“A man can plan for the day but he cannot plan the day that is in the hands of God.”
Sermon Title: GOD’S COINCIDENCES
Scripture Text: ESTHER 5 – 6
Sermon Series: ESTHER: GOD BEHIND THE SEEN
Sermon Notes:
ESTHER 6:1-5 NIV
1 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him.2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.4 The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had erected for him.5 His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered.
THREE SCENES: Scene 1. Esther’s Plan. Scene 2. Haman’s Pride. Scene 3. God’s Providence.
ESTHER 4:16 NIV
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 maids 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.”
Esther’s Mission Impossible:
She would have to break the law of which the penalty is death.
She has to confess to her deception.
She will attempt to reverse an irreversible law.
She has to go against Haman.
She will strike a blow to the king’s pride.
Scene 1. ESTHER’S PLAN (Esther 5:1-8)
ESTHER 5:1 NIV
1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king's hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.
Hebrew: “Esther wore a kingdom”
ESTHER 5:2 NIV
2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
ESTHER 5:3 NIV
3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”
ESTHER 5:6 NIV
6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”
ESTHER 5:7-8 NIV
7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request. If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king's question.”
“Planning is not the problem, it’s the presumption that goes with it (that can be the problem).”
JAMES 4:13-15 NIV
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
“We can plan, yet nothing will go exactly according to plan.”
JAMES 4:13-15 NIV
15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.”
“A man can plan for the day but he cannot plan the day that is in the hands of God.”
Scene 2. HAMAN’S PRIDE (Esther 5:9-14)
ESTHER 5:9 NIV
9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king's gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai.
ESTHER 5:10-13 NIV
10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. Calling together his frie