Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
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Esther’s Banquets
Remember from last time, this is a risky move by Esther.
She asked all the Jews in Shushan to fast and pray for her for three days.
And this is the third day.
Esther goes in to the kings court.
If the king doesn’t approve, Esther will be killed.
Ask yourself what will you stand up for, even at the risk of your life?
Whew!
The king holds out his scepter and the queen lives.
Now the king wants to know what Esther wants?
What would drive her to risk her life this way?
Obviously the king is smitten, he offerers anything, up to half his kingdom!
Where else have we heard that?
It seems regardless of the times, men have a weakness for giving gifts to beautiful women.
Wait, I thought Esther was there to ask the king to save her people, what is this banquet thing?
Remember, the order to kill the Jews was sealed with the king’s signet.
Sure, it was Haman’s idea, but the king OK’ed it.
Do you think Esther may be a little worried that the king is in on this, the he’s out to get her people?
After all, she hasn’t bothered to tell anyone in the palace that she’s a Jew.
Also, she’s inviting Haman to join as well.
She’s not going to accuse Haman behind his back.
If the king and Haman truly are working together on this, Esther is in real trouble!
The king jumps at the chance to have dinner with his queen.
“Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said.”
Guys, do we ever get complacent when dealing with our wives?
When was the last time you got EXCITED about going out to dinner with your wife?
And ladies, when was the last time you invited you hubby to dinner?
The king orders that Haman be brought QUICKLY!
The king isn’t waiting around.
He wants this done and done NOW!
Doesn’t he sound like an excited kid who just got invited to go out with a pretty girl?
How long has it been since you were that excited to spend time with your wife?
Or your husband?
Take Two:
The king asks Esther again, what does she want?
He knowd she wants something, and it must be big:
She risked her life to see the king.
She invited him to a banquet rather than just telling him.
All the “sneaking up” on actually asking the question must mean something.
OK, lets try this again.
King, if it pleases you, lets do this again tomorrow and I’ll then I will answer your question.
I’m sure we can understand, Esther is probably frightened about what may happen when she tells the king that his right-hand man is plotting to kill her people.
We’ve all had times when we were scared how someone was going to react, so rather than just saying it we work our way up to it slowly.
Like Luther at the Diet of Worms, when first asked to recant his writing he asks for a day to think about it.
In Esther’s case, it appears the king is willing to play along.
This may look like human foibles, but we will see next time how God will use Esther’s reluctance to bring down the man who is after her people.
We’ve all had those days.
The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and all is well with the world, only to have one thing happen to destroy our mood.
Haman is over the moon!
The queen asked HIM to join the banquet with the king.
The queen asked HIM to come back tomorrow.
Just imagine if some VIP invited you over not just once, but twice
Whatever this big question is, the queen obviously sees him and important enough to be involved.
Then, Haman bumps to Mordecai.
Mordecai doesn’t honor him.
Mordecai doesn’t tremble at his power.
Mordecai doesn’t care that he’s just come from the queen’s banquet.
Mordecai is like the man behind the Roman general.
When a victorious general would parade into Rome to cheers and glory there was a man in the chariot behind him whose job was to keep whispering in his ear, “remember you are mortal”.
Mordecai, through his actions, reminds Haman that he is just a man.
Haman calls his “counsel”, his wife and friends for advice on how to deal with Mordecai.
This reminds me of the proverb 16:18:
We all love showing off our success.
We want to be recognized for what we’ve done.
We like to show off our position.
Here, Haman is showing off.
But all he has does him no good, because of his need for revenge against Mordecai.
That reminds me of another saying:
“Before You Embark On A Journey Of Revenge, Dig Two Graves” — Confucius
Haman’s need for recognition from his enemy ruins all of his successes.
With all that Haman has, you would think that Mordecai is little more than a nuisance to him.
Hatred of this man has killed all the joy in Haman’s life.
Why do you think Jesus said:
Hatred of your enemies often hurts you more than it does them.
So what is Haman’s wife’s advice?
Build a gallows.
Make sure it is big, 75’ high, so it can be seen.
Then ask the king to hang your enemy on it.
Then you can go enjoy your banquet with the queen.
Some advice from his “better half”.
Of course Haman likes the idea, he is obsessed with destroying Mordecai and all the Jews with him.
Conclusion
What can we learn here?
What about us?
We all have challenges.
Ask yourself, what will you stand up for?
What are you willing to risk your life for?
It reminds me of the Martin Niemoller quote:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
What are you willing to risk your life for?
What will you stand up for?
What are you willing to risk your life for?
When you look at how Esther is postponing telling the king her request, do you chastise her for being weak or recognize your own frailty in how she acts?
Do you see how God is using Esther’s weakness to further His agenda?
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