Mordecai's promotion
Esther- A time such as this • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 8 viewsAim: To see how God's providential powers bring about brave actions and redemption
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
From a dark time
From a dark time
First and foremost the book of Esther is all about the providence of God in action through people.
A dark time when a plot against the Jews, an edict it given (Est3:7-15)
Given to wipe out the Jews just shy of a year later (v.13)
A dark time that Esther had to make a bold choice (Est4:8-17)
A dark time for Haman as the king gives Mordecai honor (Est6)
A dark time in that for Haman was hung for his wicked plan (Est7)
(Transition) This all leads to today where we remember what we just saw in chapter 7:
“Haman, a disturbed man, who had seemingly achieved everything, ended with nothing , nothing even to pass on to his family.” (Wiersbe)
Tonight we will see Mordecai’s promotion.
Esther’s bold plea
Redemption
Celebration
My hope is as we delve through this that this passage will encourage us to act courageously in the face of adversity.
Mordecai’s promotion
Mordecai’s promotion
1 On that day King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther; and Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had disclosed what he was to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring which he had taken away from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
Any question stick out to you in these verses?
Like on what day?
Where can we find the answer? (7:10) the
Who was given the house of Haman (v.1)?
Queen Esther was
How did the king acknowledge Mordecai (v.2)?
He took his signet ring and gave to Mordecai
In these couple of verses we can see a few other things too.
Queen Esther made Mordecai’s relationship to her known to the king.
Haman worked hard for all that he obtained which ended in nothing, maybe he could have learned from the conclusion King Solomon made
13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
God took Mordecai’s status from a condemned man, to a highly honored man by the giving of the signet ring. Essentially he replaced the man that planed to kill him and all his people.
It was a dire situation, but God worked it out in some unlikely ways.
Remember God places and removes kings (Dan2:21), I guess that works for anyone, anywhere, anytime.
May we be a people that believe in God’s providence in unlikely ways and not miss them when we see them.
Esther’s plea
Esther’s plea
3 Then Esther spoke again to the king, fell at his feet, wept and implored him to avert the evil scheme of Haman the Agagite and his plot which he had devised against the Jews. 4 The king extended the golden scepter to Esther. So Esther arose and stood before the king.
4 The king extended the golden scepter to Esther. So Esther arose and stood before the king. 5 Then she said, “If it pleases the king and if I have found favor before him and the matter seems proper to the king and I am pleasing in his sight, let it be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the king’s provinces.
6 “For how can I endure to see the calamity which will befall my people, and how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?”
What sticks out to you in these verses?
What was Esther’s plea (v.3)?
Avert the evil scheme of Haman.
What was the kings first response to the plea (v.4)?
He extended the golden scepter (like Est5:2)
Esther expands on the plea (v.5); How does she approach it, and what is the plea?
In words that would be pleasing to the king
To revoke the letters devised by Haman.
Now, a decree cannot be reversed under Persian law (Est1:19) why you ask? Because anything the king said would be considered law by the sealing with the signet ring and could not, would not be changed. So what she was asking was not possible.
How does Esther appeal to the King’s heart (v.6)?
By stating the fact of what she will have to endure, the calamity of her people.
Keep in mind as we covered back in chapter 5, that no one could go before the king unless by invitation and his scepter is pointed out to them. Esther was risking her life again. This is another “time such as this,” moment
Esther had to trust God and make a bold move here, the day of destruction was coming and she knew she had to do something.
This is just one example of boldness, risk taking consider.
In the Bible, we find Peter stepping out of the boat during a storm to walk to Jesus on the water. While the wind howled and the waves crashed, he took a bold leap—literally! It’s a lighthearted reminder that when we’re willing to step out of our comfort zones, as Peter did, we might find ourselves experiencing miracles in risky situations. Plus, if we sink, we know who to call for help!
Kings second response
Kings second response
7 So King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Behold, I have given the house of Haman to Esther, and him they have hanged on the gallows because he had stretched out his hands against the Jews.
8 “Now you write to the Jews as you see fit, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for a decree which is written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s signet ring may not be revoked.”
Who does the King address (v.7)?
Both Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew.
What are the Kings instructions (v.8)?
You write as you see fit, under my name, seal it with my signet right and it cannot be revoked.
