Esther: For His Glory and Our Good
Esther: The Unseen Sovereignty of God • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
Good morning CrossPointe and Happy Mothers Day to all the mommas!
My name is Justin and I serve as one of the pastors here, more specifically I serve students and families of students, and serve as one of the CPK leads for the elementary age range.
If you have your bibles, we are going to be in the book of Esther chapter 7;
I know last we left off was in chapter 3 but don’t worry, this morning we are covering the entire book of Esther and it’s overall themes. If you don’t know we, as a church are in a massive transition in location, vision and mission and God has moved us as a family in this direction at the last minute (so to speak) and so our preaching pace through this book has had to change. Its currently my job to preach the least preached book in the bible.
Let me just make clear to you what that means, family: Zero commentaries were written on Esther in the first 7 centuries of the church and still to this day contains the least bit of commentary throughout catholic and protestant history. Calvin never preached from it, Martin Luther absolutely despised it even the best commentary on the book suggests to never preach the book in it’s entirety. Esther makes no mention of God at all, AND YET as we read and journey through this book-- all the sweetness of His glory and plan being fulfilled despite very (and I mean very) imperfect people with hidden agendas carrying out their own motives is palpable. You can see God, the puppet master, sovereignly reigning and orchestrating the redemption of His people throughout the book.
The book of Esther doesn’t have any particular role models either. A strong argument could be made that the characters in this book are actually morally ambiguous. There is a lot of debauchery, sexual promiscuity, inappropriate displays of angers, deceit, intentions of slaughter and malice from the “heroes” of this book. Speaking of characters, one of the main characters in this book is the Persian King Ahasuerus who is better known in his Greek name Xerxes, which is weirdly easier to pronounce, so I’m going to go with that.
Recap of Esther 1-7
Recap of Esther 1-7
The book of Esther takes place 100 years after the Babylonian captivity- although most Jews fled Persia some Jews stayed. So this book takes place in Susa, the Persian capital. The book opens with a giant banquet feast in which King Xerxes gets incredibly drunk and decides he wants to parade his wife through the city so folks can worship her beauty. However, he married a gangster (shoutout to my strong willed women). Queen Vashti has more respect for herself than that and tells the king no. But our drunken “god”-king Xerxes gets in a drunken rage and disposes her from being Queen and banishes her from ever speaking to the king or his officials again. But not only that, he makes this silly decree that men should lord over there households and women should honor their husbands- get this- out of fear for a feminist revolt. What an awful king.
Ahasuerus (still calling him Xerxes FYI), decides he needs a new queen so he invents something that still exists to this day- he creates the inaugural season of The Bachelor and rounds up 100 Persian virgins to compete in a beauty pageant for the king to see who pleased him the most and that woman would become Queen.
Now here come two important Jews to the story, Mordecai an old man, and his younger niece Esther. Mordecai commands Esther to hide her heritage from the officials gathering the women and compete in this year long beauty pageant. Now, Mordecai and Esther’s ambitions remain unclear as to why they entered and hid their intentions (which is important to know) but what we do know is Esther gained favor with the king and he made her Queen.
Mordecai who patrolled the gates of the palace often to hear about how Esther was doing “just so happened” to overhear a plot to murder King Xerxes. Mordecai informs Esther, Esther informs the king what Mordecai heard and after investigations found Esther to be correct the King throughs another banquet but this time in celebration of Mordecai for saving his life.
Chapter 3 introduces to us another character named Haman who is appointed by the King to be in the highest position in the kingdom and commands that everyone bow down to Haman. Now Mordecai, refuses to bow and this fills Haman with rage. So much so that when Haman discovers that Mordecai is Jewish, Haman successfully convinces the King to create a law that basically guarantees the slaughter all the Jewish people on a day selected by Haman. Haman casts a dice. A die is called “Pur” in Hebrew, just keep that and stow it away for later. It is decided that in 11 months, all the Jews will die. Haman and the king have a drinking banquet (another one) to celebrate this new law coming to be.
