While All the World’s Asleep

There are times, in each of our lives, when we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of a crisis … crisis of health, crisis in a relationship, crisis of faith … you know the situation is dire .... you know God doesn’t want you to be passive and do nothing .... so you’ve tried. You’ve done what you can … you’ve apologized to the one you hurt; you’ve taken every medication the doctor prescribed and endured every painful test that’s been ordered; you’ve been on your face in prayer, pleading for the one you love who is destroying the one life God has given, walking in exactly the wrong direction … you’ve tried to share, you’ve tried to help .... whatever your situation is, you’ve tried. And you’re willing to keep trying.

But right now … there’s nothing more you can do. Truly.

You need to trust God - - You need to know the Providence of God.

Providence: God’s always interesting of showing that He is FOR His people.

Text this morning and the whole book of Esther. “The always fascinating providence of a never slumbering God explains the preservation of His always fragile people.”

God’s providence is at work before you are aware of it. Back to chapter 1 - the party and Vashti’s removal.

Chapter 6 begins at night. Everyone in the capitol city of the mighty Persian empire - is asleep.

The another page on the calendar has turned. One by one, the pages are turning - getting ever closer to the coming holocaust of the entire Jewish race, living in the vast Persian Empire - from here, in the capitol city of Susa to Jerusalem, the heart of the holy land … and everywhere in between. And God’s people have been doing everything they can possibly do to stop the genocide.

Mordecai alerted Esther as soon as he heard the news -- and when she wavered, he pushed her to get involved: “Who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther has done everything she can do: She called for a a 3-day fast - for God’s people to get on their faces before the Lord. She has risked her own life by approaching the king, unnanounced - a crime punishable by death, if he doesn’t want to see her - and doesn’t extend the golden scepter in her direction. If he doesn’t welcome her - she’s dead. It’s the law.

She has also been carrying out a plan that surely came out of the time in fasting and prayer - - when the king offered her up to half of his kingdom - she didn’t ask anything for herself, at first - just invited the king and Haman, the evil mastermind behind the genocide - to a banquet she prepared for them.

The banquet was last evening and she’s invited them back for another feast - that will be tomorrow. That’s when Esther has promised to finally tell the king what she really wants … she’s cast the fishing line, she’s set the hook and is slowly, patiently, reeling in the king.

But right now, there’s nothing else she can do .... so she sleeps.

Mordecai has done everything he can do - so he sleeps.

In fact, he’s not even aware of the new and more pressing danger hanging over his head - he doesn’t know that Haman is so filled with hatred towards him for the way he refuses to bow and pay homage, that he can’t wait for the months to pass by and execute Mordecai along with the rest of the Jewish people … he’s planning to execute this thorn in his flesh tomorrow. Mordecai doesn’t have a clue … he’s sleeping in his bed.

Everyone in that time zone of the vast empire is sleeping.

Everyone except for one person - the king himself.

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Providence: God’s always interesting of showing that He is FOR His people.

Text this morning and the whole book of Esther. “The always fascinating providence of a never slumbering God explains the preservation of His always fragile people.”

God’s providence is at work before you are aware of it. Back to chapter 1 - the party and Vashti’s removal.

Chapter 6 begins at night. Everyone in the capitol city of the mighty Persian empire - is asleep.

The another page on the calendar has turned. One by one, the pages are turning - getting ever closer to the coming holocaust of the entire Jewish race, living in the vast Persian Empire - from here, in the capitol city of Susa to Jerusalem, the heart of the holy land … and everywhere in between. And God’s people have been doing everything they can possibly do to stop the genocide.

Mordecai alerted Esther as soon as he heard the news -- and when she wavered, he pushed her to get involved: “Who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther has done everything she can do: She called for a a 3-day fast - for God’s people to get on their faces before the Lord. She has risked her own life by approaching the king, unnanounced - a crime punishable by death, if he doesn’t want to see her - and doesn’t extend the golden scepter in her direction.

She has also been carrying out a plan that surely came out of the time in fasting and prayer - - when the king offered her up to half of his kingdom - she didn’t ask anything for herself, at first - just invited the king and Haman, the evil mastermind behind the genocide - to a banquet she prepared for them.

