Bible Study – Stand Up (2) – Stand with Conviction – April 29, 2018

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Stand Up: How to Fight Injustice.”

Our focus scripture is Esther 2:21- 3:6.

It’s always right to do the right thing.

Taking a stand on issues that impact us personally or collectively is often tough to do. What would GOD have us to do? Going against public opinion is often not pleasant. But GOD places us in the right place at the right time to accomplish HIS will and purpose.

Being at the right place at the right time is critical. That is a good prayer to pray for our lives and the lives of others. The flip side is to pray that we or our friends or loved ones will not be at the wrong place at the wrong time. 

Only GOD knows where the path of our lives leads us. Every person has the freewill to choose. We must choose wisely. The world or flesh offers us its choices and GOD offers HIS choices. One way leads to eternal life and the other leads to destruction. Wisdom comes from the LORD.

Let’s read Esther 2:21-23:

21 During those days while Mordecai was sitting at the King's Gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two eunuchs who guarded the [king's] entrance, became infuriated and planned to assassinate King Ahasuerus. 

Mordecai was sitting at the King’s Gate which was likely the entrance to the royal complex. Mordecai sat as an official. He was not just sitting there to pass the time away but could have been transacting business or legal transactions. The key is that Mordecai was privy to a brewing conspiracy to kill the king.

There is a lot of speculation among Bible scholars as to why these two guards were angry with the king and wanted to kill him. One speculation is that these two, being eunuchs, had been assigned to Queen Vashti and since the king had divorced her, they were angry with him. Now, they had to guard the king’s gate rather than the queen. The key point is that GOD uses all circumstances to accomplish HIS will and purpose. Our position matters ---

22 When Mordecai learned of the plot, he reported it to Queen Esther, and she told the king on Mordecai's behalf. 

Mordecai happened upon this plot to kill the king. This question was what would he do with that information? He had to make a decision. Would he make what he knew known to those who could do something about it and risk being implicated in the plot or would he keep quite? It takes courage to reveal information regarding a plot that is yet to take place. After a tragedy happens the damage has been done. Then the “if only” sets in.

The important point is that Mordecai did the right thing and reported the plot to Queen Esther. Now, Queen Esther had to make a decision whether or not to tell the king. She did not know who all was involved in the plot so she could not risk going to those who had the ear of the king. She had to go directly to the king and risk her life or the possibility of being dethroned. Queen Esther told the king that the information came via Mordecai. This put Mordecai in the hot seat if this proved to be false information. GOD always has a plan.

23 When the report was investigated and verified, both men were hanged on the gallows. This event was recorded in the court records of daily events in the king's presence.

An investigation took place and it was determined that the plot to kill the king was accurate and the two guards were hung. A key point is the last statement, “it was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.”

It was common for kings to keep chronicles of such happenings and often a reward was given to the person or persons making such information known to the proper authorities. There is no mention of Mordecai being offered such a reward but this will be a key point as our study continues to unfold.

Let’s read Esther 3:1-6:

Haman Plots Against the Jews

1 After all this took place, King Ahasuerus honored Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite. He promoted him in rank and gave him a higher position than all the other officials. 

Another character is introduced in our study. Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha has an interesting heritage. Haman was identified as son of Hammedatha, which is Persian lineage. He was further identified as an Agagite, which meant he was a descendant of Agag, an Amalekite king. The Amalekites were ancient enemies of the Jews. In fact, in Exodus 17:14-16 it is recorded:

14 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." 

15 And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The LORD Is My Banner,

16 saying, "A hand upon the throne of the LORD! The LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."

There is a history of animosity between the Jews and the Amalekites but even greater is that GOD was against the Amalekites.

We also read in 1 Samuel 15:1-3:

                                                                                                        

1 And Samuel said to Saul, "The LORD sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel; now therefore listen to the words of the LORD. 

2 Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way when they came up out of Egypt. 

3 Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.'" 

                                                                                                        

But King Saul failed to do as GOD instructed.

Now, back to our focus scripture:

2 The entire royal staff at the King's Gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded this to be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage. 

3 The members of the royal staff at the King's Gate asked Mordecai, "Why are you disobeying the king's command?" 

4 When they had warned him day after day and he still would not listen to them, they told Haman to see if Mordecai's actions would be tolerated, since he had told them he was a Jew.

Bible scholars believe that the history between the Jews and the Amalekites was one of the reasons Mordecai would not bow to Haman. Could Mordecai have been miffed with the king since the king promoted Haman, “promoted him in rank and gave him a higher position than all the other officials?”  After all, it was Mordecai who had saved the life of the king. Or was it the bitterness/prejudice between the Jews and the Amalekites that Mordecai housed within? Prejudice is often a two-way street. Those we have prejudice toward, in turn, may have prejudice toward us. This is like trying to mix oil and water.

5 When Haman saw that Mordecai was not bowing down or paying him homage, he was filled with rage. 

6 And when he learned of Mordecai's ethnic identity, Haman decided not to do away with Mordecai alone. He set out to destroy all of Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout Ahasuerus' kingdom. 

Haman learned that Mordecai was a Jew. What he did not know was the connection Mordecai had with Queen Esther. His desire was not to just harm Mordecai but to harm both Mordecai and Mordecai’s people, the Jews.

The plot thickens. God has a plan. Remember GOD is sovereign and makes history according to HIS plan and purpose.

What are some of the criteria we use to determine, “the right thing to do?” – Personal feelings, Popular opinion, Cultural standards and the list goes on.

Can you look back over your life and see that GOD has directed your life to accomplish HIS will and purpose? It is often easy to see after the fact but not so easy when we are in the midst of life happening around us. That is one reason GOD made sure the events in HIS word have been recorded. GOD is still in the business of working in the lives of people to accomplish HIS will and purpose. Are you part of HIS with HIM or against HIM? HIS desire is for you to be with HIM and to trust HIM through your faith in JESUS.

GOD’S greatest love for you and me is expressed in John 3:16-17:

16 "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 

Do you know JESUS as your Savior? If not, ask HIM to forgive you for your sins and ask HIM to come into your life.

Revelation 3:20-21:

20 Listen! I (JESUS) stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.

21 The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne. 

A Christian’s victory is the moment he or she places his or her faith in JESUS. This decision is up to each of us. How will you choose. Will you accept JESUS as your Savior or reject HIM? Choose wisely, your eternal destination depends upon it.

Blessings!!!