Please turn or swipe with me to Esther 9 starting at verse 29.

To help us get into our passage - we have a short quiz.  If you’ll take out your mental pencils or styluses.  These are famous last lines of novels.  The question is:  What novel is the famous last line from?  No fair Googling during the service.

Famous last line number one:  “He loved Big Brother.” - 1984 - George Orwell.

Famous last line number two:  “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.” - A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens.

Line number three:  “I’m so glad to be at home again.” - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - L. Frank Baum.

Line number four - this one might be a tad harder:  “Oh, my girls, however long you may live, I never can wish you a greater happiness

than this!” - Little Women - Louisa May Alcott.

Last one - this one is tough.  I gotta throw in at least one hard one:  “The Martians were there in the canal reflected in the water.  Timothy and Michael and Robert and Mom and Dad.  The Martians stared back up at them for a long, long silent time from the rippling water.” - The Martian Chronicles - Ray Bradbury.

How’d you do?

This is who?  Mel Blanc.  “That’s all folks.” 

We’re thinking about endings.  And how life down here on earth ends up.

Have you ever said to yourself:  “If I knew then what I knew now...” ?  Or, “If I had it to do all over again...”?  Problem is life doesn’t give us much opportunity to practice.  It just sort of happens.  And when we get to the end of our lives here on earth, “That’s All Folks!”

But - think about this:  If you knew the end would you live today different?  If you could skip to the last line and see how your life ends up would you go back and make some changes in the journey?

Most of us would probably make some changes - at least a few different decisions along the way.  Yes?

What we’re coming to this morning is the end of the account of Esther.  Where we want to go with this is to think about where Esther and Mordecai and God’s people ended up - to look together at their lives - seeing how they lived - and knowing our end - how we can live today as we go through our lives.

How can we avoid those moments when we’re saying to ourselves, “If I had it to do all over again…” 

Look with at our text from Esther 9 - starting at verse 29.  Let me read this famous ending for us.

Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew gave full written authority, confirming this second letter about Purim.  Letters were sent to all the Jews, to the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, in words of peace and truth, that these days of Purim should be observed at their appointed seasons, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther obligated them,  and as they had obligated themselves and their offspring, with regard to their fasts and their lamenting.  The command of Queen Esther confirming these practices of Purim, and it was recorded in writing.

Going on to chapter 10 - the end of the account:  King Ahasuerus imposed tax on the land and on the coastlands of the sea.  And all the acts of his power and might, and the full account of the high honor of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?   For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people. 

Let’s grab some background to get us all up to speed together on where Esther and company have ended up - the end these verses are describing for us.

In 600 B.C., Esther’s family was captured and along with a large number of her nation, carried away, and exiled into the Persian Empire.

If you were with us last Sunday when we looked at Jeremiah - this is the judgment that Jeremiah was given prophecy about.  God’s judgment coming down on God’s people because God’s people had consistently and unrepentantly turned against God.  So God is disciplining His people with the purpose of bringing them back to a restored relationship with Him.

God said, through Jeremiah and other prophets, “Israel is toast.  Judah is toast.  Jerusalem is toast.  I’m going to let you be conquered and dragged off into exile so that you will learn to revere our relationship and live in obedience to Me.” 

Which happened.  Esther’s family is one of those families that was dragged off into exile.  They were a conquered people - captives - a subjugated people - living in a foreign land and culture - being disciplined by God.

After 70 years of being captively disciplined - at the time God said He would do it - God gave the opportunity for His people to return - under Godly men such as Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah - groups of God’s people head back to the Promised Land to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple - to rebuild their lives there.

There were a number of people - while all that returning was going on - there were a number of people who decided to stay in Persia.  They’d become accustomed to the life in the Empire.  Life in Judea was foreign - someplace across the desert.  A place the old people talked about.  The old country.  Life could be better.  But, at least it was a known quantity.

How many of us would head back to wherever our people originally came from?  Not many. 

Esther’s family had decided to stay.  At some point Esther’s parents died.  So, Esther is an orphan being raised by her first cousin Mordecai.  Mordecai who has a position of some importance in the king’s palace.  Esther is young and very beautiful.  And - as we find out - a Godly woman of clear judgment, magnificent self-control, and capable of the noblest sacrifice.

