Esther: The Orphan Who Saved A Nation
Esther 4:12-17
The story I’m going to share with you today reads like a made for television movie. In it we’ll find, suspense, intrigue, betrayal, conspiracy, and treachery. The cast of characters includes: a king, a queen that loses her throne, an orphan girl who becomes a queen and saves the day, a man of God, of course a villain. Yes, a person could take the story of Esther and make it into a quite interesting TV movie of the week.
Our story begins innocently enough with the King of Persia, Xerxes throwing an elaborate banquet for all his nobles and officials. This was a major shin-dig. There was food, the drink flowed freely, and there were dancing girls. But this was no Saturday afternoon get together. Xerxes and his cadre of friends partied hard for a solid week.
By the seventh day, the king and his guests had been drinking heavily. He was, as the scripture says, “in high spirits from wine.” In other words he was plastered. In his present condition he wasn’t thinking to clearly and he ordered his queen, Vashti (Vash Tie), to come out and display herself before the king and his guests–wearing only her crown. You see she was quite beautiful and the king wanted to show her off. He sent for her but, not wanting to be paraded around before a bunch of drunken men, clad only in her royal tiara, she refused.
Well, her refusal really ticked off the king. He decided it was such a serious matter that he would consult with his advisors about it. They tell him that Vashti has done wrong, not only to him but to all men in the king’s provinces. Why, you ask? Because, if the queen can refuse to obey the king’s command, then obviously, all women will follow her example and disobey their husbands too. They said to the king, “There will be no end of disrespect and discord.”
The advisor’s instruct the king to depose queen Vashti and find a new queen–perhaps one who was less opinionated and defiant. His advisors tell him this will ensure that, “all the women will respect their husbands from the least to the greatest.” So the decree went out that every woman should obey her husband and that every man should be the ruler over his own household.
Now this part of the passage should come with a warning: MEN DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME! Trust me, it doesn’t work.
After Xerxes’ gets rid of Vashti, he decides to have his whole kingdom searched for beautiful young women to come and make their bid for the throne. The girls were to be groomed and pampered for several months, then each one, in turn, were to spend some time with the king. From that experience he would decide which one would become his new queen. Sort of like the game show, “Who Wants to Marry A Millionaire?” This was called “Who Wants to Marry A King?”
So, all the land is scoured for beautiful young female candidates to become queen: enter Esther.
When she was just a little girl, Esther became an orphan when her father and mother died. Mordecai, her cousin, raised Esther from childhood, as if she were his own daughter. Esther now a young woman, is selected as one who will be introduced to the king.
Everyone who looked upon Esther was captivated by her beauty. And wouldn’t you know it, when Esther is brought before the king, he finds her more beautiful and desirable than all the other women. The king, completely taken with Esther’s beauty, makes her his queen.
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Now there was one man who was one of the king’s closest friends. His name is Haman. He’s a guy with an ego that was bigger than all outdoors. Haman convinces Xerxes to make a decree that whenever Haman is around everyone in his presence should bow down to him. Talk about egocentric!
But Mordecai, is a Jew and he will only bow to God. Mordecai flatly refuses to bow down to Haman. And as you might imagine this gets Haman’s goat.
Rather than just blowing it off, Haman stews about it. So Haman devises a plan to exterminate not just Mordecai but all the Jews in Persia because Mordecai won’t bow to him. The scriptures say, “Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.”
Haman tells Xerxes that there are a group of people who do not honor the king’s command–specifically the one about bowing to Haman. He says, “If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them . . .” Xerxes tells Haman to do as he pleases with the Jews. So a decree goes out with the king’s seal to “destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews–young and old, women and little children.”
When Mordecai hears the king’s order, he tears his clothes and sits in ashes and weeps for his people. But Mordecai isn’t the only one weeping, so are all the Jews. In fact, throughout the provinces of Persia, when the king’s edict is read, every Jew wept and mourned and fasted.
Eventually word gets back to Esther that Mordecai is sitting outside the king’s palace overwrought with emotion. Esther greatly distressed by her cousin’s sorrow, sends a messenger to find out what was going on. Mordecai returns a copy of the king’s decree to Esther and begs her to go before king Xerxes and plead for mercy for the Jews.