Where’s God?
Where’s God?
Now that you’ve heard all of this, guys, my question to you is, “WHERE’S GOD?” 3 whole chapters without a prayer, prophecy, foreshadow, or mention of God. Maybe you’ve been too entertained by the drama of this story to notice but I implore you now to place yourself as a Jew in this city. As one of God’s chosen people and how they must be feeling in this situation!? We are talking about the public celebration of genocide. The public celebration of systemic injustice.
And maybe you can’t relate to that, maybe thats too political (even though it isn’t) for you to comprehend but I want you to think about the last time you were in despair or maybe the last time you felt the Lord be silent during your time of great NEED for Him. There may be something right now that you need God desperately for. You have been praying, and seeking his face and yet you don’t see His activity- His handiwork- moving throughout your life. But look at me, DON’T BELIEVE THE LIE THAT GOD IS NOT WORKING ALL THINGS OUT FOR YOUR GOOD.
But also do not mistake where God has placed you now, as God’s neglect or oversight in your life. God does not neglect and God does not look past you. Do not mistake your lack of materials as a lack of God’s provision, do not mistake your present situation or situation to come as lack of care or concern. We do not have a high priest who sits in the heavens and watches idly at our issues. God is a better king than Ahasuerus! Ahasuerus was a drunken pushover who was easily manipulated. God is a God of justice, mercy and love for His people. We have a God, a high priest in Jesus, who knows us, can sympathize with us, and is working-all-things- for-your-good. And I want you to know, family, that for you good does not mean always but in fact rarely means good to you.
Does that mean you’ll get good things? Maybe at best. But what I think the book of Esther shows us that you may think you see inactivity but God is working things out for your good and your good is not financial fortitude, your good is not a healthy functioning family, your good is not a life without struggle or hard times… your good is God’s glory.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
For who’s purpose? God’s purpose. And we know God’s purpose is HIS glory. Guys, everything you will go through now, is for your good and for His glory and that should be our comfort.
Back to Esther.
Back to Esther.
Chapter 4 opens up with deep deep morning from the Jews. The Bible says, in every province, wherever the king’s command and his decree reached, there was a great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting. Esther hears about this and becomes troubled herself. Esther and Mordecai plan to ask the king to reverse his law. But according to Persian law, approaching the king without a royal request receives a penalty of death and Esther hasn’t seen the king in 30 days because he hasn’t summoned her.
Mordecai tells Esther that maybe she has been placed in the kings service for such a time as this. He tells her, even if you stay silent and your household perishes- deliverance for the Jews will come from somewhere and Esther says her famous line, no I’m going to tell the king to reverse this and reveal my heritage even though coming up to him receives death. If I perish, I perish. Her position is admirable.
3 days later, something weird happens. Esther stands in the kings courtyard dressed beautifully with arms wide open, and the king sees her and is entranced by her beauty, he tells her to ask for anything and it will be done. She decides to ask the king and Haman to come to banquet feast that she is holding. So the king fetches Haman and they go and the king is just gaga for Esther. He tells her again what do you want from me? Name it, and even if its half my kingdom- it’s yours....
this is it! This is the moment she was planning to ask for the reversal and reveal herself to the king! But she freezes. She doesn’t. Instead she says, I would like you to come to my banquet feast again tomorrow. Haman leaves the banquet drunk out of his mind, and sees Mordecai in the streets and becomes enraged again and orders a tall spike to be placed up so that Mordecai can be impaled on it.
Chapter 6 is where things become really good.
It just so happens....the king goes to bed that night and can’t sleep. He’s having a tough time. So he orders someone to get the most boring book in the world and read it to him so he can fall asleep. This book was the chronicles of all memorable deeds. Yeah, he picked the right one.
