What Do We Do Next?

Romans 12:1-8
March 30, 2025

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
•       Paul is directing his fellow believers to do one thing: present our lives as a sacrifice.
•       To the first audience, this of course evokes thoughts and images of the sacrifices that the Jews made for thousands of years. The killing of an animal, shedding its blood to atone for their sins, was required by God according to His law.
•       How do we set ourselves apart? Our model is always Jesus; we look to him as our example of how to live.
o       There was no living sacrifice quite like Jesus and how he lived and died.
o       He gave his life to do the will of the father here on earth.
o       Matt 22:37 “You must love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole soul, and your whole mind.” He needs our whole self, every part of us.
o       The sacrifices of the Pharisees weren’t enough, for their hearts were far from him

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
•       Scripture confirms, to be set apart is to not conform to the world, we are to be separate from the things of this world. Hard to do, since we have no choice but to live here, in the world. To conform would be to have similar values and interests.
•       “be transformed”. Two important notes.
o       Transformed means it was one way and now it needs to be another. All need this
       We ourselves never had a godly mind; we were born in sin and never knew anything different prior to the spirit entering us.
o       “be” transformed, it is not us doing the work! Who else could it be?
       In his great mercy he transforms us.
       We are not the ones powering the engine. We are the ones being transformed; it is a command but it is also passive. A tough line to walk.
o       But we are told another outcome of this transformation is that we Christians “may discern what is the will of God”. We are given a compass or a barometer, a way for us to tell what is good and perfect.
o       cool check; how to know if you’re being transformed? Do you know more about what is good and acceptable to God today than you were yesterday? There is always more; “be transformed” is ongoing. Becoming more Christlike

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
•       Self-assessment is good. Sober judgement means being clear eyed. Luke 6:41
o       “Why do you see the spec that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”
o       Jesus tells us to examine ourselves, desire to see our faults. It can be difficult to see our own sin which is why it is so critical to have fellow Christians around us. Paul will make that connection in the very next verse.
•       Be humble in your self-assessment. Judge with the right scale. Understand that it is not of our own goodness and ability that we can do anything. In (v3), Paul, who is undoubtably one of the most renown Christians in the history of the faith, says about himself that it is through grace that he can even teach this.

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
•       You have many parts that compose one overarching object. In a courtroom, a confession, video recordings, sworn testimonies: they each serve a different function but they all contribute to the strength of the case, building the body of evidence.
•       Each component is distinct; it is recognizable on its own. However, that distinct component is out of place when it is alone. One piece of evidence is weaker and less effective by itself. It might not win the case.
•       The results are less drastic for a body that is missing a part, but still very impactful. A person without a part, like a hand, might not die, the body certainly feels the absence. It can do less. That person is disabled because of a missing part.
•       According to verse 5, it is in Christ that we are one body. We are not united because we like each other, because we get along. We are not united because we live in Atlanta. Nor because we have kids that are the same age or similar interests. We are one in CHRIST JESUS. That is the primary and ONLY relevant piece of information that binds us together.
•       When we unite over other things, it can and does cause partiality. Inevitably when we don’t have the same personal connection with other members, we think of them as less important to the body. When we see people for anything other than the image of God with Jesus living inside them, we love them with human, earthly love, and not the love of the spirit.
o       Earthly love will always fail, will never go the distance, and is not how we love

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
•       As different parts of the body, we love one another the way we love Jesus and we sacrificially serve the body with our different gifts.
•       Two points to make:
o       We all have distinct gifts that God gave uniquely to YOU
o       Use our gifts, don’t sit on them
•       This is the point of having distinct members. We are not cult members, all interchangeable. We the body can feel when there is a lack of a particular spiritual gift.
•       This is a relevant command this morning; please today examine your gifting. How has the Lord gifted you?
•       There is a phenomenon in animals and humans alike: when a man loses his sense of sight, his hearing increases. The body compensates.
o        Fact is, our body has less people who are able to teach the word of God to others than we did 2 weeks ago. So, what gifts do you have, are you using them?
•       This is not a complete list of what gifts exist; it is meant to exhort us to use what God has given us for his unique purposes.
•       Are you using your gifts as a member of the body of Jesus Christ?
•       The cool thing about the body metaphor is that it ceases to be a metaphor. Jesus left his disciples with his spirit and said “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8.
•       We Christians have the spirit in us and we are given the incredible responsibility to be Jesus’ hands and feet, his physical body.
•       Is Jesus Christ acting in the world today through the unique gifts that he has given you?

2 Corinthians 1:5-6
“For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort.”

We are not here at this church to merely absorb. We are to pour in to others, it is supposed to cost us something. But the promise of the scriptures is that we will be better for it, better Christ followers. We are to be a living sacrifice to those around us and to Christ who lives in us all.

We are called to use our lives to worship God with our actions and our lives.

Application
Being the body is to be the hands and feet of Jesus. How are you serving?

What have you sacrificed, specifically for other Christians and for Jesus?

Are you self-assessing with God’s scale? Do you have others that can speak in to your life to help you see the plank?

In what way is your life distinct and set apart for God, or are you living just like everyone else?

