"Appearing Unsummoned"

Intro:

Talk about loving a good book with a great plot & wondering what will happen next.

Illustration:

Reflecting on the Word:

What results in Esther appearing before the king unsummoned?

ESTHER’S...

PRESENCE & REGARD BEFORE THE KING (5:1-3)

Esther 5:1–3 “Now it came about on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace in front of the king’s rooms, and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the throne room, opposite the entrance to the palace. When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter. Then the king said to her, “What is troubling you, Queen Esther? And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be given to you.””

ESTHER FINDS (ONGOING) FAVOR WITH THE KING

THE KING IS CONCERNED FOR ESTHER BUT DOES HE EVEN KNOW WHY SHE IS TROUBLED?

THE KING IS WILLING TO GRANT HER REQUEST UP TO 1/2 THE KINGDOM & HE SAYS THIS BEFORE SHE EVER OPENS HER MOUTH ---HE TRUSTS HER

PLAN & REQUEST TO THE KING (5:4-8)

Esther 5:4–8 “Esther said, “If it pleases the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.” Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly that we may do as Esther desires.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet which Esther had prepared. As they drank their wine at the banquet, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition, for it shall be granted to you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done.” So Esther replied, “My petition and my request is: if I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and do what I request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king says.””

ESTHER ASKS IN THE KING’S PRESENCE ALONE IF IT PLEASES THE KING TO HAVE HE & HAMAN ATTEND A BANQUET THIS DAY FOR HAMAN (THIS IS HER PETITION)

THE KING ASKS A 2ND TIME IN HAMAN’S PRESENCE WHAT HER PETITION (DECISION/VERDICT) & REQUEST ARE & IS WILLING TO GRANT HER REQUEST UP TO 1/2 THE KINGDOM--HE BASICALLY MADE HER JUDGE & JURY

THE KING ASKS HER 2 TIMES WHAT IS WRONG & WHAT HER REQUEST IS

ESTHER REPLIES THAT IF SHE HAS FOUND FAVOR & IT PLEASES THE KING TO GRANT HER PETITION & DO WHAT SHE REQUESTS WHICH IS TO HAVE HE & HAMAN COME TO A 2ND BANQUET THE NEXT DAY PREPARED FOR THEM & SHE WILL DO AS THE KING SAYS

THIS SEEMS FOOLISH UNLESS THIS IS GOD’S PLAN (AFTER 3 DAYS OF FASTING TO SEEK HIM)

HAMAN’S...

PLEASURE TURNED TO RAGE (5:9-10)

Esther 5:9–10 “Then Haman went out that day glad and pleased of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate and that he did not stand up or tremble before him, Haman was filled with anger against Mordecai. Haman controlled himself, however, went to his house and sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh.”

HAMAN WENT OUT GLAD THAT DAY & PLEASED (SWEET) IN HEART & HE FEELS PRETTY IMPORTANT!

WHEN HE SEES MORDECAI & THAT HE DID NOT STAND UP OR TREMBLE (TO MOVE FOR) BEFORE HIM HE WAS FILLED WITH RAGE BUT CONTROLLED (HOLD BACK, RESTRAIN) HIMSELF

PRIDE & RECOUNTING OF HIS HONOR (5:11-12)

Esther 5:11–12 “Then Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, and the number of his sons, and every instance where the king had magnified him and how he had promoted him above the princes and servants of the king. Haman also said, “Even Esther the queen let no one but me come with the king to the banquet which she had prepared; and tomorrow also I am invited by her with the king.”

HE RECOUNTS TO THEM ALL THESE THINGS OUT OF PRIDE

Proverbs 8:13 ““The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate.”

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.”

Proverbs 29:23 “A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.”

Jeremiah 9:23–24 “Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.”

James 4:6 “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.””

1 Peter 5:5 “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Romans 15:17 “Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.”

PROPITIATION WITH RIDDANCE OF MORDECAI (5:13-14)

Esther 5:13–14 ““Yet all of this does not satisfy me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Have a gallows fifty cubits high made and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it; then go joyfully with the king to the banquet.” And the advice pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.”

HAMAN IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE ACCOLADES BECAUSE MORDECAI BUT IS SATISFIED WITH THE ADVICE (UNGODLY COUNSEL)OF HIS WIFE & FRIENDS TO HAVE MOREDCAI HANGED ON A STAKE 75’ HIGH TO DISPLAY HIS PRIDE & SATISFYING HIS ANGER

Responding to the Word:

Why does Esther not expose Haman right away in the king’s presence?

It is all in God’s timing!

Esther’s plan is all part of God’s plan!

It looks like evil is winning but is it because this is not the end of the story!

How have you seen God’s favor in your life?

Does God honor us when we take our own path of wisdom or His?

How do we respond when we are honored?

Who does God favor, humble & godly or prideful & evil (Esther or Haman)?

How do we let others distract us from our joy?