Esther Pt. 6: God’s Will Be Done!

Everything that transpires is ultimately God’s will.

The idea of control is important. Who controls what? ‘God’s Will’ is whatever transpires. HIS Will is reality, history, circumstances, relationships, health, family, current events. The story of Esther is demonstration of just how in control God is. What’s our role if God controls everything? Cooperation or Rebellion: YOU choose.

Let’s talk about doing what is right, based on Biblical principals, whether anyone knows about it or not. Whether you get rewarded OR punished for doing it

How about the idea that you can cover up your sin, that you can ‘get away with it’.

Let’s talk about how you respond when God blesses you. How do you deal with success? What happens when things go well in your life? How grateful are you? How content with the success you have VS wanting more? Who do you give credit to for the success? [In your heart & with your mouth]

Last Week:

His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up. ~ Esther 5:14

Chapter 6 NIV

1 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.

  • The Kings of that time all kept known records
  • The assassination attempt was recorded but went unnoticed…

3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.

  • The King assumes Mordecai was rewarded for such an important act
  • He may have had a ‘self aware’ moment: ‘I would be dead if not for Mordecai’

4 The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him. 5 His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered.

  • Haman was waiting in the outer chamber just like Esther had been
  • He is totally occupied with murder, his pride driving him

6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?”

  • Before Haman can make his murderous request, the king has a question
  • Haman: The ultimate self absorbed dude
  • It’s all about him…that is where pride always takes people
  • He’s so infatuated with the idea of being honored he forgets about Mordecai
  • His pride drives him to disregard what is most important [killing Mordecai]

7 So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’”

  • What Haman prescribes for himself is maximum attention [what pride wants]
  • Very specific and elaborate plans…like he has thought of this before today
  • The previous evening he told his friends what a big deal he is
  • Now everyone will know what a big deal Haman is!

Imagine Haman standing there waiting for the king to say he is going to be honored…Imagine his shock when the hears the king say:

10 “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”

  • Great idea, make it happen at once…for Mordecai
  • You get to be the ‘one of the kings most noble princes’ and lead him around
  • Do it just as you described it, don’t leave any part out [maximum attention]
  • Obviously Haman didn’t think he could question Xerxes so he got right to it!

11 So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” 12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate.

  • Haman thought he was going to have Mordecai killed
  • Instead Haman is forced to publicly honor Mordecai and behalf of the king!
  • At some point he realizes there in no way the king will kill Mordecai now
  • Don’t miss V12: How does Mordecai deal with his success & all the attention?
  • He went right back to doing what he does…serve at the gate
  • He displays humility before God and men

But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, 13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!”

  • Different story from last night’s arrogant boasting
  • When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. ~ Prov. 11:2
  • They are saying: the jig is up! You are going down!
  • The king is going to find out about everything!
  • He will discover Mordecai is a Jew, and his Queen is a Jew as well
  • He will find out why Haman wanted him to destroy the Jews

14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.

  • Before he can comprehend how bad this is all going to become for him…
  • Haman is whisked away to the banquet Esther [GOD] has set up
  • Man, must he have been nervous! And the anxiety just builds and builds…

Tune in next time when we will hear Harbona say: “Your majesty, I have an idea…”

Biblical Principals & Active Application Ideas

God is watching; living by HIS standards does not go unnoticed, ‘Have you see my servant Job’? When you live by Biblical Standards you will not need to self-promote because God will become ‘Your Public Relations Agency! [1 Peter 5:6]

  • #1: Pray for God’s Spirit to empower you to choose humility before God
  • #2: Intentionally hang around with and learn from people who ‘Walk with Christ’

Biblical Principals & Active Application Ideas

Your pride will make you violate your values…Biblical Values! If you are a Christ follower God will use times when you follow your pride to humble you… as in HE will Humiliate you. If you don’t intentionally fight pride, it will lead to sin. [Proverbs 16:17-19]

  • #1: Find someone you trust to be accountable to about your pride [confess sin]
  • #2: Own your specific sins of pride and receive God’s discipline [Be Teachable]

Biblical Principals & Active Application Ideas

When things go well, when God honors you, don’t take credit for it, give God the credit, don’t steal HIS glory! Christ was humble in victory, God’s people are called to imitate HIM [Philippians 2:3-5]

  • #1: Create an inventory of everything you are thankful for & give God full credit
  • #2: In times of success focus on how you can share it with others [true humility]

The Last Word

The truth about Everything, including well hidden Evil, will be exposed as God wills. The truth about some things may be unknown for years or centuries…or until heaven! In the meantime, what is best for your soul Christian? Live by the Spirit of God… and when you fall short: daily practice honest repentance. Peace and Contentment are found in an honest relationship with your Creator!

