A Moment Of Decision Series

Made for This Moment #2

A Moment of Decision

Theme: Mordecai and Esther’s coziness became challenged when Haman ordered the eradication of the Jews. The time had come for them to stand up and speak out for God. Are we willing to stand up and speak out for what is right? Maybe we have been put where we are for such a time as this!

Introduction

Video Ill.: The Story of Esther - Second Look Films (segment 2)

Last week, we began a new study, based loosely on Max Lucado’s book, You Were Made for This Moment.

As a reminder, there’s also a really great study guide and streamable videos to go along with the book. All are available from booksellers like Amazon, CBD, and others.

In our study last week, we began the story of Mordecai and Esther. Mordecai and Esther are Jews living in the time of exile in Persia. They were the third generation of Jews born in Persia. They were miles and years away from Jerusalem.

And, like many Jews, Mordecai and Esther had made themselves quite cosy in the culture of Persia. They had found a way to fit in as Jews in Persia, so much so, that Mordecai worked in the palace and Esther became Queen of Persia. Everyone was none the wiser of their true heritage and lineage.

Like Esther and Mordecai, we too just want to blend in with our culture, often masking and hiding our faith. But God has called us to be holy — to be different — to stand out for Him.

The video summary at the beginning this morning summarized for us our text, Esther 2:19 through 4:17. You can read that this afternoon when you get home from church.

Lucado, Max. You Were Made for This Moment Bible Study Guide plus Streaming Video (p. 19). HarperChristian Resources. Kindle Edition.

[And it is in this part of the story that] …[Mordecai and Esther] will be faced with a crisis—what we might call a “Mordecai Moment” and an “Esther Event”—that will cause them to act. They will come to a moment of decision where they must choose to stand up, step out, and take a bold risk of faith for God.

Let’s look deeper at this part of the story this morning, where we will see Mordecai’s moment and Esther’s event.

As we begin, let’s look at Mordecai’s moment.

The time comes in the story where Mordecai has a change. No longer does he blend in, he literally stands up as a Jew and a child of God.

What brings about this change?

Well, I believe it has everything to do with Haman coming to power.

Haman, you see, came to power because the king had just been able to prevent, because of Mordecai, an assassination attempt.

The king, though, begins to feel threatened by this attempt on his life. He begins to be paranoid about what is going on, finding himself vulnerable, so he needs someone who will protect him and his family.

That man was one of his court — named Haman.

So Haman is put in charge of the protection of the king. And because of his duties, he is basically second in command. Everyone is to pay him ultimate respect.

But really Haman wasn’t that good of a guy.

And it was Haman’s history and lineage that caused a change in Mordecai.

So who was Haman?

In Esther 3, we read:

1 After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, (Ham-muh-duh-thuh) the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. (Esther 3, NIV)

Besides some difficult names, there is a very important piece of information here that is included for our benefit today.

Haman was an Agagite.

A who? And what difference does that make? You may be wondering.

To understand, we have to remind ourselves about some of Israel’s early history.

In Deuteronomy 25, God says these things to Moses:

17 Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. 18 When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. 19 When the Lord your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget! (Deuteronomy 25, NIV)

The Amalekites were just evil. As God reminded Moses, the Amalekites preyed on the weak, the old, the young, those who couldn’t keep up with the main group as the Israelites were leaving Egypt and heading to the promised land.

God wanted the Israelites to get revenge on the Amalekites when they made it to the Promised Land. God wanted them wiped out.