A Story of Hate, A Story of Hope, A Story of God

Esther 5-8

Introduction: The church has become divided. The very kingdom of God has been fractured into so many different groups based on this theology or that theology, this is the correct way to worship, or this is the right interpretation of baptism, holy communion, or you name it! Christians are wandering the earth not knowing which church is “the church.” At the same time, Christians are being persecuted, attacked, and killed by worldly belief systems that seek the kingdom’s destruction. They are filled with pride, with anger, with malice. They plot and scheme for their own earthly benefit. With this in mind, it may be difficult to remain faithful to our Lord. To believe that He is truly all powerful, all sovereign, all just. I imagine there is a difficult feeling in the minds of Christians throughout history during difficult times. I recently re-watched the film Schindler’s List and if you haven't seen it, please do.  The film is based on a true story focusing on the persecution, imprisonment, and murder of Jews in Poland by the Nazi’s during WWII. It parallels the book of Esther in many ways as those of you who have seen it will see.  

I.  Problem: Esther is placed in a difficult situation where she has no true power to save her people, but has the ear of the king if only he is willing to see her. Haman wants her people eradicated because his ego cannot stand them. What’s worse is that Haman has obtained great favor in the eyes of the king and his influence is so powerful in this kingdom. I don’t know if you know this, but the Persian kingdom of the king of kings Ahasuerus, or Xerses was absolutely incredible in size. It practically covered the known world and the only person advising the young Esther was a holy man; a Jew named Mordecai, her uncle. He compels Esther to sway the mind of the king so that the people of God may be saved. (5:1-14)

A. Setting: Esther entered the courtyard of the king, working to gain control of her internal panic and outward tremble, every step feeling heavy knowing they may be her last. What if the king meets her presence with anger? She would be executed for appearing unannounced. She stops before entering the throne room and her eyes meet the king’s. He extends his scepter as a sign that her presence is a welcome sight. She breathes a sign of relief and thinks that this is no small miracle. To her great surprise, he shows her grace by showing a desire to please her in any way. She stands tall and regal; mustering her courage in a fantastic display of confidence she requests the banquet attendance of the king and Haman so that Haman may be honored before the kingdom. The king loved banquets and Haman, the pride filled fool, loved to be honored and bowed to. He loved it so much that he was overjoyed when the queen suggested a second banquet. Esther knew that she could have been executed by the king, but chose to accept the risk of sacrifice through faith. (5:1-9a) 

B. Inciting Incident: While the second banquet was planned by the queen, Haman became enraged with Mordecai because just as in the past, he refused to honor the enemy of the Jews. This man refused to fear the facade of power wielded by the vessel of wood and clay called Haman. So, the king’s servant, in his anger, commanded that wooden gallows be built so that Mordecai may be hung for all the world to see. So that all who looked would see the power one man could wield. There’s a conversation in Schindler’s List where the Nazi in control of a concentration camp says, “control is power” and Oskar Schindler replies by saying, “power is when we have every justification to kill, and we don’t.” The wicked wield control and call it power, but Jesus said “the meek shall inherit the earth.” Meekness is often confused with passiveness or weakness, but in actuality it is having strength and justification combined with great self-control.  (5:9b-14) 

II. Solution: Salvation through freedom 6:1-8:17 

A. Rising Action: And so, Haman who was surely pleased with himself went to find the king who could find no rest. In a miraculous twist of fate the king discovers that Mordecai was the source who had previously saved his life from an assassination plot. God is at work behind the scenes as the true King and He is working to protect a man that He can use to glorify His name. What incredible timing this is! The king intends to honor Mordecai greatly for all to see and Haman has to be jealous. He doesn’t yet know who the honor is for, but we have seen that he is a prideful man. He is a slave to his emotions which have blinded him. (6:1-9)

B. Reversal: And what great irony it is when he is told that the man he hates most is the one to be blessed. This man of God; This Jew. The embarrassment. He had just ordered gallows for Mordecai to be built and now he looks like a fool. How frustrated he must have been. No matter what he does, he just can’t seem to destroy these people of God. The power he thinks he has on earth isn’t working as well as he would like. (6:10-14) 

