Week 1 DAY 5
Today
We will:
- LOOK at Esther Chapter 6:10-14, a small bite at a time.
- LEARN ‘how‘ to incorporate GODcha’s tools along the way.
- LISTEN to God speak to us as we focus on GODcha’s LEARN/LIVE question –
And Continue With an Attitude of Prayer
O LORD, we come today to see You in a fresh new way, and to see ourselves. May we have ears to hear what You are saying to us in Your Word of Truth. Oh, give us the understanding we need in order to live in obedience to You. May we know the fullness of blessing and bring You honor in Your Son’s name. Thank you.
If you get STUCK at any point in your discovery, stop and pray!
GOD, your Creator, loves you and desires to reveal much to you.
Context
Context Tutorial >
In Esther Chapter 6:1-9
God’s people are in grave danger. This is the pivotal point in the Book of Esther where we see God their Father, who is never mentioned, show up for His kids. He is working through His invisible hand, through His providence.
We left off seeing Haman arrive on the scene at the exact time the king is planning to honor Mordecai. Thus, the king asks Haman what he would do for a man the king desired to honor.
Then we see Haman, the arrogant, narcissist, give the king his answer thinking the honor is for him.
Now, let’s see how the story continues.
LOOK 
At Verses 10-11
Always Begin By READING
READ Esther 6:10-14 and ask the who, what, where, when, why, and how questions.
Remember:
Reflect on the events that demonstrate God’s hidden hand.
Let’s Read and Focus on Verses 10-11.
What happens?
What Would Be Key?
Sometimes it helps to work our way backward and check out GODcha’s LEARN and LIVE Question(s) for help.
What Did You LEARN?
Check Out GODcha’s #13 LEARN Question(s).
#13. What does the king command his right-hand man Haman to do? (10-11)
What The King commands Haman to Do is Key.
Can you catch the scene?
This is priceless.
It’s almost laughable if it wasn’t so very tragic.
Haven’t you heard that old saying, “What goes around, comes around”?
Now Haman must parade around the man he hated and planned to murder.
The man who would not honor him, he must now honor!
Do you see God’s hand at work?
Haman is being humbled by the living God, His Creator, by way of public humiliation.
“… humiliation is only really humiliation when it is public.” David Guzik
LISTEN to the Holy Spirit
When and why have I had to honor someone I didn’t really want to honor?
Was it God’s way to humble me?
Have I ever experienced public humiliation? What did I do?
Chat With God
Oh, chat with God, your Creator who loves you! He is waiting, desiring this intimate communication with you.
THINK and REASON a bit more
Look at verse 10 – How does the king refer to Mordecai?
Now he knows Mordecai is a Jew.
So, does he know Haman’s decree would include Mordecai?
Would he now understand the Queen is Jewish too?
LISTEN
Check Out GODcha’s #13 LIVE Question(s)
#13. Because God opposes the proud, how has He dealt with my pride?
a. When has honor been given to my archenemy?
b. Did it publicly shame and/or humiliate me? How so?
Don’t Forget
Respond to God, LIVE It Out!
God is waiting to have a heart to heart!
LOOK
At Verses 12-14
READ Esther 6:10-14 again.
Remember:
Reflect on the events that demonstrate God’s hidden hand.
Let’s Read and Focus on Verse 12.
What Would Be Key?
Do You See the Contrast? This is Key.
What did Mordecai do?
Do you remember what we learned about the king’s gate?
What does this reveal about Mordecai?
In contrast, what did Haman do?
Check Out the Cross References.
1. What did Haman demonstrate by his conduct?
2Co 7:10
Let’s Read Verses 12-14 again, and Focus on Verses 13-14.
What did Haman do?
How did Zeresh Haman’s wife and all his friends react?
How did his wise men and wife advise him?
Check Out the Cross References.
1. As you see Haman run home to his wife and friends for consolation, compare what they said here in verse 13 to what they advised Haman back in Est 5:14?
2. It didn’t take long for Haman’s own wife and wise men to change their tune. What do you learn about them?
Psa 119:113
Jam 1:6-8
Note: double-minded means to have divided loyalties.
LISTEN to the Holy Spirit
Am I double-minded, unstable in all my ways? Why?
Chat With God
Don’t miss your conversation with the Lord!