The timing of the events of the Book of Esther take place between about 484 to 473 BC.  Ahasuerus is King of Persia. one of the greatest empires of all time.  Looking at the map.  This empire is vast.  Yes?

His kingdom includes 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia.  King Ahasuerus, whose name means “victorious,” had even knocked on the door of Greece and was barely rebuffed from conquering there. 

Ahasuerus is a tyrant, a cruel man of uncertain judgment, great tempers, wild passions, and extremes.  He was a man who obeyed the baser instincts of his nature.  He was a slave of alcohol, food, passion, and pride.  Its in Ahasuerus’ capital city of Susa that Esther lived - here.

The account is familiar.  Yes?  In the royal palace there’s great turmoil.  Queen Vashti, a women of excellent modesty, dignity, and strong determination, has been dethroned for failing to appear naked before the king’s drunken party guests.  All over the empire, beauty pageants are being held, to find virgins to replace Queen Vashti.  Let’s remember this was a very male dominated society

At court there’s intrigue.  Plots are being formulated to kill the King - who, by the way, was later murdered by one of his chamberlains and a captain of his guard.  Haman, an ancient version of Hitler, is the second in command of the empire.  Because of a dispute with Mordecai, Haman is formulating a plan to massacre the Jews, and blame the king.

We know - because we read the end of the account - chapters 9 and 10 - we know that Esther won the beauty pageant.  God places her in the position of being the one person who could save her people from genocide, and despite overwhelmingly impossible circumstances, she was successful.  Despite difficult circumstances - some would even say impossible - the extinction of a captive subjugated people with no possibility of escape - God brought victory.   

In the end - Esther is Queen.  Mordecai gets promoted to become the number two man in the kingdom just under King Ahsuerus.  Haman gets hung.  The people are saved.  Their enemies get creamed. 

Chapter 9 mentions The Feast of Purim.  The Feast of Purim is a great two day celebration with fasting and feasting which commemorates the deliverance of the Jews from the threat of genocide during Esther’s time.  A huge party.  A victory celebration that goes on today.  The Jews just celebrated Purim in March.   

For us - trusting Jesus as our Savior - we know our end as well.  In the end we win.  Because Jesus has won.  His victory is our victory.  We get life forever with God.  A huge victory celebration party that goes on forever to the glory of God.

Knowing the end how do we live today?  Looking at the lives of Esther and Mordecai and the Jews living in Persia - what can we learn for ourselves about avoiding “If I knew then…” moments?

There are three “how’s” we’d like to focus on.

First - the “how” of  Humility.  Let’s say that together.  “Humility.”

Esther chapter 2 - starting at verse 21:  In those days, as Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the kings eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.  And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai.  When the affair was investigated and found to be so, the men were both hanged on the gallows.  And it was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.  (Esther 2:21-23)

No decades long process with appeals - $700 million later.  You did it.  You’re dead.  Justice Persian style.  Brutal and efficient.

Bigthan and Teresh had the job of guarding the gate that led into the royal harem.  It seems that they had had a falling out with the king and were plotting to kill him.  Mordecai overhears their plan and tells Queen Esther.  Queen Esther tells the king - notice in who’s name?  “in the name of Mordecai.”

Esther could have taken credit for exposing the plot.  Enhanced her position as the new queen.  Have you noticed how often when a person moves up in the world somehow they become forgetful - sometimes ashamed - of anything or anyone that was a part of where they came from.  Arrogance replaces humility.

Esther remembers her guardian cousin Mordecai.  She obeyed him.  She respected him.  She gave him the credit that was his due.  As we read on  through the book of Esther there are numerous occasions where Esther sought out Mordecai - his wisdom, counsel, and advice.

All of which becomes a significant part of what God later uses to save His people.  Put simply:  No humility means no people.

What’s hard about talking about humility is that most of us don’t have a problem with it.  We’ve already got this humility thing nailed.

(Cartoon) “What?  All I said was I’m proud of my humility.”

