WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.440 Well, can we look at Esther chapter 1 again? 00:00:06.640 --> 00:00:13.359 ! We're going to look at the whole chapter, but probably the key verse is 19. 00:00:15.040 --> 00:00:22.160 ! If it please the king, let a royal order go out from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and Medes, 00:00:22.160 --> 00:00:29.839 so that it may not be repealed that Vashti is never again to come before King Ahasuerus. 00:00:30.640 --> 00:00:38.420 And let the king give her royal position to another who is better than he. 00:00:43.500 --> 00:00:47.939 The TV program I really enjoy is Who Do You Think You Are? 00:00:48.700 --> 00:00:56.460 It takes a famous person and it looks at their history, where they come from, who their people are, who their people were. 00:00:57.140 --> 00:01:02.460 It's absolutely fascinating, as I'm sure many of you are fascinated by your genealogy. 00:01:03.299 --> 00:01:07.519 Who are your people? Where did they live? And what did they do? 00:01:07.519 --> 00:01:11.599 And many of these stories, of course, elicit times of tears. 00:01:11.599 --> 00:01:17.759 You see the celebrities, they weep because of perhaps hardship of their ancestors. 00:01:18.679 --> 00:01:21.039 Some of the ancestors were sold into slavery. 00:01:21.739 --> 00:01:25.399 Others of them went through terrible deprivations in the war. 00:01:25.400 --> 00:01:31.840 And folk are traumatized by the history of their own family, their own people. 00:01:32.900 --> 00:01:34.400 This is such a book. 00:01:34.480 --> 00:01:37.420 The book of Esther is our story, you know. 00:01:37.960 --> 00:01:39.960 It's the story of the Church of God. 00:01:40.080 --> 00:01:43.620 It's at least partly the story of the Church of God. 00:01:43.620 --> 00:01:47.180 The Jewish people in the Old Testament are our people. 00:01:47.820 --> 00:01:51.939 And when we read of the Jewish people, we read of the Church of God, 00:01:52.420 --> 00:01:54.140 which, of course, is the great... 00:01:54.140 --> 00:02:01.180 The Church of God is the fulfillment of the promise given to Abraham and to the Jewish people. 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:04.300 Now, again, who am I speaking to tonight? 00:02:04.420 --> 00:02:07.640 There's, I'm sure, a great variety of folk here. 00:02:07.640 --> 00:02:11.379 There are those of you who know Esther off by heart. 00:02:11.520 --> 00:02:13.800 You know Esther better than I do. 00:02:13.960 --> 00:02:20.560 That it's the story of a Jewish girl who saved the Jewish people from annihilation. 00:02:21.240 --> 00:02:28.920 It's the story of a beautiful young girl who became a queen, a queen of Persia, 00:02:29.159 --> 00:02:34.199 and who was raised, of course, the most famous passage or verse in Esther is, 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:41.659 who was raised for such a time as this story, which is indeed intriguing and compelling. 00:02:42.299 --> 00:02:45.979 There's others of you, and you've never even heard of the book of Esther. 00:02:46.439 --> 00:02:52.319 And maybe this evening is the very first time that you've opened this particular book of the Bible. 00:02:53.120 --> 00:02:58.459 Well, I hope that one of the side products of this evening will be that this evening 00:02:58.459 --> 00:03:03.259 you will go back home and you will read the book of Esther for yourself 00:03:03.259 --> 00:03:06.539 because it really is a page-turner. 00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:09.739 It's certainly not Mills and Boone material. 00:03:10.079 --> 00:03:17.139 It's much deeper than that as it tells the story of God's dealing with the church of God. 00:03:18.139 --> 00:03:21.239 So why have I picked the book of Esther this evening? 00:03:21.379 --> 00:03:26.239 Well, I was speaking somewhere else the last few weeks on it, 00:03:26.240 --> 00:03:34.540 and so it was kind of in my mind, and I've been living with this book for the last four or five weeks. 00:03:35.080 --> 00:03:37.620 I picked it probably for three main reasons. 00:03:37.800 --> 00:03:39.620 Number one, of course, it's in the Bible. 00:03:40.620 --> 00:03:45.020 All Scripture is profitable for us and to us. 00:03:45.640 --> 00:03:48.960 Every single book of the Bible is there for us, 00:03:48.960 --> 00:03:56.140 and the Bible is the most intriguing, most interesting book in the whole of the world. 00:03:56.760 --> 00:04:00.659 The book of Esther is one of those books you really have to work at 00:04:00.659 --> 00:04:04.620 because the meaning of it doesn't instantly come. 00:04:05.340 --> 00:04:08.640 But as I said this morning, Esther, the Bible is written for all of us. 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:12.200 The Bible is not written for expert theologians. 00:04:12.580 --> 00:04:15.219 It's written for ordinary people like us. 00:04:15.219 --> 00:04:17.920 So it's in the Bible that's the first reason. 00:04:18.939 --> 00:04:22.740 The second reason is that I'm rather intrigued because, of course, you all know 00:04:22.740 --> 00:04:28.160 it's one of only two books in the Bible named after women. 00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:33.540 Someone said that the Bible is written from a man's perspective, 00:04:34.259 --> 00:04:37.660 and they say it's a very masculine book. 00:04:37.660 --> 00:04:41.839 It is written certainly from a man's point of view. 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:46.979 Well, whether there is a man's point of view or a lady's point of view is a subject 00:04:46.979 --> 00:04:52.239 which I certainly will not even begin to tackle this evening. 00:04:52.419 --> 00:04:55.739 But it's interesting, isn't it, that they're contrasting books. 00:04:56.239 --> 00:04:58.959 You've got the book of Ruth, which is the other book, 00:04:59.039 --> 00:05:00.839 and it's written about a peasant girl. 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:03.299 It's written about a poor girl. 00:05:03.439 --> 00:05:08.039 It's written about one who is from the oppressed underclass, 00:05:08.040 --> 00:05:15.080 one who was known for poverty and ordinary village life. 00:05:15.180 --> 00:05:16.260 So that's the book of Ruth. 00:05:16.960 --> 00:05:18.700 A contrast is Esther. 00:05:19.660 --> 00:05:23.900 And there is no doubt that Esther is a glamorous book. 00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:26.560 Esther, the word means star. 00:05:27.160 --> 00:05:28.759 She was a beautiful woman. 00:05:28.759 --> 00:05:32.020 Chapter 2 makes that point two or three times. 00:05:32.019 --> 00:05:38.439 And especially when she went through her six-month, year-long beautification process, 00:05:38.680 --> 00:05:40.779 she was absolutely stunning. 00:05:40.919 --> 00:05:41.839 She wasn't a peasant. 00:05:42.479 --> 00:05:45.299 She ended up, of course, in the palace. 00:05:45.479 --> 00:05:52.979 She is referred to in Chapter 3 onwards as Queen Esther, King Ahasuerus, gets her. 00:05:54.180 --> 00:05:57.779 It's not a romantic story by any means. 00:05:57.859 --> 00:05:59.000 Chapter 2 tells us. 00:05:59.039 --> 00:06:01.359 It's a story of abuse. 00:06:01.360 --> 00:06:03.420 It's a story of trafficking. 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:08.120 There's a modern ring about it, isn't there, as you read Esther Chapter 2? 00:06:08.699 --> 00:06:15.819 Very much part of the kind of Me Too story, as you see the exploitation there of a woman. 00:06:16.060 --> 00:06:19.660 So there's an underbelly also to the book of Esther, isn't there? 00:06:20.020 --> 00:06:22.620 It's not just, as I said earlier, Mills and Boone. 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:25.520 It's not just some romantic story. 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:27.720 So it's in the Bible. 00:06:27.980 --> 00:06:29.439 I find it rather intriguing. 00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:32.100 It is a book named after a woman. 00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:38.160 But the third reason, and this is the one that almost every preacher will talk about, 00:06:38.740 --> 00:06:44.639 God's name is not mentioned once in the whole book of Esther. 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:47.699 In fact, it's somewhat secular. 00:06:47.699 --> 00:06:50.399 I don't know if any of you read history. 00:06:51.060 --> 00:06:54.519 There's a great series for young people called Horrible Histories. 00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:58.180 And the book of Esther reads, well, that's very secular. 00:06:58.180 --> 00:07:03.420 As I said, God is not mentioned in it at all. 00:07:03.639 --> 00:07:10.019 And for that reason, it is incredibly intriguing. 00:07:10.519 --> 00:07:17.600 But as we will also see that although God's name is not mentioned, God is everywhere. 