Esther #2

Introduction:

Connection:

The Problem of Evil: how could a Good and Sovereign God decree and allow so much Evil and Suffering in this world? Why do the People of God suffer so severely at the hands of sinful men? Why would God allow such things to take place?

If we’re being honest, we don’t know the depth of the answers to these questions—but we do know enough to satisfy our weary hearts; because God has proven that He is both Good and Sovereign in Jesus Christ our Lord. This is a theme we are going to see this morning in the Book of Esther.

Theme

The Plot Against the Jews

Need

We need to see both God’s Goodness and God’s Sovereignty and we must hold these two in tension even if we don’t fully comprehend what God is doing, or why He would do it.

Purpose

To instruct the church in God’s absolute sovereignty, even over evil kings; to exhort the church to prayer, fasting, and lament in suffering; to encourage the church toward boldness and courage in our mission; and to comfort the church in the grace that is secured by our Great High Priest.

Mention Text:

Esther 3:1-5:14 ESV

Summary/Recap of Last Week:

The Book of Esther takes place after the people of Israel had been sent into exile, judged by God—specifically, the Book of Esther is recounting the history of some of the exiles who remained in Persia, even after some Jews were permitted to return to the promised land.

Here is the plot recap from last week:

King Ahasuerus gave a rich and royal feast for all—180 days for his officials and 1 week for the whole empire.

King Ahasuerus summoned Queen Vashti—desiring to flaunt her physical beauty before drunken men; Vashti refused.

King Ahasuerus Banished and Divorced Vashti—and he did so with an irreversible and sinful decree.

King Ahasuerus sought out another Queen—for he regretted his rash and sinful decision to divorce.

King Ahasuerus chose Esther to be a Candidate—and Esther compromised by hiding her Jewish identity.

King Ahasuerus chose Esther to be the Queen of Persia—despite it being against God’s Law.

King Ahasuerus is saved from assassination by Mordecai the Jew—but he fails to reward him immediately.

And we saw that God is always working, behind the scenes, to fulfill his purposes—and He even delights to use evil kings and weak believers to that very end.

PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY

(1) The King promotes Haman the Agagite and Mordecai grows in Boldness (3:1-6)

We ended off the last sermon with Mordecai heroically saving the King from assassination—leaving Mordecai due of honour, recognition, and reward. But what happens? Let’s pick up in verses 1-2:

English Standard Version Chapter 3

3 After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him. 2 And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him

Ironically, instead of Mordecai the Jew being honoured and rewarded (which was the normal course of Persian kings of this era), the King looks over his deeds and promotes Haman the Agagite—and sets him upon the throne, and commands all to pay honour to him by bowing before his presence.

Last week we ended off the story by noticing that God sovereignly kept back Mordecai’s reward. It was for a reason that God held back his reward.

But, who is Haman the Agagite? Haman the Agagite was a descendent of King Agag the Amalekite (a pagan ruler of a pagan nation in the OT which occupied the land of Canaan). What’s so fascinating about this is that there is a story in 1 Samuel about King Saul being commanded to kill the Amalekites and purify the holy land—but he doesn’t go through with it and he is cursed for his disobedience. Thus, the only reason why Haman the Agagite is alive, is because of King Saul’s failure to follow through in Yahweh’s commands.

But here’s where it gets even more crazy. Mordecai the Jew was a descendent of Kish the Benjamite (who was the father of King Saul). Thus what we are seeing here in the Book of Esther is another battle between King Saul and King Agag all over again—this time it is between Mordecai and Haman. Will Saul’s failure to obey God leave God’s people under the tyranny of Haman? Or will Mordecai be victorious at last on behalf of the people of Israel.

However, the enemy of the Jews, Haman, is promoted and the King commands him to be honoured by being bowed down to. Let’s continue:

English Standard Version Chapter 3

But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage. 3 Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress the king’s command?” 4 And when they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, in order to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew. 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.

