It Was Written

Introduction:  Sometimes the Christian life can be discouraging because of the things that surround us.  We see the wicked prospering on every hand and at the same time we see the righteous as they suffer.  We wonder if it will ever change.  When are the tables going to turn?  Mordecai went through much of the same in his day.  What can we learn about our hopes by looking into his life?

1. THE HEROICS OF MORDECAI (Esther 2:21-23)
1. Sitting in the Kings Gate (Esther 2:16-19)
1. Esther was brought into the kings house in the seventh year of Ahasuerus reign (Esther 2:16)
2. It was sometime around this event that Mordecai began sitting in the kings gate (Esther 2:19)
2. A Plot Against the King (Esther 2:21-23)
1. In the days while Mordecai is sitting in the kings gate a plot is made against the life of the king (Esther 2:21).
2. This plot was made by two of the kings seven chamberlains (Esther 2:21).
3. The chamberlains were people who served in the presence of the king (Esther 1:10).
4. Mordecai knew about the plot and let Esther know (Esther 2:22).
5. Esther told the king and did so in Mordecais name (Esther 2:22).
6. When the plans were investigated it was found to be so and the two were hung (Esther 2:23).
7. The heroics of Mordecai were written in the book of the chronicles before the king (Esther 2:23).
3. Heroics Overshadowed (Esther 3:1)
1. After these things links the events in Esther 3:1 with the heroics of Mordecai.
2. Haman is promoted above all the princes that were with him (Esther 3:1).
2. THE SUFFERINGS OF MORDECAI 
1. The Betrayal of His Peers (Esther 3:1-4)
1. The command to bow before Haman (Esther 3:2)
2. The refusal of Mordecai to bow before Haman (Esther 3:2-3)
3. The peers tell Haman of Mordecais rebellion (Esther 3:4)
2. The Wrath of Haman (Esther 3:5)
1. Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow.
2. Haman became full of wrath.
3. The Danger of Mordecais People (Esther 3:6-9)
4. The Continued Rise of Haman
1. Promoted above all the princes (Esther 3:1)
2. The gift of the kings ring (Esther 3:10)
3. The boast of Haman (Esther 5:11)
1. The glory of his riches
2. The multitude of his children
3. All the things wherein the king promoted him
4. His authority over the princes and servants
5. His favor with Esther
5. The Mourning of Mordecai (Esther 4:1-4)
1. Mordecai perceived what was done by Haman (Esther 4:1).
2. Mordecai rent his clothes (Esther 4:1).
3. Mordecai put on sackcloth with ashes (Esther 4:1).
4. Mordecai cried with a loud and bitter cry (Esther 4:1).
5. Mordecai refused the raiment from Esther (Esther 4:4).
6. The Gallows for Mordecais Death (Esther 5:14)
1. Gallows of seventy five feet were built for Mordecai to be hung on.
2. On the morrow Haman was to tell Ahasuerus of the need to hang Mordecai.
3. THE TURNING OF THE TABLES 
1. The Cause for Change (Esther 6:1-3)
1. King Ahasuerus could not sleep (Esther 6:1).
2. Ahasuerus commanded that they read the book of the chronicles (Esther 6:1).
3. They read of Mordecais heroics anywhere from a short time to five years after (Esther 6:2).
4. The king asked what had been done for Mordecai (Esther 6:3).
2. The Turning of the Tables
1. Hamans honour given to Mordecai (Esther 6:6-11)
2. Mordecais mourning is over but Hamans mourning begins (Esther 6:12).
3. Mordecais gallows are used on Haman (Esther 7:10).
4. Hamans ring given to Mordecai (Esther 8:2).
5. Shushans countenance changes
1. The city of Shushan was perplexed (Esther 3:15)
2. The city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad (Esther 8:15)
6. The Jews went from fasting to feasting (Esther 4:16; Esther 8:17)
7. The Jews went from mourning to gladness (Esther 4:3; Esther 8:16)
8. The Jews went from fear of being killed to being feared

Conclusion:  Do you feel as though your service for the King is going unnoticed?  Are you struggling to stand against the wickedness of the world around you?  Consider the life of Mordecai and realize that soon and very soon the tables will be turning.