Podcasts about haman esther

We conclude our Epic Bible Rivalries series with Haman and Mordecai from the book of Esther. These two men are caught in the epic battle between good and evil. Even when it looks the darkest, we find that good triumphs. Teaching text: Esther.

After Haman paraded Mordecai around the city, he ran home to pout. His plans to have Mordecai put to death that day had gone very poorly, to say the least. The man he had gone to ask to kill, he was forced to honor in front of the entire city. When he told his wife what had happened, she wasn't terribly comforting, but she was smart. She knew that everything was upside down now and that because he had built the pike (like she had recommended), things were probably going to get much worse for him. Haman barely had time to process what she was saying when the king's servants showed up to remind Haman that it was time to attend Queen Esther's banquet right then. Whatever excitement Haman had felt just 18 hours prior about this banquet was probably all gone now. He must have been nervous that the king would find out exactly what this giant structure was on his property and who it was for. This was all the worst timing, in a very biblical sense. How would you have felt if you were in Haman's shoes?__________________Esther is simultaneously a victory and a tragedy. In some ways, If you look at it through a modern lens, it should be called the Victory of Mordecai and the Tragedy of Esther. Esther loses her parents and then is taken into the harem of a despotic king to be used as he wishes. Mordecai ends up, like Daniel, a very high official and ruler in his expatriated land. This will be a great study of Esther as we look at the emotions, the world and the meanings of one of the most cherished, and often misunderstood books of the Bible.-----------LINKS----------Support 10WB on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/10weekbibleThe 10 Week Bible - http://www.10WeekBible.comTwitter: @DarrenHibbs - https://twitter.com/DarrenHibbsSign up for my newsletter - http://www.darrenhibbs.comGet a copy of the 10 Week Bible Study today - https://www.amazon.com/Darren-Hibbs/e/B00B4I47CE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl2&tag=darrenhcom0a-20&linkId=401f3d79974c70929517936977e32df9My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChUU0XHSHuhSyN8qk-7efYgSupport the show

A new MP3 sermon from East Dulwich Tabernacle is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Foolish Pride of Haman | Esther 6 Subtitle: Book of Esther Speaker: Darren Cadapen Broadcaster: East Dulwich Tabernacle Event: Bible Study Date: 4/21/2021 Bible: Esther 6 Length: 33 min.

A new MP3 sermon from East Dulwich Tabernacle is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Rage of Haman | Esther 3 Subtitle: Book of Esther Speaker: Darren Cadapen Broadcaster: East Dulwich Tabernacle Event: Bible Study Date: 3/24/2021 Bible: Esther 3 Length: 42 min.

A new MP3 sermon from East Dulwich Tabernacle is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Rage of Haman | Esther 3 Subtitle: Book of Esther Speaker: Darren Cadapen Broadcaster: East Dulwich Tabernacle Event: Bible Study Date: 3/24/2021 Bible: Esther 3 Length: 42 min.

Esther has now had the king and Haman to a banquet and requested the presence of both on the following day for another banquet. While we do not know all the reasons for Esther's delay in telling the king her request, we do know God had a plan to destroy Haman. The passage we will examine gives us the events that transpired after the banquet from Haman's perspective. He leaves the banquet feeling high and mighty until he goes by the gate and sees Mordecai. He goes home and rehearses the recent events to his wife and friends. Haman is a man that is filled with pride. We must learn that pride brings destruction.

The post The Fall of Haman; Esther 7 appeared first on South Canyon Baptist Church.

2/20/22. Five Minutes in the Word scriptures for today, Esther 5:5-8. Esther delays making her request. Enduring Word commentary; Faithlife Study Bible; and/or Matthew Henry Commentary. #Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover for November 2021" #MinutesWord; #dailydevotional. Listen, like, follow, share! Available on Apple podcast; Spotify; Tune-in Radio; iHeart; Goodpods; Stitcher; and many others!! #MinutesWord. Financial support is welcome at https://anchor.fm/esbc-webmaster --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/esbc-webmaster/support