00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:24.860 His name is not there, but his fingerprints are all over the book of Esther. 00:07:24.860 --> 00:07:26.420 It's also a story. 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:28.819 People love a story. 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:33.520 That's why soap operas are so popular with certain people. 00:07:33.660 --> 00:07:41.460 That's how boxed sets are compelling, as people constantly want to know the next story. 00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:44.180 And Esther is like that. 00:07:44.180 --> 00:07:51.780 Actually, if you read it chapter after chapter, the next chapter is as unbelievable as the chapter before. 00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:55.480 And it's intriguing to see all these things. 00:07:55.600 --> 00:07:57.920 And there's all these literary devices. 00:07:58.379 --> 00:08:01.860 And there's the sudden reversal of fortune. 00:08:02.040 --> 00:08:07.560 How things are going one way, and all of a sudden they are dramatically going another way. 00:08:07.660 --> 00:08:08.840 There's double meanings. 00:08:08.839 --> 00:08:15.000 There's all sorts of interesting literary devices all through the book. 00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:31.539 But before we go on, there's a fundamental method of interpreting the Bible that we really must get right. 00:08:31.540 --> 00:08:38.519 The big picture in Esther is not that Esther is a good woman and that we should be like Esther. 00:08:39.820 --> 00:08:48.779 The story of the Bible is not that Vashti here in chapter 1 is someone who was bold and who spoke against King Ahasuerus. 00:08:48.820 --> 00:08:50.019 Yes, that's there. 00:08:51.159 --> 00:08:56.879 But the main story of the Old Testament is the story of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:08:56.879 --> 00:09:06.120 And the main story of the Bible is the line running from Genesis to Revelation about how God has provided a saviour. 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:12.639 And so in the book of Esther, we see that God provides a saviour with a small s, Esther. 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:18.200 And God provides a saviour with a large s, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:21.000 And we will certainly see him in chapter 1. 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:26.120 And we will see him in every single page of the book of Esther. 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:34.860 Remember Jesus said in Luke chapter 24 when he was explaining the Bible to the folk on the road to Emmaus. 00:09:35.399 --> 00:09:36.179 Of course, he says, 00:09:36.179 --> 00:09:45.220 Beginning with Moses and the prophets, he explained to them what was said in the scripture concerning himself. 00:09:45.700 --> 00:09:49.120 And so we will see Jesus here in Esther chapter 1. 00:09:49.560 --> 00:09:51.759 We will see him by way of contrast. 00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:55.980 And we will see him also by way of comparison. 00:09:56.980 --> 00:10:01.100 And also, we will notice that nothing here is chaotic. 00:10:01.340 --> 00:10:02.940 You will see there is a conflict here. 00:10:03.419 --> 00:10:05.379 There is a conflict in chapter 1. 00:10:05.700 --> 00:10:08.539 And there is a conflict all through the Bible. 00:10:08.700 --> 00:10:14.620 There is a conflict between the power of evil and the power of good. 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:27.500 And another point before we move on to our three principal points is that the main concept in the book of Esther is the concept of providence. 00:10:27.500 --> 00:10:38.519 It is that God uses small incidental events to change the world. 00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:43.620 We live in a world where God is not mentioned. 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:47.000 Does that mean God doesn't exist? 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:54.000 We are in a church culture that doesn't really do signs and wonders much. 00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:56.320 It is not something we talk about. 00:10:56.580 --> 00:10:58.279 We don't talk about miracles. 00:10:58.740 --> 00:11:00.799 We don't talk about all these things. 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:11.519 And so we can assume that God is no longer operating in churches like ours, which can appear to be rather dry. 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:13.839 By no means. 00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:16.579 That's the point of Esther. 00:11:16.580 --> 00:11:21.040 Although God is not mentioned, God is still moving. 00:11:22.100 --> 00:11:31.100 Although God is being pushed to the periphery of our national and civic life, God is still at work. 00:11:31.940 --> 00:11:41.460 And it's the little things in your life that reveal that God is working in a very powerful and amazing way. 00:11:41.460 --> 00:11:50.320 Let me ask you, you put your mind back 30 years ago, 40 years ago, 50 years ago. 00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:58.540 If someone were to say to you, you would be sitting in a pew or in a pulpit in the Free Church in Kenneth Street in Stornoway, 00:11:58.980 --> 00:12:02.680 you would have said that's absolutely ridiculous. 00:12:03.560 --> 00:12:08.980 Wherever you are in life at the moment, you're not here by accident. 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:15.200 You're here because you have been placed here in such a time as this. 00:12:15.820 --> 00:12:24.700 But the wonderful thing is that this is part of a bigger plan leading to the Lord Jesus Christ and his redemption. 00:12:25.920 --> 00:12:34.340 So tonight, very briefly, what they say, sometimes the perfect sermon is three Ps and a poem. 00:12:34.340 --> 00:12:40.340 I can't promise a poem tonight, but there are certainly three Ps. 00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:49.100 As we look at the passage, we're going to look at power, we're going to look at pride, and we're going to look at providence. 00:12:49.660 --> 00:12:52.160 So, okay, three Ps without a poem. 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:54.740 First of all, then, power. 00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:57.800 Well, the chapter's all over power. 00:12:57.940 --> 00:12:59.980 You just need to read verses one and two. 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:07.700 It really lays it on, doesn't it, in the days of Ahasuerus, who reigned from India to Ethiopia. 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:12.159 There is power language there, verse two, verse four, verse eight. 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:15.440 The power there just drips off the page. 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:16.879 The language is huge. 00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:21.279 The army of Persia and Media, the governors, the nobles. 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:23.980 This is really incredible. 00:13:24.700 --> 00:13:26.960 It's a picture of power. 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:32.980 However, this King Ahasuerus, if you read the NIV, he's known as King Exus. 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:42.259 He reigned, I googled him, apparently he reigned over 44% of the world's population at that time. 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:46.300 Not 43 or 45, but 44%. 00:13:46.299 --> 00:13:54.759 He ruled from Pakistan right up through northern Europe, right up to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan. 00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:56.479 He ruled over Asia. 00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:59.000 He ruled right down into Africa. 00:13:59.299 --> 00:14:02.759 He really was a very powerful person. 00:14:03.219 --> 00:14:05.259 Indeed, that's spelled out in the text. 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:10.399 From India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces. 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:14.019 So, it's located in Iran. 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:23.439 If you want a geographical reference, the citadel of Susa is located in Iran, which is very much topical at the moment. 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:26.500 A little back story, a little sidebar. 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:32.220 A whole crowd of Jewish people, most of them went back to Jerusalem. 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:35.300 But a remnant remained in Babylon. 00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:39.040 And Esther is one of the main characters. 