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EstherBright Star

in a dark place(Chapter 5)

By Samuel E. WardFor text version: cbckck.blogspot.com

Introduction

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Chart of the Book of Esther

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I. God’s Hand Prepares for the

Future—Chapters

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II. God’s Hand Rules in the Present—

Chapters 3-8

III. God’s Hand Brings Judgment

in its Time—Chapter 9:1-19

IV. God’s Hand Executes Justice in

the End—Chapters 9:20-10:3

The Great Banquets

Dethronement of Vashti

The Choice of a New Queen

Haman’s Plot – Plot #1

Mordecai’s Plan

Esther’s 1st Banquet

Haman’s Plot – Plot #2

Haman’s Humiliation

Estther’s 2nd Banquet

Mordecai’s Elevation

A Great Slaughter

A Great Vengeance

A Great Celebration

Mordecai’s Letter

Esther’s Confirmation

Mordecai’s Greatness

 

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Christians under persecution find hope in Esther’s story, as well as Jews. The New Testament gives hope that extends beyond an earthly deliverance to a heavenly one. Paul wrote about his hope even in the face of death.

2 Timothy 4:18 (NIV2011) The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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Let us continue to learn through Esther how . . .

God’s hand has prepared our future.God’s hand rules in our present.

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I. God’s Hand Prepares for the Future – The Dethronement of Vashti and Installation of Esther

II. God’s Hand Rules in the Present – Mordecai’s and Esther’s contemporary situation

At some point, we may, like Mordecai, be moved to action. In that case we must rely on God to guide.

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A. Haman’s Plot, Esther 3 – to exterminate his enemy Mordecai and Mordecai’s people from the empire.

B. Mordecai’s Plan, Esther 4 – to save his people from destruction.

Mordecai’s plan involves the influence of Esther as queen to gain the aid of King Xerxes in stopping Haman’s plot to exterminate the Jews. It begins with . . .

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C. Esther’s First Banquet, Esther 5:1-5 – the first step in Esther’s attempt to have the king intervene in Haman’s plot to destroy her people.

1. Preparation for Esther’s Approach to the king, Esther 4:15-17

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a. The purpose of Esther’s banquet was to petition clemency for the plight of her people.

b. The risk of Esther’s going to the king uninvited to make her request was death.

c. The courage of Esther would mark her as true heroine in Israel’s history forever.

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Esther’s only request from her people was that they fast for three days.  

Pastor Mark Copeland reminds us that the Israelites fasted for at least these reasons: 

Forgiveness of sin (Moses, Ahab, Daniel)Restoration of loved ones to health (David)Protection of His people from danger(Ezra) Deliverance from enemies (the Israelites)

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2. Presentation of Esther before the king, Esther 5:1-5.

a. The moment of truth for Esther – Would the king receive her?

b. The response of grace by Xerxes – “Whatever you desire is yours.”

c. The invitation to a banquet – “Come to dinner today, and bring your friend, Haman.”

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3. Protocol for Esther’s Request Established, Esther 5:5b-8.

a. The king’s grace was extended to Esther at her first banquet.

b. Esther’s invitation to a second banquet was extended to the king and Haman.

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D. Haman’s Nature Described and Demonstrated, Esther 5:9-14.

1. Haman’s personality-type has a pathology well-described in Proverbs.

 A foolish false sense of security, Pro 14:16-17a.

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 Proverbs 14:16-17a (NIV2011) 16  The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure. 17a  A quick-tempered person does foolish things.

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A set of seven characteristics that are abhorrent to the Lord, Prov 6:16-19.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV2011) 16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

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A pre-disposition to sin due to pride and arrogance, Prov. 21:24.

Proverbs 21:4 (NIV2011) Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.

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A proneness to persecute the weak in pursuit of power and adulation, Psa 10:2-3

Psalm 10:2-3 (NIV2011) 2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. 3 He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.

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2. Haman’s actions demonstrate his prideful and arrogant nature, Esther 5:9-14.

a. Haman’s spirits were affected by Mordecai’s refusal to show reverence to him. ENRAGED

b. Haman’s ego was inflated by the importance he placed in his invitation to Esther’s banquet. CONCEITED

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c. Haman’s satisfaction was unfulfilled as long as Mordecai is still in sight. MALICIOUS

d. Haman’s acceptance of the suggestion to cruelly murder Mordecai proves the depth of his wickedness. WICKED

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CONCLUSIONS

1. Scripture teaches us that pride has many consequences. But those who are wise in their own understanding are not likely to seek God’s counsel or hear His warnings. They, in effect, have brought destruction upon themselves. How foolish is that? Consider these consequences of sinful pride:

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Proverbs 11:2 (NIV2011) When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18 (NIV2011) Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

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Proverbs 29:23 (NIV2011) Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

James 4:6 (NIV2011) But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

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Pride Vs. Humility

Disgrace Wisdom

Destruction Life

Humiliation Honor

Opposition from God Favor from God

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2. Esther chapter five is as much about revenge as it is pride. The Bible also speaks to this:

Revenge is forbidden by God.

Leviticus 19:18 (NIV2011) “ ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

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Proverbs 24:17-18 (NIV2011) 17  Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, 18  or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.  Proverbs 24:29 (NIV2011)  Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.”

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Vengeance belongs to God. Romans 12:17-19 (NIV2011) 17  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

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Forbearance is modeled by Christ.

1 Peter 2:23 (NIV2011) When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

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Another way is shown by God.

Proverbs 20:22 (NIV2011) Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.