Sermon Tone Analysis

INTRODUCTION

We are picking up our study of the book of Esther in chapter 5.

In our last lesson, we saw that Haman was given a high position in the kingdom of Persia by King Xerxes, and an edict was made that all were to honor Haman.

As Haman would pass by, everyone would bow before him, everyone except for one person… Mordecai, Esther’s cousin/adoptive father.

So Haman, being infuriated about Mordecai not bowing before him, he decided that he not only wanted to punish Mordecai, but he also wanted to exterminate all of Mordecai’s people – the Jews.

He persuades the king to make an edict that would have all of the Jews exterminated.

Mordecai, in chapter 4, comes to the king’s gate in mourning.

He reaches out to Esther for help.

He wanted her to go to the king and get the king to reverse the decree that Haman made.

She decides to trust in God’s providence in putting her in this position, and decides, at the risk of her own life to go to the king.

The 1st queen (Vashti) risked her life by refusing to come into king Xerxes, and Esther risks her life by coming into the king unsummoned.

So in chapter 5, We have the climax of the book.

What is going to happen?

Esther goes into the king, and by God’s mercy, the king holds out his scepter to her and her life is spared.

Clearly, the king knows she wouldn't do this on a whim...there must be some urgent reason why she did this, so he asks her what she wants and what does she want?

Her answer is not what you would expect… she does not right away ask for the king to do something about the edict.

She instead requests that the king and Haman to come to a banquet.

Maybe she thinks the King's acceptance of this request and her hospitality may make it more likely he would be willing to listen to her request… or maybe she has realized that the king is easily persuaded when he is feasting.

In any event, he agrees and they come.

At the banquet, the king realizes she still hasn't made her request... she didn't risk her life just to ask the king and Haman over for dinner… And so, he asks again, what do you want and I'll give it to you, up to half my kingdom!

This seems to be a standard response for kings.... Herod did the same thing to Herodias’ daughter… And what does she request?

Come to another banquet…

She is saying in vs. 8 that tomorrow she will tell him what her real request is.

How do you suppose the king is feeling right now? Probably pretty curious... she is the queen, and he is interested in her, and the king is drawn into this...

This is like a TV show that ends on a cliffhanger… It just keeps you interested and wanting to come back for more…

So, the king and Haman are to be at the Queen's banquet the next day, and she will finally make her request then…

But why would she want Haman there?

I would not have wanted Haman to be there.

That would be intimidating… however, maybe she wants the king to have to deal with Haman in her presence... perhaps even neutralize what Haman might say in his defense by her being there.... Or maybe she just wanted to see how Haman responds when the tides are turned… It is even possible that she fears that the king is such a pushover, that if he talked to Haman later, he might change his mind... Either way, it is better to have the king talk to Haman in her presence.

Then in verse 9… this is amazing.

Haman is just overjoyed until, he sees Mordecai.... Mordecai just makes him miserable; Mordecai won't bow down to him and won't show him respect… Mordecai basically has control over Haman's mind and is robbing Haman of all pleasure he would have had from his high position and the special invitations he is getting from the queen.

What does that tell you about Haman?

That he's so vain… He is proud and wants all the glory.

He wants everyone to honor him no matter what the cost…

A really great man is not worried about receiving honor and glory.

A truly great man is not so sensitive and worried about getting his due recognition, but that is all Haman is about...notice in what comes before the number of his sons ... the glory of his riches…

Haman has been so busy plotting this grandiose scheme of revenge on all the Jews that he hasn't even solved this immediate problem of Mordecai not respecting him.

What's he going to do about this… Someone speaks up to help him solve this problem… Haman’s wife... remember how this whole book began?

With the unenforceable decree that every man should be master in his own house...

It sure seems like the women are the backbone in Persia at this time!!

Who does she remind you of?

Don't pout, don't throw a temper tantrum...just build these gallows very high...

We want to see this guy dead.

Let’s hang him for all to see and learn what happens when you do not honor Haman!

This reminds you of Jezebel… when Ahab was pouting over being rejected when he asked to buy a field, Jezebel concocted a plan to have the man who denied Ahab the land to be put to death so Ahab could take position of the field… We have the same thing going on here…

He is obsessed with Mordecai and seeing him dead now… just because he won’t bow before him… So now he is not going to wait for the rest of the Jews to be killed.

He is going to get Mordecai punished NOW!

This is the low point of the book… But there is an incredible turn of events.... if you didn't know the story, you'd be really surprised at what happens

We see in ch6 that the king can't sleep.

Often times the Lord communicates to people through dreams, but here God works through insomnia to turn the circumstances around.

The king can't sleep, and at this time, what could he have requested?

Warm milk?

Concubines?

Or knowing this king, he could have chosen to call his advisors to make a decree that the King must sleep!

But instead of all of these things, he chooses to have a book read for him… and not just any book.

The one most likely to put you to sleep... the book of memorable deeds/the chronicles.

This is a book that includes accounts of things that are done in the kingdom that are good and noble, especially good deeds for the king.

There are no doubt hundreds of pages in this book and it just so happens that what part is read?

The part about Mordecai saving his life by revealing to Esther a conspiracy to assassinate the king.

And the king immediately wants to know what was done to honor Mordecai?

Nothing... Well that must be corrected immediately, even at this hour of night!

This whole thing turns around by a king not being able to sleep one night and having a book read to him... God is so great that He can work without miracles through even ordinary events to accomplish His great promises…

All throughout out this story, any of this could have happened through a natural process...but they all happen in such an unlikely sequence... clearly the Lord's hand is in this...but it is so subtle…

So, the king thinks, we have to honor this guy, and then he thinks, “Who can tell me how?” Once again, he cannot make the decision himself.

He needs help.

And behold, who is out in the court – who can he call to help him out?

Haman... he wants to be first in line to see the king... he, too has probably also spent a sleepless night due to the gallows construction... he can't wait to put Mordecai to death…

Both of them have something on their mind that they want to talk to the other about...so when you have the king and the vice-king with something to say...who goes first?

Of course, the King!

So the King asks Haman what should be done for the person the king wants to honor?

What does the King omit?

The name...does that remind you of something?

Haman didn't tell the King who he wanted to exterminate!

Oh how the tides turn!

Of course, Haman thinks the king wants to honor him, the ego-maniac… And so, Haman responds in terms of what he would want... he probably describes his greatest dream.

If you could ask the king for anything, what would you want?

Here is how Haman answers…

(ESV)