Dr. Goodluck Ofoegbu Prof. Oby Ofoegbu Banking Blessings Ministry San Antonio, Texas USA
What We Will Learn Through Esther s appeal to King Xerxes And God s intervention Mordecai triumphed over conspiracy Against himself and other Jews Overcame his enemies Overcame poverty Esther 5 9
Esther Granted Audience But Delays Appeal King Xerxes granted audience to Esther Invited her three times to present petition She postponed on two occasions Presented her petition on the third Additional events that favored Mordecai occurred during Esther s postponement Esther 5:1 8 and 7:1 2
Esther 5 (NKJV) 1 Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, across from the king's house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house.
Esther 5 (NKJV) 2 So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter. Despite coming without invitation King Xerxes granted Esther audience And invited her to present petition
Esther 5 (NKJV) 3 And the king said to her, What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you up to half the kingdom! King Xerxes promised to grant Esther s request, even if the most she could ask But Esther was not ready Invited King Xerxes and Haman to a banquette instead
Esther 5 (NKJV) 4 So Esther answered, If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him. 5 Then the king said, Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said. So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
Esther 5 (NKJV) 6 At the banquet of wine the king said to Esther, What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done! King again promised to grant Esther s request, even if the most she could ask But Esther was not ready Invited the king and Haman to a second banquette instead
Esther 5 (NKJV) 7 Then Esther answered and said, My petition and request is this: 8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.
Esther 7 (NKJV) 1 So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther. 2 And on the second day, at the banquet of wine, the king again said to Esther, What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done! For the third time, King Xerxes promised to grant Esther s request
Esther s Postponement Setup Favorable Events (1) Haman overcome by hatred for Mordecai Lamented his life unsatisfactory for as long as Mordecai was alive Built gallows specially for Mordecai Haman, instead of Mordecai, would be hung on the gallows he built for Mordecai Esther 5:9 14
Esther 5 (NKJV) 9 So Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, and that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with indignation against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and called for his friends and his wife Zeresh.
Esther 5 (NKJV) 11 Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king. 12 Moreover Haman said, Besides, Queen Esther invited no one but me to come in with the king to the banquet that she prepared; and tomorrow I am again invited by her, along with the king.
Esther 5 (NKJV) 13 Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. 14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, Let a gallows be made, fifty cubits high, and in the morning suggest to the king that Mordecai be hanged on it; then go merrily with the king to the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; so he had the gallows made.
Esther s Postponement Setup Favorable Events (2) King Xerxes reminded that Mordecai saved him from assassination plot But was never rewarded Invited Haman to propose reward for Mordecai Ordered him to implement the reward Esther 6:1 14 [1 3, 10, and 12]
Esther 6 (NIV) 1 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
Esther 6 (NKJV) 3 What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this? the king asked. Nothing has been done for him, his attendants answered.
Esther 6 (NIV) 10 Go at once, the king commanded Haman. Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended. 12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief,
Esther Presents Petition to King Xerxes Esther presents her petition at 3 rd prompting King ordered Haman executed Punished for his plot against Mordecai, Esther, and other Jews Esther 7:1 10
Esther 7 (NKJV) 1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther s banquet, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.
Esther 7 (NKJV) 3 Then Queen Esther answered, If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life this is my petition. And spare my people this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.
Esther 7 (NKJV) 5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, Who is he? Where is he the man who has dared to do such a thing? 6 Esther said, An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman! Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen.
Esther 7 (NKJV) 7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.
Esther 7 (NKJV) 8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house? As soon as the word left the king s mouth, they covered Haman s face.
Esther 7 (NKJV) 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king. The king said, Impale him on it! 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king s fury subsided.
King Grants Esther s Petition and More King gave Haman s estate to Esther Elevated Mordecai to highest seat of honor among his nobles (replaces Haman) Authorized Esther and Mordecai to write a decree in his name to empower the Jews Decree gave Jews right to assemble, protect themselves, and destroy their enemy Esther 8:1 2, 7 8, 11, and 15 17 Esther 9:1 4 and 10:3
Esther 8 (NKJV) 1 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman s estate.
Esther 8 (NKJV) 7 King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. 8 Now write another decree in the king s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king s signet ring for no document written in the king s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.
Esther 8 (NKJV) 11 The king s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies.
Esther 8 (NKJV) 15 When Mordecai left the king s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. 16 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor.
Esther 8 (NKJV) 17 In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.
Esther 9 (NKJV) 1 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them.
Esther 9 (NKJV) 2 The Jews assembled in their cities in all the provinces of King Xerxes to attack those determined to destroy them. No one could stand against them, because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them.
Esther 9 (NKJV) 3 And all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king s administrators helped the Jews, because fear of Mordecai had seized them. 4 Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.
Esther 10 (NKJV) 3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.
What We Learned Mordecai worshiped and served God despite living in adversity His refusal to worship Herman started sequence of events that led to his triumph over adversity Ascended to the highest position Conquered poverty Triumphed over his enemies Because he worshiped God unconditionally