Feasting and Boasting

Esther 5:1-14[1] 

As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, May 8^th, 2011

Today in chapter five of the book of Esther we'll read about feasting and boasting. So this week I want to approach this chapter a little differently; I'll read a portion of it, make a few comments, and then repeat. This way we'll walk through this portion of the book of Esther digesting each scene we approach. It is fascinating, and it is a set-up! Let's dig in…

Feasting, v 1-8

Esther finds favor, 1-3. On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, in front of the king's quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. And the king said to her, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom."

This is, as one writer understated it[2], a tense moment! Esther's life is in the balance. Can you imagine being on either end of this room? On Esther's end, you stand waiting, and knowing that you are facing possible death at the whim of the complete sovereign ruler of the nation. While facing that you have to be completely prepared for the possible acceptance – request, actions, explanation, etc.

On the other end of the room, if you were Ahasuerus, some servant told you that someone has approached the throne un-invited. You look up and see your favorite wife, and you pause; she rests completely in your hand; you can give life, or you can give death. Humans don't typically do too well with such power; our sin nature propels us toward abuse of it.

So on one end Esther has no power at all; on the other end the King has all power. It's like a quieter version of the scene in Gladiator where the warrior stands poised over his fallen foe awaiting the sign from the Emperor of Rome - a thumbs up for life or thumb down for death. This scene is deceiving, though; Ahasuerus could only affect physical life. You see, only God has complete authority over eternal life and death and, as Jesus tells his disciples, those who trust in Christ should fear God alone. Luke 12:4-5 "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!" While Esther's immediate fate appeared to be in the hands of the King, her immediate and eternal fate was actually in the hands of God, the Almighty King – as is all of ours. Prov 21:1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. And as is consistent in this story, Esther found favor; her husband extended the golden scepter! Just as Esther found favor with Ahasuerus her husband through the raising of the golden scepter, we can only find favor (grace, acceptance) with God by being found in Christ. As for Esther, it was a loving, kind acceptance she found in this king. "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom." It might remind you, if you've read the gospels of Matthew and Mark, of the words of King Herod after his step-daughter danced a lewd dance for him. Mark 6:23 And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom." Totally different scenarios, with incomparable kings; Herod was horrible. What they have in common is that neither king meant the words literally; it was a way to express a sincere desire to grant the request. And Esther's request was a curve ball to me the first time I read this book; she risked her life to come before her husband and invite him to lunch!

A Strange Request, 4-8.

And Esther said, "If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king." Then the king said, "Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked." So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, "What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled." Then Esther answered, "My wish and my request is: If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said."

Of all the things Esther could have requested, she asked for her king and husband to attend a feast. Feasts were significant in this book; I count at least ten of them. One special guest was invited; the king's right hand man Haman. She has a plan, but it doesn't come across too clearly at first. We need to recall something here, though; the Jews has fasted and prayed (strongly implied) for three days before she entered the court. God had heard, and the sovereign, mighty, invisible hand of God was at work on her behalf. Why? Because He takes care of His people! He keeps His promises. Abraham's seed must come to bless all nations (Gen 12). God must raise up another prophet like Moses (Deut 18). And David must have a son on the throne always (1 Chron 17). Providence is at work, for Esther's story is one of providence, courage, and commemoration. God's providence is clear here, as is Esther's courage. So she invites them to a feast, and then – she invites them to another feast! How secure Haman was in his position and power! How honored the great Haman was that he alone was invited with the King to Esther's two banquets! And tomorrow when he goes, he will get to hear her request of the King. Was he secure standing on falsehoods? He thought so… We read on.

Boasting, 9-14

And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh. And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. Then Haman said, "Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate." Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast." This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.