The banquet was last evening and she’s invited them back for another feast - that will be tomorrow. That’s when Esther has promised to finally tell the king what she really wants … she’s cast the fishing line, she’s set the hook and is slowly, patiently, reeling in the king.

But right now, there’s nothing else she can do .... so she sleeps.

Mordecai has done everything he can do - so he sleeps.

In fact, he’s not even aware of the new and more pressing danger hanging over his head - he doesn’t know that Haman is so filled with hatred towards him for the way he refuses to bow and pay homage, that he can’t wait for the months to pass by and execute Mordecai along with the rest of the Jewish people … he’s planning to execute this thorn in his flesh tomorrow. Mordecai doesn’t have a clue … he’s sleeping in his bed.

Everyone in that time zone of the vast empire is sleeping.

Everyone except for one person - the king himself.

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1 VERSES 1-3 A TERRIBLE OVERSIGHT IS DISCOVERED

, “On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king.”

“On THAT night the king could not sleep”. Isn’t that perfect - of all the nights for the king to suffer from a bout of insomnia, it just happens to be the very night that Haman has hired a construction team to build a stake, 75 feet high, so that he can impale Mordecai on it the very next day. “On THAT night the king could not sleep.”

And do you notice what keeps him awake? Remember in the book of Daniel, how Ahasuerus’ father, Darius had been tricked into throwing Daniel into the den of hungry lions and he was so worried about that man of God - that he couldn’t sleep the whole night? Or before that - in Daniel chapter 2, Nebuchadnezzar was so troubled in the night by dreams that needed to be interpreted - he couldn’t sleep either?

But on this night, there are no troubling dreams, there’s no worry about anything … the king just cannot sleep. Why is that? See the silent hand of God at work, friend.

And God doesn’t just keep the king awake - he also prompts the remedy.

I know that I’m not the only one here this morning who has a problem with insomnia - what do you do when you can’t sleep? Pray … often sleep with earbuds in - listen to a lecture or an audio book - has to be the right kind of voice - can’t be dynamic, can’t be too entertaining … but the sound of a calm voice, talking and talking … that often does it for me.

There’s no electricity in Persia, so no late-night tv, no headphones.

But this is the king of Persia - who has everything the empire has to offer, just the snap of the fingers away. He could have a meal brought to him, drinks brought, a woman of his choosing brought from the harem to soothe him … but none of that does he choose.

“And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king.”

Volume after volume is kept in the royal library - of these records of special actions - service to the empire that has been above and beyond the call of duty. But that makes it sound more exciting than it would have been. This is a list of names and a record of what they have done and what reward they’ve received. These are books of government records … you can imagine how exciting this reading material would be.

Actually - what a perfect way to get back to sleep - - So in the flickering light of the lamp flame, the king is lying in bed, with the sheets up to his neck … while his scribe drones on and on with name after name, deed after deed … can you feel your eyelids getting heavier and heavier just thinking about listening to that?

Well, it just so happens that the scribe has chosen the volume of records and is at just the place in that long volume, where the name of one man, Mordecai, is read out ...

Verse 2, “And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. (3) And the king said, ‘What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?’ The king’s young men who attended him said, ‘Nothing has been done for him.’”

So, out of all the volumes of the king’s records that COULD have been chosen, the scribe chooses THIS one. And as the voice of the reader drones on and on and the king undoubtedly gets sleepier and sleepier - eyelids drooping lower and lower … the desired sleep approaching .... then suddenly, when the story of Mordecai comes up - the king suddenly snaps awake again … and out of all the exploits of all of the people to ask about - he asks a question about THIS one:

“What reward did Mordecai get for saving my life?”

The scribe runs his finger along the ledger line - under the category of reward - there’s nothing there.

“Mordecai didn’t receive anything, your majesty”.

Well, that just will not do. Persian kings in history were famously generous in rewarding people who helped them and showed loyalty to the empire. Not only was that a good way to make themselves look good in the eyes of the citizens, but also - think about it - - if one of your citizens find himself or herself in place where they have an opportunity to save your life - and they aren’t sure if they want to - because they really don’t like you very much … don’t you want visions of a great reward dancing through their thoughts?

