Forgotten and Pursued

Mordecai Saves the King (2:19-23)

19 When the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.

When the virgins were gathered together the second time seems to suggest that another group of virgins were gathered after Esther was named queen.

this agrees with the King’s character as a man who is sexually immoral and ultimately would be killed by people in his own government for his promiscuous lifestyle.

The fact that Mordecai was at the kings gate and continues to be throughout this story suggests that he was in some for of government position at the citadel

20 Esther had not yet made known her kindred or her people, even as Mordecai had commanded her; for Esther did what Mordecai told her as she had done when under his care.

this has already been said when Esther was in the running to be the queen and now that she is the queen she has not made known that she is a Jew.

This is intentional and marks of a good story. It causes questions in our minds does it not? Why is this in here? What part will it play later? Will it play a part at all? It is here to capture our imaginations. With any good story as the anticipation builds our expectation is that it was play a part in the story and not a minor one but a major one.

21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s officials from those who guarded the door, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.

We now shift to Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate. How interesting it was brought up and now we will see what significance his job had for what God is accomplishing behind the scene.

22 But the plot became known to Mordecai and he told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name.

23 Now when the plot was investigated and found to be so, they were both hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the Book of the Chronicles in the king’s presence.

you can guess that this tidbit of information will be significant moving forward.

Let’s have a time of reflection- Highlight God’s Clear involvement

God is at work behind the scenes bringing Esther out of all the virgins in the kingdom she is named Queen in a powerful nation.

God clearly is behind Esther becoming queen it was not mere luck or chance.

Now Mordecai is spending time outside the kings gate with a high likelihood that he is a government official of some sort.

He then just so happens to over hear a conversation that two men are having to kill the king.

Again ask the question why did he over hear this conversation why did they not finish that conversation and plan 2 seconds before he got around them or ......the list goes on.

Mordecai just so happens to have a relationship with the Queen and the Queen tells Ahasuerus and the two men are hung.

Normally in this time and in our time if our president was going to be assassinated and you heard about it and thwarted the plan would you be rewarded? Of course you would! You would be on the news and congratulated maybe even given a significant financial gift out of appreciation for what you did.

What about Mordecai? Nothing besides it was written down. Do you think this is purposeful? Do you think this will play a part later in the story? You will have to wait and see

Haman and Mordecai’s Feud (3:1-6)

1 After these events King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and established his authority over all the princes who were with him.

A significant genealogy is found in this new character Haman. He is a Agagite.

The New American Commentary: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther 1. The King Honors Haman (3:1–2)

This enmity stems from the time of the exodus when Israel fought with Amalek in the wilderness. Exodus 17:15 foretells that the Lord would be at war with them from “generation to generation.” Balaam’s oracle (Num 24:7) predicts that the Israelite king would “be greater than Agag” (the Amalekite royal title). The ancient feud between the Israelites and the Amalekites is reported in 1 Sam 15. Agag was king of the Amalekites. Saul the Benjamite, son of Kish (1 Sam 9:1–2) was directed to destroy totally the Amalekites but failed to do so even though he won the war. He took Agag prisoner, but Samuel the prophet confronted Saul and cursed him for not completing the task. Samuel cut Agag into pieces, and Saul’s downfall began. Such a military conquest of Agag and his army is part of Israel’s tradition, which stands behind the scenes of the Book of Esther.

Do you see the tension? When Mordecai is introduced he is a Benjamite from the line of Saul. Saul is the one who went to war with Agag and spared him but was rebuked by Samuel. There is a long history of hatred between these two.

The Amalekites sought to destroy the Jews back in Moses day in Exodus 17:8-16. God promised to wage war against Amalek from generation to generation Exodus 17:16.

Both of these men knew their genealogies and knew their history. Thus begins the conflict.

Haman was only second to the king.

Think about this for a moment

Out of all the people that could have been second in command of this nation it is an Agagite. Huh that’s interesting

2 All the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman; for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage.

The king commands that all bow down to Haman and yet Mordecai does not.