3. Why would Haman not overcome Mordecai?
What has God promised His people that Haman’s wife and wise men would probably not have known, but what they say was prophetic?
Gen 12:3
4. How does all of this apply to us?
Gal 3:6-7
Rom 8:31-32
1Jo 4:14
Luk 6:27-38
Are you LISTENING?
Why does God’s blessing and protection extend to me?
What must I do to bless those who curse me?
Don’t Forget to Talk to God!
Don’t skip this time with God! He’s waiting.
What Did You LEARN?
Check Out GODcha’s #14 LEARN Question(s).
#14. What does Mordecai do after receiving recognition and honor? In contrast, what did Haman do after he was humiliated? (v12-14)
Pull It All Together
We LEARN:
Mordecai saved the pagan king, then remained loyal to him for 5 years even though he was never recognized, and finally, he is honored.
The tables turned on Haman who was publicly humiliated having to honor the man he hated and planned to murder, v10-11.
After Mordecai was honored, he returned to the king’s gate, v12.
We learned business was done at the king’s gate.
After all the fanfare, it appears Mordecai went back to work, to his job.
Mordecai did not let the honor that was given him, make him prideful, and/or become lazy.
We LEARN:
In Contrast to Mordecai
After Haman was publicly humiliated, he hurried home mourning, with His head covered, v12.
We Discover:
Haman’s mourning was a worldly mourning, a worldly sorrow, that leads to death. A godly sorrow would have produced repentance according to 2Co 7:10, and we don’t see that.
Understand: mourning without repentance accomplishes nothing. Haman’s mourning is still all about him.
THINK and REASON
Haman is healthy, rich, famous, and powerful, and in 1 day everything turned upside down for him.
LISTEN
Check Out GODcha’s #14 LIVE Question(s)
#14. As I consider the contrast of Mordecai and Haman:
a. When and why have I been promoted, receiving recognition and honor?
– Has it changed me? Do I want more of the palace?
– Or am I still comfortable at the king’s gate?
b. When and why have I been humiliated?
– Did I mourn over disgracing the Lord, and in repentance turn from my sin of pride?
– Or did I mourn for myself, over the embarrassment, and hide (cover my head)?
– Am I guilty of playing the victim, blaming others, and not taking responsibility for my actions?
Don’t Forget Respond to God, LIVE It Out!
What Else Did You LEARN 
Check Out GODcha’s #15 LEARN Question(s).
#15. How do Haman’s friends and wife respond? How does it differ from their response in Ch 5? (v13-14)
Sum It Up!
We LEARN:
When home, Haman recounted to his wife and friends all that had happened to him.
Then Haman’s wise men and wife told him that because Mordecai was Jewish, Haman would not overcome him; instead he, Haman, would fall before him, v13.
We Discover:
Haman’s wise men and wife were in his camp, supporting him when he was a somebody, encouraging him to murder Mordecai.
In Est 5:12 they persuaded Haman to have a gallows fifty cubits high made and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it, and then go joyfully with the king to the banquet.
But now their tune had changed. It doesn’t appear that they are in his camp. Who wants to hang with the guy who was publicly humiliated?
Perhaps they are fickle. They seem to be what James refers to as doubleminded which means they were divided in their loyalties. They were unstable in all their ways, doubters, being like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind, and shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord, Jam 1:6-8.
The Psalmist says he hates those who are doubleminded. Psa 119:113
We Discover:
Haman would fall because Mordecai is a Jew, v13.
God promised way back to Abraham that He would bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him. And through Abraham, all the nations would be blessed, Gen 12:3.
We Discover:
That blessing and protection would include us because those of faith are children of Abraham, Gal 3:6-8.
And if God is for us who can be against us, Rom 8:31-32.
Even when things seem to be going against us, we need to remember God, who is in us, is greater than anything that comes against us, 1Jo 4:4.
We Discover:
We are to bless those Haman’s in our lives who hate us, who don’t love us, who want to curse us, Luk 6:28.
Jesus is our example, telling us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, pray for those who mistreat us, turn the cheek, offer our coat. In a nutshell, treat others as we would want them to treat us, Luk 6:27-38.
“If we stand up for what’s right, we will have enemies. They feel justified in their hostility. But Jesus says, love them anyway. Hostile people expect hostility in return. Jesus says, surprise them.” Ray Ortland
We LEARN:
While Haman’s wife and friends were talking to him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hastily brought Haman to Esther’s 2nd banquet.