00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:49.060 The main character in the story remained behind here in Babylon with her uncle, a man called Mordecai. 00:14:49.700 --> 00:14:54.200 But the Persians held all the power. 00:14:55.240 --> 00:15:01.480 Indeed, someone said that the Jews didn't want to stick their head above the parapet. 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:07.500 One writer says, the nail that doesn't stick out is less likely to be hammered. 00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:12.620 That's why we see in chapter 2, Esther's uncle says, be quiet. 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:15.340 Don't tell anyone that you're a Jew. 00:15:15.539 --> 00:15:17.980 Keep your identity secret. 00:15:18.680 --> 00:15:26.620 And so, the Jewish people lived there largely, quietly, unknown, just getting on with their life. 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:29.539 And so, you have this power here. 00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:38.500 You've got this dominant, godless, pagan, powerful, brutal empire. 00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:43.599 An empire that has no word of God. 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:54.779 And yet, God moves in it and even through it for his own sovereign purpose. 00:15:54.779 --> 00:15:59.039 All things work together for good. 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:02.939 Wicked empires work together for good. 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:06.299 Godless rulers work together for good. 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:09.459 Does it say that some things work together for good? 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:12.220 In our lives, we come across rulers. 00:16:12.419 --> 00:16:17.220 We come across regimes that we don't like and are not good. 00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:20.180 We live in a godless society. 00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:22.759 Has God ignored us? 00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:25.200 By no means. 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:28.180 He is working things out. 00:16:28.879 --> 00:16:30.600 And so, there's power here. 00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:39.180 In one of the contemporary accounts of King Hazelaris, he describes himself in these terms. 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:46.239 I quote, I am the great king, the king of kings, the king of the lands occupied by many races. 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:50.599 I am the king of this great earth. 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:53.919 He didn't have self-esteem issues, clearly. 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:59.019 He was someone who was really full of his own importance. 00:16:59.019 --> 00:17:01.699 It's quite interesting, isn't it? 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:04.539 Maybe this is a male-female perspective. 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:10.940 Notice the description, verses 1 to 9, of King Ahasuerus' banquet. 00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:14.900 And the woman's banquet is described in one verse. 00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:21.900 Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the woman in the palace that belonged to King Ahasuerus. 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:25.859 Modest compared to the power politics. 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:30.379 And so, he was no Puritan, if you look at verses 5 to verse 8. 00:17:31.399 --> 00:17:32.579 It was ridiculous. 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:37.899 The 180 days of feasting. 00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:41.199 Glasses that were used. 00:17:41.399 --> 00:17:43.500 No two glasses were the same. 00:17:43.979 --> 00:17:49.019 It was a picture of excess and opulence. 00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:54.440 And the mother of all three bars there in verse 8. 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.900 You've almost got a joke there. 00:17:56.379 --> 00:17:58.200 The edict is, there is no edict. 00:17:58.299 --> 00:18:01.059 The edict is, there is no compulsion. 00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:10.279 And so, you've got this picture of opulence, power, magnificence, and excess. 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:22.000 And again, that's what many people in this island and in this country and in the Western world admire and are intimidated by. 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:24.859 Where is all the power? 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:29.559 Let me just apply this in a couple of ways. 00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:30.899 In two ways. 00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:35.980 The first application is that we all worship something. 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:38.879 We all worship something. 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:43.860 What does verse 1 to 9 remind you of? 00:18:44.400 --> 00:18:45.640 Does it remind you of anything? 00:18:46.760 --> 00:18:54.160 There were white cotton curtains and violet hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver cords and marble pillars. 00:18:55.520 --> 00:18:57.660 What does that remind you of? 00:18:58.360 --> 00:19:05.100 It's almost an exact description of the furnishings of the tabernacle and the temple. 00:19:06.100 --> 00:19:08.440 It's a context of worship. 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:18.740 And so, isn't it interesting that the language of the temple and the temple furnishings is used for this particular king. 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:21.480 This is his worship. 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:26.720 He is worshiping the creature rather than the creator. 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:31.860 He is worshiping things rather than gods. 00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:37.379 If you look around the skyline of Edinburgh. 00:19:37.380 --> 00:19:39.380 You see two skylines. 00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:47.440 One skyline and one perspective is it's dominated by church steeples. 00:19:48.300 --> 00:19:51.560 You can see the distinctive steeple of St. Giles. 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.440 It's a crown. 00:19:53.320 --> 00:19:59.260 You can see through the towers of New College the steeple of what used to be called the Highland Tallbooth. 00:19:59.259 --> 00:20:07.059 You can see church steeples all around because they were built in an age when people worshipped God. 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:09.539 But there's another skyline. 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:13.759 And it's the skyline of the St. James Centre Mall. 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:15.940 It's the skyline of the office block. 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:18.799 It's the skyline of the temples of commerce. 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:22.859 You see, we all worship something. 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:25.500 We all have an idol. 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:28.839 And so we see here the power. 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:32.599 And the power is invested in this idolatry. 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:37.119 But remember what God said at the dedication of the temple. 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:40.579 He said in 1 Kings chapter 9. 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:41.599 He said, 00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:57.839 So that's what we see here. 00:20:58.759 --> 00:21:03.899 God's man, in one sense, is cut off the throne of the temple. 00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:10.759 And there's an interloper on the throne where God ought to be. 00:21:11.820 --> 00:21:13.920 But there's going to be another throne. 00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:18.140 We saw it this morning in Revelation chapter 5. 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:22.300 Which is a great connection here with Esther chapter 1. 00:21:22.880 --> 00:21:26.900 That the throne of Ahasuerus is collapsed. 00:21:27.300 --> 00:21:30.980 And the throne of King Jesus is there. 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:32.360 It's elevated. 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:38.139 How vacuous is the temple of this world. 