Esther 6

Esther 6

Introduction:

The last we saw Esther a couple of weeks ago she had…

- Spent a few days fasting and praying

- Risked her life by going into the Kings court, without being called upon

- Found favor in the site of the King and offer up to half the kingdom

- Doesn’t ask that her people be saved, but rather invites both Xerxes and Haman to a meal.

- The King then inquires again what he can do for her, and she invites him and Haman back for dinner again the next day

- At the same time, Haman is devising a plan to have Mordecai taken care of once and for all.

- As he is sharing a meal with the King and Queen, the gallows are being constructed to hang Mordecai for not giving Haman the respect that he thought he deserved.

In Chapter 6 we have what in literature is called a “peripeteia” (pear-ip-a-tee-a) “a sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstance”

Specifically, it’s a change in events that alters the expected actions and/or ending.

Notice: This change happens during a time when our main character, Esther, is not present, most likely she unlike the king, is asleep.

What literature would refer to as a sudden change in circumstance, the writer of Esther is showing the providence of God.

What some would say is a sudden change in circumstances, and a night filled with coincidence, is the actually the sovereign hand of God, continuing to guide the narrative.

This morning I want us to notice a few providential moments in the story and how we can respond…

Sleeplessness (1-3)

- The King’s tummy is presumably full after leaving the feast that Queen Esther had prepared.

- The comatose state many experience after a large meal and that we would expect, escapes the king.

- Many would say big deal the King can’t sleep, but this particular night of restlessness, becomes the turning point in the narrative.

- The King responds as most would and it appears that tries to find something to help him sleep, so he calls for the reading of the chronicles.

- This is the king of the known world, with access to anything he could possibly want to help him relax and sleep (warm milk, masseuse, one of the girls from his haram, etc.)

- He calls for the reading from the chronicles…this is boring, dull, material. And it appears that he doesn’t pick what he has them read (about great victories, or list his financial treasury) because in V2 we find that they read something that he inquires more about.

- They read of how Mordecai had provided information that saved the life of the King.

- In V3 the question is asked, “What has been done for him?”…Nothing

- Have you ever had a sleepless night where the Lord bring something to your mind?...Maybe you lay awake asking a similar question, “What is being done about _______”

Interruption (4-5)

- Again, what seems like a random event takes place.

- Here the King is discussing with one of his young men about Mordecai and how he had not been honored, when there is an interruption in the court room.

- Haman who has enjoyed this same feast with the King, and is filled with joy (5:9, 14) slips in to have a conversation with the king.

- Most likely the story has moved through the night and it’s early dawn. Haman still following the advice of his wife and friends comes to make his request before the king.

- The King invites him to come on in.

- At this point Haman is probably feeling pretty good. He has waited to be invited in and know he has the opportunity to make his request.

- But I am sure he wasn’t expecting the conversation that was about to take place.

I borrowed this from Landon Dowden…the sleepless and interruption are the providence of God…but now we have providential irony

Irony (6-11)

- Before Haman can make his request, the king as him a question…”How should I honor the one in whom I delight.”

- Haman in his pride and arrogance thinks he is talking about him…

- How arrogant or prideful do you have to be to believe that the King would be talking about you.

- Even though we wouldn’t say it out loud, (neither does Haman) we respond to God in this way…”God needs me” “If this is going to be successful then I have to be in charge.” “This is my ministry…”

- So he lays it on thick…robes, horses with crowns, a guide and herald in the city square.

- Haman wanted the respect…at the end of the day he wanted to be king, maybe not Xerxes, but King of his little empire.

- That’s what we want, we want to be God…

- After all this arrogance and pride imagine Haman surprise when the kings says let it be, go and do this for Mordecai.

Outcome (12-14)

- In chapter 5 Haman was filled with joy…v12 he hurried home mourning and with his head hung.

- The one who he wanted to execute had been honored before the people. What was he going to do.

- V13…you fait is sealed.

- Remember what Mordecai told Esther in chapter, “Don’t think you can escape it because of your position”…neither can Haman. You will surely fall before Mordecai

- V14…the feast he was so proud to be invited to, the eunuchs come and bring him to the feast.

Response

- Beware of Pride

- Recognize the providence of God

- Give him praise.