Celebrate with Presents for the Poor

Thursday, February 12, 2015
Esther 9:19-23 KJV 

19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar [a day of] gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another. 20 And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that [were] in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, [both] nigh and far, 21 To stablish [this] among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, 22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. 23 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After the Jews killed their enemies in Sushan and the ten sons of Haman, what did they do to celebrate? (v.19)
2) Who did Mordecai write to and why did he write the letters? (v.20-22b)
3) What did Mordecai decree that the Jews should do during their days of celebration? (v.22c)
4) How did the Jews respond to Mordecai's letter? (v.23)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Has the Lord ever granted you overwhelming victory over your enemy (or enemies)? If so, please describe one such time.
6) What did (do) you do to celebrate that victory? Why?

LIFE LESSONS
7) Through Christ Jesus we have victory over whatever steals our joy and/or our peace.
8) When the Lord blesses us to overcome our enemies, our response to Him should overflow to those He places on our hearts.