00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:41.500 It's a hologram with no substance. 00:21:42.439 --> 00:21:48.099 The tales of contemporary man is a tale told by idiots. 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:50.579 Full of sound and fury. 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:55.539 Signifying ultimately nothing. 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:58.740 You see here the power. 00:21:58.740 --> 00:22:00.740 The power. 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:07.380 The power of King Ahasuerus is a power based on a shaky foundation. 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:10.259 Who do we admire? 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:12.759 In this age of celebrity. 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:14.519 In this age of dazzle. 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:19.180 In this age where people are so vacuous. 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:20.180 King Ahasuerus. 00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:23.920 And yet at the end of the day the power is empty. 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:26.620 And here you have a kingdom. 00:22:26.820 --> 00:22:27.519 How different. 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:29.360 The kingdom of God. 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:33.880 King Ahasuerus banishes a woman. 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:37.500 King Jesus takes people in. 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:44.660 The king Jesus is one who invites the poor and maimed into his palace. 00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:50.140 King Ahasuerus only admitted those who lived in a citadel of Susa. 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:51.559 The high and mighty. 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:53.660 They were brought in to wine and dine. 00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:57.180 And yet God is ultimately egalitarian. 00:22:57.180 --> 00:23:01.799 Again God brings all types of people to himself. 00:23:03.640 --> 00:23:04.240 Power. 00:23:05.820 --> 00:23:07.900 We see here worship. 00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:09.560 We also see empire. 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:13.880 Also the language is the language of temple. 00:23:14.080 --> 00:23:17.200 But it's also the language of city, isn't it? 00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:21.680 And again the parallels with Revelation chapter 4 are there. 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:24.440 We have streets of gold here. 00:23:25.320 --> 00:23:28.460 And we see a contrast to the kingdom of God. 00:23:28.580 --> 00:23:29.620 It's not loud. 00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:31.560 It's not brash. 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:34.880 It's like a mustard seed. 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:37.500 King Ahasuerus. 00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:40.740 Who came after King Ahasuerus? 00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:43.039 Alexander the Great. 00:23:43.900 --> 00:23:46.580 I only know two things about Alexander the Great. 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.380 Number one. 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:49.680 His name was Alexander. 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:51.039 And number two. 00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:53.240 He was great. 00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:55.420 He's largely forgotten about. 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:58.740 I'm sure some of you know more about Alexander the Great. 00:23:59.400 --> 00:24:01.560 The empires of this world come. 00:24:02.320 --> 00:24:03.160 And the empires go. 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:04.519 And then you have the Romans. 00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:06.600 And then you have the Nazis. 00:24:07.060 --> 00:24:09.660 And then you have the Soviets. 00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:16.940 And nowadays we've got of course great empires and emperors. 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:21.259 You're worried about the world just now. 00:24:22.320 --> 00:24:25.600 You're worried about the men and women of power. 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:28.240 Remember Psalm 2. 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:33.920 He who sits in heaven shall laugh. 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:36.160 Isn't that in the great image? 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:41.960 Kings of the earth raise himself up against the Lord and his anointed. 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:45.940 And he who sits in heaven shall laugh. 00:24:46.579 --> 00:24:49.980 The Lord shall scorn them all. 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:51.920 At the end. 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:57.559 And the empire of this world will end in tears. 00:24:57.559 --> 00:25:03.119 I don't know if you Johnny Cash fans. 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:08.339 But remember the last song that Johnny Cash ever sang in public. 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.899 You can YouTube it. 00:25:10.659 --> 00:25:12.599 Johnny Cash the old country singer. 00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:13.639 He's singing there. 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:14.299 He's old. 00:25:14.659 --> 00:25:16.079 He's lost his power. 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.859 His voice is croaking. 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.940 Remember the song he sings. 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:22.079 You could have it all. 00:25:22.139 --> 00:25:22.659 He said. 00:25:22.660 --> 00:25:25.100 My empire of dust. 00:25:25.820 --> 00:25:27.480 I will let you down. 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:29.700 I will make you hurt. 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:33.660 The contrast to the kingdom of God. 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.660 Is completely different. 00:25:36.040 --> 00:25:37.680 This is an empire of dust. 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.759 It will let you down. 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:41.740 Whereas the empire of King Jesus. 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:43.420 Is completely different. 00:25:43.820 --> 00:25:44.840 It is an empire that says. 00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:46.500 Because he lives. 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:48.620 I can see tomorrow. 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:51.419 We see here. 00:25:52.379 --> 00:25:52.979 Power. 00:25:54.459 --> 00:25:56.339 But then closely connected to that. 00:25:56.439 --> 00:25:57.500 We see pride. 00:25:57.619 --> 00:25:57.979 Don't we? 00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:59.479 We see it all through the chapter. 00:25:59.639 --> 00:26:00.359 Verse 4. 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:04.619 He showed the riches of his royal glory. 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:07.239 You see it there in verse 10. 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:08.039 In verse 11. 00:26:08.139 --> 00:26:09.819 He orders people about. 00:26:10.479 --> 00:26:11.319 Verse 12. 00:26:11.439 --> 00:26:12.359 He's disobeyed. 00:26:12.439 --> 00:26:14.279 He becomes enraged. 00:26:14.919 --> 00:26:17.359 Vashti is an intriguing character. 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:17.479 Here. 00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:19.719 Here is. 00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:22.259 The ruler of the known universe. 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:24.399 He's the ruler of the greatest. 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.639 The world. 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:26.939 He says. 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:28.539 44% of the population. 00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:30.419 The major empire in the world. 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:31.199 At this time. 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:32.859 And one. 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:34.439 Woman. 00:26:35.619 --> 00:26:36.139 Says. 00:26:36.719 --> 00:26:37.000 No. 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:40.339 And his pride is hurt. 00:26:40.459 --> 00:26:41.059 Isn't it? 00:26:41.119 --> 00:26:42.619 You see that in verse 12. 