“Nothing has been done for Mordecai?! Something has to be done. Something has to be done -NOW, I can’t sleep anyways.” So the king swings his legs out of the bed royal pajamas and all - and calls for his advisors on night-shift duty.

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2 VERSES 4-9: HAMAN PLANS HONOR FOR HIMSELF

Verse 4, “And the king said, ‘Who is in the court?’” What kind of question is that? “Your majesty, don’t you know what time it is? Everyone in the city is asleep. The black of night is just now beginning to crack on the eastern horizon with the glow of the morning sun.” But in this chapter filled with ‘coincidences’, there’s another coincidence - - on this very day, there just happens to be someone in the outer court of the palace:

And it just happens to be Haman. Haman is the only other person who didn’t sleep through the night. He was busy overseeing the construction of the massive 75 foot stake that he plans to hang Mordecai in the light of this coming day - a stake so high that everyone will see his mortal enemy impaled as an example of what happens when you dare to cross Haman.

He knows the king is a busy man and that once morning comes, there will be a schedule filled with people wanting the king’s time. He wants to get to the king first, so he is here, in the darkness, at the palace - making sure he gets to the king before anyone else so he can get the paperwork done and the permission he needs to execute the Jew he hates so much.

Verses 5-6, “And the king’s young men told him, ‘Haman is there, standing in the court.’ And the king said, ‘Let him come in’. (6) So Haman came in, and the king said to him, ‘What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?’ And Haman said to himself, ‘Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?’”

This is where the irony gets so rich and hilarious. Anyone who doesn’t think that God has a sense of humor, hasn’t read enough of the Bible. We know what the king is thinking and we know what Haman is thinking, because the narrator tells us … but neither of them know what the other person is thinking.

The young men come and tell Haman that the king wants to see him. If you are Haman, you are thinking, “This day is off to a great start. I thought I would have to wait for hours to get a chance to see the king and he’s calling for me, right now.”

And then, when he is ushered into the inner sanctum of the palace, the king asks him for his advice: “What should be done to the man the king delights to honor?”

And Haman didn’t become the second most powerful man in the empire and fabulously wealthy, by being slow to understand.

“Who would the king delight to honor more than me?” “After all, whom has he already exalted higher than anyone else in the kingdom? Who is the only one in the kingdom to just have dinner with the king and queen - just last night? A

And who is going for a second banquet this coming night - just he, the king and the queen?! It’s obvious - the king is being coy here - but I get it - he’s asking me what kind of reward he should give TO ME!”

“What a day! Just when I think it can’t get any better. Obviously I’m doing something right in life - - fate isn’t just smiling on me - this is a bare-toothed grin of favor.”

So in verse 7, see Haman savor the king’s words as he repeats them with his own lips … “And Haman said to the king, ‘For the man whom the king delights to honor .....”

And he’s thinking to himself - “Here’s my chance - What would I like? Go big or go home … “‘For the man whom the king delights to honor, (8) let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown is set. (9) And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor’.”

Now this is a big and strange request. When it comes to honoring service that is above and beyond … you would expect something like Joseph received from the Pharaoh of Egypt when he was able to interpret his troublesome dreams: some fine clothes, a gold chain for his neck, maybe a limousine ride in the fanciest vehicle of the day … maybe even a piece of property, if the king is feeling particularly generous. But what’s Haman asking for?

Not just fancy robes - but the king’s own robes; not just a fancy vehicle - but the king’s own horse. And then to be paraded around through downtown - so the maximum number of people can see this spectacle as the person leading him on the horse has to shout his honor for all to hear as well as see. Do you see what Haman wants? He wants to be treated like the king himself in public.

It’s a big request - and could have easily bothered the king. So he says his piece and then waits for the king’s response.

And the king responds by saying .... “Great idea!”

- “Then the king said to Haman, ‘Hurry; take the robes … and the horse, … as you have said ...” And Haman is getting more and more excited - ‘Just when I thought this day couldn’t get any better … I’m about to be treated like a King … and then I’ll get to go home and finish it off with an execution of Mordecai!”