Well, during the read he is reminded of how Mordecai saved his life from those plotting that coup awhile back. The king asks the reader, hold on- what kind of celebration or honor did I bestow on Mordecai? and his readers say nothing. Just then Haman walks in to the kings chambers with the intention of telling the king about impaling Mordecai BUT before Haman could says anything- the king asks him, what should I do to the man whom I delight to honor?
Haman, of course, thinks the king is talking about him and so Haman says you should get him your own robes, a beautiful horse thats yours, and parade him around the city. So the king said okay! Go get the robes and the horse and give to Mordecai and parade him throughout the city! Haha
Let’s read together chapter 7, starting at verse 1...
So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. And on the second day, as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king again said to Esther, “What is your wish, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request. For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have been silent, for our affliction is not to be compared with the loss to the king.” Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who has dared to do this?” And Esther said, “A foe and enemy! This wicked Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen.
Esther was cunning in her appeal to Xerxes, she knew she had his favor. But you and I know more to this story- Haman’s treachery is nothing new us. The Serpent continues, time after time, generation after generation to destroy God’s people but God honors His covenants! God continues to preserve His lineage and save His people from impending doom- see we have life because Satan thought he won when Adam at the fruit but God provided a sacrifice. And Satan thought he won, when he had Xerxes make a law to annihilate the Jews, but God created a sleepless night, a boring read, and an egotistical Haman to walk in at the right time. And Satan thought he won by putting Jesus on the cross, but the death of Christ didn’t just mean life for His children, but by His resurrection guaranteed they will be kept by the power of His blood and by the work of the Holy Spirit.
Though you may not see His hand, God. IS. At. Work.
And the king arose in his wrath from the wine-drinking and went into the palace garden, but Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that harm was determined against him by the king. And the king returned from the palace garden to the place where they were drinking wine, as Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. And the king said, “Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?” As the word left the mouth of the king, they covered Haman’s face. Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, “Moreover, the gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, is standing at Haman’s house, fifty cubits high.” And the king said, “Hang him on that.” So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated.
In a drunken rage the king had Haman impaled on the stake meant for Mordecai. See, what Haman meant for evil, God meant for good. Does that not sound familiar to you? Can you think of another evil, a curse even- that was meant for you but someone took your place?
We’re not done though- Haman is gone but the Jews are still in trouble. They are surely still going to be annihilated.
On that day King Ahasuerus gave to Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her. And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
Mordecai is now raised to the highest seat of power. Then from verses 3 to 8 Esther pleads with the king to reverse his law! But they come to find out Persian law cannot be revoked, it can’t be changed. So the king gives Esther and Mordecai full power to write whatever law they see fit to fix Haman’s plan.
The king’s scribes were summoned at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day. And an edict was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded concerning the Jews, to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, and also to the Jews in their script and their language. And he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king’s signet ring. Then he sent the letters by mounted couriers riding on swift horses that were used in the king’s service, bred from the royal stud, saying that the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, children and women included, and to plunder their goods, on one day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.
Skip down to verse 15.
Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a robe of fine linen and purple, and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor. And in every province and in every city, wherever the king’s command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.
There was an economic reversal- Haman was a wealthy man and all his belongings and home was given to Esther.
There was a political reversal- Where the corrupt and selfish Haman ruled, now Mordecai takes his place.
There was a legal reversal- where one law was to destroy the Jews, another law was created for the Jews to defend themselves against anyone who would try and kill them.
There was an emotional reversal- 4:3 mourning, weeping and wailing but in 8:16 there is gladness and joy and feasting.
There was a Spiritual reversal - 8:17 when the Persian saw what was happening- they themselves became Jews.
For His glory and our good.
Chapters 9 and 10 are the fruit of Esther and Mordecai’s work. The Jews destroy Haman’s family and all other officials who had joined in His plot and then the Jews take up arms against all those who would seek to have them destroyed as well. This ends with loud cries of rejoicing and celebration for the people of God. They had been delivered! Esther and Mordecai then decree an annual two-day feast called “Purim” to commemorate the Jew’s deliverance from destruction.. Remember that Pur means the die that was cast by Haman for their destruction.