Have you accepted the grace God has shown you?

Heidelberg Catechism (1563) #1
Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A. That I am not my own, but belong—
body and soul, in life and in death—
to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.
He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,
and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.
He also watches over me in such a way
that not a hair can fall from my head
without the will of my Father in heaven;
in fact, all things must work together for my salvation
Because I belong to him,
Christ, by his Holy Spirit,
assures me of eternal life
and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready
from now on to live for him.
Q. What must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort?
A. Three things:
first, how great my sin and misery are;
second, how I am set free from all my sins and misery;
third, how I am to thank God for such deliverance.

Phil 2:1-3
2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus

/by

Esther Pt. 9: Mortal Combat

Mortal Combat
3/16/25
Esther 9:1-19 ESV

We are in the final act of our story

The King of Persia has recently issued a decree allowing the Jews to protect themselves from their enemies. They have been given authority to defend themselves from danger.

Today we will read how God turns around this terrible situation and God’s plan come to completion. This whole book, Esther and Mordecai have been great examples of leadership; we will see more of their courage today. And lastly, we will see the larger picture of God’s people unite and triumph over their enemies through a miracle of his protection. 

Let’s dive in and see how God works an incredible miracle on behalf of his people like he has done so many times before.

9 Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them. 

•       The new decree gave them the power to defend themselves, but it didn’t guarantee their success. The decree was to give them a fighting chance of survival. Even still we aren’t sure how all of this is going to shake out.
•       Realize from last week to this week, 9 months go by. This new decree happens in the 3rd month, and here we are 9 months later. Put yourself in their shoes; imagine being a Jew during this period. There is a one-day war coming and you don’t know…
•       Or maybe not, maybe they were confident, that they had faith in the LORD that they knew he would follow through and protect them. We can only speculate, and think how you would feel in that situation.
o       Scripture speaks nothing of these 9 months, instead the story picks up right with the action. The enemies of the Jews suffered a huge defeat.
•       The enemies of God’s people hoped to conquer them, to extinguish them. But instead, “the reverse occurred”. It doesn’t go the way their enemies expected. That is a core theme of the gospel, it is all about reversals. 
o       Instead of Esau, Jacob. Instead of a handsome tall king, a little shepherd boy. Instead of an eternity separated from God, his son died in our place.
o       God is the same today as he was in Esther’s day. 
o       We do not get what we deserve, in fact we get the exact opposite. Just when they were supposed to be destroyed, that very day, their fortunes reverse.
•       God gave them their success. 
o       “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” psalm 127:1
o       They conquered their enemies, even when they were unsure what would happen and how God would make a way, through it all, His will prevailed.

2 The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could stand against them, for the fear of them had fallen on all peoples. 3 All the officials of the provinces and the satraps and the governors and the royal agents also helped the Jews, for the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them. 4 For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai grew more and more powerful. 
•       Beginning of v2 says they came together. There is Unity in God’s people. The Jews gathered in their cities; they united. It was not every man for himself. The text implies they worked together to defeat their enemy, to execute God’s vision and plan.
•       Draw your attention to the second part of v2; it is so declarative! “No one could stand against them”! This is a description of the Lord’s power; this story doesn’t make sense as a tale about how lucky and clever a small people group was.
o       They were unstoppable, fear had fallen on their enemies. Again, God is present here, their enemies knew that He was their God.
o       31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 ESV

5 The Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and did as they pleased to those who hated them. 6 In Susa the citadel itself the Jews killed and destroyed 500 men, 7 and also killed… [Parshandatha and Dalphon and Aspatha 8 and Poratha and Adalia and Aridatha 9 and Parmashta and Arisai and Aridai and Vaizatha,] 10 the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, but they laid no hand on the plunder.
•       It tells us about 100 times in this book who Haman was and what people group he was from. The reason this is important is because the Agagites were historical enemies of Israel. Joshua had been given a command to wipe them out, all of them. But the people of Israel disobeyed. They neglected their job and these people ever since have been a thorn in their side.
o       “Now it was God’s intent that a last conflict should take place between Israel and Amalek: the conflict which began with Joshua in the desert was to be finished by Mordecai in the king’s palace.” (Spurgeon)

11 That very day the number of those killed in Susa the citadel was reported to the king. 12 And the king said to Queen Esther, “In Susa the citadel the Jews have killed and destroyed 500 men and also the ten sons of Haman. What then have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces! Now what is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what further is your request? It shall be fulfilled.” 13 And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the Jews who are in Susa be allowed tomorrow also to do according to this day’s edict. And let the ten sons of Haman be hanged on the gallows.” 14 So the king commanded this to be done. A decree was issued in Susa, and the ten sons of Haman were hanged. 15 The Jews who were in Susa gathered also on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and they killed 300 men in Susa, but they laid no hands on the plunder.
•       We still see courage in her. Even though the King is on team Esther at this point. God’s leaders are courageous. That is difficult, being brave and courageous is not the normal.
•       She wants to make their death public. Meant to deter additional rebellions or uprisings against God’s people.
•       We read last week that the Jews were entitled to the plunder, according to the king’s decree. And now for the second time, the text says they did not take any of the plunder. They did not enrich themselves through the material goods they were offered. They were strictly about self-defense; survival was enough of a gift.