3 Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why are you transgressing the king’s command?”

4 Now it was when they had spoken daily to him and he would not listen to them, that they told Haman to see whether Mordecai’s reason would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew.

Apparently it bothered the king’s servants. They kept talking to Mordecai daily it says and Mordecai refused to listen to them.

Here Mordecai gives the reason that he did not bow down. He was a Jew. This leans me to believe that the reason that he did not bow down to Haman had religious reasons.

One commentary states

The New American Commentary: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther 1. The King Honors Haman (3:1–2)

the Persians saw it as an act of reverence that bordered on recognizing the official as divine.

If this is true there is a mixture of reasons in which Mordecai does not bow to Haman.

Haman is an Agagite

Haman viewed himself as a god

Mordecai would not bow to a man like this.

5 When Haman saw that Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage to him, Haman was filled with rage.

6 But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him who the people of Mordecai were; therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.

Haman in a fit of rage sought to destroy all of the Jews. He was not satisfied with just Mordecai oh no the who Jewish race.

Haman serves as another example of the people that have hated the Jewish people throughout human history. The one we are most aware of was Hitler. One only can conclude that their is a spiritual battle waging and they were both pawns in the hand of Satan to try and destroy God’s people, the Jews.

Haman’s Evil Plot (3:7-11)

7 In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, Pur, that is the lot, was cast before Haman from day to day and from month to month, until the twelfth month, that is the month Adar.

the twelfth year was 5 years after Esther became Queen.

What is going on with the lot being cast?

The New American Commentary: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (2) Haman Presents His Plan (3:7–11)

Haman used the lot to select a favorable day to carry out his plot. This represents a view toward life that was part of the ancient world. Thousands of ancient Mesopotamian texts are omen texts. Kings decided whether or not to go to battle according to these omens, which were read from the livers of sacrificed animals.

He was casting lots to see when it was the best/lucky/fate would reveal when to present his plan.

8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of all other people and they do not observe the king’s laws, so it is not in the king’s interest to let them remain.

the question that arises throughout this verse is what Haman says true?

are there a certain people scattered and dispersed...............yes

are their laws unique.........................yes God’s word governs His people just like it does for us today

Do they disobey the kings?......................no unless the king orders something contrary to God’s word. Believers in this time should live like believers in our time. model citizens godly in every way. Hard working, kind, thinking of others as more important than ourselves. Most of the times that Christians get in trouble with the government is because they are living ungodly.

9 “If it is pleasing to the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry on the king’s business, to put into the king’s treasuries.”

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:8–9

As the highest official he undoubtedly had many opportunities to add to his personal fortune. Ten thousand talents of silver weighed about 750,000 pounds, an enormous amount worth millions of dollars in present-day currency.

Haman is footing the bill for this as well.

Just a side not interesting what was read about the King in trying to destroy the Greeks he spent a lot of money. Here Haman is willing to pay for it. Wonder if that had any influence on this decision?

10 Then the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.

Here we have the king easily influenced again by an advisor

Now notice how Haman is described. the enemy of the Jews

11 The king said to Haman, “The silver is yours, and the people also, to do with them as you please.”

Haman’s Plot Dispersed (3:12-15)

12 Then the king’s scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and it was written just as Haman commanded to the king’s satraps, to the governors who were over each province and to the princes of each people, each province according to its script, each people according to its language, being written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring.

13 Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces to destroy, to kill and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to seize their possessions as plunder.

14 A copy of the edict to be issued as law in every province was published to all the peoples so that they should be ready for this day.

15 The couriers went out impelled by the king’s command while the decree was issued at the citadel in Susa; and while the king and Haman sat down to drink, the city of Susa was in confusion.

Time of Reflection

Think with me about what we have just read.

We ourselves are in a difficult time. There is a virus going around that for some it is a dry cough and mild fever and for others ICU and death. We have no idea who has and if the thing i touch next will have it on it. There is the temptation to be afraid. In those times we trust the LORD will our whole heart and put into practice what health experts recommend but we trust Him through it all.

