“God is not only the God of coincidences, he is also the God of reversals.”

Sermon Title: THE GOD OF TURNAROUNDS

Scripture Text: ESTHER 7

Sermon Series: ESTHER: GOD BEHIND THE SEEN

Sermon Notes:

ESTHER 7:1-8 NIV

1 So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther,2 and as they were drinking wine on that 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, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, 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 for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. 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.”5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?”6 Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen.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.8 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.

ESTHER 9:1 NIV

1 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out.On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them.

ESTHER 6:14 NIV

14 While they were still talking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.

I. ESTHER’S DILEMMA

ESTHER 7:1 NIV

1 So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther,

ESTHER 7:2 NIV

2 and as they were drinking wine on that 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.”

ESTHER 7:3 NIV

3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life--this is my petition. And spare my people--this is my request.

ESTHER 7:4 NIV

4 For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. 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.”

‘You and four of your sons are saved by your hospitality; but you shall be punished by the life that one you most desire to keep.’

With that reply, [Xerxes] immediately ordered those who were assigned to do these things to find the eldest of Pythius’ sons and cut him in half, then to set one half of his body on the right side of the road and the other on the left, so that the army would pass between them.”Herodotus (Histories)

MATTHEW 10:16 NIV

16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

“We are defined not just by our words but also by our actions.”

II. HAMAN DIVULGED

ESTHER 7:5 NIV

5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?”

ESTHER 7:6 NIV

6 Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen.

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.

ESTHER 7:8 NIV

8 Just as the king returned from