Esther (4)
Notes
Transcript
Queen Esther Learns of the Plot
Queen Esther Learns of the Plot
Recap:
We learned that Haman hatched a plot to annihilate not only Mordecai, but all his people as well (All the Jews)
He offered to fund the entire campaign putting money into the coffers of the king.
The king also gave Haman the kings signet ring.....and was told to do what he saw fit.
therefor, Haman had all the power of the king to see to his plan as he desired with the kings…”stamp of approval”
To most people, you would think that this was the ultimate end to the Jews.....the king gave Haman all authority to carry out his plan
but we know that God had another plan..
and we know that we serve a God that is all powerful, all knowing: That sets kings up and he takes kings down..
A God that never fails, never lies and will never lets us down when we are in his will....
His word will be the final say...
38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;
39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
If God be for us, who can be against us.....
The will and plan of God is fully and completely established without question, in this world and..... through our complete submission and obedience, in our lives
Queen Esther learns of Haman’s plot
Queen Esther learns of Haman’s plot
12 Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring.
13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.
15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
The bible records that when this decree went out, Mordecai managed to find out what that plan was and with great destress....clothed himself in sackcloth and ashes
1 When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry.
2 He went as far as the front of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.
Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered What Is the Meaning of Sackcloth and Ashes?
Sackcloth and ashes were used in Old Testament times as a symbol of debasement, mourning, and/or repentance. Someone wanting to show his repentant heart would often wear sackcloth, sit in ashes, and put ashes on top of his head. Sackcloth was a coarse material usually made of black goat’s hair, making it quite uncomfortable to wear. The ashes signified desolation and ruin
Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered What Is the Meaning of Sackcloth and Ashes?
Very simply, sackcloth and ashes were used as an outward sign of one’s inward condition. Such a symbol made one’s change of heart visible and demonstrated the sincerity of one’s grief and/or repentance.
So this action was symbolizing a deep sense of despair and mourning as well as a type or repentance before God.
similar to our tradition of mourning at a funeral....many times people will wear black..for mourning and sadness.
3 And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
What a horrible thing to face....the potential of complete annihilation and destruction.
4 So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.
Queen Esther then called for Hatach (the kings chamberlain) and gave him a commandment to go to Mordecai and find out what and why he was grieving.
So Mordecai told him every thing
the money Haman had promised to pay to the kings treasuries
the plot to destroy the Jews
He also gave Haman a copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan.
Mordecai’s demand was that he show it unto Esther, that she could go before the king and plead their case.....
Interesting point: Just as Esther would go before the king…Jesus goes before the throne of God and intercedes for us.
this is exactly what Christ did for us…being the son of God, he died on Calvary for our redemption shedding his blood that is continually being applied to the mercy seat for our eternal redemption.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Christ is our mediator that continually intercedes (or intervenes) for us through his blood.
when Queen Esther heard this she said this:
10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;
11 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
Queen Esther was feeling a bit of hesitancy in her approaching the king unsummoned.
We learn of Mordecai’s response to the Queen:
13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.
14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Mordecai had faith that God would deliver them from the hand of Ahasuerus whether by Queen Esther or other means.
but he warned Esther that if their deliverance does not come from her hand that God will deliver in a way that may possibly destroy the kingdom of king Ahasuerus putting Esther in danger as well.
not only that, but Haman had made a law, in the kings name, that would bind the king to his own law.
Mordecai also reminded Esther that perhaps she was put in her position for such a time as this....for the very divine providence and purpose of God.
15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
Queen Esther had come to the realization that the need was far greater and far more important than her own safety and well being.
that whether she die or live, was willing to stand in the gap for Mordecai and her people.
Our next series in our bible study on Esther will be:
Queen Esther’s Plan