00:26:42.919 --> 00:26:44.759 He's furious when disobeyed. 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:46.779 He's a classic narcissist. 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:49.079 He becomes enraged. 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.720 In verse 22. 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:54.740 He orders the woman to be submissive. 00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:56.299 And imagine that. 00:26:56.399 --> 00:26:57.740 He puts a decree out. 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:59.660 And he orders. 00:27:00.399 --> 00:27:01.339 All the women. 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:02.740 To respect. 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.119 Their husband. 00:27:05.399 --> 00:27:05.980 Respect. 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.680 Does not come. 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:09.059 By decree. 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.039 Love. 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.700 Does not come by decree. 00:27:12.660 --> 00:27:13.839 And yet in his pride. 00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:14.720 With power. 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:16.220 There comes pride. 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:18.439 You shall be as God. 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.240 C.H. 00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:20.179 Spurgeon said. 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:20.899 Pride. 00:27:20.899 --> 00:27:23.019 Is the sin. 00:27:23.159 --> 00:27:24.519 Of human nature. 00:27:24.919 --> 00:27:26.299 Because pride says. 00:27:26.639 --> 00:27:29.199 I will be like God. 00:27:29.399 --> 00:27:30.379 Pride says. 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:32.000 I know better than God. 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:32.899 Pride said. 00:27:32.959 --> 00:27:34.579 I want to be like God. 00:27:34.939 --> 00:27:35.500 And pride. 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:37.119 Has got an ego. 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:39.399 The size of Texas. 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:40.719 It's huge. 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:43.939 But pride here. 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:46.679 Is an awful thing. 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:49.159 Just a little sidebar. 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:50.219 There's a lot of drinking. 00:27:50.339 --> 00:27:50.719 Isn't there? 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:51.719 In chapter one. 00:27:52.399 --> 00:27:53.619 They're drinking there. 00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:55.459 Six days of drinking. 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:58.400 And the inevitable happens. 00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.039 So. 00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:00.240 The king. 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.880 And all his buddies. 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:03.000 Are drinking. 00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:05.539 For six days. 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:07.759 And then he's got this. 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.920 Bright idea. 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.440 He says. 00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:11.019 Ah. 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:12.120 Queen Vastow. 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:13.220 She's very pretty. 00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:15.740 What I want her to do. 00:28:15.860 --> 00:28:17.500 Is put on her crown. 00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:20.319 And in front of all my friends. 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.340 I want her to. 00:28:22.340 --> 00:28:23.779 He sends me to a catwalk. 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:25.160 And walk down the room. 00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:27.160 So all these men. 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:28.200 Can look at my. 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:29.340 Trophy wife. 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.940 And he puts this. 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:33.140 To Queen Vastow. 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.240 And not. 00:28:35.340 --> 00:28:35.860 Surprisingly. 00:28:36.100 --> 00:28:36.460 She says. 00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:37.819 Absolutely. 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.640 No way. 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:41.240 Am I doing that. 00:28:42.860 --> 00:28:44.299 The classic outcome. 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:44.799 You've seen. 00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:45.759 You've been on a train. 00:28:45.860 --> 00:28:46.360 Haven't you? 00:28:46.420 --> 00:28:47.000 And you've seen. 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.720 People drinking. 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:49.340 And. 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:51.420 It starts off at Inverness. 00:28:51.420 --> 00:28:52.420 And they're drinking. 00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:53.079 And you know. 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:54.640 That by the time they go to Perth. 00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:56.180 It's going to be inappropriate. 00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:58.259 You know that all sense is going to go. 00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:01.920 Some of you live with folk who drink. 00:29:02.100 --> 00:29:02.780 Some of you. 00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:03.580 Yourself. 00:29:04.280 --> 00:29:06.240 Maybe have a secret drink problem. 00:29:06.820 --> 00:29:08.740 You know what it can do to you. 00:29:08.840 --> 00:29:10.620 It can take your inhibitions away. 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.360 It can remove. 00:29:11.600 --> 00:29:13.640 All these things from you. 00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:15.460 Strange things happen. 00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:16.900 When you drink too much. 00:29:16.900 --> 00:29:17.200 But. 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:20.019 The point of Vesta chapter one. 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:21.500 Is not ultimately a. 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:24.280 Anti-drink polemic. 00:29:25.360 --> 00:29:26.420 But you see. 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:27.780 Pride here. 00:29:28.180 --> 00:29:29.620 Is exposed. 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:32.120 Pride is unmasked by the drink. 00:29:32.580 --> 00:29:35.660 Pride uses people for selfish ends. 00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:39.780 Pride sees people as objects. 00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:41.460 And we find here. 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:43.259 That King Ohazel Harris. 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:44.700 Objectifies. 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:46.259 His dear wife. 00:29:46.379 --> 00:29:47.879 He uses people. 00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:48.740 Verse 11. 00:29:48.899 --> 00:29:50.339 Come show yourself. 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:51.460 Wearing your crown. 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:54.339 Now this was a culture of. 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:55.339 Of modesty. 00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:57.000 You know. 00:29:57.119 --> 00:29:57.759 You've seen. 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:58.859 We see shades. 00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.519 Which is now with. 00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:01.319 Islamic ladies will wear. 00:30:01.639 --> 00:30:02.139 Barkas. 00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:04.059 It's a modest culture. 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:04.920 They don't. 00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:05.799 Reveal themselves. 00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:06.819 Eastern people. 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:08.339 Don't flaunt themselves. 