Esther 5:1-14[1]
As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, May 8th, 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…
[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.
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