Sound The Trumpet

John 2:5-8 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. (6) And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. (7) Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. (8) And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

Jesus is the living Word of God. He would certainly never do anything to contradict (go against) Himself or His written word. Proverbs 20:1 tells us, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” God wants us to be wise. Do you think Jesus, Himself, would help people sin? Of course not.
As we study the Bible, we must remember that there are times when one word can mean many different things. The word “wine” is one of those words. It is used in the Bible to represent two different kinds of drink. One is sweet-wine or what we just call grape juice. It is not fermented and does not contain alcohol. Another kind of wine is fermented and does have alcohol in it. This is the wine which makes people drunk and which is sinful to drink.
What kind of wine do you think Jesus made?

John 2:1-4 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: (2) And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. (3) And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. (4) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

We are reading about the beginning of Jesus’ ministry here on earth. Jesus did many miracles. In fact, we are told in John 21:25 that there is not enough room in the world to contain all the books we would need to record all the miracles Jesus did. As we continue to study the book of John, we will see Jesus do many miracles.

In this passage, we also see a very interesting response. When Mary asks Jesus to make more grape juice, he says, “mine hour is not yet come.” What do you think He was telling her? Later, Jesus hangs on a cross to pay for all of our sins. That was his hour. As you will see, Jesus will go ahead and make the sweet wine for the wedding feast.

John 1:43-51 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. (44) Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. (45) Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. (46) And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. (47) Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! (48) Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. (49) Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. (50) Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. (51) And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.” Jesus told Nathanael where he was before Phillip called him. He was under a fig tree. For Jesus, was this a great miracle? Is there anything Jesus cannot do? No. He could certainly tell one man where he was a few minutes ago. If Jesus could tell Nathanael where he was a few minutes ago, can He see where you were yesterday? What you were doing? What you said? Jesus knows everything we do, everything we think and everything we say. Would Jesus be pleased with everything you said or did?

John 1:35-42 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; (36) And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! (37) And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. (38) Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? (39) He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. (40) One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. (41) He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. (42) And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

As these disciples see Jesus coming, they wonder and ask Jesus, Where do you stay? Where is your home? Jesus invites them to come and to follow him. Jesus is gathering the disciples which will follow Him. Notice how, when these men began to follow Jesus, they did not have any concern for the things they were leaving behind. They were not concerned with their houses or their jobs. Their very first concern was following Jesus and doing what Jesus wanted them to do.

John 1:26-34 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; (27) He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. (28) These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. (29) The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (30) This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. (31) And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. (32) And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. (33) And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. (34) And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

John the Baptist is being investigated by the Pharisees. “Who are you?” “What are you doing?” “Are you a prophet?” John the Baptist explains to them that there is one among them which they don’t know yet. John the Baptist explains how this one who is among them is far better than he is. John the Baptist even says he is not worthy to unlatch the shoes of this mystery person. Today, we know John the Baptist was talking about Jesus.

The next day, John sees Jesus coming and explains how he knew it was Jesus.

John 1:19-25 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? (20) And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. (21) And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. (22) Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? (23) He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. (24) And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. (25) And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

The Pharisees had a system set up where they used the Old Testament to control the people. There were many laws which God had given the people. However, the Pharisees had added many more rules to the Law. The law grew to the point where it made life very difficult for the people. Now, these Pharisees were hearing about John the Baptist and how he was baptizing people. This was not the custom and the Pharisees were getting a little nervous about it. So, they sent some people out to investigate things.

John 1:11-18 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (15) John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. (16) And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. (17) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (18) No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

We are beginning to see a theme. In verse five, we see The Light shining and the darkness does not comprehend or understand it. In verse ten, we see that the world was made by him, but did not know him. Now, in verse eleven, we see that Jesus came to His own people, and His own people, as a whole, did not know Him. For thousands of years, the nation of Israel has been looking for their Messiah - Jesus. The Old Testament perfectly describes Jesus. The Old Testament also describes how Jesus will come. Even with such a perfect description, the Jewish people did not recognize Jesus when He came. In fact, they rejected Him and later killed him.

We also begin to see the difference between the Law which came through Moses and the grace which Jesus gives us.

John 1:5-10 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (6) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (7) The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. (8) He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. (9) That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. (10) He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

This passage continues the introduction of Jesus. Now, we are seeing Jesus described as The Light. Jesus is the Light of the World. He is not light in the sense of lighting our day. He is the light in the sense of lighting our walk toward God. We see an example of our relationship to The Light, or Jesus, in the relationship of the moon to the sun. The moon reflects the light of the sun. As Christians, we should reflect the light of Jesus.