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:10.159 It was absolutely awful. 00:30:11.379 --> 00:30:12.619 In verse 12. 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.899 The Queen said. 00:30:14.179 --> 00:30:14.619 No. 00:30:17.639 --> 00:30:18.399 For Vashti. 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:19.379 It cost the crown. 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:20.879 But as I read that chapter. 00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:22.700 I think of. 00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:24.579 Another woman. 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.559 Another vulnerable woman. 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:29.200 In John chapter 4. 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:31.119 I think of Jesus. 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:32.200 And the woman. 00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:33.159 At the well. 00:30:33.679 --> 00:30:34.720 And I think also. 00:30:34.919 --> 00:30:35.379 Of Jesus. 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:36.220 And the woman. 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:38.000 Taken in adultery. 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:39.579 Erxes. 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.819 Or Ahasuerus. 00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:42.460 Maximized their shame. 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:43.920 Jesus. 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:45.400 Wanted to diminish. 00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:46.539 The woman's shame. 00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:48.860 Ahasuerus. 00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:50.039 Wanted his law. 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.140 To dominate. 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:52.279 And subjugate. 00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:52.680 Women. 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.259 And Jesus. 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:55.360 Had the law. 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.339 Of love. 00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:57.559 And it. 00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:58.980 Elevated women. 00:30:59.140 --> 00:30:59.980 It gave women. 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.100 Dignity. 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:02.120 It gave women. 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.100 Honor. 00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:03.459 Honor. 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:05.599 It's a great book. 00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:06.719 By a man called. 00:31:06.879 --> 00:31:07.719 Tom Holland. 00:31:07.839 --> 00:31:08.299 It's called. 00:31:08.459 --> 00:31:08.959 Dominion. 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:10.980 And it makes the point. 00:31:11.099 --> 00:31:12.119 That the liberation. 00:31:12.119 --> 00:31:13.539 And the dignity. 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:15.480 That women enjoy today. 00:31:16.219 --> 00:31:16.579 Is. 00:31:16.879 --> 00:31:18.119 The source of that. 00:31:18.379 --> 00:31:18.500 Is. 00:31:18.699 --> 00:31:19.199 In the Lord. 00:31:19.419 --> 00:31:19.779 Jesus. 00:31:20.179 --> 00:31:20.699 Christ. 00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:21.719 Who gave them. 00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:22.679 Dignity. 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:24.360 Because. 00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:25.440 He is God. 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.320 Of course. 00:31:27.060 --> 00:31:27.660 Jesus. 00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:29.039 Fulfilled the law. 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:29.759 To free. 00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:30.279 Men. 00:31:30.340 --> 00:31:30.920 And women. 00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:32.700 King Ahasuerus. 00:31:32.779 --> 00:31:33.779 Used the law. 00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:35.100 For his self-centered. 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.220 This end. 00:31:36.360 --> 00:31:36.620 Whereas. 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:37.220 Jesus. 00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:39.660 Fulfilled the law. 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.180 And met. 00:31:41.320 --> 00:31:42.580 The law's demands. 00:31:45.380 --> 00:31:45.980 Power. 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:48.860 Pride. 00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:51.299 But lastly. 00:31:51.419 --> 00:31:51.919 And perhaps. 00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:53.339 Most significantly. 00:31:53.719 --> 00:31:54.599 Providence. 00:31:55.939 --> 00:31:57.199 A key verse here. 00:31:57.299 --> 00:31:58.500 Is in verse 19. 00:31:58.699 --> 00:31:59.459 Which I read. 00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:02.240 Let her royal position. 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:03.879 Be given to someone else. 00:32:05.359 --> 00:32:07.119 What you see in chapter 1. 00:32:07.299 --> 00:32:07.500 Indeed. 00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:08.839 The whole book of Esther. 00:32:09.679 --> 00:32:10.959 Are multiple. 00:32:11.859 --> 00:32:12.539 Small. 00:32:13.219 --> 00:32:14.059 Actions. 00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:16.439 Most of them. 00:32:16.679 --> 00:32:17.219 Bad. 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:19.140 The feast. 00:32:19.140 --> 00:32:20.480 Was a bad decision. 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:22.339 The decision. 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:23.039 To banish. 00:32:23.120 --> 00:32:23.620 The queen. 00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:24.799 Was a bad decision. 00:32:25.839 --> 00:32:26.519 He picked. 00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:27.339 The wrong queen. 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:28.180 To have an argument. 00:32:28.339 --> 00:32:29.259 With Vashti. 00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:31.120 The bad advice. 00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:31.720 He was given. 00:32:31.860 --> 00:32:32.420 To banish. 00:32:32.539 --> 00:32:33.000 The queen. 00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:36.319 Tiny little things. 00:32:36.600 --> 00:32:37.380 All of them. 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:38.019 Seem to be. 00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:38.920 Bad decisions. 00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:41.120 And yet. 00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:41.539 God. 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:42.420 Takes them. 00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:44.400 To provide. 00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:45.000 A savior. 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:45.900 If. 00:32:46.100 --> 00:32:46.460 Queen. 00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:47.279 Vashti. 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:47.900 Had not. 00:32:47.900 --> 00:32:48.279 Been. 00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:49.079 Deposed. 00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:50.380 Queen. 00:32:50.380 --> 00:32:50.980 Esther. 00:32:51.420 --> 00:32:52.220 Would never. 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:52.960 Become. 00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:53.940 The queen. 00:32:54.600 --> 00:32:55.079 If queen. 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:55.640 Esther. 00:32:55.640 --> 00:32:56.620 Had not. 00:32:57.180 --> 00:32:57.519 Become. 00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.079 Queen. 00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.340 Haman. 00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:00.579 The wicked man. 00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:01.600 Had a plan. 00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:02.400 To annihilate. 00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:03.600 All the Jews. 00:33:04.420 --> 00:33:04.819 If. 00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:05.220 Esther. 00:33:05.380 --> 00:33:05.640 Had not. 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:06.100 Been put. 00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:06.559 In. 00:33:06.980 --> 00:33:08.100 To the palace. 