INTRODUCTION: In this lesson, the providence of God is clearly seen. The king receives Esther and comes to her banquets. The king cannot sleep and this results in him be reminded of the favor done to him by Mordecai. Haman unwittingly gives the honor to Mordecai that he wanted for himself. We can see that God is in the process of giving a great victory to Mordecai and to the Jewish people.

Many passages in the Bible tell us of the working of God in our lives. Our times are in the hand of the Lord (Psalm 31:15). He makes everything work out beautifully in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). And, of course, all things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28). Consider how this wonderful providence in seen in the following examples:

• Joseph (Genesis 50:20)
• Nation of Israel (Deuteronomy 8:16)
• Esther (Esther 4:14)

1. ESTHER’S REQUEST FOR A BANQUET (Esther 5:1-8)
1. Esther’s Approach to the King (Esther 5:1-2; Esther 4:11)
1. She entered the inner court (Esther 5:1)
1. On the third day after the time of fasting (Esther 4:14)
2. With her royal apparel on – she got properly dressed for the occasion
3. She stood in the inner court of the king’s house
1. Where the king sat on his throne
2. Over against the gate of the house
2. She obtained the king’s favor (Esther 5:2; contrast Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:15-16)
1. The king saw Esther
2. The king held the golden scepter out to Esther
3. Esther drew near and touched the scepter
1. The scepter is a type of Jesus Christ (Numbers 24:17); the scepter indicates a throne and ruler (Hebrews 1:8)
2. Gold is a picture of heavenly things (Revelation 21:18-21)
3. Application: we are accepted by God because His Scepter (His Son Jesus Christ) was held out to us and we touched the top of the scepter by trusting in Him as Saviour.
2. Esther’s Banquet for the King and Haman (Esther 5:3-5)
1. The king’s offer (Esther 5:3; compare Mark 6:21-24)
1. He seeks to know the queen’s request
2. He promises to fulfill it to the half of the kingdom
2. The queen’s banquet (Esther 5:4-5)
1. She requests the king and Haman attend a banquet
2. The king quickly grants the request
3. Esther’s Request for another Banquet (Esther 5:6-8)
1. The king’s offer repeated (Esther 5:6)
2. The queen’s second banquet (Esther 5:7-8)
2. HAMAN’S JOY CONCERNING HIS FORTUNE (Esther 5:9-14)
1. Despite the Stubbornness of Mordecai (Esther 5:9-10)
1. Haman’s joy (Esther 5:9a; Job 20:4-5)
2. Haman’s anger (Esther 5:9b; Esther 3:5)
1. He saw Mordecai
2. Mordecai refused to move
3. Haman was full of indignation
3. Haman’s restraint (Esther 5:10)
1. He restrained himself
2. He called his friends and wife
2. Concerning his Treatment by the Queen (Esther 5:11-12)
1. The greatness of his position (Esther 5:11)
1. The glory of his riches
2. The multitude of his children
3. His promotion by the king
4. His advance above the princes
2. His favor by the queen (Esther 5:12)
1. His banquet with the king and queen
2. His invitation to the second banquet
3. Concerning his Plans for Mordecai (Esther 5:13-14)
1. His hatred of Mordecai (Esther 5:13; Proverbs 4:14-17)
1. His despair of one thing
2. Mordecai still sits at the king’s gate
2. His building of gallows (Esther 5:14; Psalm 7:15-16)
1. A gallows of fifty cubits high – seventy-five feet
2. The plan to get permission to hang Mordecai
3. THE KING’S DESIRE TO HONOR MORDECAI (Esther 6:1-6)
1. His Discovery of Mordecai’s Service (Esther 6:1-3)
1. The reading of the chronicles (Esther 6:1; Esther 10:2)
1. The king could not sleep
2. The king listened to the reading of the records
2. The record concerning Mordecai (Esther 6:2; Esther 2:21-23)
1. The assassination attempt of Bigthana and Teresh
2. The saving testimony of Mordecai
3. His desire to reward Mordecai (Esther 6:3; Proverbs 3:27)
2. His Request of Haman’s Advice (Esther 6:4-6)
1. Called into his house (Esther 6:4-5)
1. Who is in the court? (Esther 6:4)
2. Haman is in the court to request to hang Mordecai (Esther 6:4)
3. Haman is invited in (Esther 6:5)
2. Asked of his advice (Esther 6:6)
1. The king asked Haman how a man might be honored
2. Haman thought the king must be referring to him (Haman’s pride – Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 18:12; Obadiah 1:3)
4. HAMAN’S JOY TURNED TO SHAME (Esther 6:7-14)
1. The Honor Given to Mordecai (Esther 6:7-11)
1. Haman’s unknowing suggestion (Esther 6:7-9)
1. Put on him the apparel of the king (Esther 6:7-8)
2. Ride through the streets of the city (Esther 6:9)
3. Declare his honor from the king (Esther 6:9)
2. Haman’s unusual dishonor (Esther 6:10-11); Haman is commanded to do so for Mordecai
2. The Beginning of the End (Esther 6:12-14)
1. The shame of Haman (Esther 6:12; Proverbs 3:35)
1. He went home mourning
2. He covered his head
2. The discouragement of friends (Esther 6:13)
1. This is the beginning of your fall
2. More bad will quickly come
3. The call to the banquet (Esther 6:14)
1. While they were yet talking
2. Servants came to take him to Esther’s banquet

CONCLUSION: We now see that God is turning all of Haman’s plans against him. But besides being a good story, we need to see the lesson for us. Many times, we cannot see how things will work out. We cannot see how they could improve. Yet, if we will trust in the Lord, He will works out for good. We must learn to trust in Him.

Psalm 124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 31:15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: