Sermon 1 - From Tremendous Times to Troublesome Times

From Tremendous Times to Troublesome Times From Tremendous Times to Troublesome Times Tony Cansler / General For Such a Time as This / Esther 1 If you Trust God In Trouble you will Triumph For Such a Time as this - Sermon 1 Note: The Name Esther appears 56 times in this book, Mordecai appears 58. Mordecai has as much to do with this book as Esther. It was he that was walking with Esther helping her and developing her thru the entire process. Mordecai: The Defender of the Jews Preface “The whole book traces how the right person was in the right place at the right time” (Wright) If you Trust God in the Trouble you will Triumph Tremendous Times for the King Reigning over 127 Providences Esther 1:1 King James Version Chapter 1 NOW it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:44 PM March 20, 2020. 1 Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) Also known as Xerxes which was a pagan king , morally corrupt man. Like many politicians he only cared about himself as opposed to the people and pleasing God. He was very prideful as we will uncover in this sermon. He had trouble controlling his passion of women, he had a large harem. He had trouble with drinking, he had trouble with his temper, and he had trouble with his arrogance. Reigned 21 years, 486 BC to 465 BC He was assassinated in 465 BC Member of a Famous Dynasty Mordecai: The Defender of the Jews 1. His Dynasty Cyrus, the first king of this dynasty, was mentioned by name in prophecy by Isaiah (Isaiah 44:28, 45:1, 13) a century or so before Cyrus was even born. Isaiah prophesied about “Cyrus … saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid” (Isaiah 44:28). Jeremiah also prophesied of this work of Cyrus regarding the return of the Jews from captivity to Jerusalem though, unlike Isaiah, he did not mention Cyrus by name (Jeremiah 25:12; 29:10; cp. 2 Chronicles 36:22, 23; Ezra 1:1–4). Darius I, the father of Ahasuerus, was the man of this dynasty who led the Persian armies that conquered Babylon the night Belshazzar held the profane banquet (Daniel 5). As a result of conquering Babylon, Darius I became acquainted with godly Daniel. He appointed Daniel to high office in the government and was involved in Daniel’s stay in the lions’ den (Daniel 6). Ahasuerus was the third king of this dynasty to be very involved with the Jews as we Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:44 PM March 20, 2020. 2 will see in our study of the life of Mordecai. And Artaxerxes I, the son of Ahasuerus, was another member of this famous dynasty who was very involved with the Jews. Artaxerxes I was the king of Persia who had Nehemiah as his cupbearer and who appointed Nehemiah governor of Judah and gave him the authority to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. So Mordecai’s involvement with Ahasuerus was an involvement with a very famous and powerful dynasty which had much to do with the preservation of the Jews. Matthew 6:19-21 King James Version Chapter 6 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 1 Timothy 6 King James Version Chapter 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and ffollow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 jFight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:44 PM March 20, 2020. 3 hast professed a good profession before many witnesses Refined Palace - Esther 1:2 King James Version Chapter 1 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, Sushan is better known in secular history as Susa. 150 miles North of the Persian gulf, 250 miles east of ancient Babylon. Today is covered mostly by Sand dunes. Interesting that a place once so affluent is now dead. Some of the ruins of the palace are visible today with the help of Archeologists. It was huge, the central hall is said to be 350 feet long and 250 feet wide. Respect of the Princes - Esther 1:3 King James Version Chapter 1 3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him Riches and Prosperity - Esther 1:4 King James Version Chapter 1 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days Ritzy Party Esther 1:5-8 Princes and Religious Rulers Women were not allowed to be with men on such occasions Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:44 PM March 20, 2020. 4 Celebration King James Version Chapter 1 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace; 6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. 7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and • Fellowship with the King • Fine Decor • Majestic Drapes • Mosaic stonework • Magnificent drinking cups made of gold, each one unique Consumption King James Version Chapter 1 royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. 8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure • Dining - Feast • Drunkenness Continuation Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:44 PM March 20, 2020. 5 • After 180 days were complete he added an additional Seven days. Esther 1:5 King James Version Chapter 1 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days Corruption Esther 1:10 King James Version Chapter 1 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on All Wives - Esther 1:9 King James Version Chapter 1 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. Troublesome Times for the King Disobedient Partner If you Trust God in the Trouble you will Triumph Request for the Queen to come Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:44 PM March 20, 2020. 