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| Pastor Gbenga Aluko |
TEXT: ESTHER 6:1-10
We would by God’s grace go through this topic with the following headings:
i. Background to the study
ii. Foreword
iii. Who is the king?
iv. How to attract honour
v. The king of kings is coming soon
Background to the study
The book of Esther which is named after the major character Esther (Hadassah Esther 2:7) is a book of the Old Testament, the seventeenth book of the bible and one of the two books of the bible named after females in the bible. The book has two clear message among others viz: first to tell the beautiful story behind the festival of Purim (which is still celebrated among the Jews till today according to Wikipedia), secondly is to show clearly that God is sovereign and does love and cares for His people even when the events of life does not seem to make sense or His name/person not publicly declared or spoken about.(although we are now mandated to go and preach the good news to all creature, this includes both publicly and privately Mark 16:15).
Scholars agree that the book of Esther majorly navigates around diverse ends of honour: it (honour) being given, being denied, reaction to the denial of same, it being given and its aftermaths as outlined:
Mordecai honours the king’s life Esther 2:21-23
Haman feels dishonoured and plots Esther 3:1-15
Esther honours Mordecai Esther 4:1-17
The King honours Esther Esther 5:1-14
The King honours Mordecai Esther 6:1-9
Haman feels dishonoured Esther 6:10-14.
The referenced chapter (Esther 6) articulates how the king could not sleep hence he started a reading spree and stumbled on a record of a man who revealed a plot to terminate his life. He made explorations and found out nothing has been done to such great act of loyalty hence the topic. May God make us worthy of His honour in Jesus mighty name Amen.
Foreword
• Some honours are out of God’s plan and time hence can make anyone loose originality/identity/focus/steam and even destiny ,e.g. calling the apostles God and planning to worship them Acts 14:11,wanting to make Jesus an earthly king majorly for food king John 6:15, John 4:34
• Honour is best when bestowed by others Luke 14:8
• Honour is both a seed and an harvest 1king 17:1ff, 2kings 2:23
• Honour is what everyone wants but the issue is paying the price.
Who is the king?
The king in the text is king Xerxes who reigned over 127 provinces, stretching from India to Ethiopia Esther 1:1
Since the scriptures defines Jesus as the king of Kings we can therefore refer to Him also as a King as referenced Rev.17:14, 19:16.
How to attract the Kings honour
The name of Jesus: Jesus did not think of equality with God, gave up His divine priviledges, humbled himself in obedience among many other divine reasons in divine knowledge, God hence elevated Him in honour and gave Him a name that is above every other name, JESUS CHRIST. That name in the mouth of a saved person commands honour both on earth, underneath the earth in heaven and everywhere shout JESUS. Phil.2:6-9.
Humility: In God’s parlance, honour is always preceded and succeeded with humility, the humility before creates it while the latter sustains it. Prov. 15:33 says humility precedes honour, anyone that submits him/herself under the mighty hand of God is usually exalted by God himself. James 4:6 says God gives grace to the humble but opposes the proud. Humility by God’s methodology is a pathway to honour. 2 chr.7:14
Holy living: 2 Tim 2:21 paraphrased says if you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honourable use. In God’s kingdom and by His Standard, if honour is desired sanctity is a major qualification. One of the things that propelled Daniel to honour in a strange land and sustained same was his decision not to defile himself Dan:1:8.
Diligence: Prov.22:29 says seeth thou a man diligent in his business, he will seat before kings and not mean/mere men. Royal seats or association are vantage/ honourable positions, competence and consistency are positive catalyst to honour.
Loyalty: one of the chief expectation of any king from his subjects is unalloyed loyalty, the later was what qualified Mordecai for honour the day he has been scheduled for death Esther 5:9- 6:10.Are we still totally loyal to the king of kings?
Gods/divine intervention: God did four things which was responsible for Mordecai’s continuous existence and honour: the king could not sleep, Mordecai’s deed was read same night which happens to be that prior Haman’s plotted date to have him killed (the king has 127 provinces he could have read any other record), the lack of reward for a great act and the decision to make up, same Haman was used to honour Mordecai and the process of his shame and eventual death was initiated. Esther 5:9-6:6.
The king of kings is coming back with His honour
John 14:3 says when everything is ready I will come back and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. There is no greater honour than being with JESUS for ever, the big question is are we ready?
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