No time to respond or drum up a counter plan.
LISTEN
Check Out GODcha’s #15 LIVE Question(s)
#15. How do Haman’s friends and wife respond? How does it differ from their response in Ch 5? (v13-14)
Respond to God LIVE It Out!
Difficult words to swallow, aren’t they? It’s a moment-by-moment assessment of ourselves, and to be in the Word to grow in humility. Talk to God!
Okay, One Last Thing to Do
SUMMARIZE
To Wrap Up Chapter 6, GODcha directs us to 
Summarize the Paragraphs, and then the Chapter.
This helps you grasp and process what you have LEARNED, cementing this Chapter down deep into your heart and you will remember it.
Come on try it, you will be so glad you did!
1. Read all of Esther Chapter 6.
This will help to refresh your minds and remember the main topics or what was 
Key.
2. Focus on a Paragraph at a time.
Remember: Paragraphs are designated by boldface numbers or letters in your hardbound Bibles.
3. LOOK for the main topics of each Paragraph.
What was talked about the most?
Hint: Key Words and/or phrases will help with this.
The main topics will help give you an outline, and you will see the flow of the chapter!
Jot the main topic of each Paragraph in the margins of your Bible next to the bolded verses, as well as in your Notes.
When you go through this process, thinking and reasoning God’s Truths, then God is able to seal Truth into your memory!
4. Now to Summarize.
Keep the summary to 4-6 Words or less if possible.
Why?
Because it will be easier to remember.
5. DO NOT paraphrase!
Use the Words God uses.
a. Paraphrasing can change the meaning.
b. And, we want to know and bury God’s Word, that has the power, into our heads and hearts.
This Chapter is Not Hard at All.
Try it on your own before you go any further.
I will help you after you give it a shot!
You can do this!
I know you can!
Okay, let’s see how you did.
Let’s Summarize The Paragraphs
v1-9 The King to Honor Mordecai
v10-14 Haman Has to Honor Mordecai
How Would You Summarize Chapter 6?
What about:
Mordecai Honored
Fantastic, you all!
I am so proud of you, and
I sincerely thank you for staying with us on this journey!
Stop and Take a Breath!
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord,” (Col 3:16).
Reflect and Meditate on what you have LEARNED!
Talk to God about how you are to live in the light of this Truth.
Save Your Discovery
In Your Notes
Today:
Did you have questions?
Put them in your Notes.
Ask God to answer them.
He will!
Record your discovery in your Notes and in your hardbound Bibles.
Let’s Close in Prayer
OUR GRACIOUS HEAVENLY FATHER IN HEAVEN, we so praise You and lift You high for You alone are worthy of our honor, glory, and praise. Help us to consider and truly ponder Your Word to us today!
Father God, may we comprehend what You are trying to show and teach us. Who are we like? Humble Mordecai or prideful Haman? And Father how do we move from pride to humility? You have told us in Your Word to get our eyes off ourselves and on to Jesus. Jesus who humbled Himself to the point of death, Phil 2:8!
– Do we want the honor and glory? Oh, but You will share Your glory with no other, Isa 42:8. You and Your Son alone are worthy to receive the honor and glory, Rev 5:13!
– Do we want the robe? Oh beloved Jesus, may we remember You were stripped of Your robes, Mat 27:28!
– Do we want the crown? Oh Lord, may we be ever mindful that You wore a crown of thorns, Joh 19:2!
– Haman never repented of his sin. But You Lord, You who knew no sin became sin on our behalf so we could become the righteousness of God, 2Co 5:21!
– Haman had such hate, wanting to kill God’s people. But You Father God, loved the world so much so that You gave Your only begotten Son so that whoever would believe would not perish, but have eternal life, Joh 3:16!
– Haman wanted to crucify his enemy! But You sweet Jesus were willing to be crucified for Your enemies, which we all were, Rom 5:7-8!
May we all be willing to admit and grieve over any and all pride, have a godly sorrow, repent, and be cleansed. Oh help us to grow in our humility, and be more and more like You Lord Jesus. In Your name, we pray and ask these things. Amen.
Thank you for hanging in there, and being disciplined to discover and learn Truth!
See you in a couple of days to LOOK @ Esther Chapter 7.
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