The Story of Esther, by Clay Lane

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ESTHER had Mordecai and the other Jews fast for three days, and then set about using all her charms to win the King’s favour. Yet her efforts only stirred Haman to greater hatred; it was something unexpected that turned the tide in her favour.

One night, after another lavish banquet hosted by Esther, the King could not sleep. He ordered his attendants to soothe his restlessness by reading from the national Chronicles, and one entry in particular caught his attention. He sent for Haman.

‘What would you do’ he asked him ‘to honour a man who had served you faithfully?’ Haman, thinking this could only be himself, replied that he would give such a man a triumphal procession through the capital.

‘Go then’ said the king ‘and array Mordecai for a triumphal procession’. For the entry in the Chronicles had been the one describing how Mordecai had exposed his would-be assassins, and he could find there no record of Mordecai’s reward.

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Précis

Esther encouraged the other Jews of Persia to fast and pray, in the hope of frustrating Haman’s plan to murder them all. Meanwhile, the King was reminded that Mordecai had foiled an attempt on his life, and Haman was compelled to reward his arch-enemy publicly. However, Haman’s persecution of the Jews was still slated for the 13th of Adar.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

Why did Esther urge her fellow Jews to fast and pray?

Suggestion

To obtain God’s help in escaping persecution.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

Mordecai saved Ahasuerus’s life. Ahasuerus forgot it. Then he read about it in his diary.

Clay Lane The Copybook