00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:08.759 At a particular. 00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:09.480 Time. 00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:10.140 If. 00:33:10.299 --> 00:33:10.799 Mordecai. 00:33:10.860 --> 00:33:11.460 Her uncle. 00:33:11.579 --> 00:33:12.420 Had not been given. 00:33:12.620 --> 00:33:13.500 A particular. 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.359 Position. 00:33:14.359 --> 00:33:15.400 At the king's gate. 00:33:15.400 --> 00:33:16.759 All these. 00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.380 Little. 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:18.559 Things. 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:20.359 Work. 00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:21.740 To the salvation. 00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:23.220 Of the jewish people. 00:33:24.079 --> 00:33:24.980 And beyond that. 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:25.519 Point. 00:33:25.880 --> 00:33:26.759 To the salvation. 00:33:27.359 --> 00:33:28.339 Of the human. 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.099 Race. 00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:29.579 At least. 00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:30.079 Those. 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:30.920 For whom. 00:33:31.059 --> 00:33:31.480 Christ. 00:33:32.119 --> 00:33:32.880 Has died. 00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:34.940 Is. 00:33:35.460 --> 00:33:35.859 God. 00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:36.740 Really. 00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:37.740 Present. 00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:41.019 I was reading. 00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:42.180 Two weeks ago. 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:45.079 An essay. 00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:45.920 By a man. 00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:46.240 Called. 00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:46.920 Bart. 00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:47.519 Ehrman. 00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:49.140 Bart. 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:49.539 Ehrman. 00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:50.059 Was. 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:52.160 A. 00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:52.559 Wheaton. 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.000 Educating. 00:33:54.099 --> 00:33:54.740 An evangelical. 00:33:55.319 --> 00:33:55.859 Divinity. 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:56.220 School. 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:56.920 In the U.S. 00:33:56.940 --> 00:33:58.039 He was an evangelical. 00:33:58.039 --> 00:33:58.799 New Testament. 00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:00.279 Professor. 00:34:00.400 --> 00:34:01.200 But he renounced. 00:34:01.839 --> 00:34:02.759 His evangelical. 00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:03.380 Faith. 00:34:04.120 --> 00:34:05.319 And this is what he wrote. 00:34:06.680 --> 00:34:07.160 Faith. 00:34:07.160 --> 00:34:07.320 Faith. 00:34:07.920 --> 00:34:09.180 In the Christian tradition. 00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:11.940 Has a God who intervenes. 00:34:13.079 --> 00:34:13.380 He says. 00:34:13.420 --> 00:34:14.920 That's what the Exodus event is. 00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:16.980 And that's what crucifixion is. 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:18.500 It's a God who intervenes. 00:34:19.539 --> 00:34:21.659 And when I look around this world. 00:34:22.659 --> 00:34:25.619 I don't see a God who intervenes. 00:34:29.180 --> 00:34:31.260 Is that what your life is like just now? 00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:33.840 You don't see a God who intervenes. 00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:36.639 You don't see a God who intervenes. 00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:38.139 In your cancer diagnosis. 00:34:38.900 --> 00:34:40.960 You don't see a God who intervenes. 00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:42.379 In the world stage. 00:34:42.739 --> 00:34:44.859 You don't see a God who intervenes. 00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:46.440 In your domestic situation. 00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:48.319 You come to church here. 00:34:48.400 --> 00:34:50.059 Week after week after week. 00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:53.639 And you don't see a God who intervenes. 00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:57.179 And maybe even tonight. 00:34:57.299 --> 00:34:57.699 You said. 00:34:57.839 --> 00:34:58.960 This is the last night. 00:34:58.960 --> 00:35:00.240 I'm coming to church. 00:35:00.240 --> 00:35:05.460 Because God is not there. 00:35:07.659 --> 00:35:11.400 Isn't Esther 1 a breath of fresh air? 00:35:11.400 --> 00:35:14.599 Because it describes your life just now. 00:35:14.599 --> 00:35:20.480 A chapter of the Bible where God is not mentioned. 00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:23.839 A whole book of the Bible where God is not mentioned. 00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:26.779 But here's the thing. 00:35:27.860 --> 00:35:32.199 One of the big themes of Esther 1 is that of a hidden God. 00:35:32.199 --> 00:35:36.379 God sometimes hides. 00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:40.059 Isaiah 8 verse 17 says. 00:35:40.519 --> 00:35:41.899 I will wait for the Lord. 00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:45.899 Who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. 00:35:47.859 --> 00:35:49.219 I will hope in him. 00:35:50.319 --> 00:35:51.619 Isaiah again 45. 00:35:51.939 --> 00:35:54.159 Truly you're a God who hides yourself. 00:35:54.259 --> 00:35:55.079 O God of Israel. 00:35:55.859 --> 00:35:56.739 The Savior. 00:35:56.739 --> 00:36:01.299 If you hear nothing else tonight. 00:36:01.419 --> 00:36:02.019 Hear this. 00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:04.839 The hidden God. 00:36:06.919 --> 00:36:09.319 Is not the same as the absent God. 00:36:10.699 --> 00:36:12.219 The silent God. 00:36:12.819 --> 00:36:15.019 Is not the same as the absent God. 00:36:18.739 --> 00:36:20.099 Here we are tonight. 00:36:21.219 --> 00:36:22.759 It's all very quiet. 00:36:23.899 --> 00:36:25.339 All very serene. 00:36:26.739 --> 00:36:28.039 All very calm. 00:36:29.319 --> 00:36:30.239 No drama. 00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:33.379 No signs and wonders. 00:36:34.379 --> 00:36:35.579 No noise. 00:36:36.819 --> 00:36:37.519 It's quiet. 00:36:39.519 --> 00:36:42.079 There's somewhere else where maybe it is noisy. 00:36:42.459 --> 00:36:43.099 There's drama. 00:36:43.279 --> 00:36:44.039 There's excitement. 00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:48.539 God works. 00:36:49.539 --> 00:36:50.219 Often. 00:36:50.219 --> 00:36:52.739 God works. 00:36:53.859 --> 00:36:54.500 Mostly. 00:36:56.379 --> 00:36:57.319 In silence. 00:36:58.799 --> 00:36:59.719 Our world. 00:37:00.559 --> 00:37:02.119 Looks like Esther's world. 00:37:03.879 --> 00:37:06.159 But God was moving events. 00:37:06.799 --> 00:37:08.619 Towards a great end. 00:37:09.439 --> 00:37:12.199 Towards the salvation of the Jewish people. 00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:15.699 God is moving the events of the world. 00:37:15.699 --> 00:37:16.399 He. 00:37:16.639 --> 00:37:17.259 The plan. 00:37:17.619 --> 00:37:18.219 In the Bible. 00:37:18.419 --> 00:37:19.279 Is the great plan. 00:37:19.279 --> 00:37:20.019 Of redemption. 00:37:25.739 --> 00:37:27.119 The key idea here. 00:37:27.239 --> 00:37:28.480 Of providence. 00:37:28.480 --> 00:37:28.799 Is. 00:37:29.659 --> 00:37:31.099 That God is at work. 00:37:31.219 --> 00:37:32.279 Under the surface. 00:37:34.279 --> 00:37:36.019 Does that make God any less? 00:37:37.779 --> 00:37:38.019 You've. 00:37:38.019 --> 00:37:39.159 We're. 00:37:39.320 --> 00:37:40.800 Drawn to a conclusion here. 00:37:40.840 --> 00:37:41.699 But there's two. 00:37:42.699 --> 00:37:43.219 Views. 00:37:43.320 --> 00:37:43.860 In Esther. 00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:44.219 There's. 00:37:44.880 --> 00:37:46.159 People draw lots. 00:37:46.440 --> 00:37:46.780 Don't they? 00:37:46.880 --> 00:37:47.259 Luck. 00:37:49.139 --> 00:37:50.480 And there's providence. 00:37:51.639 --> 00:37:52.119 Fate. 00:37:52.320 --> 00:37:53.280 And the drawing of lots. 00:37:53.400 --> 00:37:53.800 Random. 00:37:54.820 --> 00:37:55.480 Providence. 00:37:55.480 --> 00:37:58.259 And the hidden hand of God. 00:38:00.059 --> 00:38:00.739 Everything. 