Sermon 2 - The Troublesome Times for the King Trends Worse

The Troublesome Times for the King Trends Worse The Troublesome Times for the King Trends Worse Tony Cansler / General For Such a Time as This / Esther; Esther 2 If you Trust God In Trouble you will Triumph Disobedient Partner • Request for the Queen to come - Esther 1:10-11 • Reason for the Queen to come - Esther 1:11 • Refusal of the Queen coming - Esther 1:12 • Resentment for the Queen not coming - Esther 1:12-18 • Rejection of the Queen continuing to be the Queen Esther 1:19-22 Replacement to be chosen for the Queen - Esther 2:1-4 King James Version Chapter 2 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. 2 Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: 3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:52 PM March 20, 2020. 1 kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: 4 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. Scholars suggest that it could have been as long as three years from the time Vashti was removed until a replacement is to be chosen. Take Esther 1:13 and compare it to Esther 2:12-16 and that is what indicates the timeline. When it says he remembered Vashti, I wonder what he remembered, was it her beauty, was it traits, was it her refusing to bow to his wicked request. Sometimes God allows us to remember... He is going to be selecting the new Queen from the fair (beautiful) virgins of the land. I am a firm believer in promoting that our youth and young adults save themselves for marriage. Sex outside of the marriage of a man and woman no matter what form it is, is wrong. Sex is only permitted inside the bonds of Holy matrimony with a man his woman or for the woman and her man. The selected virgins are to be set aside for physical purification, these religion rulers didn’t care about spiritual purity. To be candid spiritual purity is more important that physical purification. God sent a woman into my wife that was pure and I was pure and the Lord has blessed our marriage. It has been a bed of roses, the blossoms for me and thorns for her. This made the King very happy, remember he is a immoral and ungodly man, he is only going to considering the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the inward and that is what we should do Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:52 PM March 20, 2020. 2 also.1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (King James Version) B. The Persian King Chooses Esther to Become His New Queen: A Picture of Morally Corrupt Man Contrasted with True Believers of Strong Character, 2:1–23 Some people are just like King Xerxes: they are morally corrupt and they engage in one sexual exploit after another. One-night stands matter little to these persons because sexual pleasure is their only pursuit. Others develop long-term relationships that are sexual in nature but nothing more. However in all cases of morally corrupt people, they either refuse to make a permanent, monogamous, marital commitment or else they make a commitment that is easily broken or disregarded. In both cases they reject God and His holy commandments that forbid adultery and illicit sex and that demand marriage between a man and a woman Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (King James Version) B. The Persian King Chooses Esther to Become His New Queen: A Picture of Morally Corrupt Man Contrasted with True Believers of Strong Character, 2:1–23 All morally corrupt people have one serious flaw in common: they either fail to realize; or simply do not care, that sex is only one part of many that make up the total relationship between man and woman. Men and women experience unity and pleasure on many levels and in many ways. Therefore attention must be given to all areas of the relationship if it is to grow, thrive, succeed, and stand the test of time. A healthy relationship must be built upon … Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:52 PM March 20, 2020. 3 • companionship, being together and sharing with each other • common desires and purposes, wanting the same things and making the commitment to strive for the same goals • establishing a life and home together, loving, nurturing, helping, and nourishing one another in every area of life, which includes the sexual aspect of the relationship • diligent and consistent work • tolerance and patience, forgiving one another when facing shortcomings or failure • healthy social relationships, respecting each other’s family, friends, and co-workers as well as developing mutual friends • Christ and the church, making a joint commitment to follow and obey the LORD and to become active in a local church 1 Thessalonians 4:7 KJV 1900 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. Hebrews 13:4 KJV 1900 4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Replacement chosen for the Queen Situation of Mordecai - Esther 2:5-6 King James Version Chapter 2 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:52 PM March 20, 2020. 4 6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away Esther 2:21 King James Version Chapter 2 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, While Esther is the one which was the Hands of the Lord in this story, it was Mordecai that served as the head in this story, he was deeply connected to God and the Lord used that to use Esther to save his people. Eight times in this book it is called out that Mordecai is a Jew, he had kept it secret for a while but he later revealed it. It is important that as Christians we publicize that, do not keep it secret. Perhaps some of you have been holding back and not sharing it. The time has came that you arise and obtain boldness and share that you are a believer. He was one of the ones carried away captive, so he was not a stranger with hardship. Gods people have always been familiar with hardship. Others that had been carried away was Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abendego. There is one thing certain, God’s people may suffer but he NEVER forgets them in their suffering. Suggestion from Mordecai - Esther 2:7 King James Version Chapter 2 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:52 PM March 20, 2020. 5 uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter Analytical Bible Expositor: Ezra to Job 2. The Benevolence of Mordecai (Esther 2:7) “Hadassah” was Esther’s Jewish name; “Esther” was her Persian name Hadassah meant Turtle and Esther meant Star • Related to Esther - “his uncle’s daughter” • Radiant Esther - “the maid was fair and beautiful” • Responsible for Esther - “took for his own daughter” • Raised Esther without Parents - “for she had neither father nor mother” With all the negativity we have read about the King one might wonder why Mordecai would want his beloved which he raised to be around the king let alone be queen. But I must believe that God orchestrated this from and let Mordecai this way. Being Raised by Mordecai and still being so close to him she would likely had strong character, truth and integrity, righteousness and holiness, kindness, gentleness, compassion, generosity, and Faith would likely have been instilled in her in a young age. We need those character traits today amongst our children, youth, and young adults. If you Trust God in the Trouble you will Triumph Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:52 PM March 20, 2020. 