....’The king said .... hurry, take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so … TO MORDECAI THE JEW, who sits at the king’s gate. LEAVE OUT NOTHING THAT YOU HAVE MENTIONED.”

Do everything just like you said, and Haman, I want YOU to be the one who leads the horse through the city and announces how great is the man on the horse!”

All of this honor - its for someone else.

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3 VERSES 10-11: HONOR FOR ANOTHER

Verse 11 - “So Haman took the robes and the horse, and he dressed Mordecai and led him through the square of the city, proclaiming before him, ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’

Remember - this Haman has been promoted to Prime Minister of the Empire, if you will - 2nd in command to only the king himself and given such honor that every person who finds himself or herself in Haman’s presence, must bow and give homage to this man .... that’s the law of the Empire.

Now, here is this massively honored man, leading a horse with a rider on it - and having to constantly call out for all to hear, “This - rider on the horse - THIS is what is done to the man whom the king DELIGHTS to HONOR”. If Haman is so honored that we have to bow before him … and he’s walking in front of the horse that carries Mordecai .... well, what kind of honor does Mordecai deserve?!”

And it sticks in Haman’s craw … Not only is this NOT an honor given to him, like he thought it would … but this honor is given to, of all people, MORDECAI - the one he hates so much, that he’s going to annihilate not only him but his whole race of people. AND - he can’t even wait for the date on the calendar to do it - - he’s just been up all night getting a gallows ready so that he can wipe him out on this very day.”

Picture the scene, the words that Haman has to call out must be like gravel in his mouth.

“Thus it shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.”

Finally, the parade is finished. And see

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4 VERSES 12-14: CAUGHT UP IN GOD’S SOVEREIGN PURPOSES

Do you see how this series of what seem to be coincidences - each one of them is believable by itself - -

The king couldn’t sleep - that happens.

King has some sleepy material read to him to help with his insomnia - that’s not a big stretch

Just happens to have read to him the very volume that has the story, from years ago, about the very man whom Haman wants to kill - - that’s quite a coincidence - but you can get your head around the possibility.

Haman just happens to be waiting for the king, in the palace, during the night … King asks Haman for his advice about a reward … Haman thinks it’s him … Reward goes to the very man that Haman wants dead .... and Haman ends up leading the parade of honor for Mordecai ..... every single coincidence can, by some stretch be believed on its own …

… but for them all to be put together into one completed puzzle … well this can be nothing but the work of the Sovereign God.

And Haman’s wife and friends get it. Look at vv. 12-14, “Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered. (13) And Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, ‘If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him … BUT WILL SURELY FALL BEFORE HIM.’ (14) While they were yet talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried to bring Haman to the feast that Esther had prepared.’”

This wife sure has the gift of encouragement: “Sorry, honey - but looks like you’ve picked the wrong enemy. If Mordecai is part of the people of God - you don’t have a chance .... you are going down.”

You can’t read properly, as part of the Bible’s big picture … without seeing a foreshadowing of another night - 500 years later, in another city - the city of Jerusalem … when almost everyone was asleep. And in the darkness of that night,

God is at work in your life, Christian. When you have done everything you can - and you know it’s not enough - - - your circumstances have not changed - - the trials haven’t vanished and you haven’t FIXED everything.

You feel like a failure - trust in the Providence of God.

“We are his hands,

Don’t turn God into a wimp ...

From the beginning of chapter 6 until the end of this book, the enemies of God’s people are on the run and God’s people are on the advance .... not because of their great plans or fearless faith … but just because of a night, when God’s people were sleeping - but God was not.

But don’t just stop and understand that God is sovereign - trust the God who Is sovereign. Last week, I mentioned Corrie Ten Boom and her sister, Betsy - Dutch Christians who were sent to a Nazi Concentration camp for hiding Jews in their home during the Second World War. In that concentration camp - in their lives … a million threats to their faith. They were helpless to get out …

“The wonderful thing about praying is that you leave a world of not being able to do something, and enter God’s realm where everything is possible. He specializes in the impossible. Nothing is too great for His almighty power. Nothing is too small for His love” - Corrie Ten Boom

- “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”