Well….the plot thickens as they say. Haman is being prepared for his own destruction. Be blessed as we continue through the book of Esther.
Esther 5: Esther Prepares a Banquet
1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, in front of the king's quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace.
2 And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favour in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the sceptre.
3 And the king said to her, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom."
4 And Esther said, "If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king."
5 Then the king said, "Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked." So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared.
6 And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, "What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled."
7 Then Esther answered, "My wish and my request is:
8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said."
Haman Plans to Hang Mordecai
9 And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.
10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh.
11 And Haman recounted to them the splendour of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honoured him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king.
12 Then Haman said, "Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king.
13 Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."
14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast." This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.
Things to think about…
1. Never get on the wrong side of a godly woman. Especially one who has prayed and fasted and heard from the heavenly King, that’s all that needs to be said. Esther has prayed and fasted and with this new vigour she is emboldened to go to the king and ask his favour, Est 5:2. She receives it and asks that a banquet be prepared and that Haman be invited. It’s a trap Haman!! The poor, blind fool is too caught up in his own pride to realise. Haman is also blinded by his anger towards Mordecai, Est 5:9, 13 that he cannot see other wheels turning against him. Have you ever been so emotionally engaged in something that it has clouded your reason and judgement? What did you learn from the experience?
2. Haman’s wife Zeresh is what we would commonly call ‘an enabler’. She is enabling him to keep his toxic disposition rather than see his own vengeful pride. It is tragic when this is in the home and worse when you are married to someone who hinders rather than helps your spiritual growth. If you are married, how are you helping your spouse grow to be closer to the Lord? Have you enabled sin in your spouse in your relationship in the past? Did you learn from it?
3. Notice in this whole build-up that Esther does not reveal straight away her plans, but asks for a second feast, Esth 5:8. Esther is very wise in how to prepare the heart of her king to receive the significant news she has regarding the decree to annihilate her people. The king would also be considering through this process that what Esther will ask for is nothing insignificant. The Lord is the silent Director behind the scenes and has a way to order events so the king’s heart is even more attuned to Esther’s request.
4. We must always remember that the Lord is the silent attender to every conversation and heart motivation. Haman had no idea that the man he hated in his heart, Mordecai, was in any way related or connected to the woman, Queen Esther whose praises he was singing. We are all made in the image of God and need to treat all our neighbours with love, respect and dignity. The writer to the Hebrews says that by doing so we may even be entertaining angels unawares, Heb 13:2.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “Christ in the Community” from Numbers 35
1. The 12 tribes of Israel were about to inherit the Land of Canaan. The land was divided up among the tribes. One tribe did not receive a land portion. Which one and why not?
2. 48 cities were dispersed among the land of Canaan for the Levites. 6 of those cites were called the Cities of Refuge. What was a City of Refuge and why were they important?
3. Describe how the Cities of Refuge reflect Christ in their position, function and role. What relevance did the death of the High Priest have?
4. Levites were to give the Law of the Lord and be a witness for Him among the tribes of Israel. How is this the case for us as Christians in the community. Why is just being a good person not enough?
Prayer Points
1. Pray for the 2 families we will be giving money to this week to help with flood relief in Queensborough parade in Karalee.
2. Our new Albanese government. That the Lord would be merciful. We need it with the spiritual change that has been happening in Australia.
3. Peace to rest over Ukraine.
4. Folk sick with Flu A and Covid – relief and healing.
5. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
6. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. New tarp over the café area – Thankyou Steve Hawkins and Richard Gauntlett for helping out.
2. Worship on Sunday – thankyou Fiona, Josh, Ben, Doug.
3. Café helpers for Fiona on Sunday – thanks Kayla
4. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Remember to check your duty rosters.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
3. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for June...
Q. 4. What becomes of men when they die? A. The body returns to dust, and the soul goes back to God to be judged.
