05.04. Preparing for Providence- Esther
Preparing for Providence- Esther
Our list of heroes included a lady that became Queen of the Persian Empire. The book of Esther is a unique book. It is the only book in the Bible where the name of God is not mentioned. However this does not keep the hands of God from being all over the events. It is probably a book that teaches us about the providential care of God as much as any other.
Our hero today begins when she is a very young woman. I have entitled this Preparing for Providence because Esther had to make decisions that ultimately put her in a place to be used of God.
I- God’s Providence:
Let me begin by telling you a couple of interesting stories to illustrate the providence of God. Some time ago a man showed up at the church and fixed one of the water fountains. After he was finished he discovered that he had gone to the wrong church. God had provided a fixed water fountain at no cost. Last week the gas man was called to look at Keith’s oven that is dying fast and he came by the church instead and fixed the one in the kitchen. He then realized that he was not supposed to fix that one. He told Q that it was a two for one day. God’s providence or His provision. How much faith would you have to step out and allow God to provide for you.
II- Esther’s Made Queen:
The story of Esther involves several other characters. I wish to break down the story into two events, before she became queen and after. The story begins with Queen Vashti being deposed for not parading herself at a drunken festival for the king and his drunk friends. After the queen in deposed they propose a beauty contest to chose the next queen. The king regrets that he allowed this to happen. Esther 2:1-4 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. 2 Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: 3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: 4 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. Esther 2:5 ff "Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai... 7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. 8 So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women"
Esther is now one of many potential queens.
Notice Mordecai instruction to Esther. Esther 2:10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
Esther was a Jew but did not reveal this to anyone. After a year of preparation we pick up the story in Esther 2:16-17 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 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."
Esther, the Jewish maiden in now the Queen of the nation of Persia. The stage is set for her to be used of God in His providence.
III- For Such A Time:
Through a man named Haman hatred for Mordecai events take a potential deadly turn for the Jewish living in captivity. A decree is issued that all are to be killed on a certain day. Remember Esther has not revealed that she is a Jew. Mordecai sends messages to Esther about the decree. Notice one of the messages.
Esther 4:13-14 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Mordecai tells Esther that perhaps all the providential events had been for just this moment. The rest of the story unfold and Esther reveals to the king that she is a Jew and ultimately Haman is hanged on the gallows prepared to for Mordecai. The killing of the Jews was averted.
IV- Preparing for Providence
What are the lessons for us? Let me tell us all a story and then help us understand how we can learn from Esther so we can be prepared when providence calls and God wants to use us for His purpose.
I got a call the other night that I asked permission to share. A church member was in Ft. Smith this last week at McDonald’s with his family. In walked a man who was obviously homeless. He walked up and said, you are one of them Christians aren’t you? Yes, he replied. As the conversation ensued it ended with the man praying in the parking lot to receive Christ as his Savior. Sam Hill was ready to be used by God when in God’s providence he was needed. Notice a couple of things related to Esther. After she is told this notice what she instructed Mordecai to do. Esther 4:16-17 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. 17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
There was a spiritual preparation that shows that Esther was depending on God to provide for her protection. He indeed did.
There is a humility that comes out in the character of Esther. Although she was queen I don’t think it went to her head. This is a lesson we have from her.
Notice, Php 2:3-5 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
I have a poem that I wish to share concerning being a Christian. I think one thing that we always need to be aware of is not becoming better than others.
Christians When I say... "I am a Christian"
I’m not shouting "I’m clean livin’."
I’m whispering "I was lost, Now I’m found and forgiven." When I say.. "I am a Christian"
I don’t speak of this with pride I’m confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide. When I say... "I am a Christian"
I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak And need His strength to carry on. When I say... "I am a Christian"
I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting I have failed And need God to clean my mess. When I say... "I am a Christian"
I’m not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible But, God believes I am worth it. When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches So I call upon His name. When I say... "I am a Christian"
I’m not holier than thou, I’m just a simple sinner Who received God’s good grace, somehow!
- By Maya Angelou Preparation is another lesson for us from Esther. She could have half done the things getting ready and leading up to her going before the King.
Esther 2:9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.
Esther spend the next 12 months preparing. This points out to me that we need to be prepared for God to use us. Do you know why I have a Dr. of Ministry. It is not so my wife will bow and polish my shoes, it is not an attempt to be somebody, it is so that God can use me to accomplish His will in my life.
Esther followed wise advice is the final lesson we will look at. All the women are given a change to take anything they wanted into the king with them. Notice Esther 2:13-15 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house. 14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name. 15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
Let me give you the wisest advice anyone can. Come to Jesus is you do not know Him and follow Him. Christians we need to be prepared for God to use us at any time in His providential plan.