Sermon on Esther – Lessons from the Life of Esther

1. Vashti’s Downfall (chapter 1)

1) The King’s feast is noted by the historian Herodotus who said it was a military planning session.

2) King commanded Vashti to come wearing her royal crown “to show her beauty.”

3) Vashti refused.

4) The king made a proclamation that Vashti would no longer have a royal position and that wives ought to honor their husbands.

2. Esther’s Selection and Marriage (2:1-20)

1) King sent out officers to find women to replace Vashti.

2) Esther was among the women selected.

3) Mordecai sought each day to know of Esther’s welfare.

4) She prepared herself for 12 months and finally was given audience.

5) The king loved Esther more than all the other women (2:17).

6) Esther kept her nationality secret.

3. Mordecai’s Service to the King (2:21-23)

1) Mordecai overheard two eunuchs plotting the King’s assassination.

2) He reported it and the men were hanged.

3) Mordecai’s name was recorded in the Chronicles of the King.

4. Haman’s Promotion and Plot (chapter 3)

1) Haman was promoted and all people were to bow down to him.

2) But Mordecai did not bow.

3) So Haman cast the “Pur” and plotted to destroy the Jews.

4) Haman convinced the king to kill all the Jews because they spoke against him.

5) This was to be done on the 13th day of the 12th month, Adar (March).

5. The Proclamation of Destruction (4:1-14)

1) Mordecai learns of this proclamation and adorns himself in sackcloth and ashes.

2) Esther hears about this and inquires.

3) Mordecai warns Esther that she will not escape unless she does something.

4) 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. 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?”

6. Esther’s Plan Begun (4:15-5:8)

1) Esther goes in to the king and is received favorably.

2) Esther invites the king of Haman to a feast.

7. Haman’s Plan Against Mordecai (5:9-14)

1) In Haman’s pride he boasts to his family about this feast.

2) The family plot Mordecai’s death by hanging – 50 cubit high gallows.

8. The Honor of Mordecai (6:1-14)

1) The king was sleepless and reading the records.

2) He came across Mordecai’s service.

3) Desiring to honor Mordecai, the king asks Haman what should be done.

4) Haman, thinking that he was being honored devised an elaborate plan.

a. Royal robe.

b. Royal horse.

c. Royal crest.

d. Lead by most noble princes.

e. Say, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.”

5) Haman is then humiliated in having to carry out his plan for Mordecai.

9. Esther’s Plan Completed (7:1-10)

1) Esther reveals to the king her heritage.

2) Tells what has been devised against her people.

3) Esther brings the charge against Haman at the second feast.

4) Haman is taken out and hanged (impaled) on his own gallows.

10.The Salvation of Mordecai and the Jewish People (8:1-17)

1) Esther speaks to the king about the law.

2) The king proclaims that the Jewish people are allowed to fight their enemies.

11. Jewish victory over their enemies (9:1-16)

1) The Jewish people fight.

2) Many take the side of the Jews.

3) Many convert to Judaism.

4) The enemies are killed.

5) Haman’s 10 sons are killed.

6) A second day of fighting is proclaimed.

12. The celebrations of their victories (9:17-32)

1) On the 14th day of Adar there was rest in the villages, but in Shushan the rest was not until the 15th day.

2) Both days are thus honored in the feast of Purim.

13. Mordecai’s Notoriety (10:1-3)

1. God can use evil men to accomplish good things for his people.

1) King Ahasuerus was an evil man (1:11).

2) Haman was an evil man.

3) Ahasuerus evil ended up being Esther’s salvation.

4) Haman’s evil ended up being the Jews salvation.

5) “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28).

2. Courage is a virtue worth rewarding.

1) The courage of Mordecai in refusing to bow to Haman.

2) The courage of Esther in entering the king’s presence.

3) 2 Timothy 1:7, 8 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.”

3. Pride goes before destruction.

1) Haman’s pride promoted Mordecai.

2) Haman’s pride then destroyed himself and his family.

3) Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”

4. Anger does nothing but build our own gallows.

1) Haman’s anger was drove his hatred for Mordecai.

2) It drove him to build the gallows prior to the king’s judgment.

3) Then when the king learned of Haman’s efforts, he was hanged on his own gallows.

4) Eph.4:31 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice.”

5. God takes care of his people.

1) God elevated Esther to queen.

2) God ensured that Mordecai’s loyalty was recorded.

3) God worked in the timing of the two feasts.

4) God was involved in Ahasuerus’ insomnia and reading of the books.

5) God uses Haman’s gallows for his own purpose.

6) God uses the circumstances to bring great blessing to his people.

7) Hebrews 13:5-6 “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”