Rev Jim Lyons_Esther 6v1-14_God's Intervention_15th Mar 26 pm

Rev Lyons continues in our series from the Book of Esther. This week we are in Chapter 6.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

This evening. We are now in chapter six, but I would like to turn back to chapter two because there's an incident that's coming to light in chapter six that goes back to chapter two. It will make sense. So chapter two first of all, from verse twenty-one to twenty three at the end of that chapter. Esther chapter two and verse twenty one. In those days, while Mordecai sat within the king's gate, two of the king's eunuchs, Big Than and Terish, doorkeepers, became furious and sought to lay hands on King Ahus. So the matter became known to Mordecai, who told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai's name. And when an inquiry was made into the matter, it was confirmed, and both were hanged on a gallows, and it was written in the book of the Chronicles in the presence of the king. That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the Chronicles, and they were read before the king. And it was found written that Mordecai had told Big Thana and Terish, two of the king's eunuchs, the doorkeepers who sought to lay hands on King Ahoras. Then the king said, What honour or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this? And the king's servants who attended him said, Nothing has been done for him. So the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman had just entered the court of the king's palace to suggest that the king hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. The king's servants said to him, Haman is there, standing in the court. And the king said, Let him come in. So Haman came in, and the king asked him, What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, Whom would the king delight to honour more than me? And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delights to honour, let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king is ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head. Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the most the king's most noble princes, that he may array the man whom the king delights to honour. Then parade him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him, thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor. Then the king said to Haman, Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai, the Jew, who sits within the king's gate. Leave nothing undone of all that you have spoken. So Haman took the robe and the horse, a read Mordecai, and laid him in horse and led him in horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honour. Afterward Mordecai went back to the king's gate, but Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered. When Haman told his wife Zarish and all his friends everything that had happened to him, his wise men and his wife Zarish said to him, If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him, but will surely fall before him. While they were still talking with him, the king's eunuchs came, and hastened to bring Haman to the banquet which Queen which Esther had prepared. Amen. And the Lord will bless the word of the Lord into our hearts. Let's pray together, please. Father, we come before you before we ever seek to try and teach your word. We thank you that it's your word and we are your servants, and we come to subject ourselves to your authority and pray that you will speak to us and minister to us by your Holy Spirit and give us the grace and the help, Lord, to deliver your word and to hear your word and to do your word. And this we ask for Jesus' sake. Amen. In chapter five, Esther has responded positively to the challenge of Mordecai to go before the king and plead for her people who were condemned. Favor with the king, of course, wasn't guaranteed, yet he held out the scepter, which was a sign of acceptance. Also he promises to do for Esther whatever she asks. Yet at that point she doesn't set the petition before him, but instead invites the king and Heman to a banquet to be held in the king's honor. The king inquires what her request is, but she invites them to a second banquet, at which she said, I will reveal what my petition is. We haven't got to the second banquet yet, and we won't until we get into chapter seven. Chapter five concludes with the lid being lifted and Haman's heart fully exposed with all of its ugliness. Here it is in full bloom, with his hatred for Mordecai and the proudness in his heart. This, of course, is a precursor for what is coming now in chapter six. The advice he received at the end of chapter five from his friends pleased him greatly. They suggested that a gallows, or better, an impaling spike, which apparently was about seventy five feet high, be erected, and of course they would impale Mordecai upon it, and that would take place before Haman would go to this second banquet. We have the completed narrative, of course, which enables us to see the power of God's providence in all this narrative. Yet there is a sense in which we are robbed, because we're looking back, we're robbed of the fullness of the suspense and drama that was taking place. As they were living through it step by step, we have the fuller picture. At this point, Esther knows nothing of what is taking place leading up to her banquet and petition before the king for her people. From the perspective from Haman's home and his household, their pl and their plans, it seems that this is a done deal. Evil will triumph, and there will be nothing that Esther or anyone can do about it. Although it isn't there in the text, we can clearly see a but God moment in this chapter, where he intervenes. Although seemingly absent, like we've said in the past, yet very active as the events of this chapter unfold. We've entitled this series, The Fingerprints of God, and here in chapter six, God's fingerprints are all over it. As we work through God's intervention, we can just notice the three parts of it. The background, the unfolding of it, and then, of course, from Haman's point of view, the disappointment from God's intervention. So, first of all, in the first three verses, the background to God's intervention, the whole chapter reveals how God intervenes into the situation, which is very dire and dark. It commences with a change of scenery as it moves from the king's court and from the smugness of Haman and his wicked plans, and we're now in the king's bedroom. In verse 1, and now we read again, the king could not sleep. So one of one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king. There is no information given as to why the king cannot sleep. That's not relevant. He's just not able to sleep. So what do you do when you're a king and you can't sleep? You don't turn on the TV. There's no such thing invented. And there may have been various options for him to choose from. Yet he decided upon calling for the record of the chronicles to be read to him. Now that does not seem very enticing for us. I think the last thing you'd probably want to read in the middle of the night, well, if you want to lift the chronicle, that would be different. That maybe wouldn't be very exciting in the middle of the night. But he calls for the chronicles. It's obviously not the books of Chronicles, but rather the events which have happened in his kingdom during his reign. We don't have the contents page, so we don't know what it was all about, but we assume it would mention his successes, and of course, everything in it that would point to the greatness of the king's reign. If the campaign which referred to, which came in the chapter 1, chapter 2, if the campaign at Thermopylae and the Battle of Salamis, which commenced with victory but concluded with defeats, were recorded, you can imagine that they would have their own spin doctor of a sort in Persia at that time to try and put a more positive spin upon it. What happens in verse 1 seems very boring and very ordinary. Yet it is in the ordinary processes of life that God is at work. Because whatever else was read, there is one thing of particular interest and pertinent in the context, and that's mentioned in verse 2, which read about in chapter 2 as well. It was found written that Mordecai told Bikthan and Teresh, two of the King Junaks, the doorkeepers, who had sought to lay hands on King Ahazuerus. That goes back to the previous verses we've read, and they furnish us with more detail of what happened. So Mordecai has overheard, or somehow their assassination plot of the king came to his attention. He then passed the same information on to the newly crowned queen, Esther, who in turn passed it on to the king. The result was that these two men were put to death. And the matter was recorded in the Chronicles, and it's important at the end of chapter two how this was done. It was done while the king was present. He's aware of it. And this is now what is read to him. So it just happened that Mordecai was privy to this plot. It just happens that the king can't sleep. And it just happens, his servants read this from the record. And it just happens the king hears this account on the night prior to the planned execution of Mordecai. I think there's far too many happenings to just be happenings without seeing God behind it all. Derek Prime in his commentary draws this comment from the Puritan Richard Sibbs, which is worth putting up. He says nothing so high that is above his providence, nothing so low that is beneath it, and nothing so large but is bounded by it, nothing so confused but God can order it, nothing so bad but he can draw good out of it, nothing so wisely plotted but God can disappoint. God often disposes little occasions to great purposes. Big doors swing and little hinges, as we often say. Among the records there would be a list of people. Those are the people who had acted on behalf of the king. And these were kept so that they would be rewarded for their deeds. The historian Herodotus points out that they would have been very generous. The king, royalty, would have been very generous in the rewarding of those people on that list. Therefore, verse 3 focuses in upon this. Then the king said, What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this? And the king's servants who attended him said, Nothing has been done for him. For whatever reason, Mordecai's deed has been overlooked, but it hasn't been overlooked by God, but kept by, set aside for this critical moment to be used in the preservation of God's people. It reminds us again of that which we often say, and we do believe, and yet struggle from time to time with that God's timing is perfect. David knew, the psalmist David knew, that his times were safely in God's hands. Therefore he said in Psalm 34, the first verse or so, I can praise the Lord at all times. When God delivered that same person from the hands of Saul, he said in Psalm 18, verse 30, as for God, his way is perfect. And looking back upon what is about to happen, Mordecai after the event and Esther could have testified that is so true. All seemed lost, and they could have testified, and if we had known what was planned by Haman, we would have been absolute in absolute despair. But God had all things in hand. Isn't it a good thing we don't know everything that is going on? That we don't know all the plans that the enemy has for us. But it is encouraging and a bolster to our faith that God knows and also plans for our good. We have the words of William Cowper, who wasn't a man who always rode upon the crest of the wave. He was a man who suffered from mental health, struggled with depression, and yet you know we know that him so well. Can I remember the title? But I'm not going to quote it all because that's not my point. And getting to this verse, he says, You fear God moves in mysterious ways his wonders to perform. You faithful saints, fresh courage take. The clouds you so much dread are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head. And that's the background to God's intervention. It highlights the providence of God. It's a big word. Break it down. God's providence. God goes before, he knows what's happening, puts the pieces in place to fulfill his purposes for his people. The second part of this passage, the largest part, is the unfolding of God's intervention, verse 4 through 12. Now the king didn't waste any time in rectifying this neglect of rewarding Mordecai for his loyalty toward him. So in verse 4, he asked the servant, who's out there in the inner, who's in the outer court? And lo and behold, Haman's just there. Not happening. At that moment, because he's coming to suggest to the king that they put Mordecai to death. And he's probably got it all rehearsed. He's got