16 Now the rest of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces also gathered to defend their lives, and got relief from their enemies and killed 75,000 of those who hated them, but they laid no hands on the plunder. 17 This was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth day they rested and made that a day of feasting and gladness. 18 But the Jews who were in Susa gathered on the thirteenth day and on the fourteenth, and rested on the fifteenth day, making that a day of feasting and gladness. 19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, who live in the rural towns, hold the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day for gladness and feasting, as a holiday, and as a day on which they send gifts of food to one another.
•       We get an explanation as to why different Jews might claim a different date for the celebration. 
•       Do you understand how many people that is? From a world population standpoint that has to be a big percentage. That’s more people than the US causalities in Viet Nam.
•       This isn’t just ordinary people dying, these are people who hated them. The enemies of God are destroyed.
•       The last point we’ll look at it the word rest in v17. His people celebrate the occasion and the intentional use of the word “rest” evokes the sabbath.  It is to sit back and say “it is good”. It certainly is good; God’s plan has been executed and the enemies of his people have been devoted to destruction.

What can we takeaway from this passage?

God has a way of turning the story upside down
•       Don’t sell God short. Everything is in the realm of possible, there is truly nothing he cannot do. In unexpected ways, God flips the script.
•       How many times do we have to see it to expect it? Whether it was when Joseph was sold as a slave, or when God’s people were caught between the red sea and a furious Pharoah, wandering marching around the city of Jerico, or using the murder of his perfect son to restore his creation and gift us salvation.
•       God can turn the story around and use it for his good
•       God is the same yesterday today and forever.
•       Same is true for your life, do not put God in a box, do not diminish what God is able to do

God is faithful to his promise
•       The Jews deserved to be punished and deserved to be destroyed but God would never let that happen. He is faithful to his promise to keep a remnant of his people He is looking out for them and protecting a remnant
•       not because of what they’ve done. Because of who he is.

This story is a miracle
•       The Jews did not succeed in this story because of their own strategy, or their own might and prowess. 
•       God is at work, all over the place. There are areas of my life where I often feel all alone, but God continues to move. Where is God working in your life, and how can you find ways to be more tuned in, the miracles he is working right in front of you?

God’s work is to be celebrated. 
•       Do you take time to celebrate the things that God has done?
•       What does that look like? Do you take a sabbath, do you rest in the Lord?
•       Take time to be with others, feasting, giving and resting in our salvation

There is unity in God’s people
•       The Jews fought off their enemies as one united front. They came together for a common purpose to enact the will of God. How often do you come together with God’s people? Physically gathering, spending time with other believers. Also important that we are on the same page about spiritual matters with one another, that we are united spiritually.
•       Is this just a social club to you? Do you look around and think, how fun it is to have friends outside of your workplace or your home? Or do you see people that you can point you closer to Jesus, can correct you when you stray and come along side you when you fight spiritual enemies?
•       The rich community we are called to is built on accountability, trust, openness and love. It is made up of people who know each other deeply enough to ask, what did the Lord teach you this week? What scripture stood out to you in your quiet time with the Lord?

The text used the phrase “no one could stand against them”. God is unstoppable and what he wants will happen. We cannot control that; we can only acknowledge it. For every man who has ever lived, there are two reactions. We see in the text two distinct types of people. There are the people who see what God is doing, fear him and even join. Last week we read about those who saw their fortune turning and wanted to become Jews. This week we saw the leaders helping the Jews fight their enemies; they knew they had a powerful God on their side and they wanted to be a part of it.

And yet we still read about a fight. There were still people who attacked the Jews on the 13th of Adar. There are those people who double down and continue to hate him, and attack his people and receive judgement and destruction because of it. 

Where do you stand? Don’t be the second man. Grab hold of the God of victory and restoration, unite with his people and celebrate the good work he has done.

/by

Esther Pt. 8: God’s Power for His People

Esther Ch. 8

Why is Esther part of the group of writings the Jewish people believe to be ‘God Breathed’ also know as ‘Scripture’ / Holy Writing? This story could be a Hollywood movie and yet…Woven through the drama, the life and death intrigue, are principles found in other parts of Scripture, Old Testament and New. If we read this with the illumination of God’s Spirit we will find things that direct us in our walk with the Lord. God uses a great story to teach us some great things, about HIM & US, TODAY He wants to teach us about Himself and ourselves.

God exposed Haman’s plot to commit genocide against all the Jewish people in Persia. Literally wiping out the entire race. Esther and Mordecai trusted God, sought God and and were led by God to be important parts of HIS Story. The agent of the evil is gone, but the tentacles of that evil still need to be severed.

Esther Ch. 8 NIV

1 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate.

  • King Xerxes finally acts with conviction and speed, actually doing something
  • All of Haman’s relatives, advisors & wife are cut out! Esther gets all his stuff
  • Mordecai recognized by Xerxes as his new ‘Prime Minister’ [What Haman was]
  • Esther needs nothing so she gives everything of Haman’s to Mordecai

3 Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. 4 Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him.