C. Confrontation: And so he attends the second banquet likely thinking of possible plots and schemes; different ways he could make Mordecai suffer, when he suddenly hears his name. “did the queen just call me wicked in front of the king? And an enemy?” He becomes overwhelmed with fear as he realizes the situation around him. He panics; His queen is a Jew. The queen whom the king has great care. This queen has just told the king that HER people are to be executed thanks to the acts of Haman. That is not a position I ever want to find myself. I mentioned Schindler’s List and the Nazi regime earlier. This moment is like Adolf Hitler coming to the realization that he is about to die due to his crimes against God’s image before making the decision to commit suicide or flee to South America depending on what you believe. He was surely terrified as his pride faded and reality became apparent. This is the climax of a lifetime of unrepentant sin, the culmination of arrogance against God and His people, the justice and judgment of the Lord against His enemies. (7:1-6)  

D. Rising Action: But Haman, he’s shaking with fear; he’s begging for his life. If anyone’s anger was greater than his, it had to be the king’s and now that wrath was set free. And though he begged for his life, it was too late. The enemy of God’s people received the same judgement that he wished for Mordecai. He was hanged in the kingdom so that all would see the justness of their king; showing that pride can blind us, leaving us to turn from the Lord toward a path of self-destruction. All enemies of the Lord have turned their backs on the one true King. Coincidentally, the main antagonist in Schindler’s List, the leading enemy Amon (similar to Hamon) is hanged for his crimes as well. He is judged for his sins and left as an example of God’s power to work unseen. (7:7-10) 

E. Reversal: And after, Esther and Mordecai received all that was Haman’s, though the law was not abolished. The first edict ordered the destruction of the Jews, but the second given by the king granted their freedom so that they may be protected from destruction. Now this is interesting. The king had already sentenced the Jews to death by Haman’s hand and through the law He could not contradict that sentence. However, he could give them a victory over death. Does that sound familiar? Mankind was sentenced to death when the unrepentant Adam and Eve chose to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. But through Jesus Christ, sin and death were conquered for all those with faith in the Lord. Because of his sacrifice, we may live.  (8:1-7) 

“the whole world may be held accountable to God.” (Ro 3:19)  

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Ro 3:23–24)  

 We all deserve death. That would be justice. And God has the power to wipe us from the face of this earth. But God is not only just, He is also grace, and in His grace He has allowed us to be justified through Jesus. I remember the moment I cried out to the Lord begging to be a different man. I didn’t want to live in sin anymore. I knew with every part of my soul that I deserved death in that moment, but that’s not what I received. I received life. The anger and pain was lifted from my body and I instantly received the peace that only Christ can give. That is the kind of King that we serve. That’s the king that Mordecai served.

F. Resolution & Conclusion: The new edict was sent out to all the nations in the Persian empire and Mordecai was dressed as a king for all to see, and the people of God rejoiced! Many pagans began to follow the Lord once they saw the power and presence of His working over the great empire of man. Xerxes was known to the world as the king of kings because he conquered so many kingdoms, but the true King of kings was working throughout the worldly kingdom in His own hidden ways as He continues to work through our savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Nearing the end of the movie, Oskar Schindler stands in a factory. He stands in front of 1,100 Jews and expresses that the war is over and salvation has come. This, like the salvation of God’s people in Esther was temporary, but the salvation we have in Christ is eternal. (8:8-17)

Conclusion: God preserves His people through His providence and His appointed mediators such as Esther, Mordecai, and Oskar Schindler who were obedient vessels of gold and silver. The first edict by king Xerses condemned God’s people to death, but the second was a greater word for an opportunity of life. Adolf’s Third Reich ordered the death of millions, but many mediators and the end of the the war created a new opportunity to live. Just as Adam and Eve condemned the human race, Jesus Christ was crucified and rose again so that we may live through him! This is proof that God remains faithful to His covenant promises. In WWII Jews and enemies of the State were separated into camps. They were spread throughout Germany, Poland, Austria, and so many other countries. The enemy wanted to separate the Jewish problem into smaller divisions partly for easier extermination. Just as The enemy has divided the church into smaller denominations today. But, Jesus said that he is the vine and we are the branches. The many denominational branches of the church of Christ have spread throughout the world, though seemingly divided in the eyes of man. However, the true church, the PEOPLE of God, those who make up many denominations, are flourishing through the covenant faithfulness of the Lord, the true King of kings. There are of course wolves in sheep’s clothing and those who would pervert the Gospel truth and the church, but we must trust the Lord, persevere in obedience, and place our hope in Christ. God is sovereign over all things, and He uses both good and evil circumstances for His perfect purpose, so I want you to ask yourselves, truly ask yourselves, “am I a vessel of gold and silver or am I one of wood and clay?” Is He using you to advance the kingdom as a courageous follower? Or have you made yourself an enemy through pride?  

Let us Pray