What’s my heart?
Week 2 DAY 1 and 2
Today
We will:
- LOOK at Esther Chapter 5:9-13, 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 long for You. We long to know You and understand Your will and ways. May we understand your commitment and love to us. You love to make sinners, saints, and enemies, friends. As we open Your Word, help us to come with confidence and dependence. Open our eyes to see. Help us to live more fully and freely as You so desire. Thank you so much!
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 4, Mordecai reminded Esther she had come into her position for such a time as this. And she says yes to her moment and does what she must for her people, stating ‘if I perish, I perish’.
So Chapter 5:1-8 put our focus on Esther putting a plan into motion. We left off seeing the king and Haman drinking wine at the 1st banquet Esther prepared, with the king asking about Esther’s request. Rather than blurt out what is on her mind, Esther remains calm, cool, and collected inviting the king and Haman to a 2nd banquet, and if the king shows up then it was a sort of guarantee that he would indeed give Esther her request.
Now, we move to a new scene.
Let’s LOOK 
At Verses 9-14
Always Begin By READING
READ Esther 5:9-13 by asking the who, what, where, when, why, and how questions.
Let’s unpack Est 5:9-13, a verse at a time.
Focus on Verse 9.
1. Who is our focus going to be on?
2. What happens?
3. Why did Haman go out glad and pleased of heart?
Haman’s Emotional State is Key.
Check out the Cross Reference for ‘glad and pleased of heart‘.
What do you discover?
Job 20:5
Luk 6:25
Re-focus. Back to Verse 9.
1. Haman’s riding high as he leaves the banquet, but who does he see?
2. What happens? What does Mordecai not do?
Catch the scene: Mordecai, covered in sack cloth and ashes won’t even stand up!
“This is a big event. Everybody knows who Mordecai is now because a decree was sent out to kill 15 million people who are of the same race as him. I don’t know if he’s right and courageous, or wrong and stupid. And let me say, that’s a fine line. Amen? Stupid and courageous, it’s a fine pencil line. You can cross it pretty easily.” Mark Driscoll
How Haman Reacts is Key.
Do you see what is being contrasted?
If not, GODcha will help you. See: 
Contrast
Haman was glad, but after seeing Mordecai he is filled with anger.
Check out the Cross Reference about ‘filled with anger‘.
1. Do you remember seeing this back in Esther 3:5? What else does God say about anger?
1Co 5:8
Eph 4:30-32
Col 3:8
LISTEN to the Spirit
What am I filled with?
Has sincerity and truth replaced the sin of malice and wickedness?
How have I grieved the Holy Spirit?
Have I obeyed the command to put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and slander?
Am I forgiving?
I am ashamed to say I have grieved the Holy Spirit and can be like Haman at times.
What about you? What little thing can set you off?
LISTEN to the Spirit
What brings me joy and makes me glad?
What can make me angry?
Can I be glad one minute and angry the next? What can flip my switch?
Am I on an emotional roller coaster? What steers my emotional well-being?
THINK and REASON:
Why does Haman react this way?
Do you remember what we learned back in Esther 3:5 about being filled with rage? What does this reveal about Haman’s heart?
2. What obviously is incredibly important to Haman?
Consider how his feelings changed after seeing Mordecai?
“His emotional strings were being pulled by his idol, which was public respect. When that idol was fed, he felt good; but when his idol was challenged, it led him to malice and anger…His joy and his anger were simply the outward expressions of his heart’s idolatry.” Iain Duguid
“Miserable Haman! Honored by both the King and Queen of Persia, the disapproval of one man makes him feel worthless. This is an accurate description of how empty the rewards of this world are. Haman’s deep seated insecurities and need to be honored by everybody means that he can never be happy; God meant this hunger for acceptance in each of us to be ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ – because we are accepted in the Beloved (Ephesisan 1:6), accepted before God because of who we are in Jesus.” David Guzik
LISTEN to the Spirit
Am I like Haman?
Am I pursuing self-importance?
Do I hunger for recognition and acceptance?
Do I get angry when I don’t get it?
Am I high and happy when honored? Bottoming out when not?
Today: Haman’s Heart
LOOK
At Verse 10
READ Esther 5:9-13 again.
Remember reading and re-reading helps us cement God’s Word down deep in our hearts.
Focus on Verse 10.
1. Despite being filled with anger, what is Haman able to do?
2. Nevertheless, where did he go? And who did he send for?
What Did You LEARN 
Check Out GODcha’s #6 LEARN Question(s)
#6. What were Haman’s emotions when he left the banquet? What happened? (v9-10)
Bring It All Together!
