Introduction:
A. The story is told of a man who went to church one Sunday and was very tired from his late night activities the night before.
1. Finding the sermon to be long and boring, the sleepy man finally nodded off to sleep.
2. The preacher, who had been noticing the man nodding off, decided to make an example of him.
3. He said to the congregation, “All those wishing to have a place in heaven, please stand.”
4. The whole congregation stood up, except for the sleeping man, who remained seated and asleep. The preacher asked everyone to quietly sit back down.
5. Then the preacher said even more loudly, “And anyone who would like to find a place in hell please STAND UP!”
6. The sleepy man, catching only the last part groggily stood up, only to find that he was the only one standing in the audience.
7. Confused and embarrassed, the sleepy man said, “I don't know what we're voting on here, but it seems like me and the preacher are the only ones standing for it!”
B. What are you willing to take a stand for?
1. There have been many great people in history who have taken a stand on important issues.
2. I’m reminded of the great stand that the theologian Martin Luther took on April 18, 1521.
a. Luther had nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Catholic church in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517.
b. Four years later at the Diet of Worms ("diet" is a formal deliberative assembly of the Catholic church), Luther was put on trial for his radical ideas and his independent spirit.
c. At that assembly in 1521, Luther said, “Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. Amen.”
d. Luther was excommunicated and the Protestant Reformation was begun.
3. In the Old Testament Book of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, took a similar stand.
a. When ordered to bow down and worship the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had erected, they said: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Dan. 3:16-18).
b. They were thrown into the furnace and God came to their rescue, but when they took their stand, that were not assured that that would be the outcome.
C. Today, as we return to our story of Esther, we will see her take a similar stand in the face of great personal consequences.
1. Let’s review Esther’s situation.
2. You will recall that she had won the Miss Persia contest and became King Xerxes’ new queen.
3. Then eight years later, the evil man Haman was given the powerful position of second in command.
4. He had a long-standing prejudice and hatred for the Jews, and when Mordecai refused to bow down to him, Haman decided to not only get rid of Mordecai, but get rid of all the Jews.
5. The King approved Haman’s plan and the edict for the elimination of the Jews was announced.
6. Mordecai sent word to Esther that she had to do something and that she had been put there for such a time as this.
7. Esther sent back word that for the last 30 days she had not been summoned by the king, and that it was against the law for her to appear before the king uninvited, but if the Jews would fast and pray for her for three days she would approach the king, and if she perished, then she perished.
I. The Story
A. So this is where we pick up our story for today.
1. Between chapters 4 and 5 there is a dramatic pause.
2. We are left in suspense as we are not told anything that happened during the three day fast.
3. This pause represents a silent, yet powerful interlude during which Esther drew on the source of her strength.
4. Even though God was silent during those three days, we can trust that He was at work, nonetheless.
5. During a waiting period, God is not only working in our hearts, He is working in others’ hearts.
6. I’m reminded of Isaiah’s words: “But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Is. 40:31).
7. When we find ourselves in one of those interlude periods of our lives, when we need to wait upon the Lord for wisdom, strength and direction, we should ask for others to fast and pray with us, and then we should give it over to God, and wait with a listening ear and a watchful eye.
8. That’s exactly what Esther did – she waited, fasted, prayed, and listened in her heart and soul.
B. Because of this interlude with God, Esther was able to approach the moment of truth – to step into the presence of the king, calmly and wisely and confidently.
1. The Bible says: On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king's hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance (Esther 5:1).
2. Did you notice how wisely Esther acted? Notice how she was dressed – in her royal robes.
a. She didn’t stand before her husband the king in her bathrobe with curlers in her hair.
b. She shows honor and respect for her husband the king, and dressed up in her royal finest.
c. She knew that the king cared about appearances – remember that’s why he got rid of the last queen – she had dishonored him in front of others by disregarding his orders.
d. Esther knew that everyone would be looking at her when she appeared uninvited before the king – so she wanted to look her best and look her part.
3. And when she came before the king in her royal robes she took her stand.
a. I picture her standing there confidently, not fearfully or trembling with a cower and cringe.
b. I picture her standing tall and confident and regal.
C. What did the king do when he saw Esther standing there?
1. The Bible says: When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” (Esther 5:2-3)
2. So when the king saw her standing in the court, and realized how pleasing she was to him, he extended his golden scepter to her.
a. Remember, without that gesture from the king, she would lose her life.
b. I’m sure she was much relieved and hid her sigh of relief as she touched the top of the scepter, making a connection with the king.
