Text:
Esther 5:1-5:
1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.
Theme:
In The King’s Court
Introduction:
- The Book of Esther from which our text is “taken” is a very unique book for a few reasons:
- The author is not known but the scriptures themselves exclude Mordecai…implying that he as well as ahasuerus had died before it was written.
- the last book of history of the Old Testament in the Bible canon…although a Hebrew “waw” in the beginning of the book tells that it was originally written as a subsequent part of another book…possibly Eccesiates.
- is historical to an extent that no other book in the Bible reaches. The information and the absence of philosophical or theological exploration leave a rich history untouched and unequalled.
- does not mention the name of God once throughout its 10 chapters.
- has the “handiwork” of God in its providential government in spite of the name of God being omitted from the account.
- The Book of Esther is the story of Queen Esther, the wife of King Ahasuerus.
- She was born of Abihail of the tribe of Benjamine and was originally named Hadas’sah.
- Mordecai, her father’s nephew or her cousin, had pity on her because she was without mother or father and took her in as if she was his own daughter.
- King Ahasuerus, the king of the Medes and Persians who current held the Israeli people in bondage, was suffering from problems in his marriage to the defiant and vain Queen Vashti.
- The princes moved to urge King Ahasuerus to seek another wife who would “please” him in ways that Vashti did not. They agreed that the one who “pleased” King Ahaseurus would be made the queen…instead of Vashti.
- Hadassah, although she was a Jew, got the opportunity to walk before the king and be considered.
- After Mordecai pulled a few strings to have her considered.
- Hadassah was irresistible by nature. King Ahasuerus did not stand a chanceJ
- Esther was a woman of deep piety, faith, courage, patriotism, obedience, humility, grace, charm, and beauty à Esther was the total package!
- As it says in Esther 2:15, “And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.”
- After seeing Hadassah, King Ahasuerus chose her to be his new queen! As it says in our text, Esther 2:17:
“And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti”
- Hadassah’s name was changed to Esther once she was accepted into the Kings harem.
- During Queen Esther’s reign, the Jews were placed under the cruel authorization of King Ahasuerus’ prime minister, Haman.
- Haman was part of the plot to kill and overthrow King Ahasuerus
- Haman had gotten King Ahasuerus to authorize the slaughter of the Jews on the 13th day of the 12th month
- Haman had planned to hang Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, for defiantly refusing to honor him
- Mordecai called on his cousin, Queen Esther, to help him and her people through this fatal predicament.
- Esther decides to go and talk to the King. There was only one complication:
- Esther 4:11, “…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:…”
- In spite of the danger, Esther is driven to go before the King for the sake of her cousin, her people, and herself.
- Esther gives the famous words that ring clear!
- Esther 4:16, “…if I perish, I perish.”
- Esther gives the famous words that ring clear!
- Esther decides to go and talk to the King. There was only one complication:
Body:
- Here we find our theme à we find Queen Esther taking the initiative to go IN THE KING’S COURT!!
- We face the same decision as Esther!
- Do we take the initiative to go In God’s Presence when our lives are in danger because of SIN??
- Although we are not worthy
- Although we do not act right…live right…talk right…serve right
- We must go IN OUR KING’S COURT!
- Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
- We face the same decision as Esther!
- Now that we have learned WHY Esther went IN THE KING’S COURT, let us notice HOW she did it (verse 1)
- Esther did two specific things in presenting herself to King Ahasuerus and to gain his favor
- “Esther put on her royal apparel”
- Esther put on her best clothes!
- è Do we put on our “best clothes” for God? à (clothes = Garments OR Lifestyle)
- “stood in the inner court of the king’s”
- Esther stood in the inner court of King Ahasuerus
- She made sure that she was in the right position
- è Be in the right place to be blessed à God wants AVAILABILITY and not CAPABILITY!
- After having done her best, she STOOD
- Ephesians 6:13, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
- She made sure that she was in the right position
- Esther stood in the inner court of King Ahasuerus
- “Esther put on her royal apparel”
- King Ahasuerus responded positively to Esther’s presentation.
- Verse 2 à “And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.”
- Esther was formally absolved of her breaking of the law à this acquitted her of a fatal sentence!
- Verse 2 à “And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.”
- Why was Esther’s presentation effective? à Best answer found in Esther’s words at the second banquet
- Esther 8:5, “And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes”
- “If it please the king”
- Through her clothing and humility, Esther ostensibly showed her intent to please the king.
- Do we ostensibly express our desire to please God?
- 1John 5:3, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments…..”
- Do we ostensibly express our desire to please God?
- Through her clothing and humility, Esther ostensibly showed her intent to please the king.
- “if I have found favour in his sight”
- Esther pleased the king in order that she would then have “favour” or a right be in his presence!
- We need God’s favour!
- Without His favour, we have no hope
- Job 10:12, “Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.”
- We need God’s favour!
- Esther pleased the king in order that she would then have “favour” or a right be in his presence!
- If “the thing seem right before the king”
- Esther acknowledged that the king’s judgment yet reigns. He has to approve what is done.
- We have to submit ourselves in the same way to God
- James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
- We have to submit ourselves in the same way to God
- Esther acknowledged that the king’s judgment yet reigns. He has to approve what is done.
- If “I be pleasing in his eyes”
- Esther played the “female card”. She knew that Ahasuerus loved her and also loved how she looked. She asked this question knowing his answer had to be “YES”
- God wants us to be saved!!
- Ezekiel 18: 32, “For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.”
- God loves us. The question is whether we love Him or not!
- John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
- God wants us to be saved!!
- Esther played the “female card”. She knew that Ahasuerus loved her and also loved how she looked. She asked this question knowing his answer had to be “YES”
- “If it please the king”
- Esther 8:5, “And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes”
- Esther did two specific things in presenting herself to King Ahasuerus and to gain his favor
Conclusion:
- Queen Esther masterfully presented herself to King Ahasuerus to beseech his mercy and assistance.
- First Banquet to “test the waters”, get in the presence of the king, and request that the king and Haman come to another banquet the following day.
- The Second Banquet to make her request and resolve the predicament of an impending slaughter of the Jews.
- Upon Esther’s request in Esther 7:1-10, several things happened to provide resolution to the problem.
- When Ahasuerus found out that Haman was at the center of the threats to Mordecai, the Jews and Esther, sentenced Haman to die on the same stake that was previously prepared for Mordecai.
- The king said that the Jews would be placed in Esther’s care…protecting them from oppression.
- Mordecai was rewarded for having provided warning of the assassination and revolt and eventually was made Prime Minister in the King’s administration over the Jews.
- These we great for the people of Israel, but they were not enough! à King Ahasuerus went a step farther
- Esther 8:8, “Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.”
- He let Mordecai and Esther write a contract, if you will à make sure that it is what they want and understand it to be
- He had them sign it in the king’s name and sealed the contract with the king’s ring à now by law…
- NO ONE CAN REVERSE IT!!
- SEALED the agreement!
- God has done the same for me!
- 2 Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
- I am SAVED….
- I have been IN THE KING’S COURT!!!
- John 10:29, “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”
- And nobody can take that away from me!!!!!
- 2 Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
- NO ONE CAN REVERSE IT!!
- Esther 8:8, “Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.”
- In the King’s Court!
- I have healing
- I have redemption
- I have restoration
- I have hope
- I have power
- I have purpose
- I have LIFE!!!
- I have purpose
- I have power
- I have hope
- I have restoration
- I have redemption
- I have healing
IN THE KING’S COURT!!!
#285