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Now royal protocol dictates that no one, including the queen, is allowed to enter the king’s presence without his express invitation. So Esther sends word back to Mordecai that she can’t just go waltzing into the king’s court without an invitation. She could literally lose her head over such a breach of etiquette.
Read verses 12-16 here:
When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the kings’ house that you alone will of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai, “Go gather all the Jews . . . and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.
During the three days of fasting, Esther devises a plan. She decides to hold a banquet in the king’s honor, invite Haman and publically expose him for the scoundrel he is. Her plan is to get the king to repeal Haman’s order to have the Jews exterminated.
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Haman, completely unaware of Esther’s plan, is feeling quite good about the fact is the only one, besides the king, that has been invited by queen Esther to the banquet. But while Haman is strutting around outside the kings’ courtyard, he sees Mordecai. Haman becomes enraged when Mordecai refuses to bow to him and he runs home and tells his wife all about Mordecai’s defiance.
Haman’s wife says, “Well then, Haman honey, you’ve got clout. Just build a gallows and have Mordecai hanged. And then go to the banquet happy.” Liking his wife’s advice, Haman builds the gallows upon which he’s going to hang Mordecai.
Now, the night before the big banquet, the king has a bad case of insomnia. He can’t sleep so he calls to have the record of his time as king read to him. He’s pretty sure this will put him to sleep. As it is being read to him, he is reminded how Mordecai had saved his life from assassination by the two palace guards.
Earlier Mordecai overheard a plot by two the king’s guards to assassinate Xerxes. Mordecai tells Esther about it and she goes to the king and tells him what Mordecai heard. When the king investigates the matter and finds it to be true, the two men are executed. And Mordecai has saved the king’s life.
The king asked, “What recognition has Mordecai received for this good deed?” The attendant answers, “Ah, well nothing sire. Nothing has been done for him.” Which leaves the king thinking, I need to do something to honor Mordecai, after all he did save my life.”
The next morning Haman comes strolling in to the king’s court and Xerxes says to him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Well, Haman’s ego and swelled head get the better of him and not surprisingly Haman thinks the king is referring to him (Haman doesn’t have a clue that the king is really asking what should be done for Mordecai).
Haman suggests an elaborate parade with much pomp and circumstance. Haman replies, “Well by all means, clothe the man in royal robes, put him on a beautiful horse, and place a royal crown on his head. Let him be led through the streets by one of the king’s noble princes. And as he is being led, dressed so well, riding on that fine stallion, let it be shouted, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”
Imagine Haman’s chagrin when king Xerxes says to him, “Ah. I love it! Now do exactly what you’ve just said for Mordecai. You’ll find him sitting outside my gate.” Can you just see Haman’s mouth hanging wide open in disbelief? In a humorous twist, Haman ends up being the one who leads Mordecai through the streets of the city shouting, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”
As you might imagine Haman’s madder than a hornet. Afterward he rushes home and tells his wife and friends what happened. They say to him, almost prophetically, “This Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is a Jew, you cannot stand against him–you are surely going to come to ruin.” Truer words were never spoken.
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Remember the feast that Esther wanted to have in honor of the king? The one to which she specifically invited Haman and he was so proud because he had a personal invitation from the queen? Well, at the feast, and still feeling quite generous, King Xerxes says to Esther, “My dear what is your request? I will give you anything you ask for, even up to half my kingdom.”
Esther seizing the opportunity, “If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant to me this one request. For I and my people have been sold to destruction and slaughter and annihilation.” King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?” Esther replies, “The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.”
In a rage, the King leaves the room. Haman knowing his fate is sealed, throws himself on the couch where Esther is reclining to beg for his life. About that time the king comes back in, sees Haman laying on the couch next to the queen and infuriated the king says, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?” Poor old Haman, a victim of his own undoing.
Someone gets word to the king that a gallows has been built in Haman’s own yard upon which Mordecai was to be hanged. The king says, “Hang Haman there!” Haman is dragged out kicking and screaming and hanged on the very gallows he intended for Mordecai.
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Esther then asks the king to overrule the edict initiated by Haman to destroy all the Jews. The king happily agrees and a new royal edict is issued that all the Jews in every province throughout all Persia are to be protected and have the right to defend themselves from any and all attackers.
