans plot to destroy ALL Jews
• Haman promoted but was angry Mordecai didnt
  worship him (Esther 32, 4)
• Haman was so infuriated he sought to have all
  the Jews annihilated (Est 36, 8-10)
• This could be compared to Hitlers Holocaust!
• From the first month to the twelfth, the Jews
  lived in fear sorrow (Est 43)

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...In Her Strength Stand Of Faith Despite Any
Consequences

• Esther stands despite the consequences
• When she hears the news from Mordecai she
  initially hesitates in fear (Est 411)
• Mordecai encourages admonishes her to stand
  up for her people
• Her faith Ill go, if I die I DIE! (vs.
  15-16)
• Esther does stand she saves the Jews and
  Haman is hung on gallows he built!

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...In Her Strength Stand Of Faith Despite Any
Consequences

• Those who walk by faith today still stand for
  whats right, despite consequences
• Faith that wont stand for whats right, true,
  just is dead! (1 Sam 1729 I Pet 59)
• We will face consequences of all levels - How
  do we respond? (Heb 123-4)
• Our stand in our faith, or lack thereof, does
  impact others! (John 4)
• One person can still make a difference today
  will you? (Ezek 2230)

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Conclusion.

• When one is walking by faith there is no such
  thing as Just A Woman!
• Esther is a great example of a woman who lived
  by faith
• She let her inward beauty shine Developed a
  godly character was submissive
• She took a stand for what was right, despite
  the consequences she faced
• What if you lived in such an empire and Gods
  people depended on your character and
  willingness to stand?