  • Esther is emotional, but not entitled…Not demanding
  • She is humble before God’s duly authorized authority
  • The King, for all his shortcomings, is there because God wants him there
  • Esther and Mordecai are safe, but The Job is not finished
  • She understands she is there to act on behalf of all God’s People!
  • “With great power, there must also come great responsibility.”

When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. ~ Jesus The Christ @ Luke 12:48b

5 “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. 6 For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?”

  • Esther is super humble and respectful before the King [knowing his flaws]
  • Throughout this book we see the principal of respect for God given authority
  • She begs Xerxes that he must overrule the previous edict…for Her!
  • She makes it personal, her people, her family [care for brothers & sisters]

7 King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. 8 Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”

  • In reply to Esther’s plea the king recounts what has already been done
  • Xerxes had taken ‘The Signet Ring’ from Haman and gave it to Mordecai
  • Xerxes puts it in Mordecai’s hands to complete justice & protect God’s people
  • God moves the rulers of all nation to do HIS will [Ps. 72:11 / Rom. 13:4]
  • The previous edict / decree could not be revoked, they need to issue a new one
  • She asked to change the rules…she could not see the big picture
  • BUT God does see the big picture
  • HE made a way within the current authority structure
  • God’s people trust God to enact His will, even using flawed leaders & systems

9 At once the royal secretaries were summoned—on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all Mordecai’s orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush. These orders were written in the script of each province and the language of each people and also to the Jews in their own script and language.

  • Everything is like the previous orders [Deposing Vashti, Eliminating The Jews]
  • Everyone would get the new order

10 Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king’s signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king.

  • Mordecai now speaks for the king!
  • The sense of urgency is more intense: fastest means possible at that time

11 The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies.

  • Since they couldn’t revoke the other edict, they counter acted it
  • The new decree could give the Jews a chance…authorize their use of force
  • They would only kill ‘Armed Men’ who might attack them [self defense]
  • The plunder aspect was to make would be attackers have something to lose
  • Mordecai is used to craft an edict that will give God maximum glory

12 The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. 13 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

  • Same day as the order allowing people to kill all jews and take their stuff
  • Everyone would be ready, but no one could attack early… no ‘sneak attack’
  • Who were their enemies? Haman was an exiled Almaikite / Agagite
  • Perhaps others resented the Jews because they prospered in exile [Jer. 29:7]

14 The couriers, riding the royal horses, went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. 15 When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration.

  • Soon the rest of the Jews in Persia would be given ‘A Fighting Chance’
  • The king has set Mordecai up to be the ‘Prime Minister’ / head of government
  • He is a ‘Type’ similar to Joseph and Daniel [honored by GOD for their faith]
  • The core of this story is how Mordecai would not bow down to anyone but God
  • Some Hebrew translators render Esther 2:5 ‘A unique Jew, Mordecai…’
  • Similar to how Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego. are described in Daniel 3:12

16 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. 17 In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.

  • Party in Susa that day, celebrations would break out as the edict spreads
  • This would make a great holiday to remember what God did to save them
  • And others converted, seeing the God of the Jews rescue HIS people
  • God given maximum glory. God clearly displayed His power for His People
  • Like the parting of the Red Sea…
  • He allowed for impending doom, and then Boom! Something only God could do
  • They didn’t fear the Jews, they feared their God…THE GOD of The Universe!

Biblical Principles & Personal Application:

God can make a way when no way seems possible!

  • Build a positive outlook / HOPE by counting your blessings & ‘Ebeneezers’
  • Be humble about what you know & what will happen [don’t second guess God]

God gives His people responsibility for others & places them where needed

  • Recognize where God has placed you & use your position to help others
  • Our example is Christ…be a little Christ / Christian today

God’s people are called to work within the God given authority they are under

  • Recognize your rebellion against authority is actually rebellion against HIM
  • God always achieves HIS goals, enacts HIS will. Learn to trust HIS way to do it

No matter the situation, do not bow down to anything but Jesus Christ

  • You must view every choice you make as a spiritual matter…Because IT IS!
  • True integrity is not situational, let your yes be yes & your no be no
  • Keeping your commitments no matter the situation = Godly Integrity

When God’s people live trusting in God’s power…other people change sides

  • Ask God to grow your faith and dependence on Christ
  • Make public life choices that display your allegiance to the Biblical Christ

God’s people celebrate His amazing grace, incredible mercy and unending love

  • Spend time repenting, thanking God and receiving HIS presence
  • Strengthen your foundational beliefs & anchor your celebration in THE TRUTH
/by

Esther Pt. 7: God’s Justice

Big themes developing:

Pride leads to sin & evil, but it does not stop God from fulfilling His purposes.

