THE STORY OF ESTHER BIBLE STORY | Kids on the Move

Kids on the Move

3 Aug 201706:51

Summary

TLDRThe story of Esther is set in ancient Persia, where a Jewish woman named Esther becomes queen. Despite facing danger, Esther bravely steps forward to save her people when the king's advisor, Haman, plots to destroy the Jews. With guidance from her cousin Mordecai and trust in God's plan, Esther risks her life by approaching the king to stop Haman’s plan. Her courage leads to the protection of the Jewish people and Haman's downfall. This inspiring story highlights Esther's faith and bravery in the face of fear, proving she was made 'for such a time as this.'

Takeaways

📖 Esther was a Jewish woman living in Persia, chosen by God for a significant role.
👑 The King of Persia held a beauty pageant to find a new queen, and Esther was chosen, though she kept her Jewish identity a secret.
😟 Esther faced a dilemma when Haman, a high-ranking official, convinced the King to agree to a plan to kill all the Jewish people.
💡 Esther knew she had to do something to save her people but was afraid, as approaching the King without permission could lead to death.
🤔 Despite her fears and doubts, Esther was reminded by her cousin Mordecai that she was in her position 'for such a time as this.'
💪 Trusting in God's plan and courageously stepping forward, Esther approached the King, risking her life.
🍽 Esther invited the King to a banquet, where she planned to make her request to stop Haman's plan, but initially, her fear held her back.
😰 After overcoming her doubts, Esther revealed her Jewish identity to the King and pleaded with him to stop Haman’s plot.
👑 The King, moved by Esther's plea, canceled the plan and punished Haman, saving the Jewish people from destruction.
🎉 Esther's courage and trust in God not only saved her people but also led to her and Mordecai receiving Haman's wealth and property.

Q & A

Who was Esther, and where did she live?
-Esther was a Jewish woman living in the land of Persia. She was an orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai.
How did Esther become the Queen of Persia?
-Esther became queen after winning a beauty pageant held by the King of Persia, who was searching for a new wife.
Why didn't Esther reveal that she was Jewish to the King?
-Esther didn't reveal her Jewish identity because she feared the consequences, as Jewish people were not well-liked in Persia.
What was Haman’s plan, and why was it dangerous?
-Haman, a high-ranking official, hated the Jewish people and convinced the King to agree to a plan that would kill all the Jews in Persia.
How did Esther initially react to Haman’s plan?
-Esther was troubled and unsure of how to approach the King since approaching him without permission could result in severe consequences.
What role did Mordecai play in encouraging Esther to act?
-Mordecai reminded Esther that she might have been placed in her royal position for the purpose of saving her people and encouraged her to take action.
How did Esther finally approach the King?
-Despite her fears, Esther bravely approached the King twice, initially inviting him to a banquet where she would make her request.
What was Esther’s final request to the King?
-Esther asked the King to cancel Haman's plan to kill the Jews and revealed that she herself was Jewish, which meant she would also be killed under Haman's plan.
What was the King’s response to Esther’s request?
-The King was moved by Esther's plea and immediately canceled Haman’s plan. He also ordered Haman to be removed and gave his wealth and property to Esther and Mordecai.
What was the outcome of Esther’s bravery?
-Esther’s bravery saved the Jewish people in Persia, and a new decree was issued to protect them. Her actions are remembered as heroic.

Outlines

00:00

👑 Esther's Journey Begins

The story introduces Esther, a Jewish woman living in Persia, who would later become a hero. Andrew humorously speculates on various superhero feats, but Dana redirects the focus to Esther's unique and courageous role. She was raised by her cousin Mordecai and lived during a time when Jewish people were mistreated in Persia. The King of Persia held a beauty pageant to find a new queen, and Esther, favored by the King, won the pageant, becoming the Queen of Persia.

