20 The Queen of Beauty and Courage sermon v4
Page 1 of 11
Slide 1
The Queen of Beauty and Courage
The Story Chapter 20
Esther
David J Dahms
Lazy Mountain Bible Church
Palmer, Alaska
Sunday, February 30, 2014
Introduction
Today is our next to last day in the Old Testament—the book of Esther. The main idea
of the book for us today is:
Slide 2
Each of us must be ready to step forward when it is our day and our time in history to
stand for truth and justice using whatever gifts and position God has given us not
matter the cost.
In Esther, Mordecai speaks this to Esther saying:
Slide 3
Esther 4:14 (NIV)
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?”
In the New Testament Jesus speaks these words directly to us:
Slide 4
Matthew 16:25 (NRSV)
25
For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their
life for my sake will find it.
And
Slide 5
John 15:13 (NRSV)
20 The Queen of Beauty and Courage sermon v4
Page 2 of 11
13
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Esther is given the greatest opportunity to live out this teaching, but it
comes at the greatest cost.
Slide 6
The Upper Story of Esther is: God saving His chosen people of Israel.
But what makes this such a fascinating story is the way that God works and the people
that He uses in order to fulfill His purpose.
Let’s review the characters:
Our king, King Xerxes reigned in Persia from 485 BC to 465 BC. His kingdom stretched
all the way from India to the Mediterranean Sea.
Slide 7 – Show Map
During the third year of his reign he threw a party. Not just any party. This was a party to
try to impress his followers and also raise support for some of the war efforts he was
involved in. But this party—are you ready for this, it lasted 180 days. Six months! This
guy knew how to party. Now when the 180 days ended. Guess what? He said, “You
know what? I don’t think I’m ready to quit.” He said, “Let’s go one more week.” So he
tacked on one more week of partying.
On the very last day…I want you to look in your Bible at Esther 1:10 and follow along
with me.
Slide 8
Esther 1:10–11 (NIV)
10 On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he
commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona,
Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas—11 to bring before him Queen Vashti,
wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and
nobles, for she was lovely to look at.
“On the seventh day…” which is really the 187th day. “…when King Xerxes was in high
spirits from wine…” Yeah, understatement of the century. “He commanded the seven
eunuchs who served him to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown.”
Some commentators think that this: he was so drunk that he was asking her to appear
with just the crown on and nothing else. So look what happens. “… in order to display
her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at.
Slide 9
20 The Queen of Beauty and Courage sermon v4
Page 3 of 11
Esther 1:12 (NIV)
12 But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti
refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.
But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come.
Then the king became furious and burned with anger.”
Vashti had some convictions. She was not about to become some sexual object to be
stared at by dozens of drunken men. And in that day and time to refuse to appear
before your husband the king would be humiliating to the king. And his advisors said to
him, “Hey we’ve got to do something. All of Persia is watching, and in order to save face
as a male, you’re gonna have to do something.” But instead of apologizing…instead of
apologizing, he chooses to banish Vashti from the kingdom. So the king has lost his
queen.
Four years pass and Xerxes realizes the foolishness of his actions. People tend to do
things they regret when they’re drunk and King Xerxes is no exception. Also during
those four years he’s been defeated by Greece in a couple of battles, and he’s become
depressed and he’s become lonely. His harem was no substitute for a wife.
But never fear. His advisors come up with a great plan. They say, “Hey, how about a
beauty pageant throughout the entire province – throughout the entire kingdom – and
the winner will become your wife and the queen?” Now that sounds like a plan that a
group of men would come up with, doesn’t it, you know? The Bible doesn’t say it, but I’m
sure they volunteered to be judges throughout the process.
Esther 2:7… Follow along with me.
Slide 10
Esther 2:7 (NIV)
7 Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because
she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as
Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his
own daughter when her father and mother died.
So Mordecai has taken her in. He has raised his younger cousin. Esther grew up, and
she caught the attention of some of the judges and she started advancing throughout
the process. But before she was allowed to appear before the king, she had to undergo
twelve months of beauty treatments. Twelve months! Guys, you think your wife takes a
long time to get ready? (Laughter) An entire year of an extreme makeover!
And in Esther 2:10, this is very important.