Sacrificial, communal prayer by God’s people allows them to join HIS will & work

God’s people trust in God AND His timing

God alone knows how & when HE will enact HIS Judgement & Justice [unknowable]

Be ready to act when God calls upon you

Where we are in the story:

Esther and the entire jewish population of Suza fast & pray for three days after Haman [Hating on Mordecai] tricks the king into ordering all jews in Persia destroyed. After the fast, Esther gets the kings ear, gets him & Haman to a banquet only to say: ‘wait a day, let’s do this again tomorrow’…

What a difference a day can make… Haman was riding high [on his pride] bragging to his sycophants, he builds a 75 ft pole and goes to the king at dawn. King up all night, learns Mordecai needs to be honored, so instead of killing Mordecai, Haman is forced by the king to honor him! No sooner does Haman finish parading Mordecai through the whole city when he is summoned to the 2nd banquet…

Easter Ch. 7 NIV

1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

  • Yesterday Esther had demurred…Was she afraid? Trying to get him drunk?
  • I believe God told her, wait one more day
  • Before long Xerxes repeats his offer from yesterday [It was not a fluke offer]

3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request.

  • She has waited for God to move, now it is time for her to act
  • She uses the language he used: petition & request
  • She starts with her life and then asks for her people
  • I imagine the king is confused [poor memory / attention deficit]

4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”

  • She explains because the king is perhaps not tracking
  • Already in exile they don’t have much of an expectation of freedom
  • She wouldn’t t bother the king if it was loss of rights [very respectful of authority]
  • BUT THIS.. is not loss of rights…it loss of LIFE!

5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”

  • He quickly gets that there is an person who has sold the queen & her people
  • Another example of Xerxes not remembering events [drinking problem???]
  • You can sense his anger building

6 Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen.

  • Esther identifies Haman as adversary & enemy of who?
  • Esther is fierce and direct… and the king is totally on her side
  • Haman is astute enough to realize he is in serious trouble

7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden.

  • He is so mad he doesn’t know what to do! [He is wise to take a beat]

But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life. 8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?”

  • Haman realizes Esther has the kings ear & favor so he begs her [soft target]
  • Haman is probably having some major anxiety and is out of control
  • He trips or slips or loses his balance in his panic…ends up on the couch
  • Brutal timing! What a coincidence!! [God is sovereign over massive & minute]
  • Xerxes was already so mad he didn’t know what to do…and then THIS!
  • The king speaks a question, and it is directed at his guards & attendants

As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”

  • Immediately the guards took custody of Haman: bound him & hooded him
  • Then the quick thinking and well informed Harbona says: ‘I have an idea…’
  • Perhaps Haman bragged to him on the way in that morning about his plans

The king said, “Impale him on it!” 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.

  • No hesitation by the king
  • They seem to have done it immediately
  • Once it was done the king finally calmed down

So Haman is no more, Justice, God’s Justice, not man’s justice, has been enacted. But what is going to happen next… Tune in next week…

Principles and Application

When you give God time & obedience, He will use you to enact His will

  • Practice waiting on God and listening when you pray [Holy Spirit Connection]
  • In all of your requests of God, gladly submit to HIS way and time to answer

Evil will be exposed. What is planned in the dark, God will ultimately bring to light.

  • Expose what evil you can and trust God will use others to do the same
  • God will enact justice as HE wills, HIS people trust HIM to define justice

The end of your pride is the destruction of your pride, one way or another.

  • In a Spirit Indwelled Christian it is Your Pride vs God’s Spirit. What side r u on?
  • As God destroys your pride you can either cling to it or surrender it

The enemies of God ultimately find out God is GOD [All Everything]

  • Underestimating God [blasphemy of The Holy Spirit] puts U on the wrong team
  • One day everyone will know God’s absolute sovereignty. You can today!

Whatever protection you think you have [status, connections, money] they can’t protect you from God’s Justice.

  • What do you trust to protect your eternal soul?
  • How you live displays what you put your trust in. Place yourself in God’s hands

Living based on your pride results in you building the means of your death.

  • Become aware of your pride and don’t build your life on it
  • We are all building something eternal, are you building your things or God’s?
/by

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!

/by

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’.

/by

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]

/by

Esther Pt. 3: The Absolute Sovereignty Of God

All Scripture Is God Breathed!

Why is this Book important? Why did the Jewish people consider it ‘Scripture’? Why do we consider it ‘God Breathed’? Since it was written, God’s people have recognized important messages contained in this ‘Short Story’,

IMPORTANT MESSAGES OF ESTHER:

The reality of an on going ‘Cosmic Drama’ the battle between Good & Evil.

The tenacity of God’s people to cry out to him and to trust him through awful times.

The divine providence God has for His people, He is faithful to protect them eternally

SO FAR:

We have seen a capricious king, wallowing in sin and debauchery, depose his queen

We have seen a lovely jewish girl, guided by God, ascend to the throne

WHERE IS ALL OF THIS LEADING? Where is God in this story? STAY TUNED!

Esther 2:19—3:15 NIV

19 When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. 20 But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.

  • The story about to be told, took place at a certain time [2nd gathering of virgins]
  • Virgins assembled 2nd time: Did Xerxes want more young girls? Or still 1st time?
  • Mordecai has ascended to a position of stature: Sitting at the gate [Supervisor]
  • Esther is still not known to be a Jew
  • [Later we learn] Esther was queen when this story happens…[V22]
  • Middle Eastern Narrative Form: Important info 1st; then chronology of events
  • This story will play a BIG role in the events later on [God is setting things up]

21 During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22 But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23 And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.