2/8/22. Five Minutes in the Word scriptures for today, Esther 3:3-4. Mordecai claims his beliefs keeps him from bowing before Haman. Enduring Word commentary; Faithlife Study Bible; and/or Matthew Henry Commentary. #Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover for November 2021" #MinutesWord; #dailydevotional. Listen, like, follow, share! Available on Apple podcast; Spotify; Tune-in Radio; iHeart; Goodpods; Stitcher; and many others!! #MinutesWord. Financial support is welcome at https://anchor.fm/esbc-webmaster --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/esbc-webmaster/support

In chapter two, we studied the godly character of Mordecai and Esther. They were selfless and humble people willing to serve others. In chapter three, we are introduced to a man named Hama who is opposite of Mordecai and Esther. Haman was the kind of man who thought he deserved it all. We must learn humility.

Your words were found and I ate them

Your words were found and I ate them

Esther 7: The Fall(s) of Haman | Esther reveals the plot to the King, who orders Haman arrested. Haman is hung on the gallows he had personally erected for Mordecai.Journey 19 | Restoration. Journey Nineteen guides us through the powerful and epic story in the Bible's Books of Restoration. The Old Testament history is completed as Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther tell the story of God restoring his people back to their homeland. Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi prophesy to the nation, as God declares, "Return to me, and I will return to you." Then in the NT, Ephesians brings God's restoration into our own lives as we learn the power of grace and how to walk in it. Finally Philemon delivers a powerful statement against slavery and a call to recognize the brotherhood that Christ brings to all humanity. (67 days)Teacher: Jonathan FergusonAbout TTW: When the Bible is confusing, Through the Word explains it with clear and concise audio guides for every chapter. The TTW Podcast follows 19 Journeys covering every book and chapter in the Bible. Each journey is an epic adventure through several Bible books, as your favorite pastors explain each chapter with clear explanation and insightful application. Understand the Bible in just ten minutes a day, and join us for all 19 Journeys on the TTW podcast or TTW app!Get the App: https://throughtheword.orgContact: https://throughtheword.org/contactDonate: https://throughtheword.org/givingEsther 7 Themes: Bravery, vengeanceEsther 7 Tags: Haman, Esther, Xerses, banquet, revenge, irony, evil, reaps, sowsKey Verses: Quotes: Audio & Text © 2011-2021 Through the Word™ Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.Bible Quotes: The Holy Bible New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Acts 20:1-6 – Plots (Palm Sunday)March 28, 2021Acts 20:1-6A Long History of PlotsAdam & Eve (Genesis 3)Cain (Genesis 4)Descendants of Noah (Genesis 11)Sons of Jacob (Genesis 37)Pharaoh (Exodus 5)Israel (Exodus 32, 1 Samuel 8)King Saul (1 Samuel 18)King David (2 Samuel 11)Haman (Esther 3)Priest and Prophets (Jeremiah 26)Jonah (Jonah 1)Priest (Micah 1)The Plot against JesusMark 14:1-2Judas Joins the PlotMark 14:10-11Jesus Makes Plans, Not PlotsMark 14:12-16Psalm 33:10-11Our Selfish Plans – The Rich FoolLuke 12:16-21Proverbs 16:1-3The Plot is not hidden from JesusMark 14:17-21Psalm 64:6-7All Will Be RevealedJude 4, 16Luke 12:1-2God’s Plans were AccomplishedMark 14:22-25Luke 24:44-48And Will be AccomplishedJohn 14:1-6