The king retold what he had done, gave the house of Haman to the Queen, and Haman was hanged on the gallows because he looked to destroy the Jews.
Things that we can learn and apply already from these verses.
Be willing to be an advocate: speak up for the voiceless, the helpless, the broken.
Act courageously: Be bold and act courageously in spite of circumstances and risks.
Redemption
Redemption
9 So the king’s scribes were called at that time in the third month (that is, the month Sivan), on the twenty-third day; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews, the satraps, the governors and the princes of the provinces which extended from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces, to every province according to its script, and to every people according to their language as well as to the Jews according to their script and their language.
10 He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king’s signet ring, and sent letters by couriers on horses, riding on steeds sired by the royal stud.
11 In them the king granted the Jews who were in each and every city the right to assemble and to defend their lives, to destroy, to kill and to annihilate the entire army of any people or province which might attack them, including children and women, and to plunder their spoil,
12 on one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (that is, the month Adar). 13 A copy of the edict to be issued as law in each and every province was published to all the peoples, so that the Jews would be ready for this day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
14 The couriers, hastened and impelled by the king’s command, went out, riding on the royal steeds; and the decree was given out at the citadel in Susa.
What do you notice in these verses?
What facts do you learn from (v.9)?
They call for the king’s scribes
We have when it happened; 3rd month, 23rd day
They wrote according to what Mordecai commanded.
The writing was to the Jews
It would go to all satraps, governors, princes of the providences
From India to Ethiopia, 127 providences
It was written in the languages of the people
How did Mordecai get the message out in the kings name and under the king’s seal (v.10)?
By couriers on horses, riding on steeds sired by the royal stud.
In the letter what was given to the Jews to do (v.11)?
To defend, destroy, kill, annihilate anyone who might attack them, and to plunder their spoil.
When was this to take place (v.12)?
Thirteenth day of twelfth month; The day that was noted in Haman’s edict.
The edict, the law, went out so the Jews could be prepared (vv.13-14)
As we look at this, we see there was no delay, it all happen with urgency, immediately, just like the gospel message is urgent, calls for response now, and it must go out. It is our privileged and responsibility to share the word, God’s redeeming truth with others, with urgency.
I have used a quote in a while, here is one worth noting from Enduring Word commentary
“The king could no revoke the previous decree, so he simply made another decree giving support to the Jews against their attackers. we might think of Haman as in the place of our enemy, Satan, and joyfully await the day God puts him away. But we must still deal with the righteous decree of GOd that demands our death: The soul who wins shall die (Eze18:4). in out sins, we not only have an enemy (Satan), but we also have a legal decree from a righteous God against us. God solves the problem, not by compromising His decree for eternal justice, but by fulfilling justice in taking the punishment we deserved — His counter-decree save us; that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus (Rom3:26).
They got the message out quickly, we have a message that needs to get out quickly to people. God is just and Jesus took on the penalty for us if we accept His gift and obey His word.
Celebration
Celebration
15 Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a large crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple; and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. 16 For the Jews there was light and gladness and joy and honor.
17 In each and every province and in each and every city, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree arrived, there was gladness and joy for the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many among the peoples of the land became Jews, for the dread of the Jews had fallen on them.
You see the exaltation, the presentation of Mordecai. Mordecai the Jew is now Mordecai the prime minister in place of Haman.
This all results in a celebration, for the people rejoiced with gladness, joy and honor.
Now keep in mind this is not the day yet for attack, for defense, they are rejoicing as if it had already happened knowing the day is coming, that victory has already been won, it just has not been played out it.
Notice (v.17) “Many of the peoples of the land became Jews.” - - - the message went out, people believed and people were converted. Your message needs to go out so people can be converted not by following the law, but by following Jesus by faith. The people had seen God working on behalf of His people (the Jews) and they wanted the same thing, a relationship with God.
Application
Application
Influence: know that you have influence where God has you planted. Use your position, your influence to advocate for others.
Courage in action: Be like Esther, and be willing to stand up, stand out, speak up, speak out, trusting in God’s provision.
Trust God’s provision: Know God has a plan, has it worked out for the good, trust His timing, His plan, His way.
Live in community: We need to build a community of believers and solidarity with believers that we can be as one in the good times and the struggling times.
Communicate: Get the message out!
(Prayer) (Exit)
