1. SESSION 5: For such a time as this

2.  SLEEPLESS IN SUSA Read Esther 6 1. How did the king deal with his bout of ‘insomnia?’ Being proud and arrogant, the king wanted the comfort of being reminded how wonderful he is Psalm 121:3-4 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Xerxes had been king for about 12 years; imagine how many volumes would have been written What a coincidence that the king’s librarian reads the record of Mordecai!

3. 2. How long has it been since Mordecai uncovered the plot against the king and alerts Queen Esther to it? About 5 years have past; perhaps Mordecai (and Esther)feel overlooked after saving the life of the king… Matthew 6:1, 3b-4 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven… do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Or maybe not; God always sees what is done and will give proper reward in His own time Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

4. 4. Who did Haman assume the king wished to honor and what did he suggest? Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. 3. Why was Haman in the court early? Having built a gallows the night before, he was eager to ask for the death of Mordecai Haman is so proud that he cannot imagine the king honoring anyone but himself What Haman suggests (or requests for himself) is that this special man be treated like royalty… … A robe, the king’s horse, royal crest, noble attendant and a proclamation throughout the city

5. 5. How does the king respond to Haman’s advice and how does the king refer to Mordecai? As usual, the king likes the advice given, so he orders Haman to carry out everything immediately…. …and without neglect...for Mordecai Haman becomes the attendant, not the honoree The king describes Mordecai as the “Jew who sits at the king’s gate.” 6.How did Haman return home and what did he do? He was covered with grief, in a rush and he told everyone everything

6. 7. What was the response of Haman’s wife and advisors? You can’t stand against a Jew (especially a Benjamite, a descendant of King Saul) Notice how they state that YOU, Haman will surely come to ruin  Pride’s Gallows Read Esther 7 “Although wicked works are planned in secret, God will choose when to reveal them” ~ Derek Prime 1. How might Haman have felt being again at the Queen’s banquet? Rather ambivalent – he is not yet aware that his destruction is nearly complete

7. 2. When the king asked Esther for the third time to make her request, how did she answer? Wisdom informed her that the time was right; grant me my life and spare my people – we have been slated for destruction 3. When the king demanded to know who dared to threaten Esther and her people, how did Esther identify him? As a hateful (adversary), hostile (enemy) and wicked (vile) man  Haman 4. Why did the king in reaction go out into the palace gardens? He was enraged and probably confused… …he now knows that Esther is a Jew and that Haman had “tricked” him into their annihilation

8. 5. What did Haman do with his fear? Prostrated himself before the Jewish Queen and groveled for his life There is no indication of remorse, acceptance of personal responsibility or recognition of the evil he has schemed 6. Was Haman really trying to “molest” the queen? The king may have found a way out of his quandary…how could he punish Haman for a plot that went public in the king’s own name Now Haman can be killed for assaulting the queen, which keeps the king’s reputation intact 7. What did Harbona then inform the king of? The gallows that Haman set up for Mordecai; apparently Haman was not dearly loved by the king’s officials

9. 8. How did the king abate his fury? In a great fit of irony…he who builds the gallows, dies on the gallows God used the unrighteous intentions of a wicked man to accomplish his divine purposes

10.  For Such A Time As This “We should, every one of us, consider for what end God has put us in the place where we are. And when an opportunity arises to serve God and our generation – we must take care to not let it slip.” ~ John Wesley 1. When and why does Esther make a decisive shift in her approach to calamity? When Mordecai challenges her to exchange her fear for faith Esther 4:14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” A previously passive Esther now becomes active and when she is reminded of who she is and what God she serves

11. Psalm 118:5-9 When hard pressed, I cried to the L ORD ; he brought me into a spacious place. The L ORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The L ORD is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to take refuge in the L ORD than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the L ORD than to trust in princes. 2. Compare the fear of Esther with the terror of Haman Esther: Fear  Faith  Courage Haman: Pride  Terror  Cowardice Revelation 21:7-8 "He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

12. 3. Is cowardice a sin? James 4:17 – omission of good = sin Joshua 4:8 – don’t melt with fear, but follow the LORD fully John 12:42-43 – seek the approval of God, rather then men Psalm 56:3-4- trusting in God and His Word; a remedy for fear and a prevention of cowardice  Cowardice (faint-heartedness) is a common yet inconspicuous sin Attitude – never really grappling with vital and important issues Actions – hesitant because we “disremember” God and do not count the cost Access – we neglect prayer, never rising to the truth the God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or imagine

13.  There is a sense in which all God’s servants have been born “for such a time as this” Ephesians 5:15-16 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 4. What opportunities has God given you to make your faith known and to use your influence for righteousness? 5. What courage and faith do you need to confront the “evil days” we live in. Human responsibility and divine providence are mysteriously and wonderfully integrated. Priceless opportunities for accomplishing God’s will are given to us any day without warning. When we pray “thy kingdom come”: we must expect unique moments to arise for influence to be exercised in the interest of righteousness. However, if we reject or neglect these opportunities, others will be given the privilege; to their profit and our loss.