3. Mordecai’s Greatness
Esther’s Confirmation
III. God’s Hand
Brings Judgment
in its Time—
Chapter
9:1-19
Mordecai’s Letter
A Great Celebration
Chapters
3-8
A Great Vengeance
II. God’s Hand Rules
in the Present—
A Great Slaughter
Mordecai’s Elevation
Estther’s 2nd Banquet
Haman’s Humiliation
Haman’s Plot – Plot #2
Esther’s 1st Banquet
I. God’s Hand
Prepares for the
Future—
Chapters
1-2
Mordecai’s Plan
Haman’s Plot – Plot #1
The Choice of a New Queen
Dethronement of Vashti
The Great Banquets
Chart of the
Book of Esther
IV. God’s Hand
Executes Justice in
the End—
Chapters
9:20-10:3
3
4. Christians under persecution find
hope in Esther’s story, as well as Jews.
The New Testament gives hope that
extends beyond an earthly deliverance
to a heavenly one. Paul wrote about his
hope even in the face of death.
2 Timothy 4:18 (NIV2011) The Lord will
rescue me from every evil attack and
will bring me safely to his heavenly
kingdom. To him be glory for ever and
ever. Amen.
4
5. Let us continue to learn through Esther
how . . .
God’s hand has prepared our future.
God’s hand rules in our present.
5
6. I. God’s Hand Prepares for the Future –
The Dethronement of Vashti and
Installation of Esther
II. God’s Hand Rules in the Present –
Mordecai’s and Esther’s
contemporary situation
At some point, we may, like Mordecai,
be moved to action. In that case we
must rely on God to guide.
6
7. A. Haman’s Plot, Esther 3 – to
exterminate his enemy Mordecai and
Mordecai’s people from the empire.
B. Mordecai’s Plan, Esther 4 – to save
his people from destruction.
Mordecai’s plan involves the
influence of Esther as queen to gain the
aid of King Xerxes in stopping Haman’s
plot to exterminate the Jews. It begins
with . . .
7
8. C. Esther’s First Banquet, Esther 5:1-5 – the
first step in Esther’s attempt to have the
king intervene in Haman’s plot to
destroy her people.
1. Preparation for Esther’s Approach to
the king, Esther 4:15-17
8
9. a. The purpose of Esther’s
banquet was to petition
clemency for the plight of her
people.
b. The risk of Esther’s going to
the king uninvited to make her
request was death.
c. The courage of Esther would
mark her as true heroine in
Israel’s history forever.
9
10. Esther’s only request from her people
was that they fast for three days.
Pastor Mark Copeland reminds us that
the Israelites fasted for at least these
reasons:
Forgiveness of sin (Moses, Ahab, Daniel)
Restoration of loved ones to health
(David)
Protection of His people from
danger(Ezra)
Deliverance from enemies (the Israelites)
10
11. 2. Presentation of Esther before the
king, Esther 5:1-5.
a. The moment of truth for Esther
– Would the king receive her?
b. The response of grace by
Xerxes – “Whatever you desire
is yours.”
c. The invitation to a banquet –
“Come to dinner today, and
bring your friend, Haman.”
11
12. 3. Protocol for Esther’s Request
Established, Esther 5:5b-8.
a. The king’s grace was extended
to Esther at her first banquet.
b. Esther’s invitation to a second
banquet was extended to the
king and Haman.
12
13. D. Haman’s Nature Described and
Demonstrated, Esther 5:9-14.
1. Haman’s personality-type has a
pathology well-described in
Proverbs.
A foolish false sense of security,
Pro 14:16-17a.
13
14. Proverbs 14:16-17a (NIV2011)
16 The wise fear the LORD and shun
evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet
feels secure. 17a A quick-tempered
person does foolish things.
14
15. A set of seven characteristics that
are abhorrent to the Lord,
Prov 6:16-19.
Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV2011) 16 There
are six things the LORD hates, seven
that are detestable to him: 17 haughty
eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed
innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises
wicked schemes, feet that are quick to
rush into evil, 19 a false witness who
pours out lies and a person who stirs up
conflict in the community.
15
16. A pre-disposition to sin due to
pride and arrogance, Prov. 21:24.
Proverbs 21:4 (NIV2011) Haughty
eyes and a proud heart— the
unplowed field of the wicked—
produce sin.
16
17. A proneness to persecute the weak in
pursuit of power and adulation,
Psa 10:2-3
Psalm 10:2-3 (NIV2011) 2 In his
arrogance the wicked man hunts down
the weak, who are caught in the
schemes he devises. 3 He boasts about
the cravings of his heart; he blesses the
greedy and reviles the LORD.
17
18. 2. Haman’s actions demonstrate his
prideful and arrogant nature,
Esther 5:9-14.
a. Haman’s spirits were affected
by Mordecai’s refusal to show
reverence to him. ENRAGED
b. Haman’s ego was inflated by
the importance he placed in
his invitation to Esther’s
banquet. CONCEITED
18
19. c. Haman’s satisfaction was
unfulfilled as long as Mordecai
is still in sight. MALICIOUS
d. Haman’s acceptance of the
suggestion to cruelly murder
Mordecai proves the depth of
his wickedness. WICKED
19
20. CONCLUSIONS
1. Scripture teaches us that pride has
many consequences. But those who
are wise in their own understanding
are not likely to seek God’s counsel
or hear His warnings. They, in
effect, have brought destruction
upon themselves. How foolish is
that? Consider these consequences
of sinful pride:
20
21. Proverbs 11:2 (NIV2011) When pride
comes, then comes disgrace, but with
humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 16:18 (NIV2011) Pride goes before
destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
21
22. Proverbs 29:23 (NIV2011) Pride brings a
person low, but the lowly in spirit gain
honor.
James 4:6 (NIV2011) But he gives us
more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud but shows favor
to the humble.”
22
24. 2. Esther chapter five is as much about
revenge as it is pride. The Bible also
speaks to this:
Revenge is forbidden by God.
Leviticus 19:18 (NIV2011) “ ‘Do not
seek revenge or bear a grudge against
anyone among your people, but love
your neighbor as yourself. I am the
LORD.
24
25. Proverbs 24:17-18 (NIV2011) 17 Do
not gloat when your enemy falls; when
they stumble, do not let your heart
rejoice, 18 or the LORD will see and
disapprove and turn his wrath away
from them.
Proverbs 24:29 (NIV2011) Do not say,
“I’ll do to them as they have done to
me; I’ll pay them back for what they
did.”
25
26. Vengeance belongs to God.
Romans 12:17-19 (NIV2011) 17 Do not
repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to
do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends
on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my dear
friends, but leave room for God’s wrath,
for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I
will repay,” says the Lord.
26
27. Forbearance is modeled by Christ.
1 Peter 2:23 (NIV2011) When they
hurled their insults at him, he did not
retaliate; when he suffered, he made
no threats. Instead, he entrusted
himself to him who judges justly.
27
28. Another way is shown by God.
Proverbs 20:22 (NIV2011) Do not say,
“I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait
for the LORD, and he will avenge you.
28
