A Place In The Palace
Sermon Notes
Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why. So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “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 attendants 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.” So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.
- Esther 4:5-17
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.
- Esther 5:1
Sunday Bible Study Guide
Mixer
1. What was your dream job when you were a child?
2. What do you like most about your vocation right now?
Sermon
Scriptures: Esther 4:5-17, 5:1
Context
The book of Esther tells how a Jewish girl became the queen of Persia and saved her people from a plot to destroy them. She is assisted in this by Mordecai, her cousin and guardian. Esther is part of a much larger story that runs all the way from Abraham to Christ and, through him, to the church. If Haman had succeeded, the Jewish people as a whole would have been destroyed, and the story of God’s saving work in and through Abraham’s descendants would have come to an end. There would have been no fulfillment in Christ, and therefore no gospel and no Christian church. Christians should read the book of Esther, not just as a story about the Jews but as part of their own heritage. Christians are not obliged to observe the Feast of Purim, but they are to take to heart the truth that God providentially watches over his own (Rom. 8:28).
The Persian Empire at the Time of Esther
Long before Esther’s time, the people of Israel and Judah (later called Jews) had been dispersed throughout the Near East by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. Eventually the Persians absorbed nearly all of these lands into their empire, which reached its greatest extent during the time of Esther. Thus Haman’s plot to exterminate all Jews throughout the Persian Empire would have annihilated virtually all of the Jewish people, and Esther’s daring actions saved the whole nation from complete destruction. See map below:
Commentary
Key themes in the book of Esther:
1. Divine providence. God is not mentioned by name in the book of Esther. But it shows clearly that, even when God is most hidden, he is still working to protect his chosen people.
2. Human responsibility. Esther and Mordecai show great initiative and courage. Their actions are obviously significant. The providence of God does not negate the responsibility of people to act with courage and resolve when circumstances require it.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you have Kingdom purpose and fulfillment in your vocation right now, please share why? How do you view your station in life?
2. Read Esther 4:12-14. Why do you think it was easy or difficult for Esther to respond to Mordecai’s question? How would you have responded?
3. Esther 4:16 says, “...if I perish, I perish.” What was significant about this conviction? Could you respond like this? Why or why not?
4. The “palace” is the place of influence you are currently in. The Bible says God has placed you there for a reason. You are the person of influence. What do you think God’s assignment is for you in your “palace?” What is one baby step you can take to be faithful to your assignment?
5. What is one lesson you can apply to your life based on Esther’s testimony in Esther 4?
Find your Circle!
Who can you invite to your Circle this week?
Life happens in circles. Your circle matters. If we are the average of our 5 closest friends then being intentional with your Circle could be the difference between elevating or evaporating your growth.
We are not meant to face our challenges alone. God has designed us to be in a community of faith - a Circle around us.
Invite one person to find their circle. Click here for details.