I do not want to make light of our situation because by God’s divine providence we are facing this together.

What Esther and the Jews were facing here is on another level. Haman the second most powerful man of the kingdom hates Mordecai and seeks to kill not only him but every Jewish person in the kingdom.

He presents his plan

the king accepts it and orders men to be used as Haman pleases to kill the Jews

13 Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces to destroy, to kill and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to seize their possessions as plunder.

All Jews let no escape. this is an official edict by the King himself.

Oh think about this. What hope would you have? What kind of response would you give? What truths in scripture would you cling to?

Remember the theme of Esther? God’s Providence

Maybe you would ask the question God where are you right now? Is He still in control? Is evil going to win the day?

Application- You and I are not under a royal edict to kill us but we are in the midst of this Corona virus.

We have to remember that God is still in control even when it seems that evil and chaos are winning the day.

If God is in control what can we do in the midst of such trying times? We may be tempted to worry. We may be tempted to doubt God’s goodness.

First, we need to realize God’s aim.

Romans 8:28–29 NASB95

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

Some will hear this and cringe because in the midst of great pain someone has quoted this verse when what you needed was a friend to just cry with you. I am not trying to use this as a bandage for anything that is difficult.

What i am saying though is that we must have the correct prospective when facing trials. There are some who would teach that God’s primary objective in your life is to make your life good. This includes health, wealth, prosperity everywhere you turn. This means free of sickness and difficulty. If we believe that this is God’s chief aim would that influence how you handled difficulty and disappointment?

God’s aim is found in verse 29 He predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son.God is working things out together for your and I’s life to be ever increasing conforming to Christ.

God wants our hearts and lives to be like Jesus. He uses everything in life to do it. Therefore when trials come we have a new perspective. Not God is angry with me but I know He is in control and this can be used to make me more like Him.

James 1:2–4 NASB95

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

We need to see this is a trial.

God uses trials to test our faith and grow our trust in Him

Notice it says let endurance have its perfect result

that is not automatic we can let trials not have its perfect result we can grow farther away from God not closer. We can shut our Bibles instead of waking up and pouring over them. We can get off our knees when we should be living on them in prayer pouring out our hearts to God in prayer. We can doubt His love, care, and mercy.

Let it have its perfect work in you

So that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing. If we believe God is in control then when He allows these trials they are not sent to break you but opportunities to grow close to the LORD.

C.S. Lewis said,

“We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Let the trial of the virus and how that may effect you drive you to God and His word.

He is in control

He loves you and has proved it at the cross

He is with you always even to the end of the age

A gospel call

In the midst of this time of fear with the virus. You cannot try to grow in your faith if you are not a Christian. Maybe this virus has brought you to your knees and you realize your life could be over by one little virus. This has caused in you despair and wondering what would happen to me if I died.

The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,

As soon as you die you will stand before Almighty God. He will judge you and He is perfectly Holy and we are utterly sinful. If we stand before Him with our own good deeds they are not pure enough to a perfectly Holy God. It is not true that our good works will earn a right relationship with Him.

That would be bad news for all people of all time yet hear is the good news. God sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins. He knew that we could not be right before Him through our own efforts. instead Ephesians 2:8-9

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 2

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

You see God is the One who came to save sinners like me and like you by sending His Son. Yet this does not mean that everyone is forgiven of their sins.

John 1:11-13

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Those who recieved Him. Those who repent of their sins and place their complete trust in Him. Not just one time at church camp, but continually putting their trust in Him. Walking in the light as He is in the Light not saying you trust Jesus but living in the darkness I.E. sin.

Oh sinner come to Jesus Christ. Repent of your sin today while it is still today.

What is holding you back from coming to Christ.

Is it the love of money?

Is it your pride?

Is it your selfishness?

Is it your supposed control over your own life?

Oh sinner these are passing away.

Repent of these worldly things and find rest for your soul in Jesus Christ.

Let’s Pray