Trusting God - Seeing God In The Unseen 1
Trusting God - Seeing God In The Unseen • Sermon • Submitted
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Where is God in the book of Esther?
Where is God in the book of Esther?
There is a famous painting called “The Portrait of Louis Abrahams” In which experts have tried to figure out who the artist was. He left no signature on the painting and since 1886 they had gone through the painting looking for that signature.
But rather then tuck it in the corner of the painting artist Tom Roberts had subtly signed his name all across the background. which was discovered in 2015. So why didn’t God sign his name on this book? Because He signed it all across the background.
As we study the book of Esther you will not hear God’s name mentioned one time but you will see God at Work through out the whole book. Like a great chess match God will be moving all the pieces according to His perfect will in order to fulfill His perfect purpose and we will look at how that applies to us today.
Note: The only other book in the Bible where God is not mentioned is in the book of Song of Solomon.
So there are many players in this book but the 4 main players or stars in this book are Queen Esther her cousin Mordecai King Ahasuerus / Xerxes and last but not least the villain in all of this Haman
The book is set in the post exile period, the period after Jews had been set free to go back to Jerusalem and live there lives as normal. about 55 - 65 years after Babylonian captivity had ended. Not all went. Some stayed right where they were. As a matter of fact the exact amount of provinces that King Xerxes ruled over was 127. From India to Ethiopia. So this story’s backdrop is set in Susa which was the Persian capital for Persia (Now Iran) where Xerxes resided.
Customs in ancient times was like most in the world today for the rich and mighty. A time to display your power and wealth and so being the king of the Persian Empire Xerxes was no different. He spared no expense to throw a 180 day lavish party. Yes, 180 days none stop of pure debauchery! Then he throws another party for the entire city of Susa. He wealth was vast.
Xerxes reign was from 486 - 465 BC, He is the son of Darius 1. Who is mentioned in Ezra 4:5 and Nehemiah 12:22. So we know that Chronologically the time period of these happenings land in the middle of the book of Ezra because Xerxes is mentioned in Ezra 4:6.
10 On the seventh day of the feast, when King Xerxes was in high spirits because of the wine, he told the seven eunuchs who attended him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas—11 to bring Queen Vashti to him with the royal crown on her head. He wanted the nobles and all the other men to gaze on her beauty, for she was a very beautiful woman. 12 But when they conveyed the king’s order to Queen Vashti, she refused to come. This made the king furious, and he burned with anger. 13 He immediately consulted with his wise advisers, who knew all the Persian laws and customs, for he always asked their advice. 14 The names of these men were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan—seven nobles of Persia and Media. They met with the king regularly and held the highest positions in the empire. 15 “What must be done to Queen Vashti?” the king demanded. “What penalty does the law provide for a queen who refuses to obey the king’s orders, properly sent through his eunuchs?” 16 Memucan answered the king and his nobles, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also every noble and citizen throughout your empire. 17 Women everywhere will begin to despise their husbands when they learn that Queen Vashti has refused to appear before the king. 18 Before this day is out, the wives of all the king’s nobles throughout Persia and Media will hear what the queen did and will start treating their husbands the same way. There will be no end to their contempt and anger. 19 “So if it please the king, we suggest that you issue a written decree, a law of the Persians and Medes that cannot be revoked. It should order that Queen Vashti be forever banished from the presence of King Xerxes, and that the king should choose another queen more worthy than she. 20 When this decree is published throughout the king’s vast empire, husbands everywhere, whatever their rank, will receive proper respect from their wives!” 21 The king and his nobles thought this made good sense, so he followed Memucan’s counsel. 22 He sent letters to all parts of the empire, to each province in its own script and language, proclaiming that every man should be the ruler of his own home and should say whatever he pleases.
Intoxication of any substance will lead to poor decision making.
1 But after Xerxes’ anger had subsided, he began thinking about Vashti and what she had done and the decree he had made.
1 Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. 5 For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.
Just because you haven’t seen a miracle or heard God’s voice doesn’t mean He’s not in your situation.
1 This is what the Lord says to Cyrus, his anointed one, whose right hand he will empower. Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear. Their fortress gates will be opened, never to shut again. 2 This is what the Lord says: “I will go before you, Cyrus, and level the mountains. I will smash down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. 3 And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness— secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name. 4 “And why have I called you for this work? Why did I call you by name when you did not know me? It is for the sake of Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. 5 I am the Lord; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don’t even know me, 6 so all the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am the Lord, and there is no other. 7 I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things. 8 “Open up, O heavens, and pour out your righteousness. Let the earth open wide so salvation and righteousness can sprout up together. I, the Lord, created them.
God’s hand is always at work, He uses the wicked to accomplish his plans.
Just because Vashti was raised up doesn’t mean that she was higher then the law of the land, the laws are the laws. No one is above them and they will always come back and bring justice. Through mans institutions or God’s divine hand.
Disobedience always brings destruction and demise.
9 Hegai was very impressed with Esther and treated her kindly. He quickly ordered a special menu for her and provided her with beauty treatments. He also assigned her seven maids specially chosen from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem.
Allow God to be God. There can only be one conductor over the orchestra.
23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
10 Esther had not told anyone of her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had directed her not to do so.
Obedience always brings forth the best outcome for Gods people.
6 King Jotham became powerful because he was careful to live in obedience to the Lord his God.
12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.
God will put your name on the lips of those in positions of power.
21 One day as Mordecai was on duty at the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthana and Teresh—who were guards at the door of the king’s private quarters—became angry at King Xerxes and plotted to assassinate him. 22 But Mordecai heard about the plot and gave the information to Queen Esther. She then told the king about it and gave Mordecai credit for the report.
Always honor those in position even if you don’t agree with their position.
21 He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. 22 He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light.
My Favorite Illustrations Look Who Turned out Really to Be Somebody
Two English brothers took different directions in their lives. One went into diplomatic service to make a name for himself. The other answered the call of God to be a missionary to Africa.
Several years later in a British volume of “Who’s Who,” many columns were devoted to the missionary brother. Under the long list of his accomplishments appeared the name of his diplomat brother, followed by the simple words “Member of Parliament.”
One brother lost his life only to find it; the other sought to save his life only to lose it.
Conclusion for today is there is no coincidence in anything that God does to accomplish his goals for his people our steps are ordered by Him Jeremiah 29:11 His plans are marked from the beginning of creation for our outcome and those that chose to follow and obey him will always find His grace at hand.
“To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge; to do the will of God is the greatest achievement.” Then he added, “The will of God is not always easy, but it is always right.”