Adversity is God's Way of Conquering Our Pride:I once heard a speaker say, “God's grace is free. But there is one essential requirement to receive it: “Humility.”Humility – 1. The quality or condition of being humble; lack of pride; modesty.Humble – 1. Having or showing feeling of humility rather than of pride; aware of one's shortcomings; modest; meek. 2. Showing deferential respect.Scriptures: a. 1 Corinthians 11:28 – 30 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. b. Ephesians 4:2-3 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. c. Proverbs 13:10 Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. d. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. e. Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.f. Proverbs 29.23 Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.g. Luke 14:11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”h. James 4:6-7 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.i. Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 3. Biblical Examples of Pride a. Pharaoh – Exodus 5:2 Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go.” b. Naaman – 2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. c. Uzziah – 2 Chronicles 26:16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. d. Hezekiah – 2 Chronicles 32:25 But Hezekiah's heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the LORD's wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem. e. Haman – Esther 3:5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. f. Nebuchadnezzar – Daniel 4:30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of mymajesty?” g. Belshazzar – Daniel 5:23 Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praisedthe gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his handyour life and all your ways. 4. Examples of Spiritual Pride: a. Job 33:9 ‘I am pure, I have done no wrong; I am clean and free from sin. b. Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. c. John 9:41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. d. 1 Corinthians 4:18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were notcoming to you. e. Revelation 3:17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind andnaked. Effects of Pride:a. It prevents reconciliation in relationships – Be the first one to say, “I'm sorry. ” Pride often says, “It's their turn to say I'm sorry and apologize. Not me! Not this time!b. It promotes impatience – Impatience is really saying, “I can do it better and faster.” Impatience is pride. Superficial love that is proud. 1 Corinthian 13:4c. It promotes self-centeredness – Self –centeredness breeds a lack of concern, compassion, empathy and always a lack of service to the Lord, accompanied by a myriad of “excuses.”d. It prevents God's blessing – God will not bless the proud. He will not put His stamp of approval on the one who say, “I did it my way…” Effects of Humility:a. Psalm 138:6 Though the LORD is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.b. Isaiah 66:2 Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.c. Luke 14:11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”d. James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”e. 1 Peter 5:5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” My prayer today is this - Oh Lord, give us a humble heart, that we may seek you. Grant us, even in our adversity the full assurance of your presence. May we be comforted by the wonderful truth, that You are near. Even when the waves of adversity would seemingly threaten to overwhelm, and we fear we may perish, assure us of you abiding love, care, and deliverance from every trial. Psalm 34 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. 14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; 16 but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. 17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; 20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. 22 The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. [NIV]

