LESSON SUMMARY IN 300 WORDS

272^TH EDITION, JULY^20TH, 2025

1^ST LESSON: Esther 5:1-14

2^ND LESSON: Mark 6:14-29

Haman had resentment of Mordecai because he had refused to bow to him, one of the most powerful officials in the Kingdom, so, he wanted Mordecai to die.

Haman initiated an attempt of genocide against the Jews by persuading the king to issue a decree to destroy the Israelite's everywhere in the Persian Empire

Mordecai appealed to Esther to stand up for the Israelite's in their difficult time, for he believed God had put Esther in a position because of such a time

Esther obliged “and if I perish, I perish”. She also requested that the Jews join her in fasting in preparation to approach the king.

On the third day of the fast, Esther appeared before the Persian king uninvited and took the risk of death punishment even being a queen, but the king was favorable to her.

She requested for a banquet with the king and Haman twice, but in between, Haman boasted of his privileges which also heightens his rage to kill Mordecai

The second lesson narrates the killing of a holy prophet who announces the coming of God

As the news of Jesus spreads, the people debated about his identity and some people consider him John the Baptist risen from death, and this gave Antipas a concern

John the Baptist had confronted Herod Antipas declaring that the snatching of his brother’s wife, (Herod Philip I) is unlawful

Antipas had John arrested to please his wife Herod who hated John and wanted him dead, but Antipas still loves listening to John, so he protected him in prison

But the death of John came when his stepdaughter was promised anything she requested on Herod’s birthday

Guided by her mother, after dancing so well, she requested the head of John, and the king could not refuse

John was a forerunner of Jesus in both his life and his death