Esther 3-4  For such a time as this !

 

The current World population today is 6.8 billion pp!  With a population so large it is easy to underestimate the significance of one.

A)It is easy to think things like: There are so many people who have so many gifts and talents doing so many things that are so important – who needs me!

 

B) What can I as one individual contribute to the overwhelming needs of the world, my community, my church?

 

C)But the truth of the matter is you are you –

1)the only one of you in the World –

 

D)God doesn’t just see things in the realm of the Big Picture – but he is interested in the individual.

1)He has a plan for your life –Use you in your sphere of influence.

 

Edward Everett Hale

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but I Still can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to the something that I can do.

What I can do, I should do and, with the help of God, I will do."

 

 

Chuck Swindol adds this insight from his book on the Life of Esther.  “ When I read God’s Word, I don’t find many stories about great crusades, and city wide revivals and mass meetings where God’s attention rested on an entire country or a whole community. More often, I find individual men and women who made a difference, who set the pace or cut a wide path or stood in the gap and changed their times. From Genesis to Revelation, we see God’s hand on the lives of individuals who thought and said what was right-regardless- and as a result, history was made.”

 

True in History of the Church as well – Men like Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon, Wesley, Whitefield, Graham, Chuck Smith.

 

Single men who went against the grain and made a huge impact.

 

As we come to Ch. 3-4 of Esther we are introduced to

One man who was filled with great hatred

 

See One man mourning in great grief – who couldn’t just sit back and say whatever will be will be!

 

And One woman who took a great risk.

 

History was forever Changed! – As we go thru these Chapters – make some observations about the kind of man or woman God uses!   8 Principles …..uses !

 

Quick review:  King Ahasureus – King of Persia – Major Force – 6 month Party – Queen Vashti –

Esther – Orphan raised by godly cousin named Mordecai { Pageant

A)Esther is Chosen

 

B)Ch.2 Ended with Mordecai uncovering a plot to assonate the King –{Tells Esther – tells the King

 1)the men involved were hung on the gallows for everyone to see – this is what happens when you try to undermine the king

 

Ch. 3 the Landscape suddenly changes as we are introduced to one man who was filled with great Hatred So much so that it almost resulted in the annihilation of an entire race of people.

 

After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were with him.

 

Now wait a second – Mordecai – just saved the kings life – who is this guy Haman and why is he being promoted?

A)Reminder – Life is not fair – But God is still SOVGN don’t forget that pt. as we see the story unfolds

 

B)Who is Haman?  Son of Hammedatha the Agagite.

 

C)This info takes us back about 500 yrs event that took place in the book of 1st Samuel when Saul was King

God had instructed Saul battle with the Amalekites – Destroy all of them  Why? Cancer?

A)Saul not only didn’t do that but he brought back their King as a trophy – a man by the Name of Agag.

 

B)Samuel questions – Samuel takes sword – Hacks Agag into pieces – Brutal – great example of how to deal with Sin – Harshly

 

C)But from that day forward there was a hatred that had developed in the heart of the Agagites against the Jews.

 

So Haman is a man with a deep seeded Hatred.  Watch what happens next

V.2 And all the king's servants who were within the king's gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow or pay homage. 3 Then the king's servants who were within the king's gate said to Mordecai, "Why do you transgress the king's command?" 4 Now it happened, when they spoke to him daily and he would not listen to them, that they told it to Haman, to see whether Mordecai's words would stand; for Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew.

 

That last phrase for Modecai had told them that he was a Jew is important to understanding what is going on here.

Mordecai is not being defiant because this guy Haman got promoted instead of him

A)No the reason he is not bowing was because he was Jewish ie a follower of Jehovah

 

B)Mordecai was a devoutly a godly man – and bowing down to any earthly person or thing was considered idolatry and he was not going to do that.

1)To do so ran against the deepest convictions of his faith.

 

C)Similar to Shad ….. Abendego in the book of Daniel – not going to bow – even though everyone else was.

 

So right away we see this ONE MAN – Mordecai – going against the grain.

A) Even though it was the Kings command. So in essence he wasn’t just offending Haman’s Pride – he was disobeying the King.

 

B)1st Principle of the kind of man or woman that God uses is he/she is one who stands on the word of God and is not afraid to go against the grain.

 

C)Common thread of those that God uses – They have to be those who are willing to take a stand and do what is right regardless of the circumstances!

 

 

It is easy to follow the crowd and to do what everyone else is doing.

A)It takes a man or woman of faith and conviction to stand for what they believe no matter the cost

 

C)Test are you that kind of person? –

 

5 When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay him homage, Haman was filled with wrath. 6 But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai. Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus — the people of Mordecai.

 

Here we see the ramifications of Pride and prejudice

A)Not the Movie – deep seated hatred – over yrs – that is now being fueled by a single man’s pride –

 

B)Demonic influence here – adding to the evil.