We are also introduced to John. Just as sometimes we know many people who have the same name, there are some different people in the Bible who have the same name. We are studying the book of John, but in this passage, we are studying different man named John. This is John the Baptist. John the Baptist was sent by God to tell the world around him of the coming of Jesus.

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John takes us back to the beginning of the world and introduces us to The Word. John tells us that The Word was both with God and the Word was God. So, from the beginning of this book, we see that The Word and God are the same. This relationship is very important. It shows us that The Word (Jesus) and God are the same. This is the foundation of a very important doctrine, the doctrine of the Trinity. As you study the Bible and learn more about God, you will also learn more about the Trinity

It is also very important to see that the world was made by God. Without God, there would be nothing. We would not be here. The trees and animals would not be here. The oceans and mountains would not be here. Nothing would exist. Everything is here because God made it.

Esther 9:29-10:3 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim. (30) And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, (31) To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry. (32) And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book. (10:1) And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea. (2) And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? (3) For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.

God’s will has been completed. Esther and Mordecai were willing to do whatever God needed them to do. Because they were willing, God was able to use them to save an entire nation of people. Meanwhile, Haman did not want to honor God. Because of Haman’s sin, thousands of people were killed. Who do you honor today? Do you want to serve God? Are you willing to do whatever God may want you to do? Sometimes, it will be hard. Sometimes, people will give you a hard time for serving God. Are you willing to serve Him despite all of this?

Esther 9:23-28 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; (24) Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; (25) But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. (26) Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them, (27) The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year; (28) And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.

What did Haman’s sons do to deserve to die? Did we read any account of them doing anything to the Jews? To Mordecai? To Esther? No, we didn’t. Still, these ten sons were hanged. Why? Have you ever considered how one little sin might affect many people? Haman’s sin resulted in thousands of people being killed, including his ten sons. Is your little sin worth it? You can choose your sin, but you cannot choose the consequences.

Esther 9:15-22 For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand. (16) But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey, (17) On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. (18) But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. (19) Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another. (20) And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, (21) To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, (22) As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.

God’s people were given a great victory. The victory was so great that Haman made the anniversary a national holiday. Do we need a special day, a holiday, to worship God and tell people about Him? Could we not be thankful to God all the time? Shouldn’t we always look for ways we can show people how thankful we really are?

Esther 9:7-14 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, (8) And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, (9) And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha, (10) The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand. (11) On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king. (12) And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done. (13) Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. (14) And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.

Go back in time for a moment. Go all the way back to when Esther’s mother and father died. Now, pretend Esther had gotten bitter. Pretend that she had been angry with God and didn’t want anything to do with him. Would God have been able to use her to save His people?

Esther 9:1-6 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;) (2) The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people. (3) And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. (4) For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater. (5) Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them. (6) And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.

After all that happened, there were still people who hated the Jews. Even though the king’s heart was turned toward the Jews, people hated them. Even though the king gave a decree that they would not be hurt, people still hated them. Sometimes, we must all realize that there will be people who will hate us just because we serve God.

Esther 8:11-17 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, (12) Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. (13) The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. (14) So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace. (15) And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. (16) The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. (17) And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

The order has gone out from the king. No one would dare touch the Jews. God’s plan has worked. Do you allow God’s plan for you to work in your life?

Esther 8:7-10 Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. (8) Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse. (9) Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. (10) And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:

God used Esther and Mordecai in a mighty way to save all the Jews. God’s plan was being fulfilled through Esther. We never know what God may have in store for us. We never know when God may need to use us. It is our job to always be ready to do whatever God may need us to do. Are you ready?

Esther 8:1-6 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her. (2) And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. (3) And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. (4) Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king, (5) And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces: (6) For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?

Esther’s moment has come. This was the point God prepared her for. Esther and Mordecai had the favor of the king, but the orders to kill all the Jews still stand. If the orders are carried out, all her people, and even the queen herself, will be killed. God has put everything in place to save his people.

Esther 7:8-10 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. (9) And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. (10) So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.

Sometimes, we must wonder if God does not have a sense of humor. The way everything worked out, Haman, Mordecai’s enemy, gets hanged on his own gallows. God’s plan is almost complete.

Esther 7:5-7 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? (6) And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. (7) And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.

The tide has turned. The king sees Haman as the one who wants to destroy his queen. God’s plan is being fulfilled. Has God done things in your life that you don’t understand? Is it possible God is molding you so He can use you for something big?