Wow! How deeply and how quickly circumstances affect this man. I think I'm safe to say that this man wasn't emotionally or mentally healthy – I mean, aside from his self-initiated, self-funded genocide, of course. He is like a tired three year old screaming and rolling in the floor because Mom said no to ice cream! His joy turned to wrath so quickly. The one thing that eluded him consumed him. Two things for us to consider here;

1)   His accomplishments and possessions weren't enough. In stating all of this, he proved that all of his accomplishments were in vain if Mordecai wasn't humbled and destroyed. All that he had meant nothing if the one more thing wasn't given. Had he been a worshipper of Jehovah I would brand him extremely ungrateful. Ingratitude can lead to some ugly consequences. When King David took Uriah's wife Bathsheba while the man was off at war, the LORD said to David, "I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. And I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more." (2 Sam 12:7b-8). What does it take to make you happy? Is it always one more thing? One more dollar? One more round of applause of men? One more raise or promotion? Haman should have offered gratitude to somebody or something – the stars themselves if he had been right in his head! But unfortunately, we can relate, can't we? We have been given so, so much – but the one thing that eludes us consumes us. We would be wise to be grateful to God for all that we have received, church. We should pause; and when we make such a list it should be to tell God how grateful you really are.

2)   Boasting isn't a good thing to do. Haman was likely a very impressive figure to most of the kingdom; but to himself for sure! But the one man who wasn't impressed drove him absolutely nuts. After reading this speech, a couple of Proverbs come to mind…   Prov 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.  Also: Prov 27:2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. Matthew Henry quipped[3], "Self-admirers and self-flatterers are really self-deceivers".

And looking at the big picture of the Bible itself and the story of redemption, it's good to remember that the enemy of God's people doesn't rest until we are destroyed – or he is. It's not that he cares enough to hate us; it is that he hates his Creator! He attacks Jesus Christ, the Word of God, Who was with God in the beginning, through Whom all things were created, including Satan himself. And when you believe in and follow Christ, His enemy becomes your enemy.

Don't fear him, though; fear God, who has chosen to pour out His love on His people instead of His wrath! Fear God enough to believe Him and to obey Him, and to run to His Son for shelter and forgiveness, and for life eternal. Then whatever your enemy throws at you in this life will never bring him victory – for your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Favor with God. Feasting. Do you fear and worship God? Do you trust Him enough to risk?

Ingratitude toward God. Boasting. Are you grateful to God for all that you are and have and do?

Providence. Courage. Commemoration. Let us not forget how God worked for His people through Esther there in Persia; and let us not forget how God has worked for us through Jesus Christ here today.

Feasting is usually good. Boasting is usually bad – unless one is boasting in the cross of Christ Jesus, through which the Christ-follower has been justified! Let's pray…

 

 

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[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.

[2] ESV Study Bible notes, © 2008-2010 Crossway Publishing, all rights reserved

[3] Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Bible, accessed via E-Sword Software, public access via the world-wide-web.

For Such a Time as This

Esther 4:1-17[1]

As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, May 1^st, 2011

 Let's get caught up on the story of Esther, a story of providence, courage, and commemoration. (Verbal review). Let me read the last verse of chapter three to refresh us on the situation in the King's palace. "The couriers went out hurriedly by order of the king, and the decree was issued in Susa the citadel. And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion." Ahasuerus just signed a decree that will, in a matter of months, plunge his country into a minor civil war with the goal of destroying an entire people group; then he has a nice lunch! Does the word 'oblivious' come to anyone's mind? Now let's move on to the response of the Jews. Esther 4:1-17

1 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry.

2 He went up to the entrance of the king's gate, for no one was allowed to enter the king's gate clothed in sackcloth.

3 And in every province, wherever the king's command and his decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and many of them lay in sackcloth and ashes.

4 When Esther's young women and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.

5 Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs, who had been appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this was and why it was.

6 Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king's gate,

7 and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasuries for the destruction of the Jews.

8 Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and command her to go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf of her people.

9 And Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said.

10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to go to Mordecai and say,

11 "All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law--to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days."

12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said.

13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, "Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews.

14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai,

16 "Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish."

