The Turning of the Tide

INTRODUCTION: In this lesson, the providence of God is clearly seen. The king received Esther and came to her banquets. The king could not sleep and this resulted in him be reminded of the favour done to him by Mordecai. Haman unwittingly gave the honour to Mordecai that he wanted for himself. We can see that God was in the process of giving a great victory to Mordecai and to the Jewish people.

1. ESTHERS REQUEST FOR A BANQUET (Esther 5:1-8)
1. Esthers 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 4:16)
2. With her royal apparel on she got properly dressed for the occasion.
3. She stood in the inner court of the kings house.
1. Where the king sat on his throne
2. Over against the gate of the house
2. She obtained the kings favour (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.
2. Esthers Banquet for the King and Haman (Esther 5:3-5)
1. The kings offer (Esther 5:3; compare Mark 6:21-24)
1. He called the queen by name.
2. He sought to know the queens request.
3. He promised to give it to the half of the kingdom.
2. The queens banquet (Esther 5:4-5)
1. She requested the king and Haman attend a banquet (Esther 5:4).
2. The king quickly granted the request and called for Haman (Esther 5:5).
3. Esthers Request for Another Banquet (Esther 5:6-8)
1. The kings offer repeated (Esther 5:6)
1. He asked the content of her petition.
2. He reaffirmed the extent of his offer.
2. The queens second banquet (Esther 5:7-8)
1. She prolonged the kings wait (Esther 5:7-8).
2. She promised to ask her petition tomorrow (Esther 5:8).
2. HAMANS JOY CONCERNING HIS FORTUNE (Esther 5:9-14)
1. Despite the Stubbornness of Mordecai (Esther 5:9-10)
1. Hamans joy (Esther 5:9a; Job 20:4-5)
2. Hamans anger (Esther 5:9b; Esther 3:5)
1. He saw Mordecai.
2. Mordecai refused to move.
3. Haman was full of indignation.
3. Hamans restraint (Esther 5:10)
1. He refrained himself.
2. He returned home and 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 above the princes
2. His favour 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 sat at the kings gate.
2. His building of gallows (Esther 5:14; Psalm 7:15-16)
1. A gallows of fifty cubits high seventy-five feet; Note: Haman is often given all the credit for the horrible plans to kill Mordecai, but the plan was actually developed by his wife and friends.
2. The plan implemented before permission
1. Tomorrow Haman would seek the kings permission.
2. He began to build the gallows before seeking permission.
3. THE KINGS DESIRE TO HONOUR MORDECAI (Esther 6:1-6)
1. His Discovery of Mordecais 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)
1. He asked what had been done for Mordecai.
2. He was regretfully told that nothing had been done.
2. His Request of Hamans Advice (Esther 6:4-6)
1. Called into his house (Esther 6:4-5)
1. Who was in the court? (Esther 6:4)
2. Haman was in the court to request to hang Mordecai (Esther 6:4).
3. Haman was 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 (Hamans pride Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 18:12; Obadiah 1:3).
4. HAMANS JOY TURNED TO SHAME (Esther 6:7-14)
1. The Honour Given to Mordecai (Esther 6:7-11)
1. Hamans 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 honour from the king (Esther 6:9)
2. Hamans unusual dishonour (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 was the beginning of his fall.
2. More bad would quickly come.
3. The call to the banquet (Esther 6:14)
1. While they were yet talking
2. Servants came to take him to Esthers banquet.

CONCLUSION: We now see that God was 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 work them out for good. We must learn to trust in Him.