The Providence of the Unseen God
March 21, 2021

*Today’s Scriptures
*Esther 4:15-10:3*

READ TOGETHER

15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants also will fast in the same way. And then I will go in to the king, which is not in accordance with the law; and if I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him. Chapter 5. 1 Now it came about on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner courtyard of the king’s palace in front of the king’s [a]rooms, and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the [b]throne room, opposite the entrance to the palace. 2 When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the courtyard, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the top of the scepter.—Esther 4:15-5:2

Esther’s


1 Now the king and Haman came to drink wine with Esther the queen. 2 And the king said to Esther on the second day also as they drank their wine at the banquet, “What is your request, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your wish? Up to half of the kingdom it shall be done.” 3 Then Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me as my request, and my people as my wish; 4 for we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, killed, and eliminated. —Esther 7:1-4

You must go before THE King before you go to a king.

Haman’s


9 Then Haman went out that day joyful and pleased of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and that he did not stand up or tremble before him, Haman was filled with anger against Mordecai. 10 Haman controlled himself, however, and went to his house. But he sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11 Then Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and his many sons, and every occasion on which the king had honored him and how he had promoted him above the officials and servants of the king. 12 Haman also said, “Even Esther the queen let no one except me come with the king to the banquet which she had prepared; and tomorrow also I am invited by her with the king. 13 Yet all of this does not satisfy me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” 14 Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Have a wooden gallows fifty cubits high made, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it; then go joyfully with the king to the banquet.” And the advice pleased Haman, so he had the wooden gallows made. —Esther 5:9-14

You must die to self or you will die from self

Ahasueras’


11 In the letters the king granted the Jews who were in each and every city the right to assemble and to defend their lives, to destroy, kill, and eliminate the entire army of any people or province which was going to attack them, including children and women, and to plunder their spoils, 12 on one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (that is, the month Adar). —Esther 8:11-12

Like Ahasueras, God’s first law of sin and death is irrevocable, but God’s offer of grace is inconceivable

Mordecai’s


7 Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king desires to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe which the king has worn, and the horse on which the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal turban has been placed; 9 then order them to hand the robe and the horse over to one of the king’s noble officials, and have them dress the man whom the king desires to honor, and lead him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him, ‘So it shall be done for the man whom the king desires to honor.’”
10 Then the king said to Haman, “Quickly, take the robe and the horse just as you have said, and do so for Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at the king’s gate; do not fail to do anything of all that you have said.” —Esther 6:7-10

1 On that day King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther; and Mordecai came before the king, because Esther had disclosed what he was to her. 2 Then the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken away from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. —Esther 8:1-2

God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6
God delights in exchanging our ashes for His beauty

God’s



Even when we can’t see it, God is working…

Mordecai and Esther staying in Persia
Esther being chosen as the queen out of thousands
Esther not revealing her nationality
Mordecai being in the courtyard to hear the assination plot
Haman building the gallows
The king’s insomnia
Haman unknowingly exalting God’s man
Esther’s wisdom in choosing the right time
The new decree sent out to save the Jews
The salvation of many gentiles

17 In each and every province and in each and every city, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree arrived, there was joy and jubilation for the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many among the peoples of the land became Jews, —Esther 8:17

Discuss in a Life Group

Discuss the importance of seeking the King before any situation.

Esther was willing to die for the Jews, discuss how this paralels Jesus’ ministry? What are we called to do for those who are dying in their sin?

What sins marked Haman’s life? How can you fight these in your life? (share verses giving specific instruction)

Disucss the many ways you see God’s providence in this book even though He is not specifically mentioned?

Why do you think that “many among the peoples of the land became Jews”?

Pray Together

Pray for each other and record any prayer requests here.