it all, but like the prodigal son, you know, when the prodigal son was coming back to the father. He's everything worked out. He's got us all things rehearsed. I have sinned before heaven and before your sins. Make me as one of your hard servants. I believe Mordecai's got this, or sorry, Haman's got this all rehearsed in his mind. How he's going to present this to the king. And he probably said something like this in his mind, all you have to do is give the word king. I have everything in that. Don't worry about any of the details, any logistics. I've got everything under control. So the servants informed the king in verse 5. Haman's out there in the court. He is then bidden to come in. And following from that, we have the conversation now between the king and Haman. It begins with the question the king puts to Haman and then his thoughts about it in verse 6. So Haman came in, and the king asked him, What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor? Now Haman thought in his heart, Whom would the king delight to honor more than me? Haman knows exactly who the king should honor. His mindset would run maybe something, so maybe imagine it if I know, would something like this. Well, King, you've got the choice of four people. You've got me, you've got I, you've got Haman, and you've Haman's wife's husband. So King take your pick. He knows exactly who the king should honor. Haman thinks the world and the empire revolve around him, being absolutely convinced who should be honored. This now then influences how he should respond to the king's question. So now he really lays it on thick to the king. So we read this again, and we can see here that the only God in the life of Haman is self-promotion. So we read this chunk from verse 7 to 9. And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delights to honor, let a robe, let a robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which he has ridden, which is a royal crest placed on its head. Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him, thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor. I don't think Neiman thinks this is the way it should be done. I think Neiman thinks this is just the way it should be done, because this is going to be me. To ride the king's horse and wear the king's robe gives you an idea where this man's heart is at. This is as close to claiming kingship without child actually challenging the king for the throne. Haman cannot help himself display his proud, arrogant heart, which leads him to this wrongful presumption about himself that he is the only one in the running for the honor that should be bestowed upon this person. We're very aware how dangerous pride is, as it makes us think that we are better and more important than others. And you know how that works in your life, and you know how that can come to you that temptation. This may range from our looks and talents, and even it can incorporate wealth. And as we look at others, we see them as below our standard. And at that point, we are puffed up with pride because we think we're better. C.S. Lewis, in his book, Mere Christianity, writes that pride is the essential vice and greatest sin and leads to every other vice. He says it is the complete anti-God state of mind. He then goes on to say this pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next person. We say that people are proud of being rich or clever or good looking, but they are not Cecilus Lewis. They are proud of being richer or cleverer or better looking than others. If everyone else became equally rich or clever or good looking, there would be nothing to be proud about. It is the comparison that makes you proud, the pleasure of being above the rest. It's a bit like Luke 18, the Pharisee and the publican, going up to the temple to pray, and the Pharisee he just doesn't pray to God, he prays to himself. You know, I do this and I do this and I do this. And I'm not like that tax collector. I'm better than he is. Far better. Himan was having a great day. Well, up to what's going to happen. He was having a great day, and as you say, his ducks were all lined up. The gallows are erected. The plan set to kill Mordecai. He's going to the banquet with the king and queen, and he's going to hear her petition. To crown it all, he's about to be honored as he thought. Above everyone else. Yet he hasn't anticipated what's about to happen. He hasn't got a clue that beyond his plan and his thoughts, there's a bigger story written by the God of heaven to preserve his people. And that runs right through the Old Testament and then through to when the Savior came. That he is a bigger story of the God of heaven to preserve his people, and he has power beyond the wicked schemes of Haman's heart. God is about to intervene on the behalf of Mordecai. And as the story continues to unfold, so he will intervene also on the behalf of the Jews who are condemned to death. After the king listens to Haman's suggestion, how to honor the man in whom he delights, he speaks to Haman, wouldn't you love to have been there when that happened? What a wound this must have been to this man's pride, pride in verse ten. Then the king said to Haman, Hurry, take the robe and the horse as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai the Jew, who sits within the king's gate, leave nothing undone of all that you have spoken. Up to this point Naaman must have been imagining himself on that horse, and all the applause and all the honor that were be lavished upon him down at the market square. He must have thought it can't get any better than this. But everything has come crashing down, and his dreams lay shattered. You can imagine his jaw drop. You can imagine the expression on his face when the king uttered those words, and the sheer humiliation that faced him with the thought of parading his enemy, Mordecai the Jew, around the streets and proclaiming the honor that he wanted for himself. The suggestion had been made, and the command from the king was given to do as Haman said. So in verse 11, Haman has absolutely no choice. He's got to carry out the king's wishes. And Mordecai's identity is well known to the king. And it's interesting, he refers to Mordecai as Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. And when you go back to chapter 3, when Haman was seeking to get the king's approval to wipe out the Jews, he is a