We LEARN:
Haman went out that day glad and pleased of heart.
Why?
Because Esther had invited him to a banquet with just she and the king. And then a 2nd one.
He is flying high. Can’t you see him?
But ––
We Discover:
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless momentary, Job 20:5.
Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep, Luk 6:25.
We LEARN:
True to what we discovered, Haman’s joy was short-lived.
Haman saw Mordecai, who would not even stand or tremble before him.
Which set Haman off again, and he was filled with anger.
We See: Haman was honored by the Queen and King but dishonored by Mordecai.
We Discover:
The Corinthian church had been steeped in the sin of immorality. The old leaven is sin, the old state of the Corinthian Church. In the new state, sincerity and truth are to replace malice and wickedness, 1Co 5:8.
We are not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God and let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and all malice be put away from us. We are to be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you, Eph 4:30-32.
We are to put all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth, Col 3:8.
We LEARN:
However, Haman wanting to get home to brag to his friends and wife, controlled Himself.
LISTEN
Check Out GODcha’s #6 LIVE Question(s)
#6. In contrast to Esther, am I like Haman?
a. What causes me to be glad? Does my happiness depend on people and circumstances?
b. What causes me to get angry? Can just seeing someone throw me into a rage?
c. Why do I fly high when honored and spiral down when not?
d. Am I enslaved to the impulses of others and promoting self?
Respond to God. . . LIVE it out!
Understand We Don’t Just LISTEN,
But, We Speak to God!
God is always speaking clearly and distinctly to us, cutting through any frivolous chatter.
Today: Haman’s Heart
LOOK
At Verses 11-13
READ Esther 5:9-13 again.
Focus on Verse 11.
Once, Haman, had his peeps gathered, what did he do?
What Haman Does is Key.
We see Haman was able to control himself probably because he wanted to get home, gather his friends and wife to toot his own horn!
LISTEN to the Spirit
Am I a braggart?
What do I brag about?
Why do I brag?
Let’s see what God has to say about all of this.
Check out the Cross References for ‘the things Haman recounted’ and see what God says.
1. Why did Haman recount the glory of his riches?
Psa 49:5-6, 16-17
Jer 9:23-24
1Ti 6:17
LISTEN to the Spirit
Am I rich? How do I view my riches?
Am I guilty of trusting in my wealth?
Am I conceited because I have riches?
Is my hope in my stuff, my riches? Why?
Am I guilty of boasting about my wisdom, might and/or riches?
OR
Do I understand and know the LORD?
Do I boast about the LORD? How so?
Do I boast that He exercises love, justice, and righteousness?
Is my hope truly in God?
What has God richly supplied to me that I enjoy?
2. Why did Haman recount the number of his sons?
Est 9:13
Psa 127:3-5
Note: Herodotus, the Greek Historian, tells us that next to prowess in arms, it was regarded as the greatest proof of manly excellence in Persia to be the father of many sons.
LISTEN to the Spirit
I may not brag about the number of kids I have, but do I brag about my kids? Why?
3. Why would Haman recount every instance where the king had magnified him and promoted him?
“Pride is the ground in which all the other sins grow, and the parent from which all the other sins come.” William Barclay.
STOP!
How would you define pride? Check it out!
God has much to say about pride. If time you might do a Word Search.
From GODcha, what does God say about pride?
Rom 12:3
Gal 6:3
Pro 18:12
1Co 10:12
Pro 27:2
Mat 23:12
Phil 2:2-4
Pro 8:13
Jam 4:6-10
LISTEN to the Spirit
Am I prideful?
Do I realize everyone, including me, battles pride?
Can I recognize areas of pride in my own life?
If not, will I ask the Lord to show me?
Do I think more highly of myself than I should?
Am I critical and judgmental of others?
Do I want God to oppose me, to be against me?
Do I hate my pride?
Can I ever get to humility on my own? What has God had to do to humble me?
4. And lastly, according to verse 12, what fed Haman’s pride and confidence?
Do you see the contrast in verse 13?
What is the point of the contrast?
Check out the Cross References about ‘all this does not satisfy me’.
Ecc 1:2, 14
LISTEN to the Spirit
What am I striving after?
Have I come to grips that ‘all’ is vanity?
Psa 107:9
LISTEN to the Spirit
Is my soul thirsty and hungry for God?
Psa 22:26
LISTEN to the Spirit
What am I eating? What am I seeking? Will my heart live forever?
Joh 6:35
LISTEN to the Spirit
Have I come to Jesus? Do I believe in Him?
Am I content and satisfied? Am I enjoying a full satisfaction in Christ?