Remember when Paul and Silas were in Philippi they were stripped - beaten - thrown in jail.  About midnight Paul and Silas were doing what? - singing and praising God.  And what happened?  There was an earthquake.  The doors of the jail sprang open and the chains are unfastened.  The prisoners have a “Get Out of Jail Free Card.”

Do you remember the reaction of the jailer?  If one prisoner escapes he’ll be held responsible - put to death - probably with torture.  The doors are open.  The prisoners are loose.  He’s a dead man.  The jailer takes out his sword and is about to kill himself.  Paul yells at him, “Don’t do it.  We’re all here.”

The jailer runs in to where Paul and Silas are and falls prostrate - flat out - on the ground in front of them.  Imagine, the jailer throwing himself on the mercy of his prisoners.

This is a man who’s realized his situation - the precariousness of his life - held tenuously in the hands of Paul and Silas.  He’s got no where to go.  No one to turn to.  In desperation he ask them, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:22-40)

Picture this:  “A King Size Bed.”  Jesus born in humility - taking on humanity - taking on humanity’s sins - our sins - our penalty.

Its been said, “They that know God will be humble, and they that know themselves cannot be proud.” (1)

True humility begins when we accept who we are before God.  That’s hard for us.  We have to be honest about who we are.  There’s no room for self-sufficient pride and “I got it under control” ego.

Humility before God means we agree with God as to our sinfulness - our desperate need for Jesus as our Savior.  We receive what He has done for us - what we could never do for ourselves - our salvation through God’s mercy and grace in Jesus.  Humility before God means daily surrendering our lives to God - seeking to live in obedience and complete devotion to Him alone.

Ultimately we need to take ourselves down a notch.

As we go through life we miss so much of what God has for us - so many opportunities to be used by God in amazing ways as He moves His kingdom forward - as He works to transform lives - to push the gospel outward into the world - even for our own growth and blessing - we miss so much of what God has for us because we simply won’t humble ourselves before Him.

Esther’s actions remind us that in the midst of whatever is going on in our lives - whatever the circumstances or our position or whatever image we think we need to maintain, we need to be vulnerable - transparent -  obedient - open to God - laying our lives out before Him - seeking only  His solutions - His directing of our lives.

How number two is Prayer.  Let’s say that together.  “Prayer.”

In chapter 4 - Esther is about to approach King Ahasuerus - her beloved husband and tyrant - she’s about to petition Ahasuerus for the life of her people.  This is the one defining moment in her life.

Like an Olympic athlete competing for the gold medal - she’s been in training her whole life for this one moment.  Her life, and the life of her nation, hang upon the results of this moment in time.

Before she goes to the throne room, she sends word to Mordecai - Esther 4:16:  “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day.  I and my young women will also fast as you do.  Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish I perish.”

In other words, “Put everything else on hold, get the people together before God, and pray!”

Think about some of the more recent defining moments in recent history. 

September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the US.  October 23, 2001 - Apple introduces the iPod.  February 4, 2004 - Facebook is launched.  November 1, 2010 - the San Francisco Giants finally win a World Series.

Life is a series of moments that have an impact on our lives.  Birth is kinda huge.  Trusting Jesus as our Savior.  Humongous.  Graduation.  Getting our first job.  Marriage.    The birth of a child.  When we finally choose to give up alcohol or drugs or smoking.  Choosing to lose weight.  Losing a job.  A life changing illness.  Death.

Sometimes those moments hit us right in the face.  Sometimes they go pretty much under the radar until we notice that things have changed.  Some moments we can see coming and some moments just hit us out of the blue.

Often we feel as though these events just sort of happen to us - that they’re random, chance, happenings that somehow we must continue through trusting that somehow we are suppose to make the right choices and be able to make it to the end in triumph.

What’s important is not that recognize that these moments happen but what’s important is how we respond to them.

What Esther reminds us of - is that all these moments are God stories waiting to be told.  Whatever the circumstances of our lives, these are already known to God - even before we were born.  Even, the Bible says, even, before the creation of creation.  The circumstances of our lives no matter how difficult or obscure are already known to God.