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Esther Pt. 5: Guided By God

Waiting On God For Guidance

How God answers prayer is necessary Information!

Why do YOU seek to apply God’s Word in a consistent, habitual way? I have learned: It takes time, motivation & effort to get the best results.

Why do YOU attempt to live by the principals God puts forth in Scripture? Why I try my best: I have given my life to Christ! I live for HIM! [integrity]

ALSO…I recommend a serious focus on God’s Word and a life of Christ Discipleship…For the health and vitality of your eternal soul

It requires life application of Scripture to surrender our souls to Christ Jesus… And once that happens our soul is now eternally linked to God by HIS Spirit in YOU. So I encourage YOU to intentionally create disciplines of study and application of both the Old & New Testaments. YOU can [and I would argue MUST] learn how to walk, connect, be led by, be disciplined by and have a right relationship with God. [Biblical Christianity] YOU & I NEED that relationship to navigate the life HE has placed us in. We do well to learn Scripture’s principals and live by them as though they were essential to our survival.

Treat this sermon the same way, as life-giving nutrition for your eternal soul.

FOCUS / TAKE NOTES / HIGHLIGHT / TAKE PICTURES / REREAD IT ON WEB

This kind of approach to the Word has gotten me through some serious crisis

Esther Pt. 5 Chapter 5

1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

  • After three days of fasting & praying to the God of Israel, the God of her fathers
  • She had no doubt been taught by Mordecai and others how to seek God
  • She knew how the drill went, she did what she should do and trusted God
  • She gave her best presentation & stood where she could be seen [didn’t rush]

3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” 4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”

  • ‘What is your request? Even up to half my kingdom, it will be given to you.’
  • Who does that remind you of? Kings may think they rule… Pride
  • Esther, very graciously, does not press the issue but puts off the request
  • It seems what she heard God saying was: ‘Wait on Me’
  • God’s answers to prayer mostly fall along the line of Yes, No or Wait
  • God has HIS reasons for how HE answers prayer and they are beyond us

5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

  • Haman is summoned…It seems like the king is in full ‘Please Esther’ mode
  • After some niceties, small talk & wine consumption Xerxes puts her on the spot
  • Xerxes repeats his offer to fulfill Esther’s request, up top half the kingdom…
  • We would think now is the time for her request: Stop the order to kill the Jews!

7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”

  • Why does she stretch this out…some more…she is still waiting on Yahweh
  • If you wish to grant my request, come tomorrow for another banquet
  • THEN I will make my request
  • She is giving God time to act [HE has not told her to act yet]

9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.

  • He leaves the palace feeling like someone important… [Pride being fed]
  • Mordecai didn’t make Haman feel important…he wanted Mordecai to fear him!
  • Haman is enraged yet does not act…God is controlling the action
  • He will go home and figure out what to do

Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow.

  • Haman tells his would be sycophants & yes men just how powerful he is
  • Looking for affirmation and praise… ‘Do you all get get what a big deal I am?’
  • Even Queen Esther thinks he’s a big deal… she invited him into her inner circle

13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.” 14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.

  • But he can’t enjoy all these honors and privileges…Mordecai ruins them!
  • Haman’s ego: it needs to be appeased…it flows from Pride…Satan’s best tool
  • The wife leads the advice squad telling Haman: ‘Go ask the king to kill him!’
  • Haman sets up the impaling pole & set plans to go see the king first thing

Cliff Hanger! What is God up to? Stay Tuned…

Life Application Of Scripture

Part of seeking God is consistently focusing on the things YOU know YOU are meant to do and trusting God will guide before you have specific instructions.

When YOU are in times of need and crisis, learn to give God the time to do what HE wants to do. ‘Wait on the Lord’ as His patient servant and don’t rush HIM based on your fleshly desires.

Be watchful for God’s moving then obediently join as HE calls you to act based on HIS Word. [Effective watchfulness requires community]

Pride is the ultimate ‘Gateway’ to evil. Because of their pride, the devil and those he controls are so self-absorbed they always ‘Overplay their Hand’.