If not, why not?
If not, what does that say about my relationship with Christ?
Is my satisfaction in the Lord?
What Did You LEARN
Check Out GODcha’s #7 LEARN Question(s)
#7. What did Haman recount to his friends and wife? What do you learn about Haman? (11-13)
Sum It Up!
We LEARN:
Haman boasted about the glory of his riches, the number of sons, and how the king had magnified and promoted him.
As we consider Haman’s bragging –
We Discover:
– We are not to fear. . . those who trust in their wealth and boast in the abundance of their riches, Psa 49:5-6.
– We need not fear such ones because when a man becomes rich and the glory of his house is increased; when he dies he will carry nothing away; His glory will not descend after him, Psa 49:16-17.
– The LORD says, Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom,
and let not the mighty man boast of his might,
let not a rich man boast of his riches;
but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows the LORD, that He is the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things, Jer 9:23-24.
– Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy, 1Ti 6:17.
We Discover:
Haman had 10 sons, Est 9:13.
Children are a gift of the LORD, And to have many was a blessing from the LORD, Psa 127:3-5.
Scholars Say: many sons were also esteemed a signal of prosperity among the Persians, and the king annually sent presents to the man who had the greatest number of sons.
We Discover:
A haughty heart goes before destruction, But humility goes before honor, Pro 18:12.
Paul tells us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought, but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith, Rom 12:3.
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself, Gal 6:3.
Let him who thinks he stands, take heed that he does not fall, 1Co 10:12.
Be of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others, Phi 2:2-4.
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips, Pro 27:2.
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate, Pro 18:3.
We LEARN:
We LEARN:
Haman also bragged that he was the only one at the banquet with the queen and king, and was even invited to the banquet tomorrow.
BUT all of that was nothing, it did not satisfy him because every time he saw Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate it ruined everything.
We Discover:
Solomon saw ALL the works which have been done under the sun, ALL is vanity and striving after wind, Ecc 1:2, 14.
God is the One who satisfies our thirsty souls and fills the hungry with what is good, Psa 107:9.
The afflicted will eat and be satisfied; Those who seek the Lord will praise Him, Psa 22:26.
Jesus said He is the bread of life. Whoever comes to Him will not be hungry, and whoever believes in Him will never thirst, Joh 6:35.
Our satisfaction is to be in the Lord and nothing else.
THINK:
The issue is not Mordecai. The issue is Haman’s satisfaction is not in the Lord but in worldly things. The issue is his idolatry of recognition was exposed by Mordecai.
LISTEN
Check Out GODcha’s #7 LIVE Question(s)
#7. Again, am I like Haman?
a. What are my idols?
– Do I: brag; recount my wealth, children, prestige, position, success to family and friends?
– What have I built my life on? Where is my satisfaction found?
b. How am I prideful?
– Has my pride blinded me to the condition of my heart?
– Do I have conflicts with other people?
– Am I critical and judgmental, and/or jealous of others?
– Do I have an attitude of superiority?
– Do I have this attitude of entitlement?
Respond to God. . . LIVE it out!
Understand We Don’t Just LISTEN,
But, We Speak to God!
God is always speaking very plainly to us, cutting through any superficial chitchat.
And in doing so, His words pierce our hearts with conviction, comfort, encouragement, and hope, always working to perfect us and make us more like Christ.
That’s It For Today!
“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 about Haman’s heart.
Talk to God about how you are to live in the light of this Truth.
Save Your Discovery
In Your Notes
Today: Our Focus Was Haman
Record your discovery in your Notes and in your hardbound Bibles.
Let’s Close in Prayer
OH FATHER GOD, we bow before You, coming humbly as we have learned, to confess that we recognize the sober reality that we are prone to be like Haman in various ways and various degrees! We acknowledge that we have our ways of displaying our riches with the cars we drive, the clothes we wear, and even perhaps where we live. We have our way of slipping into our conversations, our promotions, and advancements, our importance. And we all are prone to Haman’s idolatry of wanting recognition and honor! Haman lived for his glory, but we are to live for Your glory oh God! Haman hated God’s people, but we are to love Your people. Oh Father, forgive us! Forgive us for striving after worldly things and not You! Forgive us for not being fully and totally satisfied in You and You alone! Oh Father, reset – renew our minds and change us like You did Esther. Change our hearts and minds, so much so that others see that change and would be drawn to You. Make us more and more like You Lord Jesus. We ask this in Your holy name. Amen!
Thank you for hanging in there, and being disciplined to discover and learn Truth!
Next: we will dig in to understand another small bite, Esther 5:14.
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