  • Two Guys who were part of the next level of security ‘became angry’
  • Clumsily they plotted to kill the king…Mordecai found out told Esther, QUEEN
  • She reported it to the king! How did she go and talk to the king?
  • The guards were busted and executed [impaled not hanged] Persian Practice

Chapter 3

1 After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. 2 All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.

  • After the king found out he had bad palace staff he most likely cleaned house!
  • The guy who gets promoted to the top of the food chain is named Haman
  • Officials ‘The Gate’ are commanded by the king to kneel & pay honor to Haman
  • But Mordecai would not kneel, bow or do like everyone else, why?

3 Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” 4 Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew.

  • Mordecai would not say why he refused to comply
  • What we do know is that at this point Mordecai has identified himself as a jew
  • He probably refused for 2 reasons: Haman was an Amalekite & Exodus. 20

5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. 6 Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.

  • Here we begin to see who Haman really is: an egomaniac!
  • He believes he is being so disrespected he decides Mordecai life is not enough
  • The Amalekites were historical enemies of the Jews & enemies of God
  • This moves quickly from revenge for a slight to full out Genocide

7 In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the pur (that is, the lot) was cast in the presence of Haman to select a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar.

  • Why does Haman cast lots to see when his plan should be carried out?
  • God allows Haman to place his faith in the ‘Pur’ and then manipulates the result

8 Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. 9 If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.”

  • Haman doesn’t mention the personal slight, or even the guy who did it
  • Haman accuses the Jews of ‘Separatism’ & ‘Non-Assimilation & ‘Law Breaking’
  • Satan goes after God’s people because they are ‘set apart’ [it’s going on now]
  • He persuades the king that it is in HIS best interest to be rid of these people
  • He give the king a ‘final solution’ to this problem: A decree to destroy them!
  • AND Haman offers to pay for the admin cost of this whole plan

10 So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11 “Keep the money,” the king said to Haman, “and do with the people as you please.”

  • The king seems to ask no questions, he seems to trust Haman explicitly
  • He gives Haman free reign to do with ‘the people’ as he pleases
  • AND the king says, no need to pay anything, we will cover it.
  • Haman is here in the text called ‘The enemy of the Jews’

12 Then on the thirteenth day of the first month the royal secretaries were summoned. They wrote out in the script of each province and in the language of each people all Haman’s orders to the king’s satraps, the governors of the various provinces and the nobles of the various peoples. These were written in the name of King Xerxes himself and sealed with his own ring.

  • The casting of lots and the decree happen the 13th of the 1st month of the year
  • The order was sent to particular people [Satrap= Gov] throughout the empire
  • Haman was able to use the kings full authority, it looks like the king’s decision

13 Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods.

  • Decree: The text was explicit as to what was to be done to ALL Jews
  • Decree: This Genocide is contained to ONE day! Persian Army enforced
  • Decree: Every local government was responsible to carry it out [organized evil]
  • Decree: When you kill them, you get all of their stuff!
  • BUT…It will not happen for a whole year / 12 Months [organized Grace]

14 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so they would be ready for that day. 15 The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.

  • The decree was translated & sent [same system as the Queen being deposed]
  • Hundreds of riders thunder away to deliver the order of the king [control freak?]
  • And as they post the decree in Susa, word spreads and with it confusion
  • The king & his boy are going to have a feast…a banquet
  • The king needs no reason to drink, Haman is celebrating HIS victory

Don’t forget who Haman is really working for: Satan! At this point, Satan thought he had won, he would destroy the people of God! Just like Satan thought He had Jesus defeated when they crucified Him…

THE COSMIC DRAMA IS NOW IN FULL FORCE! But God has HIS PEOPLE exactly where He needs them. He placed Mordecai at the gate to the palace. He placed Esther in the palace as Queen. But what if they find out she is related to Mordecai? Stay Tuned!

Principals 4 Your Life:

Do the right thing whether it benefits you or not. [God is keeping track]

Seek to honor God regardless of short term consequences. [Eternal Focus]

Live as though all superstitions [Like the Pur] are all controlled by GOD!

Live based on the reality that people exist who are owned by & work for Satan.

Live like God is in charge of everything, because you believe HE IS!

/by

Esther Pt. 2: “This Week on The Bachelor”

Esther 2:1-18 (ESV)

The key themes we’ll read about today:
– God is in control, we are not. 
– 450 BC was a long time ago, times are different, culture and the world around us changes. But some things stay the same. God does not change. Our sinful nature does not change.
– Speaking of our sinful nature, we’ll see that the world’s culture is vain and self-serving.

2 After these things, when the anger of King Ahasuerus had abated, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her. 2 Then the king’s young men who attended him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king. 3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in Susa the citadel, under custody of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women. Let their cosmetics be given them. 4 And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This pleased the king, and he did so.
•       Ancient days version of “The Bachelor”

5 Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite, 6 who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away. 7 He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter. 

•       By every account we have these people are faithful to their God even in their situation. She has lost her parents. They are living far away from their historic homeland. 
•       Yet we know who these people were: their lineage. We know that Mordecai was responsible and a caretaker for his family member, to a certain extent he was a follower of the mosaic law. The Jewish people had a duty to take care of those who could not take care of themselves and here we see Mordecai is obedient, even in the face of exile.

