Study No. 3 A Frightened Queen Chapters 4-5
An 'Edict' initiated by Haman (the King's new prime minister) went out to all of the provinces. Some of the other nationalities expressed joy and engaged in 'gift-giving' to celebrate. But in the city itself, we are told, Susa was perplexed. That is, even thought the court was in agreement with the edict, the city itself was divided. No doubt, of the many Jews living in the city, many had established relationships with the non-Jews; relationships as neighbours and friends, business relationships, etc. Such an edict must have seemed barbarous to them.
Meanwhile, we begin this study noting that Haman and the king are sitting there having drinks. (2:14,15)
I. Mordecai's response to the edict. 4:1
He dresses in sackcloth. This was not a unique decision of his to 'dress down' for this negative occasion. He dressed this way because dressing in sackcloth had become a tradition among the Jews (and perhaps other nations) who were mourning and in great distress.
Dressed to express his mournful state, he is not allowed to precede to his usual post. v2 - 4
News reaches Esther, by now married to Xerxes for five or six years, that Mordecai is in great distress.
II. Esther's Initiative
She sends him a clean set of clothes, which he refuses to accept. She does not seem to know why, so she sends someone to ask. v5-6
III. Mordecai answers – 7-9
As he sums up the state of affairs, he 'urges' her to go talk to the king about the situation.
IV. Esther's 'hesitation'. 10-11
It appears that Persian kings could be quite eccentric. He had a way to protect his privacy. Approach the king and ask to talk to him ... and you could end up dead. IF you happened to find the king in somewhat of a good mood ... he would hold out his golden wand toward you indicating that you could approach and say your piece.
In Esther's case she explains to Mordecai that she has not even been in his presence for 30 days. She must wonder if he is really getting 'cooled off' in their relationship. This is about the time that the king is going through his new crop of virgins. And so her response to Mordecai is really, 'Please don't ask me to do this!'
V. Mordecai's second answer 14-15
He makes three points:
Pr 24:10 ¶ If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!
Pr 24:11 ¶ Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering towards slaughter.
Pr 24:12 If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
We would do well to pay attention to these proverbs.
And with reference to number 2 ... deliverance
Ge 22:14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."
1Sa 12:22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own.
God is greatly honored when we live lives of dependence upon Him. It can be difficult to really grasp this principle, but it comes up time and again throughout the entire scope of the Bible. When we take credit for our circumstances, God is not pleased or honored. Esther very easily could have taken some credit for being in the kingdom. She could think, 'Why wouldn't I be chosen for Queen. After all, I am the most beautiful girl out there.' We need to think carefully about our own positions so that we will realize how foolish it is to take credit for our successes.
And number 3 ...
The Will and Purposes of God.
When we are 'in the will of God' there are no accidents. Perhaps when we are NOT in the will of God, there are no accidents. So how do you know if you are 'in the will of God'? This need not be some deep mysterious quest. It is not difficult to discover. Here is one simple verse that may help,
1Co 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. So how simple is that? When everything you do, you do it for the glory of God ... you are doing God's will and you are in the will of God. If you wonder whether you should be a missionary to a foreign country ... so that you will be in 'the will of God' ... then do everything for God's glory, everyday and in His time you will be a missionary to that foreign country
.Col 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
This verse is similar but it adds the thought ... doing it in the name of ...
We have discussed this before. This has absolutely nothing to do with using God's correct name. Whether you think the name must be Jehovah, or it must be Jesus, or it must be Yeshua ... you are on the wrong track if you think this verse is even hinting about getting His name right. This verse is emphasizing that everything we do, we make it part of promoting God's kingdom. We are not to live for ourselves or seek our own joy or comfort. We are to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (our own comforts and needs) will be given to you as well. Mt 6:33
So how did Esther view herself as Queen? Did she recognize that, as a child of God, we live and move in circles that are divinely appointed? No accidents or 'happenstance'?
Ac 17:26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
VI. Esther's Desperation 15, 16
What a decision and commitment! “I will do this. I very possibly could die.”
Thousands of people are coming to Christ under exactly this same condition. In much of the world Christianity is outlawed and followers are persecuted and killed. For an unbeliever to hear the gospel, understand it, know that he must bend his knee repentance and ask Jesus for eternal life, we can just hear him saying ... “I will do this. I very possibly could die”. Are we prepared to 'take up our cross' as we follow Him?
VII. Esther Goes in Action 5:1-14
- She approaches her husband. 1-4 Can you imagine her relief at seeing the golden sceptre stretched out toward her? As she approaches him, he certainly seems to be in a good mood. Up to half the kingdom, if you want it! Wow. I wonder if God has something to do with changing people's moods?
Pr 16:7 ¶ When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
5-8
She calls for a banquet that includes Haman. Everything seems to go well. The king is pleased with her. He asks, Now what is it that you would like? Ask. Its yours.
“OK, I want .... Haman .... .... to come to another banquet.”
She calls for another banquet that will include Haman
Haman goes home feeling very proud and happy. Until he sees that 'no-good' Mordecai. 9-10. He restrains himself from 'losing his joy' and, calling his own friends together to celebrate with him, proceeds to some heavy duty bragging. 11-12. Then he admits to his friends what a 'thorn in the flesh' Mordecai is to him. Ruins everything! He won't bow down! (Haman is not aware of the 'kinship' between Mordecai and Esther, and certainly does not realize that Esther is a Jew)
His wife has a suggestion. Get rid of Mordecai. OK. How? Build a huge gallows tonight, then ask the king in the morning if you can have him hanged. He thinks it might work. He goes to bed feeling better and no doubt has a good sleep.
We will pick it up there in the next study.