Slide 11
20 The Queen of Beauty and Courage sermon v4
Page 4 of 11
Esther 2:10 (NIV)
10 Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because
Mordecai had forbidden her to do so.
It tells us that Esther had not revealed to anyone her nationality or her family
background, because Mordecai had forbidden her from doing that.
After the twelve months, Esther appears before King Xerxes, Esther is chosen out of
thousands of beautiful young virgins to become his queen. And they get married and he
declares it a national holiday. He has no idea that she is Jewish because she hasn’t told
a soul.
Soon after this the Bible records a seemingly insignificant story as kind of an aside, and
it involves Mordecai, Esther’s cousin who raised her. At the city gate he overhears two
palace guards talking about an assassination plot that they have in order to kill King
Xerxes. Mordecai overhears it; he sends a message to Queen Esther, who in turn tells
the king’s security team. They check into it and corroborate that, “Yes, these guys do
want to kill the king.” And so they are put to death. The Bible says that they were
impaled by the king’s security folks. And they write down the name of Mordecai in the
king’s annals so that someday he can be recognized and honored.
Now sometime after this King Xerxes needs some help administrating the kingdom, and
the king appoints Haman to be the prime minister over all the land and the chief advisor
to the king.
You know, it’s often true that when people are elevated you begin to see what their true
character is, and Haman is addicted to power. He is in love with himself. He demanded
every person, when they would walk past him, to bow down and kneel before him.
That’s the ego trip that this man was on. And because of fear and because of his
position, everybody did. Everybody bowed down to him—except for one man, Mordecai.
Mordecai would not kneel down and worship or honor him.
Now for one thing Mordecai is a true Jew who will only kneel and worship the one true
God. The second reason is that Haman is a descendant of Agag. Agag and the
Amalekites had been hated enemies by the Jews. So Mordecai’s not going to bow down
to this man Haman, but this hacks off Haman. He is infuriated over it. He is so mad he
sets out in his mind, “I’ve got to put Mordecai to death. I’ve got to get this guy killed for
his lack of respect.”
But he doesn’t want to stop just there. Look in your Bible at Esther chapter 3. Turn to
Esther 3 and look at verse 6:
Slide 12
Esther 3:6 (NIV)
20 The Queen of Beauty and Courage sermon v4
Page 5 of 11
Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of
killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all
Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.
6
Haman was a Hitler. He was a bona fide racist, and so he devises this scheme, this
plan. His hatred for the Jewish people causes him to go to King Xerxes and he says,
“Hey, I’ve got a proposal for you. You know what?” He says, “I will give you a boatload
of money. I will give you a ton of money, and I’ll put it in the king’s treasury if you will just
let me wipe out this group of people that we have here in Persia that don’t belong. They
don’t fit in. You know, they’re not the type of people we need to have in our kingdom.”
And finally the King responds, “Well, if you really think they need to be wiped out and
killed then that’s fine with me. But,” the king says, “just keep your money. I don’t need
your money.”
And so Haman comes up with this day when they will kill all the Jewish people—like an
extermination day.
Now if you are a Jewish person and you’re hearing this, you’ve got to be thinking, “God
has abandoned us!” No. He’s there keeping watch over His own. Though He may be out
of sight, we are never out of His sight. We’re never out of His care. And when things
take a sudden turn for the worst in your life like they did in this story, please know God
has not abandoned you. Don’t conclude that God is absent. Instead remember Hebrews
13:5 where it says, “Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.”
Slide 13
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you
have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
The Jews have forgotten this when God said the same in Deuteronomy 31:6,8; and Josh 1:5
You see, that’s God’s upper story, He will Not Abadon Israel, that He is unwaveringly
true to his promise to the Jewish nation, with His followers. In the lower story, the
situation, though, is incredibly bleak. I mean, look at this. In Esther 3 look at verses 13
through 15.
Slide 14
Esther 3:13 (NIV)
13 Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order
to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and
children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month
of Adar, and to plunder their goods.
Slide 15
20 The Queen of Beauty and Courage sermon v4
Page 6 of 11
Esther 3:14 (NIV)
14 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and
made known to the people of every nationality so they would be ready for that
day.