Instead of bowing down to this pagan ruler, who is an ancient enemy of God’s people—Mordecai, like Daniel of old—refuses the bow the knee. He stood his ground. And he revealed his Jewish heritage. How did Haman respond? He was filled with fury, and instead of seeking to kill Mordecai—Haman sought to destroy all the Jews throughout all of the King’s kingdom. Wow. Sin is ugly. Mankind is rebellious before the living God. Sinful man breaks God’s laws, curses God’s purity, and lives in wickedness and evil.

Haman unleashed the sin of his heart, not merely by seeking revenge against Mordecai—but by plotting what was essentially a Holocaust against the Jewish people.

Note: Our hearts are so deceitfully wicked, that if God unrestrained our sinful desires, they would overflow into sin that is so terrible that it is poisonous to even speak of. Sin is always creeping at the door—and if we continue to fuel its flames—it can lead to some absolute wickedness. God help us.

The only reason why sins like Haman do not happen every day is because God holds back the sin of our hearts by his common grace. Romans 1 tells us that the greatest act of judgement in this life is God “giving us over to the lusts of our hearts” (v. 25). If God gives us over to what we truly want—sin flows forth with such intensity that its impact outweighs the strength of the Niagara Falls.

Thus, we must continually be seeking the living God, the power of the Holy Spirit, through faith in Jesus Christ, saturating ourselves in the means of grace—so that our hearts are transformed, our sin is killed, and our affections are empowered to desire newness of life. As John Owen used to say: “Sin will either be killing you, or you will be killing sin. There is no other option”.

Let’s continue in the story:

(2) The King is convinced by Haman and his Plot to Destroy the Jews (3:7-11)

Let’s pick up at verse 7:

English Standard Version Chapter 3

7 In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, they cast lots) before Haman day after day; and they cast it month after month till the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.

This is strange. The text tells us that Haman and his officials were casting lots (essentially rolling dice), which lasted for a whole year. In God’s wisdom, he restrained Haman from executing his plan, as they rolled dice for a whole year. Why did they role dice? I have no idea. But we do not know that Proverbs 16:33 tells us that

Proverbs 16:33 ESV

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

Thus, it took Haman an entire year until he felt confident to go forward with his sinful and egregious plan to commit the abomination of essentially a holocaust. The timing was perfect—whatever the factors were; the Lord decreed it to take a year. One writer says that “This, too, is part of the Lord’s providence to allow time for the deliverance of His people”.

But this deliverance only comes from the coming judgement—which we now come to:

English Standard Version Chapter 3

8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so that it is not to the king’s profit to tolerate them. 9 If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay 10,000 talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king’s business, that they may put it into the king’s treasuries.” 10 So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. 11 And the king said to Haman, “The money is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.”

The enemy of God’s people, Haman, whose lineage was cursed by God—presents his conspiracy before King Ahasuerus.

What is his accusation?

(1) The Jews have a higher law and they disregard some of the King’s laws. True. Yahweh is the King of kings.

Who is being accused?

(2) All the Jews in general. But he doesn’t name any names—because he knows that his accusations are a stretch. The Jews in this story have been fairly compliant—actually—they’ve been compromising their loyalty to Yahweh and have not been as bold as they should be. Thus, Haman is using sneaky rhetoric to persuade to the King to approve of this wicked holocaust.

What’s the incentive?

(3) Haman seeks to bribe the King and to pay him a high amount of wealth if in fact he would slaughter an entire people group.

What is the outcome?

(4) The King takes his signet ring, accepts the bribe, and entrusts this holocaust into the hands of Haman. So much for the glory of this Persian Kingdom—King Ahasuerus just overlooked a deliberate holocaust as if it were nothing more than an extermination of rodents and pests.