subtle man, so subtle then that he didn't mention their identity. And he also said, if we can remind yourselves from chapter 3, verse 8, then Haman said to King Hajiarus, there is a certain people gathered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from other peoples, but this is the thing, and they do not keep the king's laws. What a liar he is. And this act of loyalty and public reward proves that the Jews were good Persian citizens. Just excuse me, I'm getting crooked. What an encouragement this must have been for Mordecai to see God's intervention unfold before him. He's very different to Haman. When you look at him and go through with this man through the chapters, he doesn't come across like Haman came across. He's not looking for recognition. Mordecai wasn't filled with self-importance. And although he could rejoice, there's absolutely no sign of triumphalism as we read in the first part of chapter 12. And you can imagine how all this has just happened. All this big parade, all this victory. Then it says, Oh, it is there. Should be there, but it's not there. Afterward, Mordecai went back to the king's ticket. Just back to what he's doing every day. He didn't gather all his friends together and advisors like Haman did at the end of chapter 5 and have a glory me party. He just got homethough. God vindicated Mordecai. So he didn't need to remind the king about the the great act of loyalty. And he didn't even do it when he told Esther to speak to the king for the Jews. He didn't say, and don't forget to remind the king what I did for him. Likewise, if our good is overlooked by others, if God wants us to be honored, then he will do it. And we ought to let him do it. It also encourages us to keep our eyes on the Lord. For in the world it often seems that evil triumphs, but the end result is written, if we can say it, an eternal stone. The tables will be turned and God's people will be vindicated, and evil will be defeated. God's purposes will be fulfilled, and his Son will be glorified, and the enemies of God will be brought under his feet to the place of absolute submission. Aren't you glad to be in God's side this evening? And if you're not on God's side this evening, and you don't yield to this Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, you will wish you had when the wrath of God is revealed from heaven. So that's the background to God's intervention, the unfolding of it. And quickly we conclude with the disappointment of God's intervention from Haman's point of view. When Haman returned home from the first banquet in chapter 5 from the king and queen, he was on top of the world. And it says there in verse 9 in chapter 5, so Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart. But how different is this return from the events in chapter 6? It tells us, but Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered. He hurried away from that scene, for he couldn't get away to get away from the humiliation. And if he hoped for good news when he arrived home, it was only going from bad to worse. And they said in verse 13, When Haman told his wife Zerus and all his friends everything that happened to him, his wise men and his wife Zerus said to him, If Mordecai before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, well they said, You're finished. You'll not prevail against him, but will surely fall before him. Having observed the situation, they're convinced that God was on the side of his people, and their enemies would not be victorious over them. God is preserving his people. So whether it's a little David before great Goliath, whether it's God's people fleeing from Egypt, or the Jews in Persia, He will preserve them for his purposes to be fulfilled. He will intervene on their behalf. Frederick the Great once asked his physician, Zimmerman, can you name me a single proof for the existence of God? Zimmerman replied, Your Majesty, the Jews. So today we have our own hamans and herods and hererous who display the spirit of Satan, who oppose the church of the Lord Jesus under the control of Satan, but the ultimate result will be the same. The Lord Jesus will win. Because if God is against if God before us, who can be against us? The Lord Jesus will build his church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against him. While his family and advisors were still talking, the eunuchs arrived to escort Haman to the second banquet. That second banquet that he was looking forward to, that second banquet that he was preparing for, as far as he was concerned, at this stage, Mordecai the enemy, would have been killed. And he would be going at absolute peace and full throttle going to that second banquet. And that's all different and it's all changing from this point on. And so they said to him, if you're going against that man, you're gonna fall. You're gonna fall. And the church of Christ will triumph, will not be defeated. Sure, there will be setbacks and there will be frustrations and there will be all kinds of discouragements. And it will seem here and there that the enemy has got a victory. And you can see that going back, I think, 1978, back to China, things were shut up and closed up. But we can see how God just turned everything around. And the church grew at a greater rate when the missionaries were taken out, and God was in absolute control, and nothing will stand against the cause of God, and it will, it will, he will reign, and everything will be brought under his feet. And in these times and in the world and in the Middle East, the way things are going, it's always good to keep the bigger focus, to keep the bigger picture. What's going on? Everybody wants to know. Everybody wants to know. Well, what do you think about the Middle East? Everybody's an expert, you know. Everybody's got it all worked out, everybody's an expert. Keep your focus on the big picture. Keep your focus on the end goal. And the end goal is that the Lord Jesus is triumphing. He will win. He has bruised the head of the serpent, and he is a defeated foe. And of course, like a snake with a head bruised, it's still twitching, but the day will come, the sun will go down when the twitching will stop, and Satan and all his hordes will be cast into everlasting fire, and the people of God will go into his presence for all of eternity, enjoy a wonderful future, an eternal future as the people of God. Amen.