In prayer, we’re never alone in the defining moments of our lives.  Prayer places us humbly before God’s throne - seeking His guidance - His solutions - His strength - following His plan for our lives.

In prayer, the forces of our adversary Satan are kept at bay.  In prayer, we can ask for God to act with the power of Heaven on our behalf.  In prayer, we can join with our brothers and sisters in Jesus to seek God’s victory.  In prayer we can be prepared to walk through whatever moment comes to walk through that moment following God.

The third “how” is Trust.  Let’s say that together.  “Trust.”

Chapter 5 - verse 1:  On the third day - meaning after three days of prayer and fasting - on the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace.  And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand.  Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.  (Esther 5:1,2)

Imagine the scene, as Esther comes before King Ahasuerus.  She stands, adorned in her royal robes, there in the inner court of the king’s palace, opposite the king’s hall.  The king, this cruel, debase, tyrant is sitting on his royal throne opposite the entrance.

As Esther stands there, the crowd becomes silent - hushed.  All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there’s one law - it doesn’t matter who you are - you’re put to death.  No questions asked.

Except the one to whom the king holds out his golden scepter.  The silence is deafening.  The pause is awkward.  What will King Ahasuerus do?  Finally, the king extends his scepter.  Esther has found favor in his sight.

It is crucial who or what our trust is in.

(Cartoon)  “Aaugh!”  Kinda familiar scene.  Yes?

Before Esther came before the king there was preparation - in humility, she admitted her need and sought Godly counsel - in prayer she committed her actions to God’s will and keeping - in boldness she stood before the mightiest man on earth, knowing that she stood in the will and strength of the almighty sovereign God of her people.

Esther risked death - swift Persian style death - risked death for her people - because her trust was in God.

By her trust in Him - God used Esther as an instrument of His providence for the working out of a glorious victory and a great deliverance for her nation.  As Esther pleads for her people - in the events that follow - as Esther pleads for the existence of her people, the king grants her request - her people are spared from genocide, Haman is hanged, and cousin Mordecai, a Jew, becomes the number two man in Persia.

For the follower of Jesus - when we put our trust in Jesus as our Savior - our end here is our beginning there.  How we live now - how we get there - is crucial.  Our moments matter to us and they matter to others.

It would be easy to think “Who am I?” and in reality “My circumstances aren’t like Esther’s.”  But in reality, who was Esther, until God in His sovereignty placed her in a position to save a nation?

Martin Luther was a miner’s son, who shook the world.  Zwingle was a shepherd’s son who led in the reformation in Europe.  Moody was a shoe-salesman who rocked two continents with his powerful preaching.  David - a shepherd with his sling and stones against Goliath - and we could go on giving examples.

The bottom line of all that is that our lives are series of God moments waiting to happen as we move through life to ultimate victory.  We need to respond with something a tad more useful than “oops.”

You may be a mother wondering if your making any headway with your kids.  You may be serving around here - behind the scenes - doing something you consider minor - and wondering if what you’re putting in is really accomplishing anything.  You may be teaching in a classroom and feeling totally alone.  You may be a spouse struggling to hang in there.

Or - you can be having a moment where your life is getting totally rocked.  A spouse who left.  An illness that just won’t go away.  Finances that aren’t financial - just non-existent - with tons of bills due.  You may be caring for a parent or a spouse.

Name your moment.

Hear this:  When we’re tempted to look at our circumstances and feel like what we’re doing is just a total waste - or we don’t have what it takes to climb the hill we’re trudging up - or like we’re the only one slugging it out in the trenches totally unappreciated - or like we are an epic failure in motion - all that is our Adversary working to get our eyes off of God on onto ourselves.

Those moments are not random.  Those moments are God stories just waiting to happen.  They require humility and prayer and trust.  To get our eyes on God - to follow Him through those moments - to follow Him through to the victory He has for us.  To know that as we humbly seek Him and trust Him - He will use those moments not only to deliver us and use us - to have an impact on the lives of those around us - according to His will - for His honor and His glory.

Last question:  Knowing that God has the victory won - knowing the end - how will you choose to live different today?

_________________________

1. John Flavel - quoted MBI’s Today In The Word, November, 1989