Note: Not only does sin produce the desire to kill the Jews in Haman—but it also leads the King to overlook such a gross wickedness. Sin affects both the heart and the head—fallen mankind is totally depraved in the totality of their being—body and soul: mind, will, and affections. Every part of their existence is spiritually-dead, bent-in-on-themselves, and in bondage to the devil, to judgement, and to hell itself. No one is righteous, no not one—all are dead in their sins—all are in need of a Saviour and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s continue in the story:

(3) The King issues a Decree to Annihilate all the Jews in all of his Provinces (3:12-15)

Let’s start in verse 12:

English Standard Version Chapter 3

12 Then the king’s scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and an edict, according to all that Haman commanded, was written to the king’s satraps and to the governors over all the provinces and to the officials of all the peoples, to every province in its own script and every people in its own language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring. 13 Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with instruction to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. 14 A copy of the document was to be issued as a decree in every province by proclamation to all the peoples to be ready for that day. 15 The couriers went out hurriedly by order of the king, and the decree was issued in Susa the citadel. And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion.

Thus it was so—the abomination was sealed—the decree was formalized—the annihilation of the people of God was sent to every province to every people and language.

What an abomination: Haman’s fury led him decree the destruction of all Jews, young and old, women and children, and to plunder their goods.

Note: The world hates the church. The world hates the people of God. The world hates God. The world hates Jesus. The world hates Yahweh. And when the sinful hearts of the world are unrestrained, they come running with sword and spear in hand—they burn down churches, they slander the churches, they blaspheme the name of God, they persecute the people of God—and sometimes this even leads them to slaughter the people of God. Think of ISIS or HAMAS—you can find videos of them slaughtering Christians who did them no harm, why? Because of pure sinful hatred of the living God and his people.

And what did the King and Haman do after they made this decree? “They sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion” (v. 15).

Wicked Rulers might find comfort in their wicked company—and they might even deceive themselves with a sense of peace; they might fill themselves with worldly pleasures and glory—but know this for certain: the living God of absolute holiness and infinite justice will pay them back one day, with flaming vengeance and fury, for no one can escape the wrath of the King of kings and Lord of lords—none can escape the great Day of Judgement. And a glimpse of this judgement of God will be shown later in the story.

Any of you here this morning who are not trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation and eternal life—you can know for certain that if you remain in your sins that you will meet the wrath of the Lamb on the last day—and you will taste the everlasting torments of the eternal and infinite God of heaven and earth—for you have rejected Him, suppressed Him, rebelled against Him, spat in His face, worshipped idols, indulged in sinful pleasures, and served the desires of your own hearts as the ultimate goal of your life. King Ahasuerus might have been bribed—but you cannot bribe the living God of flaming justice. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). Do not think that because you can deceive your own hearts with drink and friends that you can escape the consuming fire of the living God (Heb. 12:29).

You cannot escape the fire of the living God, unless you seek the mercy of the living God—who brings salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ his Son and our Saviour.

Therefore Beloved, run to Christ Jesus who came to seek and save the lost, who came to save sinners from eternal hell—who came to restore sinners into the family of God—who came to restore sinners into fellowship with God—who came to redeem sinners from God’s wrath, from sin, death, hell, and bondage to Satan—who came to empower sinners with his saving message and to live for Him in all of life, to the ends of the earth! King Jesus, full of tender mercy to all who believe—he will never destroy any who trust in Him—for Jesus was destroyed for us at Calvary that we might receive grace upon grace. Put your faith in Jesus Christ and rest in Him—and as you do so, know live for Him and His gospel-message for every nation, tribe, and tongue—bearing the Gospel to the nations as we live for Him as we are in exile in this world, as we are waiting for our eternal and heavenly homeland in the new creation. Jesus tells us:

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Though our souls might be eternally secure by the Gospel of Jesus Christ—our lives are subject to suffering and persecution in this world—as we see in the Book of Esther—but we can take heart because Jesus is coming again and will bring us to heaven where there is no pain or suffering—where God will be our portion and we will delight in Him forever and ever with all of his people. With this eternal hope, we press on through the tribulation of this sinful world.