00:38:00.739 --> 00:38:02.839 Is pointing. 00:38:02.839 --> 00:38:04.079 Towards this night. 00:38:05.019 --> 00:38:06.359 That you are here. 00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:09.419 For such a time as this. 00:38:10.739 --> 00:38:11.959 And that there is. 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.879 Nothing. 00:38:13.199 --> 00:38:13.759 Happens. 00:38:13.839 --> 00:38:14.659 In your life. 00:38:16.659 --> 00:38:18.019 That God has not planned. 00:38:20.719 --> 00:38:22.399 I remember walking once. 00:38:22.939 --> 00:38:22.939 00:38:23.639 --> 00:38:24.199 When it was. 00:38:25.139 --> 00:38:25.659 1981. 00:38:26.659 --> 00:38:27.599 In George Square. 00:38:27.679 --> 00:38:28.159 In Glasgow. 00:38:28.339 --> 00:38:29.779 Walking under a scaffolding. 00:38:29.780 --> 00:38:32.540 And a huge. 00:38:32.780 --> 00:38:33.380 Clamp. 00:38:34.660 --> 00:38:35.140 Fell. 00:38:35.300 --> 00:38:36.420 From the top of a building. 00:38:38.940 --> 00:38:40.220 Just missed me. 00:38:42.260 --> 00:38:43.860 I've got a pretty hard head. 00:38:44.800 --> 00:38:45.740 But I think. 00:38:45.740 --> 00:38:47.280 One millisecond later. 00:38:47.500 --> 00:38:48.940 That would have gone right through me. 00:38:49.040 --> 00:38:50.380 You've got the same story. 00:38:50.500 --> 00:38:51.080 In your life. 00:38:52.560 --> 00:38:53.820 You're here tonight. 00:38:55.300 --> 00:38:55.860 Spared. 00:38:58.340 --> 00:38:59.560 So that God. 00:38:59.780 --> 00:39:02.080 Is doing something. 00:39:02.340 --> 00:39:03.060 Drawing you. 00:39:03.060 --> 00:39:03.980 To himself. 00:39:05.880 --> 00:39:06.640 Here we see. 00:39:06.880 --> 00:39:07.200 A woman. 00:39:07.340 --> 00:39:08.280 Whose bold action. 00:39:08.440 --> 00:39:09.480 Leads to the salvation. 00:39:09.480 --> 00:39:10.280 Of the people. 00:39:11.600 --> 00:39:12.460 This points. 00:39:12.600 --> 00:39:13.260 To Jesus. 00:39:14.540 --> 00:39:15.019 Esther. 00:39:15.700 --> 00:39:16.840 Is the last. 00:39:16.940 --> 00:39:18.140 Of the narrative books. 00:39:18.220 --> 00:39:18.580 Of the Bible. 00:39:18.680 --> 00:39:19.060 It's the last. 00:39:19.160 --> 00:39:20.019 Of the story books. 00:39:20.100 --> 00:39:20.620 In the Bible. 00:39:21.340 --> 00:39:22.280 The first story book. 00:39:22.400 --> 00:39:22.640 Of course. 00:39:22.720 --> 00:39:23.360 Is Genesis. 00:39:24.140 --> 00:39:25.380 And all the stories. 00:39:25.380 --> 00:39:25.940 Are told. 00:39:26.060 --> 00:39:27.019 Right through to Esther. 00:39:27.019 --> 00:39:28.480 And you actually find. 00:39:28.619 --> 00:39:29.840 That the miraculous. 00:39:31.239 --> 00:39:31.719 Diminishes. 00:39:31.719 --> 00:39:32.559 As the. 00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:33.579 Old Testament. 00:39:33.840 --> 00:39:34.400 Storyline. 00:39:34.519 --> 00:39:35.099 Goes on. 00:39:35.440 --> 00:39:35.699 There are. 00:39:35.940 --> 00:39:37.059 A lot of miracles. 00:39:37.300 --> 00:39:37.800 And Genesis. 00:39:38.039 --> 00:39:38.500 And Exodus. 00:39:38.940 --> 00:39:39.059 You know. 00:39:39.119 --> 00:39:40.340 The parting of the Red Sea. 00:39:40.500 --> 00:39:41.259 And water. 00:39:41.400 --> 00:39:42.559 Gushing out of a rock. 00:39:42.659 --> 00:39:43.460 And you know. 00:39:43.579 --> 00:39:44.579 Folk being fed. 00:39:44.579 --> 00:39:45.199 With manna. 00:39:45.199 --> 00:39:45.919 There's miracles. 00:39:45.919 --> 00:39:46.500 There's miracles everywhere. 00:39:47.639 --> 00:39:48.619 But by the time you get. 00:39:48.699 --> 00:39:49.480 To the last. 00:39:49.659 --> 00:39:50.699 Narrative story. 00:39:50.899 --> 00:39:51.439 Esther. 00:39:52.099 --> 00:39:53.319 It all stops. 00:39:54.759 --> 00:39:55.839 Miracles diminish. 00:39:56.799 --> 00:39:58.279 And there is silence. 00:39:58.819 --> 00:39:59.500 After. 00:40:01.239 --> 00:40:01.799 Esther. 00:40:03.019 --> 00:40:04.839 Silence to the book of Malachi. 00:40:05.119 --> 00:40:07.139 And then 400 years later. 00:40:08.879 --> 00:40:10.099 Jesus appears. 00:40:10.099 --> 00:40:13.860 He is. 00:40:14.860 --> 00:40:16.539 The ultimate savior. 00:40:17.539 --> 00:40:18.599 These are all. 00:40:18.799 --> 00:40:20.099 Chains that led. 00:40:20.880 --> 00:40:21.699 To Jesus. 00:40:23.279 --> 00:40:23.960 Coming. 00:40:25.179 --> 00:40:26.219 And being our savior. 00:40:28.599 --> 00:40:29.199 Is. 00:40:30.199 --> 00:40:30.799 God. 00:40:31.799 --> 00:40:32.500 Absent. 00:40:34.460 --> 00:40:35.460 Look around. 00:40:35.719 --> 00:40:36.199 And you say. 00:40:36.380 --> 00:40:36.880 Yes. 00:40:38.759 --> 00:40:39.960 Look at the Bible. 00:40:40.099 --> 00:40:40.199 No. 00:40:41.699 --> 00:40:42.619 And he says. 00:40:42.699 --> 00:40:43.000 No. 00:40:45.000 --> 00:40:46.119 You're here tonight. 00:40:46.119 --> 00:40:46.900 For a purpose. 00:40:48.259 --> 00:40:49.259 And God. 00:40:49.960 --> 00:40:51.759 Is speaking to you. 00:40:52.799 --> 00:40:53.839 Through the Bible. 00:40:55.539 --> 00:40:56.539 No drama. 00:40:58.360 --> 00:40:59.279 Just God. 00:41:00.619 --> 00:41:01.099 Father. 00:41:01.219 --> 00:41:02.199 We bow in your presence. 00:41:02.420 --> 00:41:03.099 We thank you. 00:41:03.719 --> 00:41:04.960 For who you are. 00:41:06.299 --> 00:41:07.579 We ask a question. 00:41:07.719 --> 00:41:08.719 Is God absent? 00:41:08.719 --> 00:41:08.919 Listen. 00:41:09.919 --> 00:41:10.759 And we bless you. 00:41:10.819 --> 00:41:11.739 That he is not. 00:41:13.179 --> 00:41:14.179 And we thank you. 00:41:14.239 --> 00:41:15.819 That he is even not silent. 00:41:16.819 --> 00:41:18.139 If we have ears. 00:41:19.139 --> 00:41:20.000 Let us listen. 00:41:21.239 --> 00:41:22.039 Bless us. 00:41:22.759 --> 00:41:24.059 And be with us now. 00:41:25.439 --> 00:41:25.879 Amen. 00:41:28.159 --> 00:41:30.019 We refer to Psalm 2. 00:41:30.239 --> 00:41:31.299 Let's now sing it. 00:41:31.419 --> 00:41:33.019 In the Sing Psalms version. 00:41:33.019 --> 00:41:35.480 Psalm 2. 00:41:35.480 --> 00:41:35.480 00:41:35.480 --> 00:41:37.619 Page 2. 00:41:43.039 --> 00:41:46.280 Why do the heathen nations rage? 00:41:46.400 --> 00:41:48.619 Why do the peoples plot in vain? 00:41:49.420 --> 00:41:51.960 Earth's kings combine in enmity. 00:41:52.179 --> 00:41:55.059 Her rulers join against God's reign. 00:41:55.719 --> 00:41:56.420 Psalm 2. 00:41:56.539 --> 00:41:57.980 We'll sing to verse 6. 00:41:58.539 --> 00:42:01.219 Why do the heathen nations rage? 00:42:01.219 --> 00:42:14.259 Why do the people plot in vain? 00:42:14.259 --> 00:42:18.539 As kings combine in enmity. 00:42:18.539 --> 00:42:24.319 Why do the people plot in vain? 00:42:24.320 --> 00:42:26.320 As kings combine in enmity. 00:42:26.320 --> 00:42:31.320 As kings combine in enmity. 00:42:31.320 --> 00:42:45.140 Our rulers join against those things. 00:42:45.139 --> 00:42:54.139 They take their stand against the Lord. 00:42:54.139 --> 00:43:03.139 And judges shall avoid him on. 00:43:03.139 --> 00:43:13.500 Let us break off their chains from us. 00:43:13.500 --> 00:43:17.500 Where there is safe. 00:43:17.500 --> 00:43:22.500 Let us be done. 00:43:22.500 --> 00:43:32.659 The one that ruled in heaven was. 00:43:32.659 --> 00:43:41.920 The Lord on high behinds them all. 00:43:41.920 --> 00:43:42.920 The Lord has made it known to them. 00:43:42.920 --> 00:43:43.920 The Lord has made it known to them. 00:43:43.920 --> 00:43:44.920 The Lord has made it known to them. 00:43:44.920 --> 00:43:46.920 My chosen King, God and the Lord has made it known to them. 00:43:46.920 --> 00:43:47.920 The Lord has made it known to them. 00:43:47.920 --> 00:43:50.920 My chosen King, God and the Lord has made it known to them. 00:43:50.920 --> 00:43:52.920 The Lord has made it known to them. 00:43:52.920 --> 00:43:53.920 My chosen King, God and the Lord has made it known to them. 00:43:53.920 --> 00:43:53.920 00:43:53.920 --> 00:43:53.920 00:43:53.920 --> 00:43:53.920 00:43:53.920 --> 00:43:53.920 00:43:53.920 --> 00:43:53.920 00:43:53.920 --> 00:43:53.920 00:43:53.920 --> 00:43:53.920 00:43:53.920 --> 00:43:53.920 00:43:53.920 --> 00:43:53.920 00:43:53.920 --> 00:43:53.920 00:43:53.920 --> 00:43:53.920 00:43:53.920 --> 00:43:53.920 00:43:53.920 --> 00:44:00.360 And terror of them all. 00:44:01.180 --> 00:44:09.800 The Lord has made it known to them. 00:44:09.800 --> 00:44:19.019 My chosen King I have installed. 00:44:19.019 --> 00:44:28.059 On Zion, Zion, Holy Day. 00:44:28.059 --> 00:44:37.619 He is the one where my God is. 00:44:38.900 --> 00:44:42.800 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:44:43.380 --> 00:44:44.840 the love of God the Father, 00:44:45.440 --> 00:44:47.860 and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit 00:44:47.860 --> 00:44:51.180 be with us all now and always. 00:44:52.120 --> 00:44:52.620 Amen. 00:44:52.619 --> 00:44:52.819 Amen. 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.519 00:45:22.820 --> 00:45:52.800 Thank you.