8 So when the king’s order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king’s palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women. 9 And the young woman pleased him and won his favor. And he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her portion of food, and with seven chosen young women from the king’s palace, and advanced her and her young women to the best place in the harem. 10 Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known. 11 And every day Mordecai walked in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her.

o       Esther’s attitude and posture is evident right away. She is easy going, agreeable, certainly kind and pleasant to be around.

•       vs11 Mordecai has not forgotten her. His responsibility to her and his family does not end because of the circumstances they fall in to. It did not end with the exile, did not end with her forced inclusion into this pagan beauty contest and potentially pagan marriage.

12 Now when the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Ahasuerus, after being twelve months under the regulations for the women, since this was the regular period of their beautifying, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and ointments for women— 13 when the young woman went in to the king in this way, she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. 14 In the evening she would go in, and in the morning she would return to the second harem in custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who was in charge of the concubines. She would not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.
•       The stakes are laid out. There are two groups, a group of virgins and a group of concubines. Both belong to the king, and each virgin is initiated in to the “second harem”. Each lady gets one opportunity to make an impression, otherwise she will remain in his harem forever. 

15 When the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her. 16 And when Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign, 17 the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king gave a great feast for all his officials and servants; it was Esther’s feast. He also granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts with royal generosity.
•       Esther is made queen! 
•       I hope you see what a miracle this is. We have no idea how many women there are for the king to pick from, she was a nobody and yet she finds herself queen.
•       We see resilience in her. She did not choose this situation, didn’t sign up for this contest, she was taken away from her family. We don’t see her complaining or grumbling. Every detail we have implies an attitude of thankfulness, gratitude, obedience.

Takeaways:

God’s people should be faithful even when things aren’t going right for us.

•       Mordecai didn’t look for excuses. He still upheld his end of what it looked like to be righteous.

God’s providence is real. It is woven throughout this book
•       God uses this wretched, messed up situation to show his power, that he is in control.
o       To the uninitiated this looks like God is nowhere to be found. Sometimes it feels the same way in our lives. We look around and think God where are you?  But…
•       As this book shows us, even at his most hidden, God is still there. The Jews are living in a foreign land, the temple has been destroyed. The prophets are few, there is no king. 
•       This is the exile, and if you are expecting the exodus you’ll miss it. God is not displaying wonderous signs or miracles to free his people. There is no Moses telling King Ahasuerus to “let his people go”. It is subtle. He is still working things together for the good of those who love him. 

Divine control does not negate our responsibility to action. 
•       We Christians still have a role to play and a standard to live up to.
•       We want to play our part

This is an important story for us today that details the miraculous ways in which God worked to save his people, the Jewish people, but also how he preserved the line of David to raise a messiah and save all of the earth and mankind through his promise. 

Esther’s life took a drastic turn from her wildest expectations, in part because she was obedient to God’s direction.

Will you be obedient? Are you chasing the life you want, or are you open to the life God has for you?

God has big plans for you, but if you are too locked in to how you want your life to look you may miss it. 

A woman who put aside what she wanted in her life, was obedient to God’s calling and ends up playing a crucial part in the salvation story for the entire human race. Praise God! 

/by

The Book of Esther Pt. 1

For such a time as this…

Major Themes:

Dependency on God like we have no idea of! Exiles!

The illusion of control. The greatest of human Might, Technology and wealth is powerless against God’s will.

Active Waiting [PRAYER & FASTING]

God’s Sovereignty over all events, big and small.

God’s Preservation of HIS People. When God makes YOU one of His People that is not changed by anything YOU do. God has a History of preserving HIS people, who would birth HIS Messiah / SON

God Calls People to Act. God designs each of us for specific tasks [Ester had great beauty, it was her way in]. When God’s children allow God to lead their life HE may call us to action. Mordecai was placed as much as Ester was. God’s Children must recognize that God has them somewhere for a reason.

God wants us to depend on Him

God desires His People to connect with Him in Extremely Intentional ways!

God can completely ‘flip’ a situation…the first become last and the last become first

God’s People must commemorate His great acts of deliverance [Jewish Festivals]. Ebeneezers to what God has done are important [REMEMBER THE LORD]

Pt. 1 Chapter 1 HCSB

1 These events took place during the days of Ahasuerus, who ruled 127 provinces from India to Cush. 2 In those days King Ahasuerus reigned from his royal throne in the fortress at Susa. 3 He held a feast in the third year of his reign for all his officials and staff, the army of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the officials from the provinces. 4 He displayed the glorious wealth of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness for a total of 180 days.