Hello, and welcome to Lechem Panim. We have reached an exciting turning point in the book of Esther. Up until our passage last week, evil has seemed to have been prevailing. Mordecai had uncovered a murder plot against the king's life, but instead of him being rewarded, the following chapter (chapter 3) sees the rise of an evil man named Haman, who (because of Mordecai's refusal to bow down to him) tricks the king into signing an edict to annihilate all the Jewish people in the Persian empire. Mordecai pleads with Esther to go to the king unannounced on behalf of her people, an act that could cost her her life; because it broke Persian protocol and might be seen by others as the same kind of rebellion the first Queen (Vashti) had committed all the way back in chapter 1. But Esther chooses to do this, and finds that the king receives her with favor, and agrees to come to a banquet she has prepared in order to hear her request. And she asks for Haman to be there too, to which the king agrees. So the king comes (with Haman) to Esther's first banquet to hear her request, but Esther senses God telling her to remain silent and to not share her request at that time, which is kind of frustrating for her because there is some urgency to her request. But she chooses to follow God's leading and to instead invite the king and Haman to a second banquet, during which she will then share her request. After that Haman has a pole erected for Mordecai on which to have him impaled as soon as he can get the king's permission. But of course that night the king can't sleep and so the royal records are read to him and he comes across the account of how Mordecai had saved his life from that assassination plot 5 years earlier. And so he decides to reward Mordecai, so he asks who is in the court; and of course it is Haman; Haman has come to issue his own request (to have Mordecai impaled); but the king speaks first and asks what ought to be done for the man the king delights to honor. And Haman, thinking it is him, gives him a long list of things that ought to be done for him (including exalting him publicly). And so the king tells him to go and do all these things (leaving nothing out) for Mordecai the Jew. And Haman (horrified) finds himself compelled to obey the king and ends up exalting the very man he had sought to destroy. And the text says that afterwards he went home with his face covered in grief. And so (in the midst of a lot of grief and pain) we see that God is working in an amazing; and we have already begun to see how God's plans are unfolding and the tables are beginning to turn on the enemies of His people. Last week I read to you Deuteronomy 7:9, which reads: Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV)— 9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. But I intentionally left the following verse for today, because of how it sets the tone for our discussion. It says in verse 10… Deuteronomy 7:10 (NIV)— 10 But those who hate him he will repay to their face by destruction; he will not be slow to repay to their face those who hate him. The Hidden Face— Now notice that twice it says in this verse that God will repay to their face; because there is a lot of Old Testament imagery and meaning behind that phrase. You will remember that in breathing life into Adam, God gave life to Adam from His very face. When man sinned, he was cut off from the face of God. When Cain committed murder in killing his brother Abel, he says Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. When we sin, (in the Hebrew mind) our face is always affected; we are cut off from God's face. Yet later in the Tabernacle (and even later the temple) there was kept there the bread of the presence of God. In Hebrew it was known as the Lechem Panim, which literally meant “bread of the faces”; signifying that bread for life was found as man looked into the face/faces of God. It was a promise; because in Jesus (the bread of life), who was born in a bakery (that's what Bet-Lechem means; “house of bread”), man got to look once again into the face of God in Jesus. Now I say all this because of how Haman in our story today has just covered his face because of his having to exalt Mordecai. He races home with his face covered. There is a spiritual overtone to all of this. And his friends and family tell him he's doomed because Mordecai is a Jew (interesting how they seem to understand that God stands with His people). And it says… Esther 6:14-7:1—  14 While they were still talking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared. 7:1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther's banquet, So Haman is ushered to Esther's second banquet. And his heart is still racing and he's trying to regain his composure the best he can. And so he comes in and sits down, only to experience another horrifying surprise. It says… Esther 7:2-4 (NIV)— 2 and as they were drinking wine [there's that theme of wine again] 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.” 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.” Now the king suddenly becomes wild with fury. Who would dare set themselves against His queen (the woman he loved) and her people? And Haman's eyes are growing wide as well. He begins to feel the drumbeat of his own heart. And he thinks to himself, “Surely Esther is not a Jew!” But it says… Esther 7:5-6 (NIV)— 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!” And Haman's jaw drops to the floor. And the king's eyes lock onto Haman like a bulldog's on lamb chops. And all the blood drains from Haman's face. It says Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. And the King is beside himself with rage. He gets up and storms out. And look what it says... Esther 7:7-8a (NIV)— 7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine [there's that wine mentioned again; something bad is about to happen] 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. 8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining.  And for some reason this looks to Xerxes like an assault upon the queen; probably because of how aggressively Haman is pleading for his life; I mean HE IS TERRIFIED!!! Esther 7:8b-10 (NIV)— 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. 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. ​God Lifting Us Up— Now I'm sure most of you have gone through times of persecution and oppression; and maybe you have wondered when and how God would deliver you. And especially we Christians in the United States have a skewed understanding of what it means to be in favor with God. We think it means prosperity and feeling close and connected with God all the time. Prosperity gospel prophets will tell us that if we are suffering in some way, then something is wrong with our relationship with God and we need to have a deeper kind of faith; because obviously our faith is not strong enough. I'm not sure why we tend to gravitate towards that heresy so easily, especially when Jesus speaks so clearly about our taking up our crosses (our emblems of suffering and shame) and following Him in His suffering. In the early church there were precious few Christians who expected anything less than pain and suffering on behalf of the Gospel. And looking back through the Old Testament, we discover that God's faithful ones lived lives that were characterized by suffering. Think of Abraham's and Sarah's childlessness; think of Joseph's imprisonment; Moses' flight from Egypt and living in isolated seclusion for decades because of his having killed an Egyptian; or just look at the Psalms. Incredible works of poetry? Yes. But they were written (many of them) out of circumstance of intense persecution and pain. David had to deal with enemies who set themselves against him all of his life (from Goliath of Gath to Saul to even members of his own family). Those on whom God's favor rested in a special way were those who (facing hardship) chose to rely on God in a special way. And in so doing, they found deliverance. Abraham's wife Sarah conceived and gave birth. Joseph was freed from prison and God made him second in command over all of Egypt; God called Moses out of hiding and (in his senior years) made him His chosen leader for His people; God helped David defeat Goliath, to supersede Saul as king, and delivered him from his enemies time and time again. And so in all these accounts, we discover that the dark times were not God's vacation days or God somehow backing off for a while. No, it was often during those times that God was working the most. And the same is true of us; if we can rely on God in the hard times, we will find ourselves joining in some of His greatest work. That is one of the key truths we discover in Scripture and is something we see demonstrated so clearly here in the book of Esther. And so I want to encourage you today (in whatever you are facing). Trust in God. If you are anchored to Him (in Christ Jesus) He will not always keep you from the dark times, but He will bring you through those dark times; and He will use those times to do mighty works both in you and through you. So let us trust in Him today. Amen.