Slide 16
Esther 3:15 (NIV)
15 The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was
issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the
city of Susa was bewildered.
Mordecai hears about this plot before Esther hears about it, and he begins to wear
sackcloth and he goes into mourning. And then he sets out to persuade Esther, his
cousin, to save the Jewish people, her people. And Mordecai begs for Esther, through a
letter, to go to the king and plead her case.
And Esther sends back a message, and she says, “You don’t understand, Mordecai.
There is a problem. The king has not summoned for me in over thirty days. It’s been a
month since my own husband has even wanted to see my face. Things have changed.
And in case you’ve forgotten, Mordecai,” she writes, “if I show up in his presence
uninvited and he doesn’t extend the royal scepter to me, signifying for me to approach
him, then I could die. And do you remember the last time one of his queens breached
protocol and lacked respect?”
And I love what Mordecai responds and says in Esther 4:13.
Slide 17
Esther 4:13–14 (NIV)
13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s
house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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?”
Mordecai is saying to his young cousin, “Perhaps this is why you have risen from being
an orphan to becoming the first lady. God has orchestrated all of this for you to save His
chosen people.” In other words, God’s upper story, to protect his people, and Esther,
your lower story, self preservation, to protect your life, have come to the crossroads.
And Esther is feeling this pressure in the unfolding of the plot. Does God want to use
her to play some role? And Mordecai is laying it on the line and he’s saying, “Now is the
time, Esther. We need you. This is the moment.”
20 The Queen of Beauty and Courage sermon v4
Page 7 of 11
Up to this point what is stirring in you? Do you kind of think, “Nice story, but doesn’t apply to
me. I don’t have the looks, I don’t have the position, I can’t make an impact. But that is NOT
what Jesus says. Jesus says that Mordecai’s statement applies to all of us.
Slide 18
Matthew 16:25 (NRSV)
25
For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their
life for my sake will find it.
And
Slide 19
John 15:13 (NRSV)
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
13
And it often isn’t in one big monumental choice, but a series of “Yes, God” moments.
Moments like when your theory of knowledge professor laughs at your belief that you
believe that there is a God who created the heavens and the earth. Your boss asks you
to do something unethical in order to help the bottom line—to financially help the
company. Your business associate listens to your marital problems on the business trip
and then flirts with you more than normal. Your coworkers mock morality and scoff at
your view of Biblical marriage as being between one man and one woman. And there
are many, many more, each with your name on it where God’s upper story, and your
lower story intersect.
Slide 20
And in those moments of truth, what are you going to do? Are you going to take a
stand? Are you going to let God’s big picture purpose guide you?
You see what Jesus teaches us is: You are part of God’s plan. Just where you are, just
how you are. How are you going to respond.
In his words, Mordecai reminds Esther:
“It is no accident that you are in this position at this time. You are there to use the
influence God has given you to intercede for His people. You have not been brought to
the palace to accumulate an exquisite wardrobe, precious gems and exotic fragrances.
You have not been brought to this point to become the most desirable and attractive
woman in all the kingdom. Esther, you have been brought to this place by God.
20 The Queen of Beauty and Courage sermon v4
Page 8 of 11
Slide 21
You have been brought here to be PART OF GOD’S PLAN to sustain the Jewish people
so that the Messiah can be born through that line, through the Jewish people.”
So Esther is faced with a decision. She knows she can’t do this in the flesh. This is
going to take God’s wisdom, God’s creativity, God’s intervention. So recognizing the
magnitude of this decision, she sends back this message to her cousin Mordecai who
has raised her from childhood. Esther 4:16 she says,
Slide 22
Esther 4:15–16 (NIV)
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews
who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or
day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the
king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
She is going to risk it all. This is the king that changes wives at a whim. There are a
hundred maybe hundreds of beautiful women in the kingdom just waiting to take
Esther’s place.
Praise the Lord. She made the right choice. And this isn’t, “I’m going to lose a
friendship” or “It might cost me my job.” Or my friends are going to think I’m a Jesus
freak at school. I mean, this is life or death. And she realizes God placed her there to
intercede for His people. Not only is Esther beautiful on the outside, but more
importantly she is beautiful on the inside—as this wise woman invites God into the
process.