An 'Edict' initiated by Haman (the King's new prime minister) went out to all of the provinces. Some of the other nationalities expressed joy and engaged in 'gift-giving' to celebrate. But in the city itself, we are told, Susa was perplexed. That is, even thought the court was in agreement with the edict, the city itself was divided. No doubt, of the many Jews living in the city, many had established relationships with the non-Jews; relationships as neighbours and friends, business relationships, etc. Such an edict must have seemed barbarous to them.
Meanwhile, we begin this study noting that Haman and the king are sitting there having drinks. (2:14,15)
I. Mordecai's response to the edict. 4:1
He dresses in sackcloth. This was not a unique decision of his to 'dress down' for this negative occasion. He dressed this way because dressing in sackcloth had become a tradition among the Jews (and perhaps other nations) who were mourning and in great distress.
Dressed to express his mournful state, he is not allowed to precede to his usual post. v2 - 4
News reaches Esther, by now married to Xerxes for five or six years, that Mordecai is in great distress.
II. Esther's Initiative
She sends him a clean set of clothes, which he refuses to accept. She does not seem to know why, so she sends someone to ask. v5-6
III. Mordecai answers – 7-9
As he sums up the state of affairs, he 'urges' her to go talk to the king about the situation.
IV. Esther's 'hesitation'. 10-11
It appears that Persian kings could be quite eccentric. He had a way to protect his privacy. Approach the king and ask to talk to him ... and you could end up dead. IF you happened to find the king in somewhat of a good mood ... he would hold out his golden wand toward you indicating that you could approach and say your piece.
In Esther's case she explains to Mordecai that she has not even been in his presence for 30 days. She must wonder if he is really getting 'cooled off' in their relationship. This is about the time that the king is going through his new crop of virgins. And so her response to Mordecai is really, 'Please don't ask me to do this!'
V. Mordecai's second answer 14-15
He makes three points:
- Don't think that somehow you will escape the coming masacre.
- Deliverance WILL come from SOMEWHERE.
- Perhaps you made it to the position of Queen for exactly this reason.
Pr 24:10 ¶ If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!
Pr 24:11 ¶ Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering towards slaughter.
Pr 24:12 If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
We would do well to pay attention to these proverbs.
And with reference to number 2 ... deliverance
Ge 22:14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."
1Sa 12:22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own.
God is greatly honored when we live lives of dependence upon Him. It can be difficult to really grasp this principle, but it comes up time and again throughout the entire scope of the Bible. When we take credit for our circumstances, God is not pleased or honored. Esther very easily could have taken some credit for being in the kingdom. She could think, 'Why wouldn't I be chosen for Queen. After all, I am the most beautiful girl out there.' We need to think carefully about our own positions so that we will realize how foolish it is to take credit for our successes.
And number 3 ...
The Will and Purposes of God.
When we are 'in the will of God' there are no accidents. Perhaps when we are NOT in the will of God, there are no accidents. So how do you know if you are 'in the will of God'? This need not be some deep mysterious quest. It is not difficult to discover. Here is one simple verse that may help,
1Co 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. So how simple is that? When everything you do, you do it for the glory of God ... you are doing God's will and you are in the will of God. If you wonder whether you should be a missionary to a foreign country ... so that you will be in 'the will of God' ... then do everything for God's glory, everyday and in His time you will be a missionary to that foreign country
.Col 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
This verse is similar but it adds the thought ... doing it in the name of ...
We have discussed this before. This has absolutely nothing to do with using God's correct name. Whether you think the name must be Jehovah, or it must be Jesus, or it must be Yeshua ... you are on the wrong track if you think this verse is even hinting about getting His name right. This verse is emphasizing that everything we do, we make it part of promoting God's kingdom. We are not to live for ourselves or seek our own joy or comfort. We are to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (our own comforts and needs) will be given to you as well. Mt 6:33
So how did Esther view herself as Queen? Did she recognize that, as a child of God, we live and move in circles that are divinely appointed? No accidents or 'happenstance'?
Ac 17:26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
VI. Esther's Desperation 15, 16
What a decision and commitment! “I will do this. I very possibly could die.”
Thousands of people are coming to Christ under exactly this same condition. In much of the world Christianity is outlawed and followers are persecuted and killed. For an unbeliever to hear the gospel, understand it, know that he must bend his knee repentance and ask Jesus for eternal life, we can just hear him saying ... “I will do this. I very possibly could die”. Are we prepared to 'take up our cross' as we follow Him?
VII. Esther Goes in Action 5:1-14
- She approaches her husband. 1-4 Can you imagine her relief at seeing the golden sceptre stretched out toward her? As she approaches him, he certainly seems to be in a good mood. Up to half the kingdom, if you want it! Wow. I wonder if God has something to do with changing people's moods?
Pr 16:7 ¶ When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
5-8
She calls for a banquet that includes Haman. Everything seems to go well. The king is pleased with her. He asks, Now what is it that you would like? Ask. Its yours.
“OK, I want .... Haman .... .... to come to another banquet.”
She calls for another banquet that will include Haman
Haman goes home feeling very proud and happy. Until he sees that 'no-good' Mordecai. 9-10. He restrains himself from 'losing his joy' and, calling his own friends together to celebrate with him, proceeds to some heavy duty bragging. 11-12. Then he admits to his friends what a 'thorn in the flesh' Mordecai is to him. Ruins everything! He won't bow down! (Haman is not aware of the 'kinship' between Mordecai and Esther, and certainly does not realize that Esther is a Jew)
His wife has a suggestion. Get rid of Mordecai. OK. How? Build a huge gallows tonight, then ask the king in the morning if you can have him hanged. He thinks it might work. He goes to bed feeling better and no doubt has a good sleep.
We will pick it up there in the next study.