A Study in the Book of Esther : Lesson #2 Why it is important to do Good

(Esther 2:21-23)

In this lesson from Esther we are going to see some of the reasons for doing good things for others whether it benefits us or not. In this short section of scripture we see one of the key things in the book of Esther that eventually God used to save Mordecai and the Jews. Just one simply act sometimes has great consequences and we should constantly be looking for an opportunity to help others who are in need.

After Esther was chosen to replace Vashti as queen we see that Mordecai sat in the king’s gate. While he was setting in the king’s gate he learned about a plan that Bigthan and Teresh, who were two of the king’s chamberlains, had to kill the king. Therefore he told it to Esther who certified it to the king in the name of Mordecai. An investigation was made and it was found out to be true and the two men were hanged and all of this was recorded in a book of the chronicles before the king.

As you see later in chapter 6 the king cannot sleep and gets someone to read to him from this book and this is the thing that saves Mordecai and all the Jews. Now I realize that God is the one working behind the scenes in all of this but he used the fact that Mordecai had done good for the King. Remember if Mordecai had been as many others and just not got involved or hid the things from the king the book of Esther might have been totally different or maybe not even written. Therefore let us take a lesson from this and see why it is important for us to do good things for others.

Why it is important for us to do good unto others?

1)  It is a sin if we know to and do not (James 4:17)

• This verse is interesting because it tells us that we can actually sin by doing nothing. If we know to do good and do it not it is a sin.
• Mordecai knew what was the right thing to do and he did it, we can only imagine what would have happened if he had not done right in this situation.
• The main reason that we do not do good or right is that it will always cost us something to do right. It is easy to do wrong but it is always hard to do what is right, but remember that it is a sin if we know to and do not do it.

2)  Lives may hang in the balance (Proverbs 24:10-14)

• This passage can be used in reference to personal wittnessing. Telling others about the Lord Jesus Christ is a very good thing for their lives are hanging in the balance.
• One of the excuses people use for not telling others about the Lord Jesus Christ is that they already may have heard or someone else will tell them.
• But according to this passage we see that God knows your heart and you can rest assured that he knows when he tells you to speak to someone about Jesus Christ or give them a tract.
• As we saw in Mordecai’s case the physical life of the king hung in the balance, but the people that we are witnessing to have something more important hanging in the balance, their soul.

3)  You may need someone to do good for you one day (Galatians 6:7-9)

• This is the great passage on sowing and reaping. And remember you can never undo this law you will reap what you have sown.
• This is one of the reasons that we must take the opportunity to do good unto others because we do not know what tomorrow holds for us and when it does come we may need something done for us that we cannot do ourselves.
• A good illustration for this would be helping the elderly whether it is at their home or at the nursing home. Many will not take the time to go out of  their way to visit or spend time with them for various reasons but what people do not realize is that if the Lord doesn’t return soon then we may be in the same shape one day and we will reap what we have sown.

4)  It is recorded in a book (2 Corinthians 5:9-11)

• These verses are speaking to a saved person about the things he does after his salvation. We will not be judged for being saved or lost at the Judgment Seat of Christ, but we will be judged for the things done in the body whether they were good or bad.
• Just as Mordecai’s acts were written in a book, our actions are recorded. Mordecai was rewarded for his actions, will you be rewarded or suffer loss at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

When should we do good?

According to Galatians 6:10 we should do good every opportunity that we get especially concerning other saved people. The important thing to remember about and opportunity is that once it is gone it is gone and many times we may never get that opportunity again. We should take advantage of every opportunity that we get to not only do something good for others but to also do something good for God. We never know when our present opportunity may be our last.

To whom should we do good? 

In Proverbs 3:27 we see that we should do good to whom it is due. Now there are some people that you cannot help. Remember that there is a difference between helping someone and enabling someone. The lost think that if you are a saved person you should help everyone no matter what the circumstances. But the fact is that there are sometimes when you are not to help especially if it could harm the individual or even others.  This verse also says when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Sometimes we simply do not have the means to help everyone in need and it is not our responsibility to do so.

A Study in the Book of Esther : Lesson #2 Handout Why it is important to do Good

(Esther 2:21-23)

1)  Who are the ones that are wroth with the king?

2)  What are their plans for the king?

3)  How does Mordecai spoil the plans of the people from question 1?

4)  List 4 reasons for showing why it is important for us to do good.

5)  When should we do good? Give a verse for your answer.

6)  To whom do we do good? Give a verse for your answer.