 

C)Only wonder what this man grew up hearing about the Jews – that fueled this Hatred inside of him

 

D)As Parents we need to watch what we say and attitudes we adopt around our kids

1)Even regarding Church – Seen Teens – young adults completely abandon Church- because heard their parents talk to many times about problems or people - 

 

E)Why do I want to go there? Why do I want to be a part of that.

7 In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, the lot), before Haman to determine the day and the month, until it fell on the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.

 

Note: What year did he have his feast?  Third year.  What year was Esther made queen?  Seventh year. 

A)Now, we are in the 12th year – so this is five years later.  Isn't that interesting? 

 

B)God has had the chief characters in position for five years now. 

1)Esther's been there for five years as queen, and yet, the reason for her being there is not yet revealed. 

 

C)The purpose of God for her being there has not yet been fulfilled. 

1)Yet, she has been there, God has her there in advance. 

 

D)And many times, God, in working out His purposes in our life, is working years in advance, and we don't even realize it, we don't even know it. 

 

He is putting us in position, putting us into place years in advance.

A)Our problem, we live on a day by day basis, and we look at today, and we look at tomorrow, and we say, "Nothing's happening in my life.  I've been here for two whole weeks, and nothing's happening." 

B)Well, God's purposes are not always accomplished in two weeks.  Sometimes it's years. 

 

C)And here it is five years later that we now begin to see why God has put these people in these positions. 

1)He's got them there well ahead of the time that they will be used.

 

2nd Principle of the kind of person that God uses – he/she is the kind of person who knows how to be patient and bloom where they are planted.

A)The casting of lots was sort of a superstitious way of making a decision – the lot fell on the month of Adar = March

 

8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people's, and they do not keep the king's laws. Therefore it is not fitting for the king to let them remain. 9 If it pleases the king, let a decree be written that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver{ six million dollars} into the hands of those who do the work, to bring it into the king's treasuries."

 

B)The Jews were scattered throughout the 127 provinces probably close to 3 million strong

 

C)Haman says I'll give you six million dollars if you'll let me carry out this eradication. 

1)I'll see that it comes into the king's treasuries.

 

 

Haman is the kind of man who knows how to push the right buttons to appeal to the king.

A)He brings up the issue of the kings influence – these Jews were not obeying his laws

 

B)Really only one Jew that we know of who wasn’t bowing – and that was Mordecai

 

C)People with and agenda love to exaggerate – People come to me – Lots of pp are upset about this

1)Or I have talked to a lot of pp who think this way

 

D)I usually ask –what is a lot? Who have you talked with – usually 2 pp – { Multitudes

 

We have already seen that Ahauserues was worried about his influence – got rid of Vashti set example

A)Haman also appeals to his desire for wealth – I will give you 6 million …..

 

B)Note this – Haman isn’t asking for 6 million to play exterminator – he is willing to pay to do it

1)What kind of man – what degree of hatred is there that would possess a man to do that ?

 

RD V.10-13

 

 

 

 

Interesting the time table here: Haman ordered the annihilation of all the Jews in the first month of the year and it was not to be carried out until the 12th month.

A)Sign of his hatred – let them live in torment for 11 months knowing what awaits them

 

B)Now Ray Stedman in his commentary on the book of Esther draws and interesting picture here by way of contrast.

 

C)He pictures Haman as being symbolic of the flesh influencing the King

1)And Mordecai is a picture of the Holy Spirit seeking to lead Esther.

 

D)Stedman makes this point that – “Giving into the flesh starts with a decision. Nothing can be done in your life without the consent of your will! You cannot pass the buck to anyone else. You have the final responsibility for what happens in your life, because nothing can be done, good or evil, apart from the consent of your will.”

 

E)One hasty decision was going to affect the lives of millions of people.

1)So too in our lives one spur of the moment decision to give into the flesh – can affect many

 

 

 

Stedman adds “What you decide in the depths of your heart affects everyone who knows you. The decision made in secret in the very innermost part of your thinking, sooner or later touches the lives of everyone with whom you have to do. Such a decision reaches out to the uttermost limits of your empire….You cannot give yourself to playing with thoughts in secret that do not sooner or later break out in open deeds.”

 

So the Decision was made: V 14 adds A copy of the document was to be issued as law in every province, {Once it was issued into law the edict could not be reversed even by the king} being published for all people, that they should be ready for that day. 15 The couriers went out, hastened by the king's command; and the decree was proclaimed in Shushan the citadel. So the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Shushan was perplexed.

 

What a depiction of pride and arrogance and the disregard of human life.

A)They sat down to drink -   the rest of the city is perplexed – wow

 

B)No one could change the kings edict - Helplessness is quickly eroding into hopelessness

 

C)But in the midst of all of this God was not sleeping 1)In His Sovereign plan he determined one person would make a difference.

2)One person would stand in the gap –

CH. 4

When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He went as far as the front of the king's gate, for no one might enter the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

 

This sackcloth with ashes, of course, was the sign of extreme mourning. 