17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.

This is the crux of the story of Esther. The central issue in this book is about Haman's attempt to kill the Jews, and Esther's appeal to save the Jews. This is the plot; Haman tries to bring death, Esther tries to save lives. Now the contrast between what is going on in the palace and what is going on outside in the city is dramatic, isn't it?  As I read this story,

I asked the text these questions...

1.     Why did Mordecai mourn so deeply, so publicly? Death was decreed. He was under the sentence of death! And not only were he, but his entire people group! He believed the message; he knew this was serious life and death. Folks, mourning and grieving and forgetting what people think about you is normal and right when you are under the sentence of death!

2.     Why did Esther want to stop this public display? To save Mordecai from getting into trouble with the king and Haman, we surmise; but this was beyond the time to be concerned about what people think! Death was already decreed.

3.     What can be done to save the Jews? The only thing humanly possible was to change the king's edict, and this had never happened.

4.     Why did Mordecai command Esther to go to the King? Because the death of their people was immanent – they would both die anyway! What was risk? It's the difference between a soldier dying to save a sister nation and a soldier dying to save his own nation and family; this risk must be taken. While this good man was mourning, he was by no means giving up!

5.     What tells us Mordecai has faith in God? There was a) His confidence that relief would come. b) His observation of providential placement.

6.     What tells us that Esther has faith in God? a) Her call to fast. Fasting is often associated with prayer in the Bible, either in mourning or in desperately seeking God's help. b) Her submission to God's will. We will pray, but we will submit to the will of God, who reigns over all.

So let's summarize...

Mordecai mourns the death sentence, but seeks help. THIS is the mindset sinners MUST come to before seeking any relief from God. Truly, all who are outside of Christ are under this same sentence of death, and it is surer than Ahasuerus could ever make it. If you don't know Christ, you are facing certain death; it's not a time for games. In July of 1348 the black plague hit Paris, France, and ran through 1349. By the time it was played out half of the population of 100,000 citizens were dead. Oddly, the city chose to step up the revelry instead of stopping it! It is said that the carnivals went on, but the death-carts followed the celebration to gather the bodies.[2] Listen; God will NOT be mocked or avoided! He will destroy all who have sinned against Him, and HE defines sin, we do not. Today is a day mourning and brokenness if you have not repented of your sins and sought mercy and forgiveness in Christ! People repent of your sin before God destroys you – act! Seek God, while He may be found!

Esther goes to save her people, knowing it is at great risk of her own life.

Esther pleads for her people to pray with her.

Esther makes her desires known, but submits to God's desires.

Does this sound familiar? One who takes up great sacrifice in order to save His people?

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Phil 2:5-8)

 

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (Jn 10:11)

 

"For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." (John 10:-18)

And Esther, facing her very possible death, pleads for her people in town to join her in prayer – does that remind you of any other such situation?

"Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here, while I go over there and pray.' And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.'" (Matt 26:36-38)

Lastly, she submits her life to the hand of Providence, entrusting her life to the will of God.

"39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."

42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.'" (Matt 26:39, 42)

Esther's approach to the salvation of her people reminds of us Jesus Christ, who laid His own life down to save His people, all whom God had given Him.

"My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." (John 10:29-30)

Ladies, let it bless you that this courageous young queen gives us a picture, a foreshadowing of Christ here in this book.

Sinners, let the brokenness of Mordecai instruct you toward repentance. Church, let us all be grieved at our sin, and continue pursing God's eradication of it in our lives!

Sinners and saints alike let us marvel that Christ, the only Righteous One, would lay down His life for us to have a way out of the Decree of Death from God! Praise be to His Grace!

 

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[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.

[2] Details of the plague were found here: http://www.thecaveonline.com/APEH/Plaguedescription.html, while the attitude of the Parisians was described by Dr. H. A. Ironside in his commentary on Esther, published in 1905 by the Loizeaux Brothers, Inc.