For A Time Like This

Esther Esther 4:12  And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words. 13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

To begin with the story of Esther is intriguing, interesting and inspirational because it gives the Majesty, the Military Might and the Mission of how God meticulously moves on our behalf. I’m compelled to Teach and preach about Esther’s story because who knows if we were not brought to this point for such a time as this.

Esther was an orphan and her first cousin Mordecai adopted her after both of Esther’s parents had died. And so Mordecai raised Esther like his own child. Brothers and sisters many empires and kingdoms rule the known civilized world at different and various times in History and The story goes that King Ahasuerus (A has u where us) of Persia ruled the world. His kingdom stretched from India to Ethiopia and then from Iran to Iraq and beyond. (A has u where us) loved hosting and toasting for his guests. While in his festive mood he called for his queen Vashti and she wouldn’t come because she was pregnant. He got spitting mad and took away her crown and she wasn’t queen anymore. Then after a solid year of beauty treatments Esther became queen. A has u where us was crazy about Esther and had a right to do so because Esther was drop dead gorgeous.

Esther keep it a secret that she was Hebrew and Mordecai got a job at the king’s gate. And one day Mordecai over heard a plot to kill the king. The assassination attempt was stopped and the king was saved.

Meanwhile another man by the name of Haman recieved honor from the king. Haman was promoted to a high ranking official. People were supposed to bow to Haman when he walked into a building or courtyard or the palace but Mordecai wouldn’t bow. Haman wanted to kill Mordecai but instead of just killing Mordecai he devise a wicked plan to kill all of the Jews. Haman built a 75 foot gallows to hang the Jews on and Mordecai was going to be first.

When Mordecai heard about the elaborate scheme he dressed in sackcloth and ashes and paraded through the streets. Somebody went and told Esther that her cousin Mordecai was cutting up and carrying on like a fool up and down the streets and even at the king gate. Esther sent clothes out to Mordecai and he refuse the clothes and refused to hush up And then Mordecai penned these famous words in Esther 4:12  And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words. 13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

This is the most famous phrase in the whole book of Esther. And All of us at one have a such a time as this Moment… Either you’re giving help or you’re receiving help but make no mistake about it we all have a such a time as this moment. At any rate the Jews in this text were in deadly trouble. And

Queen Esther had to make a decision. She said If I die let me die but I’m going to go and talk to my husband King (A has u where us). Esther was not supposed to go and try to talk to king Ahasuerus for 30 long days, but by then Haman would have killed all the Jews. So she can’t wait!

And the bible says that God’s favor stepped in for Esther when she stepped out in that long hallway and just stood there Looking like a drop dead gorgeous diva. She could have been killed for stepping out like that and I imagine in my mind that when the king saw Esther standing there waiting on his approval to come and see him.

He must have said she’s never been out of order before , so it must be important. She’s never bold and bigady before, so this must be important, and she’s never arrogant or prideful before, so it’s got to be important.

The king suspends all of the rules of the kingdom. And low and behold king Ahasuerus held up the golden scepter and said my queen what do you need. Queen Esther said my lord the king I have a special request. I want you to hold a banquet in my honor and invite Haman, and then I’ll tell you what I really want. King Ahasuerus look at that pretty girl and said I’ll give her whatever she wants. The King liked that Esther was willing to be paraded around as his queen without a fuss and without an argument.

Esther was on a mission. And isn’t it funny how God works. God works in mysterious ways, because that night the King couldn’t sleep and called for the daily records to be read to him. Through the reading of the records the king found out that he had never rewarded Mordecai for giving vital intel on stopping an assassination attempt on his life. King Ahasuerus said what did we do for Mordecai? the servants said King, we didn’t do anything but mentioned his name. The king said well let’s change that. Let’s honor Mordecai.

Meanwhile Haman is at home with his wife and sons. They’re talking about the 75’ gallows that he has built for the hanging of the Jews. Haman said“Mordecai is going to be first one to die because I can’t stand that Jew the most”.

Right about this time (there was a knock on Haman’s door the servant said Haman the king request your presence right away) When Haman got there the bible says in Esther 6:6 So Haman came in. And the king asked him, “What should be done for a man whom the king wants very much to honor?”And Haman thought to himself, “Whom would the king want to honor more than me?” 7 So he answered the king, “This is what you could do for the man you want very much to honor. 8 Have the servants bring a royal robe that the king himself has worn. And also bring a horse with a royal crown on its head, a horse that the king himself has ridden. 9 Let the robe and the horse be given to one of the king’s most important men. Let the servants put the robe on the man the king wants to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the city streets. As they are leading him, let them announce:‘This is what is done for the man whom the king wants to honor!’ ”10 The king commanded Haman, “Go quickly. Take the robe and the horse just as you have said, and do all this for Mordecai the Jew who sits at the king’s gate. Do not leave out anything you have suggested.”11 So Haman took the robe and the horse, and he put the robe on Mordecai. Then he led him on horseback through the city streets, announcing before Mordecai: “This is what is done for the man whom the king wants to honor!”

This is how God works. Haman hated Mordecai and God fixed king Ahasuerus’ heart to make Haman honor the man he so desperately wanted to kill. So Haman goes home in shame. and right after that the king summoned Haman to come to the banquet.

Haman still doesn’t really know the connection between Mordecai and Queen Esther. Mordecai raised Queen Esther like his own daughter. Haman didn’t know that she was a Jew. and that she’s hosting the banquet.

And when Haman got there He should have saw red flags flying because he was the only guest invited to that big old banquet. Haman should have said I’m the only one here. That can’t be good. Haman should have said The way king Ahasuerus likes to brag and boast I got to be in trouble.

But Haman is blinded by his ego. If something seems to be too good to be true, it usually is. And so chapter 7 says the King and the queen and Haman are eating and drinking. Everything looks good until the king said “well my queen what do you want me to do for you?” The bible says in Esther 7:3 Then Queen Esther answered, “My king, if you are pleased with me, and if it pleases you, let me live. This is what I ask. And let my people live, too. This is what I want. 4 My people and I have been sold to be destroyed, to be killed and completely wiped out. If we had been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because that would not be enough of a problem to bother the king.”5 Then King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he? Who has done such a thing?”6 Esther said, “Our enemy and foe is this wicked Haman!”Then Haman was filled with terror before the king and queen.

My My My how the tables have turned. The wicked mission of Haman have just collapsed right before his eyes. And the Righteous Mission of Queen Esther has just begun.

The king is highly upset that he has been played by Haman and then against his pretty and fine new wife , Queen Esther. The King is furious and leaves out of the banqueting hall.

Queen Esther goes in her bedroom chamber. Haman is full of that wine and follows Queen Esther to her chambers to beg for his life. Esther is laying on this bed like couch and Haman slips and trips and falls face first right in her lap.

Meanwhile the King comes in while its happening in real time. And the king says Haman What you doing with my Queen! in my house. What! You attacking my Queen in my face. You don’t lost your mind “Guards 2x .

Start closing

The servants took Haman put a black cloth over Haman face.

They carried him out to the same 75 foot gallow that he was going to hang Mordecai on.

They hung Haman, and killed his wife and ten sons.

And just about this time, Esther said my king please recall the order to kill all of the Jews all over the empire.

The king recalled the order and the Jews were safe.

And in 2023 if we are ever in trouble we can call on the Lord and the Lord will come see about us. Oh yes He will then I heard

Yes Then lastly the king made Mordecai an royal official in the kingdom. And what the devil meant for bad God turned it around for his good.

And the last thing I want to tell you is that People need you when they need you and who knows if you were not brought to certain situation for such a time as this.