Reflecting on a Sermon Series: Esther

This past year I had a chance to preach for 10 weeks on the book of Esther. There are two primary things that have stuck with me after this sermon series.

Thing One

One observation that stood out the most to me about Esther was the contrast of kings. For the Christian who lives on this side of Christ's Resurrection and Ascension, our King is glorious, reigning, and "Supreme" (Colossians 1:20). Our King exercises his authority in majestic, tremendous and benevolent ways. The king who reigned during the days of Esther and Mordecai was one who was pathetic by comparison. 

While there were many lessons and many more observations to make about Esther during that 10-week series, it was this contrast in kingship that has stood out and remained with me. Throughout the book of Esther Xerxes is the classic figure of a king whose words convey one message, but every other figure in the story reveals another message about that same king. Xerxes was a party king, Xerxes was a political king, Xerxes was a pitiful king. 

Xerxes' power is challenged and overwhelmed in nearly every chapter of Esther. Xerxes' demands upon his wife Vashti are rejected. Xerxes' edicts are plotted by others. Xerxes mood and attitude are in chains to his immediate circumstances. Xerxes cannot undo stupid things he's said in the past. Xerxes has no rest but instead is plagued with fatigue. Xerxes is surrounded by people whose true motives escape his grasp. Xerxes' love is fleeting like a bird. Xerxes in many respects more resembles a stamping toddler than a magnanimous ruler. 

Xerxes is such a pathetic king, especially when contrasted with the Lord of Lords. 

The Great and Supreme King Jesus is one who challenges and overwhelms every rebellious enemy. Jesus was challenged by many religious and political leaders, and yet he leaves them dumbfounded (John 18:28-40). Jesus' demands upon demons and unclean spirits are instantly obeyed. Jesus' commands come in perfect harmony from his Father in Heaven (John 5:16-18). Jesus' attitude was never out of control nor inappropriate, even his anger is within the confines of zeal for his Father (Mark 11). Jesus never needed to undo stupid things he said in the past, but instead he took on the guilt of the stupid things his people have said and done in the past (1 Peter 2:24). Jesus' rest is so sweet and delightful, that he secures rest for himself and all who labor and are weary (Matthew 11:28). 

I did not enter my study time of Esther thinking of these things. I learned these things as God was kind to provide time in the world and in prayer. 

Thing Two

Esther's posture during the confrontation with Haman and Xerxes has stuck with me. 

3 Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. 4 Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him. (Esther 8:3-4)

Esther had been planning and overseeing these elaborate parties for Xerxes and Haman. When the moment came for her to reveal her ultimate purposes in hosting these parties, she abandons all regal dispositions. She "pleaded" with the king. She fell at the king's feet. She wept. She begged. These are all the marks of someone desperate, someone at the edge of sanity. A person who is willing to plead, willing to fall down at someone's feet and weep, that person is altruistic. 

The book of Esther never once mentions the word "prayer", but my mind has grasped hold of this scene in Esther and I frequently remember this scene when in prayer. In prayer we plead before the Lord of Heaven and Earth. In prayer we fall at His feet in worship. In prayer we weep, presenting before the Lord our tears as an offering. In prayer we beg for the Lord's will to be done, for evil to come to an end in our own lives, and in the lives of our loved ones. 

In prayer we enter into God's presence, and we ought not to do this arrogantly. 

In one of his sermons, Puritan Nathanael Vincent wrote this regarding prayer: 

"Would we have our heart in a holy awe and filled with reverence and godly fear? Mention, then, His omnipresence, greatness, His holiness, and jealousy. Would we have our hearts broken for sin? Mention His anger and hatred for iniquity, and, withal, His goodness, forbearance, and readiness to be reconciled, for 'the riches of His goodness and long-suffering strongly lead unto repentance,' Romans 2:4. Finally, would we in our requests have our desires enlarged, our faith encouraged, and be also forward to praise? Mention, then, the freeness of God's love, the superabundance of His grace, as He is the Father of Jesus Christ". 

Esther humbled herself in front of her husband/king by pleading, falling, weeping, and begging. In response to her humility, she was received by her husband, who listened to her and accepted her entreaty through the visible motion of extending his gold scepter. Upon being received, she arose, and stood before the king. What a picture of prayer! When in prayer we may also 'stand' after we have humbled ourselves before our God. We stand not out of arrogance, not out of self-confidence, but because our King has heard and accepted our petitions. Standing in this way is a signal, a cue, and has great meaning to itself. Falling before someone's feet and weeping conveys a meaning of asking, of begging. Rising up in front of someone conveys a meaning of reception, of welcome. 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

There is a boldness in our begging. A meaning even within our very posture. We humble ourselves when entering the throne room of the Lord of the universe. And we, even in humility also have a certain boldness to approach the One True God. This boldness is found in God's mercy and grace to us in Christ Jesus. 

Those are some of my thoughts as I reflect back on preaching from Esther in 2021. Tomorrow I'll be sharing some of what I've learned over the last year in meetings.