Hello, and welcome to Lechem Panim. It is good to have you with us today. A Worldview of Providence vs. Blind Chance— This past week I was helping my son with his schoolwork (which is all online for the moment due to the current state of things); and he was learning about fossils and dinosaurs. And because he goes to a Christian school, he is learning those things from a Biblical perspective, which I am very thankful for. But I remember one night last week sitting with him in bed reading from his Bible the Genesis account of creation. And I told him that some people do not believe that God created everything; some people believe that at one time nothing existed except a tiny little speck, which they believe exploded and everything somehow came together from that explosion. And of course I was talking about the big bang. And I remember he simply couldn't believe that by chance everything in the world that seemed so rich with design could come together randomly by chance. And I directed him across the room to his box of Legos and said it is like believing that your Lego box could explode and somehow form a house. And he immediately saw that as being complete nonsense. There would have to be intelligence behind any creation like that. If there is a design, there has to be a designer. And I think agreed with me when I pointed out how much more sense it made that God created the world. But though we as Christians know that, sometimes we forget that the God who created the world is also the God who sustains the world. And (to get specific), let's consider the major world events like the ones we are facing today). Some people (even some Christians I know) seem imprisoned by fear. But what we as Christians have to remember is that we believe in a Divine Creator; a being who is orchestrating all things together for the good of those who love Him. Nothing is outside of His control; and while things may seem chaotic, we know that God has a purpose and plan that is being worked out. And this is what we see so clearly here in the book of Esther. The name of God is not mentioned anywhere in the book, but the author still points to Him as the main character; as the Great Orchestrator, defending and shielding His people as He slowly but steadily moves everything towards the fulfillment of His purposes. And we will see this theme play out more and more as we progress through the book. God is the great Defender of His people. Haman the Agagite— Now last week (as we began Esther chapter 3) we saw a man come to power who comes from the Amalekite people generally (the ancient enemies of the Jews whom God had cursed for coming against and attacking His people when they first left Egypt) and from the line of King Agag specifically, the Amalekite king whom Saul had failed to put to death as God had instructed him to. And so this man who comes on the scene here carries a centuries-old grudge against the Jewish people. And of course his name is Haman. Haman is honored by the king and all are ordered to bow down and pay him homage. However, there is one man who refuses. And this was Queen Esther's cousin Mordecai (an official who sits at the kings gate, most likely in the role of a judge). He refuses to bow to Haman. And this is a very public refusal. Verses 3-5 say… Esther 3:3-5 (ESV)— 3 Then the king's servants who were at the king's gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress the king's command?” 4 And when they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, in order to see whether Mordecai's words would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew. 5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. The “Wrath” of Haman— So we see that when Haman is told about Mordecai's refusal and when he sees it himself, he is absolutely livid. In fact, [Haman's name sounds something like the Hebrew word for wrath (Heb., hemah), an apt description of his temperament and role in this story.]  Mordecai Open About His Jewish Identity— Now one of the fascinating things in this passage about Mordecai is that it says [he had told them that he was a Jew. Mordecai did the very thing he had told Esther not to do in her situation (Est. 2:10, 20).] He tells the king's servants he's a Jew. And no doubt Haman wasted little time finding out what family he came from, his history; and when he found out, that made Haman hate him all the more, so much so that the scripture says… Esther 3:6 (ESV)— 6 But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus. An Excuse to Destroy the Jews— Now Haman's pride is hurt. And he has been hating the Jews all along. And so he determines to exterminate them throughout all the kingdom (which by the way included Jerusalem; those who had returned from exile). And so it says in… Esther 3:7 (ESV)— 7 In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus {(And the twelfth year reveals to us that [Haman has been biding his time for five years.)]