Esther 6

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Mordecai is Exalted and Haman is Humbled

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God delights to surprise the righteous with reward.

  2. God determines to surprise the wicked with humiliation.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t use the word “coincidence” if you’re a Christian.

QUESTIONS

  1. Review the events of Esther up to this chapter.

  2. Who was King Ahasuerus?

  3. What did King Xerxes do when he could not sleep?

  4. Review the humorous and ironic turn of events in this chapter.

ANSWERS

  1. Mordecai the Jew refused to show reverence to Haman. Haman angrily plotted not only to annihilate Mordecai, but all Jews in the Persia kingdom. Queen Esther, Mordecai’s cousin, went before King Xerxes to plead for her people. She invited the king and Haman to a feast she prepared. Haman’s pride grew because of his position for the king, and he made further plans to hang Mordecai on the gallows.

  2. Ahasuerus was the Hebrew name for King Xerxes of Persia.

  3. He ordered the book of the records of the chronicles to be read to him. He learned of Mordecai’s good deed of uncovering the plot to kill the king (Esther 2:21-23).

  4. Haman was waiting in the outer courts to ask the king’s permission to hang Mordecai on the gallows. The king called him in and asked, “What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?” Haman, thinking this man must be himself, described an elaborate honor to the king. King Xerxes then commanded Haman to do just that for Mordecai!

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. There were many events in this chapter of Esther that could be viewed as coincidences. But we know that God was behind-the-scenes “working all things according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians1:11). Can you think of a time in your life when things just seemed like coincidence, but later you realized God was working?

  2. Throughout history the principle, “God determines to surprise the wicked with humiliation” has been true in relation to His chosen people. Think of the nations that have tried to destroy the Jewish people. These nations have fallen, and the Jews remain. Read Proverbs 6:14-15 in relation to all who would practice evil and exalt themselves through wicked ways.

CHALLENGE

  1. The next time you can’t sleep, consider if it is for a reason. Has God laid it on your heart to pray for someone or to confess some sin? Take advantage of the opportunity, and then enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.

KEY VERSES

  • “What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?” Esther 6:6

  • “Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai the Jew who sits within the king’s gate!” Esther 6:10

Esther, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsEsther 6