10 chapters. No mention of God, no one prayed, no one prophesied, no nothing! Despite the silence and seemingly inactivity God was very much busy in these days. Lets take a step back and look at this book in it’s complete narrative: it’s all one ironic reversal. Everything has been redone for His glory and the good of the Jews. It would be foolish to believe that the Jews were spared hard times, or oppression. You would be a fool to think that to live as a Jew in Susa was easy. Their lives were difficult. And though God had not spoken to them, he remained faithful to them. Man, to a normal Jew living in Susa they don’t know all the detailed workings of God inside this palace. There wasn’t a news paper or blog from some inside reporter telling them all that God was doing in the coincidences that happened minute by minute, hour by hour. Put yourself in the place of the Jews, your life goes from hard times- to despair.
Last weekend, my family and I had the incredible honor of meeting and spending time with other brothers and sisters in the faith, in Kansas City, Missouri. During our stay there, we were especially close with one family named Brian and Kelly Key and their two daughters Gabby and Mia. But the Keys have another daughter, but not here on Earth. Brian and Kelly had their first child 9 years ago and her name was Olivia Grace Key. Olivia spent the first month of her life in the NICU and was sent home with a feeding tube. After that however it was a series of cardiac problems, pulmonology problems, and epilepsy and these health issues not only continued but worsened throughout her life. A just 3 years old Olivia Grace left this Earth and while the Keys mourned the death of their baby girl, they sought God’s nearness.
While I was there, Brian shared a story with me. He told me that one of the elders of their church came by the house to morn and check in with them. Kelly, told the elder that she was struggling. She searched all of scripture to find this closure she couldn’t find. She wanted to know if she would see her daughter in eternity.When the elder heard Kellys cry, the elder said, Kelly, I can’t give you the answer that you want, but I can tell you that he is both just and merciful. The most important reality is not your assurance, but that God is getting glory through her life and story. A few days later Kelly told Brian, that that was exactly what she needed to hear.
I share this story with you to say, Brian and Kelly witnessed God’s faithfulness to His own sovereignty by giving them the valley. But because the Lord is faithful to His own glory, He used the valley to draw them nearer to Him, nearer to each other and nearer to their church. God used Olivia Grace to give them a deeper understanding of who He was and placed His sovereignty on full display before them in a time of silence. It is easy in their situation to feel forgotten by God. As it would’ve been easy for the Jews to feel forgotten as well.
For the Jews living during this time in Susa- they mourned and lamented and weeped- but God pursuing His own glory turned their sorrow into Joy. Their weeping turned to dancing. Their lamenting turned to feasting and when they could not see the activity of God, where He remained silent toward their prayers and petitions- he was silently and sovereignly orchestrating the deliverance of His people and the coming into the fold of many Persians.
Olivia story is tells of God showing His sovereign power and faithfulness to His own glory- which made the Keys better believers, better spouses, better parents, made Brian a better pastor- God in pursuit of His own glory is for our good. God’s glory is attached to His people’s good.
Amen!
Lets pray:
Fencing the Table:
Fencing the Table:
We are about to take of the body and blood of Christ through communion. We do this in remembrance of the ultimate reversal. We were dead and God made us alive. We were depraved in sin but God has made us saints. We were enemies but God has made us family.
If you have not placed your faith in Jesus; children, students, adults- I am going to ask you to refrain from taking the bread and the cup. Instead, I want you to see God’s activity- His handiwork in bringing you here this morning and hearing this message. I rather you have Jesus than this bread brotha. Romans 5 says
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
At the right time… this may very well be your time to no longer live at odds with the gospel. Repent and believe this morning.
If you are a believer and by that I mean you have placed your faith in the finished work of Christ and you are actively living a life full of repentance to the glory of God- I want you to come down and remember. Take your bread as the body of Christ broken for you and dip it in the cup, the blood of Christ poured out for you. Come and partake.