6 Esther 1:10-11 King James Version Chapter 1 10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on I would suggest that what he did here was wrong, he had the wrong motives for asking her to come before them. Drunkenness led to this. Many today think drinking is okay, even inside the church it is considered my many to be acceptable. I personally am a sworn enemy of the devil and I will oppose alcohol till the day I die. I often times am around it but I go out of my way to ensure others know I don’t partake of it and don’s participate in drinking. I am against all forms of drinking. Not everyone who takes one drink of alcohol will turn into an alcoholic but if you survey every alcoholic this morning they all began with one drink. Proverbs 20:1 King James Version Chapter 20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: And whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Reason for the Queen to come Esther 1:11 King James Version Chapter 1 Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:44 PM March 20, 2020. 7 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. The King was so morally corrupt he had no respect for women, not even his own wife He only wanted her to come was because of her beauty and so that the others could be envious of him and what he had. In all transparency he wanted to show off his prize and make them lustful of her. Jewish scholars believed that the Queen was to come nude, the Pulpit commentary suggests that she was to come clothes but to unveil herself to the drunken men. Here he is drunk and not even thinking how his wife would feel about this, that was totally ignored. Alcohol will put you in a state where you don’t think about the feelings of others but rather only care about how you feel and what you want. Many wives or women are abused today by men that have an addiction to alcohol. Hollywood sells alcohol as fun and sex as pleasure to be fulfilled at all costs and Hollywood is wrong. The only way you can be satisfied is being fully surrendered and fully submitted to Jesus. Refusal of the Queen coming Esther 1:12 King James Version Chapter 1 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him Courage to Stand-up and do what’s right Commitment to Stand-up and do what’s right Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:44 PM March 20, 2020. 8 Proverbs 11:22 King James Version Chapter 11 As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a fair woman which is without discretion. Proverbs 12:4 King James Version Chapter 12 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: Proverbs 31:10-12 King James Version Chapter 31 10 Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, So that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil All the days of her life. Resentment for the Queen not coming • King - Esther 1:12-15 King James Version Chapter 1 therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. 13 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment: 14 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king’s face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;) 15 What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:44 PM March 20, 2020. 9 not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? This was likely very embarrassing for him, after all he was the King and everyone was supposed to obey him. And when his very own wife did not obey him, uh oh. He could have had her put to death, but I believe he cared too much for her to have that done. He sought council with his wise men on what he should do and how he should handle this. • Princes - Esther 1:16-18 King James Version Chapter 1 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. 17 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. 18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. The princes also resented her not coming as they feared that if their wives and women seen the Queen disobey the King their ladies might do the same. Rejection of the Queen continuing to be the Queen - Esther 1:19-22 Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:44 PM March 20, 2020. 10 King James Version Chapter 1 19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. 20 And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. 21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: 22 For he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people. Interesting that the wise men chose his side and none of them said sir, you were drunk and you should not have put her in that position. No one would oppose the King and call him out for the wrong which he did. No matter how you call it out, the King was wrong and did his wife wrong. IT was Queen Vashti’s conduct that commendable in this situation, not the King. This was a bunch of yes me, in my opinion no leader should just surround himself with yes men. Don’t be afraid to be opposed as a leader, at times we need to be challenged. Of course this pleased the King, they were saying the Queen was wrong and not him. Don’t get me wrong, I HATE being wrong but sometimes the Lord uses others including my Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:44 PM March 20, 2020. 11 wife and my children to call my hand on things which in turn makes me a better man and draws me closer to the Lord Where is the Godly council in this situation, was none of these men on God’s side? A Godly leader will surround himself with other leaders and especially Godly leaders which will help him to be the Leader that God wants him to be. These leaders changed it from an Indecent request from the King to Insubordination from the Queen. I personally believe that the Queen was most likely happier after this happened than she was before, we don’t have anything supporting this but I know if I was in her shoes in this situation I would be. The money, the wealth, the things, the palace, none of these things can make someone happy. If you Trust God in the Trouble you will Triumph Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:44 PM March 20, 2020. 12