}, they cast Pur (that is, they cast lots) (Pur is the persian word for “lot”; [A lot would be like modern dice which were cast to determine future decisions (cf. the Hebrew lot, 1 Chr. 26:14; Neh. 10:34; Jonah 1:7).] It was [A traditional way of seeking divine guidance (Josh. 18:6; Prov. 16:33) or, as here, finding the most opportune time to do something.] And so these lots were being cast, it says…) before Haman day after day; and they cast it month after month till the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. Biding Time; Passover Connection— Nisan was [The first month of the Jewish religious calendar, which began in spring with the Passover (Ex. 12:1–2). While the Jews prepared to celebrate their deliverance from Egypt, Haman plotted their destruction.] And until the twelfth month (the month of Adar) Haman has been casting lots against God's people. Now Haman may have cast the lots, but neither he nor chance were in control. God was in control. It says in… Proverbs 16:33 (ESV)— 33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. [God providentially controlled the outcome of the lot.] It says in… Esther 3:8-13 (ESV)— 8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king's laws, so that it is not to the king's profit to tolerate them. (Notice how he is making it seem like this is in the king's best interest.) 9 If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay (by which he means collect)10,000 talents of silver [that's a huge sum, by the way; about 12 million ounces; over 300 tons of silver] into the hands of those who have charge of the king's business, that they may put it into the king's treasuries.”  [Haman…appeals to the king's need to replenish the treasury depleted by Xerxes' disastrous war with Greece.] 10 So the king took his signet ring from his hand ([A ring used to seal official documents (Jer. 22:24).]) and gave it to Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews (which of course made it so that [Haman is empowered to act with royal authority.]).  11 And the king said to Haman, “The money is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.” (So [Ahasuerus authorizes Haman to use as much of the 10,000 talents of silver as he needs to implement his plan.]) 12 Then the king's scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month ([Presumably of the following (13th) year of Ahasuerus's reign (see v. 7).]), and an edict, according to all that Haman commanded, was written to the king's satraps and to the governors over all the provinces and to the officials of all the peoples, to every province in its own script and every people in its own language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king's signet ring.  13 Letters were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces with instruction to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. 14 A copy of the document was to be issued as a decree in every province by proclamation to all the peoples to be ready for that day. 15 The couriers went out hurriedly by order of the king, and the decree was issued in Susa the citadel. And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion. God Preserves The Righteous— Now one of the things you are going to see in the next few chapters is an unraveling of Haman's plans. Everything just kind of goes haywire. And out of this story rises the theme of God's victory over the enemies of God's people and the lifting up of the righteous. Those who are righteous; those who walk with God may be hated by the world; yet we see that God defends those who walk in faithfulness with Him. It says in… Job 5:12 (ESV)— 12 He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. God's Deliverance of His Righteous Ones— And this is really one of the central themes in this book. God thwarts the plans of the wicked and helps the cause of the righteous. He blesses the humble and humbles the proud. He honors those who place Him first and remain obedient to Him. And we can take courage in the fact that, even though we are going through persecution, God will deliver us by His sovereign hand. When we walk with Christ, we will often find that people will take offense at us; because our lives (the Light we live in) exposes their darkness. If everything is dark, nobody seems to care. But when you have somebody stand for something, it shames those who are bowing to everything. Mordecai and Obedience— But in Mordecai we are reminded that we (as followers of Christ) cannot pay homage to anything that God has cursed. We cannot leave anything alive in our hearts that God has called us to destroy. We have to commit to walk with Christ in obedience because obedience in our hearts and lives to His will is the very fruit of salvation. And if we see anything from this story, we see that God never overlooks disobedience. He didn't overlook Saul's; Saul was punished. He didn't overlook Israel's (His own people's sin); even they were punished, having been sent into exile. And God won't overlook your sin and mine. Saul tried to separate his love for God from his obedience to God. But that is something we cannot do. Jesus Himself said in… John 14:15 (ESV)— 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 1 John 5:3-4 (ESV)— 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. May we overcome the world the world through our faith this week. And may we discover the freedom that comes through living lives of obedience to God. Amen.