The Bible speaks of women who cultivate that type of beauty:
Slide 23
Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD
is to be praised.
Praying and fasting went hand in hand for the Jewish people. When you fast, when you
skip a meal or skip a day, you are communicating that God will be your nourishment,
that He will be your food, that He will be your strength. You are going without food to
express your dependence and your desperation on the Lord.
What’s the first thing that you do when you face intense pressure? Usually we don’t fast
and pray. But Esther did. Some people turn to the bottle. Some people get angry. Some
people work longer hours. Some people spend money. Some people hole up and they
20 The Queen of Beauty and Courage sermon v4
Page 9 of 11
hide out at their home.
First Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
Slide 24
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
And we’d be wise when we face intense situations to fast and to pray—just like Esther
did—so that we can stand up for what’s right regardless of the consequences.
Now after this time of all the Jews (along with Esther’s servants) fasting and praying,
Esther takes that step of faith and she goes uninvited to King Xerxes. And she stands in
the corridor right there in front of the king. This is the moment. Their eyes meet. And
although she is uninvited, the Bible says, “He was pleased with her.” And so he extends
his royal scepter, and that had to indicate to her, “God is working upstream in this case.”
He even asks her what she wants, and the king looks at her and he says, “I will give you
up to half of my kingdom.” And Esther makes a very simple request to start with. She
says, “You know what? I would love to have a banquet with you and with Haman—just
the three of us tonight.” And he says, “Done. Consider it done. We’ll see you at dinner.”
Just the three of them.
The next Day, Esther and Xerxes are seated there. He comes in. The stage is set. The
king asks Esther, “What’s your request? What do you want of me?” And in Esther 7:3-7
this gal steps up to the plate.
Slide 25
Esther 7:3 (NIV)
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.
Slide 26
Esther 7:5 (NIV)
5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has
dared to do such a thing?”
Slide 27
Esther 7:6 (NIV)
20 The Queen of Beauty and Courage sermon v4
Page 10 of 11
Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!” Then Haman was
terrified before the king and queen.
6
“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. For I and my people have
been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated.” She uses the exact same words that
Haman has used. “‘If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have
just kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.’ Then King
Xerxes asked Queen Esther, ‘Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do
such a thing?’ Esther said, ‘An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!’ Then Haman
was terrified before the king and queen. The king got up in a rage…” Look at the next
line. Is this hilarious? “The king got up in a rage, left his wine (which was significant to
the Biblical author) and went out into the palace garden.
Slide 28
Esther 7:7 (NIV)
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.
But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg
Queen Esther for his life.”
Hey, her tears are real because the consequences are real for her. And the king walks
out trying to control the rage that he has against Haman. And just about the time he
controls himself, he comes walking back in. Haman knows the only person that can
save his life is the queen, so at that same moment Haman rushes over to beg for his life
from Queen Esther. As he does so he trips—probably over a Persian rug. He lands right
on top of Queen Esther.
Slide 29
Esther 7:8 (NIV)
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.
8
So he’s laying on top of Queen Esther just as King Xerxes comes walking in, and
Xerxes says, “I cannot believe this!” He says, “Will he even molest the queen while she
is with me in the house?”
And King Xerxes’ anger burns and he says, “Take Haman and end his life on those
20 The Queen of Beauty and Courage sermon v4
Page 11 of 11
gallows.”
What a turn of events! Unbelievable! Unbelievable…unless you know the Author of the
story.
Let me just make three observations in two minutes. Observation number one,
Slide 30
Look for opportunities.
Mordecai looked for them. Esther looked for opportunities. Be cognizant of what God
puts in your path and the people He brings into your life, in your neighborhood, in your
workplace. Look for opportunities.
Secondly,
Slide 31
Invite God into the process.
I mean, I just love this. Esther chose to do that through fasting and prayer. She knows
that she doesn’t control events. She takes the matters to a higher power.
And thirdly,
Slide 32
Have the courage to speak up and stand up for Christ.
Jesus says in Matthew 10:32, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also
acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” Have the courage to take a stand. Here
were a couple of people that were nobodies. This was an orphan girl. And God
specializes in taking what the world doesn’t expect and bringing glory to Himself out of
it.