05:02

💔 Haman's Evil Plan

As Esther settles into her role as queen, the story takes a darker turn with the introduction of Haman, a high-ranking official who despises the Jewish people. Haman convinces the King to approve a plan to exterminate all the Jews in Persia, putting Esther in a difficult position. Though fearful, Esther knows she must act, but approaching the King uninvited could result in her execution, even as queen. This sets the stage for Esther’s upcoming test of courage.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Esther

Esther is the main character in the video, a Jewish woman living in Persia who becomes queen. Her bravery in standing up for her people is central to the story, as she risks her life to save the Jewish people from a plan to destroy them. Esther’s journey from orphan to queen symbolizes courage and faith in God’s plan.

💡Jewish People

The Jewish people are a central group in the story, representing the minority that is threatened by Haman’s plan in Persia. Esther, being Jewish herself, faces the challenge of hiding her identity while protecting her people. The theme of protecting one’s heritage and people is crucial to the narrative.

💡Persia

Persia is the setting of the story, where the Jewish people live in exile and are not well-liked by the native Persians. The kingdom’s cultural and political context is significant, as Esther navigates being part of a marginalized group while serving as queen.

💡Mordecai

Mordecai is Esther’s cousin and guardian, who raised her after her parents died. He plays a key role in encouraging Esther to stand up to the king and advocate for the Jewish people. His famous line, 'You were put here for such a time as this,' motivates Esther to take action, symbolizing faith and purpose.

💡Haman

Haman is the antagonist in the story, a high-ranking official in the Persian kingdom who devises a plan to kill all the Jewish people. His hatred for the Jews drives the conflict in the narrative, making him the symbol of oppression and evil that Esther must confront.

💡King of Persia

The King of Persia is the ruler who unknowingly marries Esther and later agrees to Haman’s plan to kill the Jews. His role is important because Esther has to navigate the risks of approaching him without permission, knowing that he has the power to either save or destroy her people.

💡Courage

Courage is a central theme in Esther’s story. Despite her fear and doubts, she approaches the king to save her people, risking her own life in the process. The story emphasizes how faith in God gives Esther the strength to overcome her fears and do what is right.

💡Identity

Identity is a key concept as Esther must conceal her Jewish identity from the king and the Persian court. However, she ultimately reveals who she truly is to save her people. The theme of embracing and standing up for one’s identity plays a crucial role in the narrative.

💡God's Plan

God’s plan is a recurring theme, as Esther’s rise to power and her actions are seen as part of a divine plan to save the Jewish people. The story illustrates that trusting in God’s plan, even when faced with fear and uncertainty, can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

💡Banquet

The banquet is a pivotal setting where Esther finally reveals her true identity and pleads with the king to stop Haman’s plan. It represents the moment of truth in the story, where Esther’s courage and faith come to the forefront, leading to the king’s decision to save the Jewish people.

Highlights

Dana introduces Esther's story, describing her as someone with an amazing plan from God.

Andrew humorously compares Esther to a superhero and asks if she saved the planet from a meteor.

Dana explains that Esther was Jewish, which was significant because the Jewish people weren't well-treated in Persia.

Dana highlights that Esther was an orphan, raised by her cousin Mordecai, who protected her.

The King of Persia holds a beauty pageant to find a new wife, and Esther wins, becoming queen.

Andrew humorously suggests that Paula Deen could have been a good queen due to her cooking skills.

Esther hides her Jewish identity from the King, unsure of what would happen if he found out.

Haman, a bad figure in the story, convinces the King to sign a decree to kill all Jewish people.

Esther feels conflicted, but Mordecai encourages her to stand up for her people despite the risks.

Dana explains that Esther could not simply approach the King, even though she was queen, due to the customs of Persia.

Despite her fears, Esther approaches the King, who surprisingly listens to her request.

Esther hesitates at first but eventually asks the King to save her people during a banquet.

Encouraged by Mordecai’s words—'You were put here for such a time as this'—Esther gains the courage to speak up.

Esther reveals her Jewish identity and pleads with the King to stop Haman’s plan, which he does.

Haman is removed from power, and the King decrees the protection of the Jewish people, saving them from destruction.