Hello, and welcome to Lechem Panim. Today we are continuing our study of the book of Esther. Last week, following the rise of Esther, we talked about how Esther's cousin Mordecai (an official appointed by the king who judges at the king's gate), uncovers a plot to assassinate the king and therefore saves the king's life. But instead of the following passage opening with his promotion, as the original readers would have expected, we find instead honor being given to another man. It says in… Esther 3:1-2a (ESV)— 1 After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him. 2 And all the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. … Consuming Credit— It is interesting that our story last week closes with Mordecai not receiving or even looking to receive credit for saving the King from a deadly plot on his life. And yet our passage today (which immediately follows) is introduced by a man who consumes credit. For Mordecai, it was enough for him just to know that he had done the right thing and that his master the King was safe. Haman on the other hand (as we will see) feels the perpetual need to always glorify himself. He was an egotist; or (in other words) […a person…me-deep in conversation.] And (as we will see later in the story) it is Haman's pride and vanity that will be his undoing.  Vanity Confession— I remember reading a story of how [Once a girl knelt in a confessional and said, "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.” "What is it, child?” "Father, I have committed the sin of vanity. Twice a day I gaze at myself in the mirror and tell myself how beautiful I am.” The priest turned, took a good look at the girl, and said, "My dear, I have good news. That isn't a sin - it's only a mistake.”]     Sometimes it only takes one person to unravel our own false perceptions of ourselves. Every time Haman rides through the king's gate, everyone at the king's gate bows to him. Well, everyone except one. The Bible says… Esther 3:2b (ESV)— …But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage. Why The Refusal?— Now why doesn't Mordecai bow? It is believed by many that the reason that he did not bow was because bowing means worship; and because he worshiped God alone, he could therefore not bow to anybody but God. However, that interpretation is most likely not correct because it was a universal custom during this time to bow before your superiors. In fact, [It is known from other sources that in general, Jews did bow to pagan officials of the Persian court. It was not a religious act but one of court protocol, much as moderns still curtsey or bow to the British queen.] In fact, we know that later in the story Mordecai will eventually receive Haman's former job as grand vizier. And in order for him to receive that job he would have had to pay King Xerxes the very honors he here refuses to Haman. So why then does he here refuse? Hebrew Introductions— Well [In Hebrew narrative the characteristic described when a character is introduced is key to understanding his or her role in the story….When Haman is introduced, he is identified as an Agagite.] The Agagites— And the Agagites were the ancient enemy of the Jews. When Israel left Egypt, remember they were attacked by these people called the Amalekites, [whose lineage began with Amalek, grandson of Esau (Gen. 36:2).] And so God curses them. And when God gave the covenant at Sinai, He said He promised [to protect Israel and to be at war with Amalek {(those who set themselves against His people)} in every generation]. Well, the king of the Amalekites during the reign of Saul was a King by the name of Agag. And in the book of 1 Samuel, God says to Saul through the prophet Samuel: ‘I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way when they came up out of Egypt. Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.'” (1 Samuel 15:2b-3 ESV) But remember Saul doesn't listen. He defeats the Amalekites (who are led by king Agag)…. 1 Samuel 15:9 (ESV)— 9 But {(it says)} Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction. But Samuel the prophet comes to Saul. And Saul is all proud of himself (probably like Haman) and boasts about his obeying the commandment of God. But Samuel puts his hands to his ears and says, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?” And Saul starts making excuses. Well, I saved the best animals to be an offering for the Lord. And he starts trying to justify himself. But then Samuel says that famous statement… 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (ESV)—  22 And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:32-33 (ESV)— 32 Then Samuel said, “Bring here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites.” And Agag came to him cheerfully. Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.” 