3. Then the king inquired about why she had come before him in this way.
a. He knew that it must be something important, otherwise she would not have broken the law.
b. Before she had a chance to answer his question: What is your request? The king reassured her that she could make a big request – up to half the kingdom.
c. Basically, the king said, “What can I do for you? Name it; it’s yours. The sky is the limit.”
D. How would you feel if you were Esther?
1. She came to the king not knowing how he would respond to her uninvited appearance.
a. And he had not only extended the golden scepter, but also offered a blank check.
2. How would you have responded to these developments?
a. Would you have quickly blurted out your request?
b. Would you have brought down the roof on Haman?
c. Would you have launched into: “I’m a Jew…Haman is Hitler…we are all going to die…and you need to do something to stop this!”
3. Not Esther, she was a wise woman. She was being guided by God because she had been waiting on God.
a. She understood the value of timing.
4. Esther wasn’t in a hurry.
a. Sometimes we get in a hurry when we are not waiting on God and are not in tune with God.
b. It’s easy to jump ahead of God and do rash things. We can shoot from the hip or run off at the mouth and cause ourselves all kinds of trouble.
E. Look at how Esther responded.
1. The Bible says: “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.” (Esther 5:4)
2. How many of you are surprised by Esther’s request?
3. So while Esther was fasting and praying, God was filling her thoughts with a plan…”Give a banquet…Invite Haman…here’s the best way to extend the invitation.”
4. It appears that Esther even made preparations for the banquet while she was fasting and praying.
5. Esther prepared for the banquet because she trusted that God could do the improbable, even the impossible.
6. And did you notice how respectfully she spoke to the king? She said, “If it pleases the king…”
7. So while maintaining great grace and composure, Esther simply said, “I’ve planned a banquet, and I’d love to have you and Haman attend.”
F. How did the king respond to Esther’s invitation?
1. He said, “Great idea! Banquets are my thing!” (Of course, Esther already knew that.)
2. The story continues: “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. (Esther 5:5)
3. Esther must have been sitting there marveling at what God was doing.
a. She could have lost her head, but here she sat having a banquet with her husband the king, and the evil Haman, the enemy of her people.
4. The Bible says: As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king's question.” (Esther 5:6-8)
5. So once they were enjoying the banquet, the king restated the question he asked earlier.
a. He knows that Esther must have a very important request, because she would never have risked coming into his presence unless she had a very good reason.
6. Now Esther could have brought up the issue right then, but for some reason, she sensed that God needed one more day of preparation.
a. For some reason, as we will soon learn, God’s timing required one more day.
7. So Esther replied, “There is something very important I want to say to you, but I want to tell it to you tomorrow at another banquet that I want to have with you and Haman.
a. Again notice how formally and respectfully she addressed her husband, the king.
G. Now this is where the plot thickens once again.
1. The Bible says: Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king's gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. (Esther 5:9)
2. So first we see Haman walking out of the palace on cloud nine.
a. He just had a private dinner with the king and queen, by the queen’s special request and she wants to have another private dinner for him tomorrow.
b. He must have thought to himself, “My star is on the rise! The sky’s the limit!
3. But as he walks out of the palace bursting with pride and on a huge ego trip, he bumps into Mordecai – that Jew who won’t show him any respect.
4. Again, Haman is furious, but he bit his tongue and headed for home.
5. For now, Haman wanted to revel in his own glory.
H. The story continues: Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. “And that's not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. (Esther 5:10-12)
1. People like Haman can really drive us crazy with their bragging – brag, brag, brag. Ya-da, ya-da, ya-da. Do you know anyone like that?
2. Braggarts talk about the important people the know, the places they vacation, the money they spend.
3. Haman tells them about what he’s worth, how many sons he has, and most importantly, his special relationship with the king and queen, and how she has honored him by making him the only other guest along with the king at two parties.
4. Now wouldn’t you think that Haman would be satisfied with all his glory, wealth, and power?
5. Not Haman! The Bible says that Haman told his wife: “But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate.” (Esther 5:13)
I. So after listening to all this, Haman’s wife and friends said: “Have a gallows built, seventy-five feet high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with the king to the dinner and be happy.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the gallows built.
1. Basically Haman’s wife and friends said, “We’re tired of hearing you complain about Mordecai, why don’t you do something about it.”