Let’s continue. How do God’s people respond to such an evil abomination decreed by the King and Haman?

(4) Mordecai and the Jews were Fasting with Weeping and Lamentation (4:1-3)

Chapter 4 starts by saying:

English Standard Version Chapter 4

When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one was allowed to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth. 3 And in every province, wherever the king’s command and his decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and many of them lay in sackcloth and ashes.

In the OT, when great suffering or judgment comes upon God’s people, they expressed their repentance and sorrow with lament—lamentation—the practice of crying out to the Lord for his help and deliverance. Lament should be the heartbeat of the Christian when tremendous hardship arises. There’s a whole book on lament for crying out loud: the book of lamentations. Read that book and ask yourself: do I give myself permission to express my sorrow and pain to God like the OT saints?

God invites our pain and sorrow—he invites our emotional baggage—he desires for us to run to him with our questions and suffering and to cry out for his help and deliverance—and in so doing, our hope is renewed, for “his mercies are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness” (Lam. 3:23).

Here Mordecai and the Jews were filled with weeping and crying and lament—but they were also marked by fasting and repentance in sackcloth and ashes. This is a visible display of their sorrow and need for God’s help.

But it’s fascinating that it doesn’t say that they were fasting with prayer—although normally it’s assumed. Maybe they prayed—maybe they didn’t.

But the writer left it out to emphasize that even when God is not visibly present—he hears the cries and pains of his people and moves behind the scenes on their behalf, for their good and for His glory—even through suffering and hardship—not a single tear is lost from God’s sight, rather, “he bottles our tears” and will “wipe them away” one day forever and ever (Rev. 21:4).

God’s people in exile—came under inexpressible suffering—which only gave them one option in their faith: to lament and depend entirely on the Lord who is faithful to his promises, and faithful to his people—even when they don’t understand why or how that can be.

Our response needs to be the same—one of total dependence upon the Lord in prayer and sometimes in fasting; as great trouble rises against the church, the church must rise up to God in humble prayer and supplication. Prayer is the power of the church.

Let’s continue:

(5) Queen Esther and Mordecai Boldly form a Plan to Reverse the Decree (4:4-17)

Little did Esther know what had happened. She was living her royal life, unknown to her that her very husband had just made a decree to destroy her very own people.

Verse 4 says: 4 When Esther’s young women and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed”.

She then commanded one of her servants to go and talk to Mordecai, who told her of all that Haman had decreed—but Mordecai also commanded and begged Esther to go before the King and plead his mercy, favour, and deliverance for the people of God. Then Esther responded and said this in verse 11:

Esther 4:11 ESV

“All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”

Esther here says that she hadn’t really been in great favour with the King. They hadn’t seen each other for a month. The King hadn’t summoned his Queen for a long time. Undoubtedly the King had been sleeping with other women—sinning against God and his Queen. Esther was not catching the King in a time of infatuation—and the worst part about it all was that this was the only way for God’s people to be saved from this decree of destruction—for Queen Esther to win the King’s favour.

But, if Esther goes into the presence of the King without his approval, she is worthy of death, unless the King extends his royal scepter.

The entire story hinges upon this—God has sovereignly placed Esther in this position despite her compromises and disloyalty to her God. But now she has a chance—will she be bold? Will she trust in God’s promises and faithfulness to Israel? Will she press on in obedience even in the face of death? Will she be strong and courageous or will she keep her identity hidden to save her own life. What will she do?

Mordecai said this in verse 12:

English Standard Version Chapter 4

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?”

Mordecai’s fatherly instincts kicked in and he tried to get Esther to keep her identity hidden to save her life—he says that the King would probably kill her if he found out she was a Jew…

But at the very same time Mordecai presented a subtle faith in the Lord. He said that relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews somehow—even if not from Esther. Mordecai expected God to move in deliverance for his covenant people. He says: “Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”. Again a subtle description of Mordecai’s faith in God’s providence, and in God’s provision of deliverance.