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Esther Pt. 4: ‘For Such A time As This’

Esther Chapter 4 NIV

Our story takes place in the Fortress City of Susa, in the heart of the Great Persian Empire circa 478 BC. King Xerxes, at the end of an incredibly elaborate celebration, has a conflict with His Queen which leads to her removal from the throne.With Queen Vasthi gone, Virgins are gathered from across the empire to see which woman will please the king enough for him to make her the new queen. We meet Mordecai and his cousin Esther, both Israelites who were born in exile and live in the Fortress of Susa. Esther: a significantly attractive young woman. Mordecai an enterprising guy who had a position of responsibility. Mordecai’s refusal to bow and honor the kings number 2 man, Haman, the arrogant enemy of God, drives Haman to seek the destruction of the entire Israelite population of Persia. Haman convinces King Xerxes to order the annihilation of all jews in Persia, one year from now, on a single day. The order is posted in Susa…

1 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. 2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. 3 In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

  • The decree is posted & Mordecai begins to mourn in the traditional jewish way
  • He mourned publicly, perhaps he wanted the King could see him
  • We are told the response was the same by Jews in all the Persian Empire
  • ‘HAIRCLOTH’ & Ashes
  • Jacob in Gen 37, David in 2 Sam 3, Hezekiah in Isaiah 37, Daniel in Daniel 9

4 When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. 5 Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.

  • Seeing Mordecai in such a state upset Esther, she knew something big was up
  • Esther recognized the very Jewish mourning practice [Haircloth & ashes]
  • Clothes sent to make him less conspicuous, she was still unknown as a jew
  • Clothes refused, she sends a servant to get the low down

6 So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.

  • Esther’s servant when to Mordecai in public and got the whole scoop
  • The money is important to show how much Haman wanted this personally
  • Copy of the edict so she had the details: Kill a Jew and you get his stuff!
  • Mordecai instructed her to go to the king [Mordecai instructed Esther on a lot]

9 Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned, the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

  • Esther hears Mordecai’s instructions & responds with the perceived reality
  • Esther realizes her influence with the king is waning [2nd gathering of Virgins]
  • Totally opposite of our situation with Christ [Go boldly before the throne]

12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

  • Mordecai’s answer is kinda harsh but absolutely true
  • Great theology: If God wants to do it, He is gonna do it…with or without you
  • Mordecai instructs Esther hat she is where she is to perhaps save her people

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

  • Esther is moved by Mordecai’s plea…but she wants his help
  • Her plan is based on trust in God. How did she get to that point?
  • She literally surrenders her life into God’s hands…where it is already!
  • Esther is now the driver of the action [she has the vision that Mordecai follows]
  • Jews fast in order to pray to Yahweh / no other purpose to fast from food

Application Principals From Our Text:

If WE live believing God is totally in control, it will cause us to mourn with great grief, knowing that God allows for earthly suffering we can’t understand.

Seeking to comfort those who mourn is how God’s children can become relationally intimate. Trying to reduce someone’s pain is a reflection of God’s influence.

Our surrender to God’s sovereignty is to be paired with acting in ways HE has called us to act. God calls HIS people to act, fully aware of the corruptness of earthly authorities, while knowing we have perfect grace and justice in the end from our creator.

If YOU do not fulfill God’s will… it will not effect HIS will being done! HE wants to use us but HE is never limited by our limits.

If YOU belong to Christ, HE has placed you in positions and around people to glorify HIM. Spend your energy figuring out how to make that happen.

In life or death situations, get hyper intentional in your communication with God. Follow the ways that God’s people have always done that.

COMMUNION:

We must be in the hands of God for God to do exactly what He like with us, and that means disentanglement from every thing that hinder His purpose. If you want to remain a full -orbed grape, you must keep out of God’s hands for He will crush you, wine cannot be made any other way.

The call of God has nothing to do with personal holiness. It’s about being made broken bread and poured-out wine. If we are ever going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed; you cannot drink whole grapes. But God can never crush those who resist the fingers he uses to do it. Those fingers may belong to someone we dislike, or to some set of circumstances to which we said we would never submit. We think, “If only God would use his own fingers to crush me, and do it in some special, heavenly way!” ~ Oswald Chambers [2 quotes]

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