1. Part 5 - Esther 5 How Women, Angry Men and God’s People

2. The name Esther means “something hidden”The name Esther means “something hidden”

3. Esther visits the King On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, in front of the king's quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace.

4. Esther visits the King The spiritual preparation has been completed and now she must prepare herself physicallyThe spiritual preparation has been completed and now she must prepare herself physically

5. Esther visits the King

6. Five mission objectives. Break the law for which the penalty was death.Break the law for which the penalty was death. Confess that she has deceived the king by not telling him she was a Jew.Confess that she has deceived the king by not telling him she was a Jew. Attempt to convince the king to reverse an irreversible law,Attempt to convince the king to reverse an irreversible law,

7. Five mission objectives. Oppose Haman, the most powerful person on earth at that moment in time besides the king.Oppose Haman, the most powerful person on earth at that moment in time besides the king. Pursue a plan that will strike a serious blow to the king’s pridePursue a plan that will strike a serious blow to the king’s pride

8. The Response to the Queen And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand.

9. The Response to the Queen Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.” (5:2-3)

10. The Response to the Queen The king is pleased with her. He trusts her.The king is pleased with her. He trusts her.

11. The Response to the Queen

12. The Offer of the King (5:3)The Offer of the King (5:3) And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.”

13. The Response to the Queen It was a way of saying that the king was generousIt was a way of saying that the king was generous

14. The Response to the Queen The Request of Esther (5:4)The Request of Esther (5:4) And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.”

15. The Response to the Queen It would not have been wise to humiliate the king in his court by telling him he had unknowingly passed a law that jeopardized the life of his queen.It would not have been wise to humiliate the king in his court by telling him he had unknowingly passed a law that jeopardized the life of his queen. She operates within proper protocol and etiquette.She operates within proper protocol and etiquette.

16. The Response to the Queen It’s another party (5:5-6)It’s another party (5:5-6) Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.” So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared.

17. The Response to the Queen It’s another party (5:5-6)It’s another party (5:5-6) And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, “What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.”

18. The Response to the Queen Esther’s Second Request (5:7-8)Esther’s Second Request (5:7-8) Then Esther answered, “My wish and my request is: If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my wish and fulfill my request,

19. The Response to the Queen Esther’s Second Request (5:7-8)Esther’s Second Request (5:7-8) let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”

20. The Response to the Queen God is working behind the scenesGod is working behind the scenes

21. Angry Men (5:9-14) And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.

22. Angry Men (5:9-14) Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh.

23. Angry Men (5:9-14) And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king.

24. Angry Men (5:9-14) Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.”.

25. Angry Men (5:9-14) Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.

26. Angry Men (5:9-14) Haman bragged about his wealth.Haman bragged about his wealth. Haman bragged about his power.Haman bragged about his power. Haman has wealth, power and position but is not happy Haman has wealth, power and position but is not happy

27. Angry Men (5:9-14) Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” (5:13)Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” (5:13) 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.”(5:14)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.”(5:14)

28. Bottom Line: Making God famous involves risking it all!!Making God famous involves risking it all!!

29. For anyone checking out the Jesus- centered life We believe you are worth any risk we take to help you transformWe believe you are worth any risk we take to help you transform

30. For anyone intentional about living a Jesus-centered life We risk offending people when we are truthful with them about their reality.We risk offending people when we are truthful with them about their reality.

31. For anyone intentional about living a Jesus-centered life The biggest risk you will ever take is letting God’s grace cover you.The biggest risk you will ever take is letting God’s grace cover you.

32. For anyone intentional about living a Jesus-centered life

33. It is risky to live with the belief that every moment is an opportunity to expand your faith in God.It is risky to live with the belief that every moment is an opportunity to expand your faith in God.