A)We remember how that Ezra, when he was informed of the sin of the people, tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and just sat there in a dazed state all day long; a sign of extreme sorrow and mourning,

 

B)Now, you were not allowed to show any signs of mourning around the palace. { Happy Place  

1)No sign of sorrow there; and so, he left his usual position there by the palace gate,

 

C)So he went out into the middle of the city, began to wail, began to cry, as was, of course, the oriental custom.  He cried with loud and bitter cry. 

 

D)TV middle East –

1)Here in America more Private with our grief

 

3rd Principle: A man/woman that God uses is one that is touched deeply by the affects of sin.

A)Nehemiah – devos – heard of the reproach – mourned many days – but no one knew.

B)There is a time for public sorrow – time for private sorrow –

1)The man of God – he is moved by the affects of sin

 

C)Can’t be glib – Joke about it! Letterman but not a man of God.

1) Shock Value Provacative – no place in the pulpit

Sacredness to the Word of God

 

D)Now Mordecai takes a risk here because the last part of v. 2 tells us he went as far as the gate.

 

4th Principle: A man/woman that God uses is willing to be bold to right an injustice.

 

But Shushan wasn’t the only place where pp were mourning

3 And in every province where the king's command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

Picture the scene – Massive mourning – Interesting how suffering can really bring people together and bring pp to a place of seeking God more fervently

 

Testimonies from Sunday – Some have quit.

 

4 So Esther's maids and eunuchs came and told her, and the queen was deeply distressed. Then she sent garments to clothe Mordecai and take his sackcloth away from him, but he would not accept them.

Esther was probably clueless at this point to the Edict – separated from normal life there is the Palace

A)She is wondering – what is going on with Mordecai – when he refused the clothes she sent – she knows something serious is happening here

                                                               Rd v.5-8a

 

So they, now doubt, had these posters up all over; these flyers. 

A)And so, Mordecai gave to Hatach one of these to show to Esther what was going on,

 

V.8b-9 and that he might command her to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people. 9 So Hathach returned and told Esther the words of Mordecai.

 

Mordecai is Charging Esther- "you've got to go in and intercede for the nation, for your people."

 

5th Principle: A man/woman that God uses inspires others to do what God has called them to do.

 

RD V. 10-12

 

Can’t come unless summoned – Can’t just march into the court of the king – Death

 

Side note: We can come boldly to our King!

 

RD V. 13-14

This is interesting – it shows us that Mordecai knew that God was a God who would keep his promises. A)He wasn’t going to let his pp be completely annihilated.

 

B) God had promised the future for the Jewish people, the Messiah has not yet come,

1)Mordecai, knowing the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises believed that somehow, God would spare the Jewish people from this edict that  had been given. 

 

C)Nehemiah – Prayed "I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments,  Nehemiah 1:5

 

D) 6th Principle: A man or woman that God uses is one who believes that God is a Promise Keeper.

1)Able to see the greatness and faithfulness of God inspite of the bleakness of the situation.

 

The idea that Mordecai is impressing upon Esther is; who knows, Esther, but maybe God has chosen you  to be the instrument in bringing to pass His purposes. 

 

Maybe God has brought you to the kingdom for such a time as this. Five years when you were chosen to be queen. 

Maybe God had positioned you for this very moment; for this very task of saving your people. 

I do believe that all of us come to that place in life for which God has been preparing us. 

A)Paul, as he is writing to the Ephesians 2:10

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

 

B)In other words, what Paul is saying is God has set out a plan for your life. 

1)God has foreordained the work that He intends for you to do for the glory of the kingdom. 

 

C)He's already got it all worked out; but in the mean time, He's working in you to prepare you for that work that He's prepared that you should do.

 

Now, a lot of times, while we're in this time of preparation, as God is working in us, we're chomping at the bit. 

A)We are growing impatient - I want to see the purpose, the plan of God.  I don't like this time of preparation. 

 

B)And it is easy to try and jump ahead of the Lord. Instead of letting God lead we want to push open doors

 

C)Help God out – Abe / Sarah with Hagar

1)God’s timing often seems slow – but in reality God is always on time.

 

 

Prep time right now! {Don’t grow weary waiting

A)Don’t get to comfortable that when the time comes you don’t want to respond.

 

B)Mordecai is telling Esther – the time is now!

 

C)What about you something – the Lord has been saying to you – the time is now!

 

RD V. 15-17

 

7th Principle A man/woman that God uses knows the importance of Praying and fasting.

 

Offering – Prayer fasting – 2 best weeks of the year

 

8th Principle: A man/ woman that God uses is willing to risk everything for the sake of God’s kingdom and His glory.

 

Now, the interesting thing to me is that in three days' time, Esther fulfilled the whole purpose of God for her life. 

The rest of it, she could just cruise and enjoy being queen. 

 

But in three days, all of the preparation up to that point was for these three critical days.  God brought her to the kingdom for such a time as this. 

 

These three momentous days.  { Next time.