Well, how does Esther respond to this counsel? Verse 15 picks up and says:

English Standard Version Chapter 4

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.

Esther didn’t compromise—she didn’t give in to the fear of man—she stood her ground, despite her previous sins God filled her with the Spirit of power, so that God’s plan of redemption would be accomplished through her and for his people.

Esther knew that she needed God’s strength, God’s blessing, God’s help, and God’s power—so she called for all the Jews to fast on her behalf—asking for God’s deliverance. She was willing to risk her life for the sake of God’s people.

“I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish!”

“I will disobey the pagan ruler and his sinful laws, risking my life for God’s people”

“I will deny myself, take up my cross, and follow the Lord—even if it is to death”.

Where does such a boldness come from? Only through the Word, through prayer, and by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Only God himself can produce such a holy boldness in the hearts of his people. How can it be that someone would lay down his life for the sake of the church? Only because their hope is not found in this life—but in life and death they belong both body and soul to the Lord Jesus Christ who has secured eternal life for all who believe, and empowers their witness in word and deed before the pagan and unbelieving world!

Only because our inheritance is in the world to come can we can go to the stake, come what may, if we perish, we perish—for we will serve the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the living God, the only Saviour, the Risen King—and we will follow Him to death if it must be so—for where oh death is your sting? Where oh hell is your victory?

Jesus has conquered death—therefore, the saints must be willing to lay down their lives for the sake of the Gospel, for the sake of the Kingdom, for the sake of the Mission.

Do you have such a boldness? And if you don’t—there is only one way to gain it: through the Word, through Prayer, and through pleading for the promised Holy Spirit to fill you with the full assurance of hope.

Oh that more Christians would leave behind the American dream and take their lives to the ends of the earth, to the nations, that they would bring the Gospel to unreached people groups, to those whom Jesus died for, and if they perish—may they be willing to perish—for our reward is great in heaven—our mission is invaluable—because our King is Worthy. Amen?

Oh that the Holy Spirit would give us grace that we would deny ourselves, fix our priorities on the Kingdom of God—and follow Jesus with a holy boldness—wherever we are, that we would be the aroma of Christ to those who are perishing—oh that we would have a holy boldness that is willing to risk our lives with a godly risk, in a prayerful dependence, for the sake of the church of Jesus Christ.

Calvary, do you believe that Jesus is worthy of your life?

Calvary, do you believe that Jesus is worthy of your death?

Then trust in Jesus, pray like crazy, and lay your life down for the sake of the Gospel—make the Great Commission the Priority in your Life—whether in going or sending; here or across the globe—spend and be spent for the sake of the nations, that they would come to know the Lord Jesus Christ—and if you perish, you perish and go to be with Jesus, leaving a legacy of faithfulness behind you—what could be better than that?

We are awaiting the Kingdom of God and the Crown of Life by Grace Alone—so let’s live like we actually believe it, in the power of the Spirit, for the glory of Jesus our God and Saviour.

Esther at last had some holy boldness, by the grace of God—the question now is: will Esther receive the scepter of mercy? Or will she be executed on the spot? Let’s continue:

(6) Queen Esther wins the Favour of the King and seeks to Butter him up (5:1-8)

Will God answer their prayers and fasting with mercy from King Ahasuerus? Will Esther stand or fall—will God use her to save his people? Chapter 5 begins:

English Standard Version Chapter 5

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. 2 And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

Every ounce of ink in this story has led to this grand theme of God’s precious providence, care, and leading. God placed her as Queen—despite her sin. And now God has granted her mercy—despite her compromise. The King gave her favor—and Esther received open access to bring her request before her King. Proverbs 21:1 says:

English Standard Version Chapter 21

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD;

he turns it wherever he will.

God did not merely allow the King to make this decision—God did not foresee this King making this decision—the living God decreed this blessing—God turned the heart of the King so that Esther would receive mercy. God is sovereign, even over evil kings—God is able and mighty to move as his people cry out to him in prayer and in faith.

