Bible Study - Stand Up (4) - Stand with Humility - Esther 5:1-14 - May 13, 2018

Bible Study – Stand Up (4) – Stand with Humility – May 13, 2018

This is lesson four in our series entitled “Stand Up: How to Fight Injustice.”

Our focus scripture is Esther 5:1-14.

Humility ultimately wins the day.

In our study, we have the opportunity to see behind the scenes work of GOD in the lives of Queen Esther, Mordecai and the Jewish people. Our attitude during troubling times is very important. Do we trust GOD even when issues do not seem to go according to our plans? Most of us are impatient and that is often when we get into trouble by doubting GOD.

I remember a time years ago when our eldest son was looking for a business to purchase. A business was advertised in our local paper. I inquired about it but had no response from the business. After a period of time elapsed the for sale notice continued to run in the paper. I responded about our interest in the business. Still no response. My conclusion, Satan was blocking us from getting the business. So I go to the paper and inquire about the business. The lady at the counter stated that she knew the people and would contact them for me. I thought great, I’ll show Satan who is boss. The lady at the paper contacted those who had the business and they contacted me and we bought the business. Big mistake! Rather than Satan blocking it was the LORD blocking. When we are determined, (stubborn) often the LORD uses it as a teaching moment in our lives. The scripture reveals in Isaiah 40:31:

31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

GOD is the GOD of order. The Holy Spirit gives us discernment. When to take action and when to wait. In those days of my Spiritual grow and development I was in the mode of “LORD YOU are falling behind, hurry and catchup with me.” GOD loves us and teaches us and some lessons are very difficult.

The use of the word “wait” also includes the idea of “as we wait we are trusting in HIM.” When we get ahead of our LORD, we get into trouble, which HE uses as a teachable moment. Ouch!

In Esther’s case, she waited and sought the right moment and the steps for her to take before approaching the king. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Esther 5:1-8:

Esther Approaches the King                            

1 On the third day, Esther dressed up in her royal clothing and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace facing it. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing its entrance. 

As you recall, Queen Esther asked Mordecai to ask all the Jews in Susa “to fast for three days: night or day.” Implied is that as they fast they would pray to GOD for the Queen to have wisdom to know how to approach and when to approach the king. The Jews were aware of the edict issued to kill all the Jews. There was a protocol for approaching the king, even the queen, especially if the king did not summons the person to come to him as the queen stated in Esther 4:11:

11 "All the royal officials and the people of the royal provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner courtyard and who has not been summoned-[the] death [penalty]. Only if the king extends the golden scepter will that person live. I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the last 30 days."

The queen chose the third day to approach the king, which was the last day of the fast. I believe the LORD led her in her decision when to go, what to wear and to have two banquets as we read on ----

2 As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, she won his approval. The king extended the golden scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 

The queen dressed to the nines certainly got the king’s attention. The king’s reaction seems to be: WOW!

3 "What is it, Queen Esther?" the king asked her. "Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, will be given to you."

Did the king really mean “up to half of his kingdom?” No, it was an expression denoting that the king would listen favorably to what she has to say.

4 "If it pleases the king," Esther replied, "may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for them?" 

This is brilliant. Keep in mind wisdom comes from GOD and once HE reveals wisdom, we must act upon it. Queen Esther is very gracious and humble when she approached the king. She invited the king and Haman to a special banquet. Was this a test? Did the LORD lead her to include Haman to put her at ease and to show the king that she had no animosity toward Haman? Brilliant strategy. We must keep in mind, Who is the source of all wisdom? That is why, when we need guidance as HIS children, we are to seek it from HIM. Esther and those under her authority were fasting and praying. This was also a witness to the power and accessibility of the One True GOD of the Israelites.  The pagan gods were fickle and aloof. GOD was using this event as a teachable moment for many. 

5 The king commanded, "Hurry, and get Haman so we can do as Esther has requested." So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 

Obviously, the king was excited and was eager to get Haman involved. Now, we move to the first banquet. The king may have been interested in or puzzled why the Queen wanted his number one person, Haman, included.

6 While drinking the wine, the king asked Esther, "Whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, will be done." 

7 Esther answered, "[This is] my petition and my request: 

8 If the king approves of me and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and perform my request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet I will prepare for them? Tomorrow I will do what the king has asked." 

Queen Esther issues another invitation for the king and Haman to attend a banquet the next day. The king likely thought what in the world does my Queen have on her mind. It must be stupendous.

When GOD orchestrates, it is stupendous.

Haman left this banquet one excited man and feeling his self-importance.

But soon, Haman’s self-importance will temporarily fade as we read on ---

         

Let’s read Esther 5:9-14:

9 That day Haman left full of joy and in good spirits. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the King's Gate, and Mordecai didn't rise or tremble in fear at his presence, Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai. 

Hatred robs us of our joy. I know because many years ago there was a person I had a problem with and it robbed me. It took a long time for me to deal with it.

As we read on, we learn that ----

10 Yet Haman controlled himself and went home. He sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh to join him. 

11 Then Haman described for them his glorious wealth and his many sons. He told them all how the king had promoted him in rank and given him a high position over the other officials and the royal staff. 

12 "What's more," Haman added, "Queen Esther invited no one but me to join the king at the banquet she had prepared. I am invited again tomorrow to join her with the king. 

This moment of temporary joy was dashed by hatred. Often, our ego gets in the way of thinking clearly and robs us of our joy as we read on - ---

13 Still, none of this satisfies me since I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the King's Gate all the time." 

14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, "Have them build a gallows 75 feet high. Ask the king in the morning to hang Mordecai on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself." The advice pleased Haman, so he had the gallows constructed.

Advice from the right sources is wonderful but advice from those who suck up to you can be devastating. Is this good advice or bad advice?

For the moment Haman took it as sage advice from fellow humans because it matched what he wanted to do to Mordecai. We must keep in mind that GOD is the source of wisdom and leadership.

When we seek the guidance of the LORD, do we plan to follow it even when if it is contrary to how we think our issue or circumstance should be solved? That is in whom do we trust: GOD or ourselves? Some of the time it is very tough because we know best. We must keep in mind that GOD is in the business of teaching and enlightening.

As we look back over the many decisions that various people made along life’s journey we get to see the hand of GOD working to protect HIS chosen people. Being at the right place at the right time was critical. Deciding what to do with the information that came to a person was critical. Looking back over the various happenings, how many decision points are there? When GOD places us at the right place at the right time, how do we respond? It often takes courage to stand up and speak up.

This is why building a personal, intimate, loving relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS is ground zero. It does not mean that GOD’S teachable moments will end but when they occur, we immediately recognize that it is a teachable moment and ask the LORD to reveal and help us to learn what HE is teaching us.

But for this to occur, we must have a personal relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. The miracle of rebirth makes you a Son or Daughter of GOD. You have all the rights and privileges of being a Child of GOD. It does not mean you will have it easy upon earth but you will have the assurance that GOD is your Father and HIS full support regardless of the issues that come your way in life upon earth.

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

Do you recall Revelation 3:20:  

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 

JESUS is standing at the door of your heart and you are the only one who can give HIM access to your life. The door of your heart is locked from the inside and only you can unlock it and open it. When you do, HE comes in to eternally dwell with you. That is the miracle of rebirth in your spirit/Spirit.

Let’s read Romans 10:8-13:

8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 

11 For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." 

12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 

13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 

If you asked JESUS to come into your life then welcome brother or sister to the family of GOD. Blessings!!!