Father God,
I ask that you give us understanding as we seek to grow closer in your word. The Joy of the LORD is my strength. The heart grows by giving out and the mind grows by everything I take in. It is better for our hearts to grow, because we know that you look at our hearts. Father we want to increase our hearts. We love you and we praise you father. I am asking that all our hearts desires be given unto us. Thank you, we love you and we worship your name. Amen

Lesson No. Three

Title: Evaluating Advice
Group Discussion: Together make a list of people and sources from which we can take advice. Then evaluate the positives and negatives of each item on the list

Personal Reflection: List all the factors you use to evaluate someone's advice. What do you look for, think about, disregard and so on?
Read: Esther 3

SOMETHING TO PONDER/SUMMARY
No one has "any right to counsel others who is not ready to hear and follow the counsel of the Lord," This quote from A. W. Tozer reminds me of the responsibility we have in giving advice to others. It is a serious thing to give counsel, and it is also a serious step to take the counsel of our friends. So often we give quick advice to one another without truly understanding the situation or without pure motives. Part of godly character is knowing how to evaluate the advice we receive and in turn to offer sound and wise counsel without looking to benefit ourselves.

The events of this chapter would be frightening to read as a Jewish person. They describe the hostility in the world that was directed toward the Jewish people.

1. List all the words and phrases in this chapter that bring to mind tragedy or conflict.
2a. What is the conflict between Hamn and Mordecai that causes Haman's intense reaction to Mordecais (vv. 2-6)?
2b. What does it feel like to be in this kind of conflict situation?
3. Describe the atmosphere of the kingdom after the edict has been proclaimed.
4. How does Haman persuade the king to adopt his plan to destroy the Jew (vv. 8-9)?
5. Think of times in your life when you have been tempted to use half-truths and lies to convince someone. What were your thoughts and feelings at the time?
6. Describe the orders contained in the king's edict (v. 13).
7. In verses 12-14 the words each, every and all are repeated frequently. What might the author have been trying to communicate in this detailed description of edict?
8. What have we learned about Haman's character in this chapter?
9. This chapter gives us even more detail about who King Zerxes was. What do we learn about him?
10. How might our character be reflected in the way we give or receive advice?
11. How might you guard against giving unwise advice?
12. What are some ways you can evaluate the advice you receive from others?
Pray for the people in your life who seek your counsel. Pray for your advice to be godly and sound.

Most Gracious and Holy God,
I first ask that you forgive us for our sins. I ask that we learn to obey at all times. I ask that you continue to keep us and safe in your arms. I ask that you allow us to evaluate the advice we give to other. I ask that those things come directly from your treasure chest of your wisdom.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

~Amazed By His Grace~
~Tanya~

Hi Tanya,

Advice or counsell is an act of faith. At the time u can't always see the results or what all the details are that is why we r 2 trust in the Holy Spirit. Messages, advice that come will be confirmed by the Holy Spirit and different sources. It is a bit like when u pray it comes to u what needs to be prayed for, u r given spiritual eyes through the Holy Spirit who will reveal things to u, where someone hasn't said something, they might be unaware of and then u might say, ur attitude is not right, u have unforgiveness or something like that and u hit the nail right on the head. There can be many directions, approaches the Lord takes, he is beyond limits. Things that come 2 u will always be confirmed. The thing is u just have 2 trust and u can't trust unless u have God's faith. It is a bit like when u write a reply before u receive the email and the email comes the same time the reply is sent. Or could be something someone gives u or sends u that might just stick out, or different passages in the bible just come to your mind. Or u r compelled to call someone and they say I have been thinking about u and have been wondering and u know what they have been wondering. So u step out in faith and when the answer comes and that prayer is answered u know what came to u was the message and the prayer that was needed because it was the answer and the right thing to say and do. U feel happy esctatic and also relieved because it achieved good results.

love and blessings in the Lord,

Serenity

QUESTION 1

V. 1 "... King Ahasuerus promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite; he advanced him and seated him higher than any of his fellow officials".

V. 2 "... but Mordecai would not kneel or bow low."

V. 3 "Why do you disobey the king's order?"

V. 4 "... he {Mordecai} would not listen to them,"

V. 4 "... they told Haman,"

V. 4 "... He had explained to them that he was a Jew. "

V.5 "... Haman was filled with rage."

V. 6 "... he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone;"

V. 6 " ... Haman plotted to do away with all the Jews, "

V. 8 " ... it is not in Your Majesty's interest to tolerate them."

V. 9 "... let an edict be drawn for their destruction,"

V. 10 "... Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the foe of the Jews. "

V. 12 "... a decree was issued, as Haman directed, "

V. 13 " ... to destroy, massacre, and exterminate all the Jews, and to plunder their possessions."

V. 15 "... the city of Shushan was dumfounded."

Blessings,

Chelki

Exodus 34:6

Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;"

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" -- Jesus, the Messiah!, our salvation.

Question No. 2
The conflict between Mordecai and Haman begins with Mordecai's refusing to honor Ham by bowing down to him. Although this initiates the conflict, the history between Mordecai's' people, the Jews and Haman's people, the Amealekits, intensified the problem. The Jewish people bowed before kings and other people at times throughout their history to show honor and respect (Genesis 33:3; I Samuel 24:8; I Kings 1:16). So the reason Mordecai refuses to honor Haman in this way is probably not because he felt he would be worshiping Ham as a god. The reason stems from the intense rivalry between the Amalekites and the Jews.

It will be necessary to review the story of the conflict before moving on in the study. The Scriptures to which you can find this history are Exodus 17:8-16, Deuteronomy 25:17-19 and I Samuel 15:1-33.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

~Amazed By His Grace~
~Tanya~

Tanya,

Thanks for these references. I Samuel 15:22-23 really speaks to my heart.

I Samuel 15:22-23 "Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king."

These verses brought to mind times when I have ignored requests by someone in authority, thinking I knew best or that it didn't really matter. And how much greater to defy the Living God! Our stubbornness and arrogance places ourselves upon the throne of our hearts. They also reminded me that when we approach the Lord in worship, we should first examine our hearts and repent of any sin we have that would hinder coming into His Presence.

Blessings,

Chelki

Exodus 34:6

Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;"

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" -- Jesus, the Messiah!, our salvation.