God moves, God works, God directs, God plans, God oversees, God governs—and He does it all, through good and bad, to accomplish his purposes of redemption, salvation, and deliverance for his covenant people—and he directs all of this for the glory of his holy name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When God’s people seek God’s face in lament, fasting, and prayer—God moves in wondrous ways.

What does Esther do now? She wisely and shrewdly butters up the King and delays her request so that his heart will be more fond of her at the time of her request. Verse 3 continues:

English Standard Version Chapter 5

3 And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.” 4 And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.” 5 Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.” So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. 6 And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, “What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” 7 Then Esther answered, “My wish and my request is: 8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”

Esther throws a feast for the King and for Haman—and then she plans throws another feast the next day. She is playing the game wisely so that the King will be persuaded to say yes to her request in perfect timing. Even though Esther knew that Yahweh was in control—she also knew that Yahweh’s revealed will was for her to obey and to be wise (and the Lord used her shrewdness and wisdom to bring about His great goals in the story). However, though this scene went well for Esther, the Lord permitted Haman to add another layer to his wicked scheme:

This chapter ends with another terrible display of Haman’s hard and sinful heart and his wicked desires of hatred against Mordecai—if we thought the holocaust was enough, he then goes a step further:

(7) Haman Boasts in his Position and Plots to have Mordecai Hung on a Gallows (5:9-14)

Let’s finish the chapter:

English Standard Version Chapter 5

9 And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11 And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. 12 Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. 13 Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” 14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.

The sin of Haman’s heart was overflowing with pride and a haughty spirit. He saw Mordecai again at the king’s gate and just seethed with anger—but the Lord restrained him again (remember that).

Then Haman went home to boast in his riches, in his family, in his promotions, and in his advancements. Haman thought that he had conquered the world—Haman thought his wicked schemes would never be overthrown.

He boasted that Queen Esther invited him to such a luxurious feast—and that he was invited to another one tomorrow. But above all his heart wasn’t satisfied until Mordecai the Jew was destroyed—an atrocious evil desire that could not be quenched but by the slaughter of God’s people.

So his friends and wife counselled him to finish Mordecai off once and for all—to make a Gallows, but not any gallows, to make one that is fifty cubits high, 75 feet tall—to display his victory over the righteous ones. He agreed. And he would tell the King in the morning at the feast… little did he know what would happen overnight—for God was still working behind the scenes… and He wasn’t done yet for redemption had not yet come. We will pick up next Sunday at chapter 6.

Our conclusion for this sermon is this:

(C) The Lord Reigns over Wicked Rulers which Gives us Reason to be Courageous in the face of Great Evil and Suffering.

Why can we be courageous? Because Christ the Lord is risen from the dead, seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, and is reigning and ruling over all things for the sake of the church whom saves by grace alone, through faith alone—nothing befalls us apart from his will, nothing bars us from his everlasting promises, and nothing casts us away from his throne of grace:

What a difference there is between Ahasuerus’s throne and the Lord’s throne! Because of Christ, heaven’s throne is called a throne of grace, which is always open p 700 for needy sinners to come to “obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). As believers praise God that we can come before the Lord’s throne with boldness (Heb. 10:19–22).

Because of what Jesus has done—and because of what Jesus is doing—we can run to God in prayer knowing that He will hear our cries as we come in faith and repentance—and he has promised to empower us by the Spirit of God to live boldly for his Kingdom.

Run to Jesus in prayer and yield the Sword of the Spirit; for with the Armour of God on we are a dangerous force against the kingdom of the evil one. Christian soldiers, bearing spiritual weapons, take down spiritual strongholds in this world—as the Gospel goes forth in the power of the Spirit: sinners are saved, saints are sanctified, and the borders of the Kingdom expands to the ends of the earth. March on with holy boldness!

(C) The Lord Reigns over Wicked Rulers which Gives us Reason to be Courageous in the face of Great Evil and Suffering.

Amen, let’s pray.