Esther continues to find favor with the king. Mordecai is elevated to second in command of the Xerxes’ kingdom. And all the Jews in every region, throughout all Persia celebrated. There was feasting and joy and gladness in all the land for the Jews had been spared.
A happy ending to a remarkable story full of twists and turns and plots and deception, which resulted in ultimate victory for God’s people.
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So what are the practical applications we can glean from the story of Esther and apply to our own lives? Well, there are at least five things we can glean from this little book that will help us in our walk with the Lord.
First, we see that God will put us in the right place at the right to serve him and to accomplish his will. For example: It’s not coincidental that Mordecai overhears two of the kings guards plotting Xerxes execution. The fact that God had Mordecai in the right place at the right time to stop the assassination of the king was very important for the future of the Jews.
Second, Esther is another good example of God having his person in the right place at the right time. An edict from the king himself has gone out to destroy the Jews. Mordecai knows it’s no veiled threat; the lives of God’s people are in grave danger. Mordecai says to Esther, “Who knows? Perhaps you have come to the royal position for such a time as this.” Meaning, to save God’s people from destruction.
It’s no accident that Esther becomes queen when she did. God placed Esther in the right place at the right time to carry out his will and his plan for the salvation of his people. Mordecai knew that, and Esther learned it.
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The same holds true for us. God has us in the right place at the right time to serve him and bring about the fulfillment of his will. It’s not coincidental that you work where you do. It’s not fate that you live in the neighborhood you live in. Your lives, your relationships, your jobs, your friends, your everything is not just dumb- luck. It’s providence. God has something for you to do. God has placed you where you’re at to be an influence for him in the lives of the people with whom you come in contact.
It’s no accident that you’re here this morning. God has something for you today. God wants something of you today. He wants your heart. He wants you to say yes to him. And as we say yes to God, he is going to use us, every one of us, to accomplish his purpose in us and in the lives of others.
God gives us small whispers of awareness that we are where he wants us to be. God may say to us that we are to continue where we are at, even if it’s difficult or uncomfortable. He may tell us to move on or forward.
The reality is that sometimes the place we expect or want to be will be different than where God has us in that moment. But we have the assurance that God will use us where we’re at as long as we’re living for him. I want to assure you my friends, God is with you and he has something for you to do for his kingdom.
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That brings us to our second point: God’s plan will be accomplished even if we don’t participate. Listen to what Mordecai says to Esther, “If you choose to keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come from another place . . . “
Now whether Mordecai was speaking in faith believing that God would deliver the Jews, or if he was speaking with prophetic awareness about what God was going to do, we don’t know. What we do know however is that he had every confidence that God was going to save his people whether Esther got on board with God’s plan or not.
Given all that I’ve just said, what I’m about to say may sound like a contradiction in terms. However, even though God wants to use me and even though God wants my obedience, the truth is that God’s plans will not be foiled by my unwillingness to participate.
Now some of us might be tempted to think, “Well then, if God’s plan is going to get done anyway, then it doesn’t matter whether or not I get involved.” If that’s what you’re thinking then I want to encourage you to thinking differently about it. The reality is, God has given us the opportunity to participate in accomplishing his will. Rather than thinking, “God’s plan will be accomplished even if I don’t get involved.” We should be thinking, “Wow! How exciting, what an opportunity to be a part of something as big as what God is doing. God is inviting me to be part of his strategic plan.” I gotta tell you, it boggles my mind, that God wants to use me. I’m honored by that awareness.
You see, I know me, and I’m not that great. I’m just an average guy. It’s amazing that God invites me to get involved and be a part of his providential, sovereign plan–now that’s something to get excited about. There’s nothing more satisfying, nothing more important, nothing grander than being involved with God in carrying out his plan of redemption.
That brings us to our third point: We cooperate with God to accomplish his work.
Here’s the really amazing thing: God wants you to help him get the job done. God wants you to be part of carrying on his work in the world. The cooperative part of our relationship with God is that he uses regular folks like us to accomplish his will. He gives us his Holy Spirit to empower us and enable us to do the work he’s called us to. And whatever he’s calling you to do, he’s going to equip you to do it–no matter what it is. I’m convinced that God will not call you to do something that he will not also empower and equip you to carry it out. God will not give a job to do then abandon you in the process. If he’s calling you to it, he’ll make sure you’re able to. That’s God’s part
Our part is agreeing with God and obediently doing what he is calling us to do. That if he’s calling us to do something for him, then by faith, we get on board with God and do it. We cooperate with God in carrying out his plan for our lives and the lives of others.