  • Written as a form of historical record [it will reference other such records]
  • 486 Darius, the King who lost the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC dies
  • Xerxes ascends to the throne
  • Xerxes was the oldest son of Darius 2nd wife [daughter of Cyrus]
  • Xerxes was a handsome man who had no equal among the Persians in beauty or bodily strength. However, neither as military leader nor as monarch was he a worthy successor of Cyrus or Darius. His character was unstable and vacillating but not basically bad. He put down major revolts in Egypt and Babylon early in his reign but suffered grave defeats from 480 BC until his assassination in 465 BC.
  • 480 BC He attempts to conquer Greece, he is unsuccessful [movie 300]
  • 3 years earlier He holds a 180 day feast / banquet for all his officials & officers
  • An apex of human control…Empire, Ruling Class and Security Forces…

5 At the end of this time, the king held a week-long banquet in the garden courtyard of the royal palace for all the people, from the greatest to the least, who were present in the fortress of Susa. 6 White and violet linen hangings were fastened with fine white and purple linen cords to silver rods on marble columns. Gold and silver couches were arranged on a mosaic pavement of red feldspar, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones.

  • AND a week long party for the ‘Common Folk’ who made the fortress run
  • The rank and file got to live like the ‘Other Half’
  • Wealth beyond comprehension…remind you of anything???
  • The idea of ‘A Show of Wealth’ is an old idea… What a waste!

7 Beverages were served in an array of gold goblets, each with a different design. Royal wine flowed freely, according to the king’s bounty 8 and no restraint was placed on the drinking. The king had ordered every wine steward in his household to serve as much as each person wanted. 9 Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women of King Ahasuerus’s palace.

  • AND to top it all off the King let the wine flow! OPEN BAR!
  • AND the women got to be included in this one of a kind opportunity [separately]
  • This was not a time and a culture of equality for women [we will see more]

10 On the seventh day, when the king was feeling good from the wine, Ahasuerus commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who personally served him, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before him with her royal crown. He wanted to show off her beauty to the people and the officials, because she was very beautiful. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command that was delivered by his eunuchs. The king became furious and his anger burned within him.

  • ‘The King was feeling good from the wine’…I bet! He drank for 187 days!
  • Big ceremony with HIS personal seven eunuchs [quite a few eunuchs around]
  • He waited until the last day of the whole thing to acknowledge the Queen
  • He wanted to show her off, perhaps she had expected this earlier???
  • One historian writes Vashti was a Great Grand Daughter of Nebuchadnezzar
  • Was It was beneath her to attend the male only drunk fest? [females served]
  • Was Xerxes trying to show Queen Vashti she had value only for her beauty?
  • If she goes she is made to be a commoner, if she refuses, a disobedient wife

13 The king consulted the wise men who understood the times, for it was his normal procedure to confer with experts in law and justice. 14 The most trusted ones were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. They were the seven officials of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and occupied the highest positions in the kingdom. 15 The king asked, “According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey King Ahasuerus’s command that was delivered by the eunuchs?”

  • The king is looking for some help / or these guys are part of a intentional plot
  • Bring in the consultants!
  • King calls in His wise men, learned men, science, math, law experts
  • Cabinet Secretaries / Ministers / Senior Staff
  • He wants to know what he ‘could’ do within the confines of the law
  • He did everything by the book, as though it would be scrutinized late…

16 Memucan said in the presence of the king and his officials, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the officials and the peoples who are in every one of King Ahasuerus’s provinces. [Map of Persian Empire] 17 For the queen’s action will become public knowledge to all the women and cause them to despise their husbands and say, ‘King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti brought before him, but she did not come.’ 18 Before this day is over, the noble women of Persia and Media who hear about the queen’s act will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in more contempt and fury.

  • One particular guy speaks up very quickly [spokesman or driven by something]
  • He articulates the case against the Queen, she has wronged EVERYONE!
  • He contends this one action will destroy the order of their culture [alarmist??]
  • He contends the wealthy women in the country will follow the Queen’s example

19 “If it meets the king’s approval, he should personally issue a royal decree. Let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media, so that it cannot be revoked: Vashti is not to enter King Ahasuerus’s presence, and her royal position is to be given to another woman who is more worthy than she. 20 The decree the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom, so all women will honor their husbands, from the least to the greatest.”

  • We cannot let this stand!! Time to issue a royal decree…a permanent solution
  • And Memucan has a decree all locked & loaded [maybe his wife was acting up]
  • Vashti is canceled…she is labeled ‘unworthy’, she is to be replaced [banished?]

21 The king and his counselors approved the proposal, and he followed Memucan’s advice. 22 He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to each province in its own script and to each ethnic group in its own language, that every man should be master of his own house and speak in the language of his own people.

  • It seems like Memucan leads out in the execution of the decree [immediately]
  • Persians were known for writing laws in the middle of the night after drinking
  • Mass Communication of a legal / cultural standard: Men are in charge!
  • The language thing at the end…[Map of Persian Empire]

‘In Persia every man will be master of his own home and speak in the language of his own people, regardless of the language his wife speaks. If he had foreign wives, let them learn his language.’

What have we learned?

Lust of mankind for conquest and power was at it’s peak in this world [pretty ugly]

When ruled by desires for ourselves we manipulate and scheme

God will direct kings and janitors lives to accomplish His will, despite our sin

People are people, we all want control of our lives, and we really don’t have any!

Without eternal security ‘In Christ’ we are all vulnerable to what sin can do

To the powers of this world we are as expendable as Queen Vashti.

But God has made a way for us to overcome the power of this world, the power of sin and eternal death! Christ Jesus!

/by