Esther, Queen For The Day

1. “Good Morning America” once reported about a young man by the name of Keith Waters was wrongfully accused of a crime he did not commit & was sent to prison for 20 years. His sister, Judy, a high school dropout went back to school, got her law degree & then spent as much time as she could investigating & reviewing her brother’s case. The day came when they found the evidence that proved her brother was not guilty. This past week Keith was released from prison. This woman saved her brother’s life. She has become a hero to her brother.

2. This year’s VBS and today’s sermon center on a hero who saved her nation, Queen Esther.

3. Some theologians think that the book of Esther should not be in the canon. Not once is God mentioned.

a. But His hand is evident. It is a story of how one person made the difference between life and death. Esther was an orphaned Jewish girl who because of her beauty and grace became queen of Persia (currently Iran).

b. Because of the prejudice of one man, Haman, the entire Jewish nation faced extinction. Esther’s cousin Mordecai begged Esther to do something.

4. Key passage we will consider Esther 4:12-16

I. God Uses Submissive People

A. Mordecai

1. Submissive to protect the king (Esther 2:19-23)

2. NOT Submissive to Haman (as Daniel’s friends) in Esther 3:5-6

5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. 6 But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.

a. “Purim” casting lots for a year/Haman’s offer of 10000 talents of silver

b. King’s decree to kill Jews

3. Submissive to God – Esther 4:1-3 – Mordecai: tore clothes/sackcloth and ashes/cried out at king’s gate; Jews in the province did likewise

B. Esther – Esther 4:12-16

12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” 17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.

II. Serving God Is Risky Business

A. Mordecai Risked His Life to:

1. Maintain Integrity – Refused to honor Haman and King’s decree

2. He knew the possibilities – Esther 3:23 23 When the affair was investigated and found to be so, the men were both hanged on the gallows. And it was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.

B. Esther Risked Her Life to Save the Jews – Esther 4:16b I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

C. Serving Jesus is Risky – 1 Peter 4:12-17

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

[True story – the Leader of a local congregation in China was questioned and beaten regularly. This day the guard took him aside to talk. “I’m curious about your beliefs, tell me about the 10 Commandments.” The Leader was surprised by the request and began explaining them.