At the Kings Gate

Intro

No book of the bible ive spent more time in over past 3-4 years

many different threads this book can take for a lesson

we can clearly spot the Esthers— bold favor winning women

we can speak of our mordecais— help us, raise us, push us

BUT i think one of the more fascinating threads through the 10 chapters of Esther doesnt deal with a WHO or a WHY but rather a WHERE and a WHAT

Mordecai & Esther

Introduced to the two in Esther 2:5-7

Esther 2:5–7 ESV

Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite, who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away. He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

verse 16 gives us a timestamp on when Esther becomes Queen — 7th year of his reign

Mordecai at his familiar post… v.21… discovers a plot of guards to take out the King: the royalty alongside his neice

Mordecai relays info to Esther: and the King is saved to end chapter 2!

Surely chapter 3 begins with such a reward and thankfulness for Mordecai’s help right?? WRONG

Esther 3:1–6 ESV

After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him. And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage. Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress the king’s command?” And when they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, in order to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.

ANOTHER TIMESTAMP IN VERSE 7 — 12th year of his reign

5 years have past from Esther becoming queen and Mordecai checking in and being concerned about her daily (v. 11)

Thats a lot of waiting, a long time of concern… and in some ways could have been long time of feeling ignored or unappreciated

Haaman Plots, Mordecai Mourns, God Works...

v. 8-11 Haaman gets the greenlight to not just downgrade, denegrate, but to destroy Mordecai and the people like him

4:1… He cries out his hurt his pain; for destruction is on the horizon; yet he again finds himself at the Kings Gate v.2

v.8-14 confidence in the face of challenges… esther knows the significance of approaching the king

On. That. Night.

5:3 Esther approaches the king

v. 9-11 Haaman britches get really big

Read 6:1-11… finally! and yet he isnt bragging recounting his splendor… he returns to the gate of the king

story continues, the Jews of Sousa are saved… Chapter 8:15 Mordecai leaves the palace in robes and adorning a crown and is met by the same people who cried and mourned with him in chapter 4; but they now are joyfully cheering

Transition Generic OT - NT

So what does this jew in sousa sitting at a gate have anything to do with me here and now? Im not jewish and im not there

Our King’s Invitation

on sundays we’ve been searching for the king throughought the old testament… and in our HS class last month we focused in on the first few words in the new testament, this new covenant, and why they are important for us to learn and look and know

Matthew 1:1 ESV

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Matthew wants NT readers to KNOW these things right away: looking for Jesus? This is him. This is Who He is.

This Jesus — He is the Christ.

Son of David — He is heir to a throne… He is The King.

Son of Abraham — He is promise fulfilled

So some 11 chapters later lets look to what this king says:

Matthew 11:28–29 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Come. To. Me.

1) Invitation to Trust Jesus… dont just take someones word for it, dont learn from a distance, he is accessible… im not ignored

2) Rooted in him, through lifes ups and downs, happiness and hurts, cries and cheers… im not alone

3) His love is for ALL - not just some or sometime

WHAT A GIFT IT IS FOR US THAT WE DONT HAVE TO LEARN FROM A DISTANCE

WE DONT HAVE TO SETTLE FOR BEING AT HIS GATE, WHEN HE INVITES US TO SIT AT HIS FEET

Incredible love and an incredible message woven through some overlooked verses you read in the old testament