6 Selection of Mordecai’s Suggestion Esther 2:8-19 • Preliminary Selection Esther 2:8-9 King James Version Chapter 2 So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. 9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. 10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it Scholars suggest that there was hundreds of virgins brought, which I would imagine to be true given the fact that they were wanting to be Queen. Was this an ancient bible version of the Bachelor She would have been given whatever clothing or jewelry she desired to wear to meet the King Only Eunuchs would have been selected to care for the young vigins because they were no sexual threat to them. • Precaution Esther 2:10 Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:52 PM March 20, 2020. 7 King James Version Chapter 2 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. It is possible that had Esther disclosed her nationality she might not have been picked, the king looked mainly at the Persian families for a queen. • Protection Esther 2:11 King James Version Chapter 2 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her He was Faithful to Dropping in on her He was Fruitfully Developing her • Period of Separation Esther 2:12 King James Version Chapter 2 Now when every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, The purification process would have been a 12 month process, with the 1st 6 months being focused on oil baths, massages and the 2nd 6 month focused around giving her perfumes and cosmetics which she desired. • Process of the Separation Esther 2:12 King James Version Chapter 2 Now when every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:52 PM March 20, 2020. 8 purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;) • A Significant amount of effort went into her preparation to meet the King, what efforts are being done for our coming meeting with the King of Kings. • Presentation to the King Esther 2:13-16 King James Version Chapter 2 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house. 14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name. 15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. 16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign • What will come of the time when we are presented to the King of Kings • Preference from the King Esther 2:17 King James Version Chapter 2 And the king loved Esther above all the Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:52 PM March 20, 2020. 9 women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti • Presentation of the Queen Esther 2:18-20 King James Version Chapter 2 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king. 19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate. 20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him. This would have been her coronation, a holiday would have been declared and gifts would have been shared. There will be a day in which the Bride of Christ is presented as his Queen • I hope you are longing and looking for that day in which we as the bride of Christ are presented to him which is the King of Kings Death Plot - Esther 2:21-23 Conspiracy - Esther 2:21 King James Version Chapter 2 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:52 PM March 20, 2020. 10 sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus After reading and studying this I want to question why did Mordecai spoil this, and not allow it to happen but that would not have been the right thing to do. Even if the ruler is wicked, the Godly thing to do is to pray that God would intervene. God is intervening here, the Lord is sending a Godly woman into the Kings wife. Many times a Good Godly woman has done much for ungodly men. There was a very wicked and evil man that grew up only miles from here named Nathan Bedford Forrest that God allowed him to have a Godly wife that Loved the Lord and Prayed for him. In the end he comes to know the Lord as his personal Lord and Savior. He is also Repentant of his behavior and life. If you have never read his story read it. Seems that society only knows him for one thing he did wrong and not the brilliant soldier he was and in the end Believer he was. Sitting at the Kings gate was not saying he was loitering at the gate being lazy but this would be an official position inside of the government. Chamberlains means eunichs, these two eunichs were the eunichs watching the kings door. We dont know why they sought his life but they seen everything that happened and all which went before him and away from him. They would have seen the ugly side of the government. Mordecai: The Defender of the Jews 2. The Indignation of the Conspirators Scripture does not say exactly what it was that so angered these two men. But there are enough things said of Ahasuerus in Scripture and secular history that would give many reasons for men to be justifiably angry with Ahasuerus. Anger could be Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:52 PM March 20, 2020. 11 present over his deposing of Vashti. Anger could be stirred up over the defeat in war to Greece which cost the lives of thousands—and the friends and relatives of the slain would be very upset about that Cognizance - Esther 2:22 King James Version Chapter 2 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name When Mordecai discovered it he didnt sit on the information, he took it to Esther so she could tell the King the plot and spare his life. To which she ensured that the King knew it was Mordecai that was the one reporting this. He did not go around telling everyone of the plot but rather took it directly to Esther as she could tell the king. Conviction - Esther 2:23 King James Version Chapter 2 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king. The king took the information and performed an investigation which revealed the plot was true and they were going to kill him. The King recorded in his records that it was Mordecai that saved his life. This text is not saying that they were to be hanged but rather hanged on a tree which suggest an Impaling by a tree, this was common in this day. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:52 PM March 20, 2020. 12 Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:52 PM March 20, 2020. 13