2. They told him, “Why wait for the edict to be put into effect at the end of the year, build a huge gallows right now and hang Mordecai on it tomorrow.”
3. So Haman took their advice and he had gallows built that were 75 feet high – you talk about overkill! The thing is seven-and-a-half stories tall.
4. Just as I said in an earlier sermon, the gallows he had built were not the type from an old Western movie with a noose and a trap door, rather we are talking about a huge pole or stake for someone to be impaled upon.
5. Haman’s hatred now consumed him, to the point where only the agonizing death of his enemy would satisfy him.
6. So Haman went to sleep that night listening to the thump and pounding of the construction crew as they worked through the night, building the pole in his front yard that Mordecai, his enemy would hang on.
J. Are you enjoying our study of the story of Esther?
1. Does the plot have enough suspense for you?
2. Lord willing, in next week’s sermon, we will witness an unbelievable turn of events.
3. The way God steps in and deals with this threatening situation is beyond imagination.
4. But for now consider the lingering questions for the characters in our story.
a. Will Haman’s evil plans for the Jewish nation come to fruition?
b. Will Mordecai lose his life on that huge gallows?
c. What will happen when Esther reveals her concerns to the king at banquet #2?
5. Tune in next week…same time…same place…for the amazing resolution of these dilemmas.
II. The Application
A. Allow me to offer a few things for us to think about and apply to our lives from today’s part of the story.
B. First of all, whenever we are facing a big decision, or a challenging situation, we should wait on the Lord before proceeding.
1. We should spend some time in prayer, and we might also add some fasting as well.
2. We should be looking to the Lord and listening for the prompting of the Spirit, which may come from a number of directions, like the advice of wise individuals, the direction of Scripture, or the opening or closing of doors.
3. As we wait upon the Lord, God works on us. God works on our patience. God works on our circumstances. And God even works on others.
4. One of the biggest mistakes we can make is being in a hurry and rushing ahead of God.
C. Second, whenever we are facing obstacles or evil that seem insurmountable, we must not lose hope.
1. When we think about the obstacle and evil that Esther faced it would have been easy to give up.
2. It would have been easy to think that all seemed lost and that nothing could be done.
a. But we must remember that when God is involved, even when all seems lost, it isn’t.
3. It would have been easy to think that no one seemed to care, especially God, who was so silent.
a. But we must remember, when no one seems to care or notice, God always does both – God notices and God cares.
b. Nothing escapes God’s notice and God cares about everything that is happening to us.
c. When God seems absent and silent, that doesn’t mean He isn’t present and isn’t working.
4. In Esther’s situation, it would also have been easy to think that everything was going great for her enemies.
a. Haman had gotten the promotion.
b. Haman had the power of the king’s authority.
c. Everything seemed to be going great for him…that’s what it looked like to Esther…and that’s what it looked like to Haman as well.
d. But we must remember that when everything seems great for our enemies, it isn’t.
5. Closely tied with the last point is that when we face obstacles and evil like Esther did, it is easy to think that that there is no justice.
a. There is certainly a lot of injustice in the world.
b. But the Bible tells us that God is Just and that in the end God will dispense justice.
c. So we must remember that when nothing seems just, it is and it will be.
d. God will work all things together for good.
e. God will reward the faithful and will punish the disobedient, so we must patiently wait upon the Lord.
D. Finally, from Esther we learn that after waiting on the Lord, and maintaining our hope through faith, we must take our stand.
1. Taking our stand may include expressing our faith and trust in God.
2. Taking our stand may include making a decision and charting a course.
3. Taking our stand may include opposing evil ideas, evil behaviors, or an evil person.
4. As we take our stand, whatever it may be, we can trust in God’s promises, like this one found in Isaiah 41:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (vs. 10).
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you (vs. 13).
5. Isn’t that an incredible thought? God takes hold of our right hand and speaks such words of reassurance.
a. Can you picture a loving parent taking hold of their child’s hand to get their complete attention?
b. Then can you picture that parent, while holding the child’s hand, looking them square in the eye, saying this in very gently, loving tones, “Do not be afraid, I am with you, I will help you, because I love you.”
c. That’s what God does for us, the children He loves.
E. So what stand is God asking you to take today?
1. With God’s help, may all of us take the stands that God calls us to take.
Resources:
Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity, by Charles Swindoll, Word Publishing, 1997.
Jesus Gives A Better Identity, Sermon by Mark Driscoll, http://marshill.com
Esther, by Joyce Baldwin, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, IVP, 1984