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I heard about a church in Europe that had been utterly destroyed by bombing raids during WWII. The building was completely wiped out. There was absolutely nothing left standing except a statue of Jesus with his arms outstretched–like the one that stands watch in Rio de Janero–but on a much smaller scale. During the bombing raids the arms and hands of Jesus had been blown off. So the statue stood there disfigured with Jesus’ arms and hands missing.
When it came time to rebuild the church, some of the towns people wanted to take down the statue and repair it. They wanted to have the arms and hands reconstructed. The members of the church said, No, it is a reminder to us that we are the arms and hands of Jesus. If the hungry are going to be fed we are the ones that need to feed them. If the naked are going to be clothed, we are the ones who must clothe them. If the poor are going to taken care of, then we are the ones who must care for them.
The truth is God’s work is accomplished through us. We are the vehicles through which God’s work is done. We are the ones that bring the Good News of God to those who need him so desperately. We are the arms and hands and feet of Jesus to our world.
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The fourth point we can take from the story of Esther is that like her, we too need other believers to support us in our faith journey.
The truth is that when we become a Christian we become part of a wider community of faith. We become a part of the body of Christ. We need each other. One author has said, “There are no Christians in isolation.” In other words, we don’t live our Christian life or experience disassociated or isolated from other Christians.
I’ve heard many people say, “You know, I don’t really need to go to church to be a Christian.” And there’s some truth to that. I mean going to church doesn’t make you any more a Christian than going to McDonald’s makes you a hamburger. But like McDonalds is a place where you get food to nourish your physical body, church is a place where you nourish your spirit.
In every instance where someone one has told me they don’t need church to be a Christian it is evident that their spiritual life is anemic and weak. They struggle constantly in their walk with the Lord. They have isolated themselves from other believers and not surprisingly their spiritual life suffers.
My friends, we need each other. We need each other to pray with, and to pray for. We need the community of faith to support us when we struggle. To keep us accountable to one another and to God. We need the encouragement of being together. We need the strength and vitality that comes from worshiping God together on Sundays. We need the friendships that can only be developed and nurtured in the context of life of the church.
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The fifth and final point that Esther shows us is that God at work in the hearts and lives of individuals–even those who don’t know him.
Even though Xerxes was a pagan, God was at work in his life. The king could have easily rejected Esther and continued to stand firmly committed to Haman’s suggestion to have the Jews killed. Although the scripture doesn’t tell us explicitly that God was working in the life of Xerxes, there are too many things that happened to discount God’s presence in his life. A close inspection of the story reveals that God was involved in the king’s life at every point along the way.
But how can God be at work in the life of someone who doesn’t even know him? It’s called prevenient grace. Prevenient grace is the grace that God extends to every person, drawing them to himself–even before the person becomes a Christian. God was at work in Xerxes life. Xerxes had the power to command the extermination or survival of an entire race of people. And yet God in his providence, softened the heart of Xerxes toward the children of God. Consequently, with the assistance of Esther and Mordecai, the lives of the Jews were spared.
God was at work in your life even before you came to know him. God was drawing you to himself. He is at work in your life right now. God is at work in the life of every person whether they know him personally yet or not. God is at work in the lives of the people with whom you come in contact every day. That means that person you’re sharing Jesus with by your life and your words, that person you know who doesn’t know the Lord yet, God is already at work in his or her life drawing them to himself.
God is faithful. God can be counted on. He will not leave us or forsake us. God is working through us to accomplish his will.
And that’s good news for us because as we have seen in the book of Esther, we know that by God’s grace and his providence we are in the strategic places God wants to use us. We know that God’s will is going to be accomplished. We are blessed because we have the opportunity to cooperate in bringing God’s plan to fulfillment. As a part of the community of faith we have one another from which to draw strength and encouragement. And we know that God is actively working in the lives of all individuals–even the one’s who don’t know him yet.
Be of good cheer my friends: God is with you. He is guiding you. He is working through you to accomplish his will. And that’s a story we can all get excited about.
Closing Prayer
Benediction: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. God bless you my friends. You are dismissed.