33 And Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the Lord in Gilgal. Expel the Evil— Wow; that's pretty intense. But you have to understand that the Amalekites were so intensely evil (practicing child-sacrifice and other horrific practices) that God wanted them out of His land; and even more importantly, He didn't want Israel to adopt those kinds of practices. And yet we see that the Israelites never fully drive the Canaanites from their land. And because of that, they did indeed fall into those same practices. And really Saul's failure in this conflict with Agag really foreshadows Israel's continual inability to expel all evil from the promised land. Now why does all this matter? Because it says here that Haman is an Agagite; he's a descendant of King Agag. And that is what drives his hatred the Jews; and especially Mordecai. Why Mordecai? It's not just because Mordecai is a Jew. No, Mordecai comes from a very specific line, which is given to us when he is first introduced in Esther 2:5 (which means that it is also key to understanding the story). It says… Esther 2:5 (ESV)— 5 Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite, Colliding Heritages— Now remember that [Kish.{..was} Mordecai's great grandfather who actually experienced the Babylonian deportation… {But} Kish {also} represents a Benjaminite family name that could be traced back (ca. 1100 B.C.) to Saul's father {(whose name was also Kish)} (1 Sam. 9:1).] So this is the family Mordecai is a descendant of; the royal family of Saul, who slew the Amalekites and should have killed Agag. So in this chapter you have more than two men colliding; you have their whole heritages colliding!  Why Mordecai Refuses— Now by order of the king, every man is to bow down to Haman and pay him homage. But Mordecai doesn't. Why? Very likely because [no self-respecting Benjaminite could bow before the seed of the ancient enemy of the Jews.] And next week we will see just how well Haman takes this. If you think it is not very well, then (as Sherlock Holmes once said) “you have a very keen insight into the obvious.” Our Homage— But what our passage today shows us is that we need to be careful not to pay homage to anything that God has called us to put to death; anything that might rob you of the fullness of God's presence. This past week my daughter Ally asked Jesus into her life for the first time. And she knew she was making a very important decision to follow Jesus. But as a father, as I look into her beautiful blonde-haired face (I don't know if I've ever seen a more beautiful face), I think “What is my precious Ally's walk with Jesus going to look like if I'm not completely sold out to Jesus?” What are the ungodly things I still choose to pay homage to? When she gets married, how is her marriage; her kids; her grandkids; how are they going to be affected by my present willingness to be sold out to Jesus? Saul thought his sin was no big deal. And yet it affected generations. And so I wonder if those small choices we make every day to choose godliness over worldliness might not be so small after all. They could affect a lot of people. Choosing Cleanness— This week I have been remembering the life of Ravi Zacharias, a wonderful Christian thinker and apologist who just went home to be with the Lord; and thinking about the millions of people (myself included) who have been touched by his extraordinary life and ministry. So much of my faith and thinking has been shaped by his faithfulness. But you know I wondered this week in my reflecting, “What does a person like him have to give up to be able to be used by God so mightily?” And maybe there are some major things, but I think most of what true men and women of God give up are little things; any little thing that might rob them of the presence of God. God anoints people and blesses people who are sold out to Him; who will not call clean or okay anything that He has called unclean. And so my challenge to you today (and to me) is: let us (like Mordecai) choose to live lives that are free of uncleanness; let us commit to living lives of holiness and obedience to God. If do, then we (like Esther and Mordecai) will experience the favor and blessing of God. Let's commit to that today Amen.

Recording Date: 2014-12-07 Speaker: JB Bond, Th.M (Senior Pastor)

It All Catches Up to Haman Esther 7

It All Catches Up to Haman Esther 7

It All Catches Up to Haman Esther 7

Esther Faces the King and Haman Esther 5

Esther Faces the King and Haman Esther 5

Esther Faces the King and Haman Esther 5

Midweek - The Book of Esther - 03 - Hanging Haman - Esther 5-7

Midweek - The Book of Esther - 02 - The Plot of Haman - Esther 3 and 4

The Search for a Queen, Assassination Plot, Haman (Esther 2:1-3:1) from Esther – Out of the Land but Under God’s Hand by Dr. Randy White. Released: 2016. Track 3. Genre: Speech. Additional Materials: ( Outline | Website | YouTubeChannel | ZoHo ) The post The Search for a Queen, Assassination Plot, Haman (Esther 2:1-3:1) appeared first on RWM Podcasts.

A Study of Haman - Esther 7:6