Es 7:1-4 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. (2) And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom. (3) Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: (4) For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.

God’s plan is coming to pass. The king loves his queen, Esther, and is willing to give her anything she wants. The king is even willing to give her up to half the kingdom. All she is asking the king to do is save her people. When she was a little child, she may not have understood why both her father and mother died. She may not have understood why she should be the queen. Now, we see God’s plan through it all. God was in control and God mapped every detail out for her.

Esther 6:12-14 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. (13) And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. (14) And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.

Haman and his friends still thought they were going to win. They thought they would kill Mordecai and all the Jews. They did not know God and they certainly did not know God already had everything worked out. Mordecai and Esther were still just obeying and honoring God. Do you obey and honor God as you should?

Esther 6:6-11 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? (7) And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, (8) Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: (9) And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. (10) Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. (11) Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

Sometimes, it seems as though God has a sense of humor. This is a perfect example of how God looked at all the details of this problem and worked out a perfect solution. God even worked out the details of how to get the king to favor Mordecai. It is absolutely amazing to see God work all this out. But, this isn’t over yet. What else is God going to do?

Esther 6:1-5 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. (2) And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. (3) And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him. (4) And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. (5) And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.

The king remembers that Mordecai had saved his life and asks what had been done to honor Mordecai. The chamberlain tells the king that nothing had been done. The plot is really starting to thicken. What do you think will happen? Is God still in control?

Esther 5:11-14 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. (12) Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. (13) Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. (14) Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

Haman and his friends have everything figured out. Now, they believe they know how to get Haman’s enemy killed. Haman even thinks he is the king and queen’s friend. It really is starting to look bad for everyone, but God is still in control. This story is not over yet. In fact, it is really starting to get exciting. How will God work all of this out?

Esther 5:6-10 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed. (7) Then answered Esther, and said, My petition 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 petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said. (9) Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai. (10) Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

God’s plan is falling in place. When she was younger, Esther may not have realized how God would use her. Now, she has been serving God and she is starting to see God’s plan for her life. You may not know God’s entire plan for your life right now. Just focus on your next step, not what is way down the path. Are you doing God’s will for your life today?

Esther 5:1-5 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. (2) And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. (3) Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. (4) And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him. (5) Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

I would have been afraid to go before the king without an invitation, but it was God’s will for Esther to do this. Though any normal person would have been afraid, Esther had prayed and fasted. She knew this was God’s will for her life and she was willing to die to see God’s will carried out. There may be times when we do not understand what God is doing in our life. We may not understand how God is moving and working in our life. Still, we must always obey God.

Esther 4:13-17 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. (14) For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (15) Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, (16) Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. (17) So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

Mordecai has an excellent point. Esther is a Jew also. Even though she is the queen, she would be killed with all of her father's house as well. What did she have to loose? Perhaps she could have lived a lie and completely denied her heritage. Ultimately, this still would have been a lie and her family would be dead. What would she gain? Instead, Esther bathes her actions in fasting and prayer. She has her maidens to join her as well as all the Jews in Shushan. Since God promises to hear the prayers of the righteous. What do you think will happen to Esther? How great would your faith be?

Esther 4:9-12 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. (10) Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; (11) All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. (12) And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.

Esther was certainly afraid. Almost anyone who went in before the king, who was not called, would be killed. She had not been called but Mordecai was asking her to go before the king. If she did this, she could only hope that God would turn the king’s heart and not kill her too.
How far would you be willing to go for God? Would you be willing to risk your life? How much do you trust God?

Esther 4:6-8 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate. (7) And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. (8) Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.

God’s plan is unfolding before our eyes. Mordecai is asking Esther to plead for the safety of the Jews. God has made her the queen. God has put her in a place where may be able to save the Jews. What if she had refused to go? What if she had so much sin in her life that God could not use her? Is there something in your life which would prevent God from using you?

Esther 4:1-5 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; (2) And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. Es 4:3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. (4) So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not. (5) Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.

An entire nation of people is morning. It seems as though they will be destroyed and there is nothing they can do about it. However, they still do not realize that God has a plan and Esther is a big part of that plan. God has put her in place as the queen. Soon, God will use her. Are you willing to let God use your life fully? Could He put you in a position to help someone?

Esther 3:12-15 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. (13) And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. (14) The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. (15) The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

Again, it looks like a very dark time has come. The command has been given: kill all the Jews. Would God stand by and allow His people to be destroyed? Before Haman was born, God knew what he would do. Before Esther was born, God had a plan to save His people. Likewise, God has a plan for each of us. We must make sure that we are ready and able for God to use us.