God Working Behind the Scenes (Esther)
This sermon takes a deep dive into the biblical book of Esther, revealing how divine providence often works in ways unseen. It invites listeners to recognize God's active hand orchestrating seemingly ordinary circumstances for extraordinary outcomes.
This sermon highlights how God orchestrates events behind the scenes, often through ordinary circumstances and unseen favor, to deliver and prosper His people even when His presence seems hidden.
Overview
The sermon opens by addressing the question of God's whereabouts when life goes wrong, asserting that God is actively working behind the scenes. It introduces the Book of Esther, noting that God's name is never explicitly mentioned but is hidden in acrostic forms at pivotal moments. The speaker emphasizes that God's provision precedes any evil plan, positioning individuals for breakthrough.
The message then illustrates this principle through biblical figures like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Esther, and David, all of whom 'knew their God' despite their fears and flaws. The sermon transitions to discuss the power of God's Word, connecting meditation on scripture to prosperity, health, and renewed youth, contrasting this with the world's natural decline.
Returning to Esther, the sermon delves into the historical context, explaining Israel's captivity and God's 'hidden face' during the 'low army' period, yet His continued work through providence. Key turning points in Esther's story are highlighted, particularly Queen Vashti's deposition making way for Esther, and the divine timing that led to Haman's downfall and the Jews' deliverance, all orchestrated by God's unseen hand.
The sermon concludes by linking God's hidden name in Esther to the 'I AM' of Moses and Jesus, affirming God's unfailing presence and provision for believers today. It invites listeners to recognize God as their 'I AM' – their healer, strength, provider, and more – in all circumstances.
Key points
- God is always working behind the scenes, even when His presence is not apparent in difficult situations.
- The Book of Esther illustrates God's providence, with His name appearing in hidden acrostics at crucial turning points.
- Biblical heroes like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Esther, and David were set apart because they 'knew their God'.
- Spending time in God's Word leads to prosperity, health, renewed youth, and good success, contrasting worldly perspectives.
- God's favor, rather than natural abilities or beauty, is key to opening doors and making a significant difference in one's life.
- Haman's evil plot to annihilate the Jews was divinely overturned through Esther's courage and God's perfectly timed interventions.
- God can use seemingly small things, like a king's sleepless night or a queen's refusal, to orchestrate major deliverances and bring about His plan.
- Even when God 'hides His face' (during Israel's captivity), He remains compassionate and actively works for His people's protection and blessing.
In Joseph Prince's words
“Even when things don't seem to be working in your favor, God is working behind the scenes.”
“Touch God's word, you touch prosperity.”
“Long before the devil plants any evil against you, God has the provision.”
Outline
- I. God is Working Behind the Scenes
- A. When things go wrong and God seems absent
- B. The Book of Esther: God's name hidden in acrostics at pivotal points
- C. Examples of unlikely heroes who “knew their God”
- 1. Abraham: Childless at 100
- 2. Joseph: Betrayed, sold, imprisoned
- 3. Moses: Stutterer, broken
- 4. Esther: Orphan in a foreign land
- 5. David: Lowly shepherd boy
- II. The Power of God's Word
- A. Connecting with scripture for prosperity and success
- 1. Example of memorizing Proverbs leading to straight A's
- 2. Joshua's instruction to meditate on the Word
- 3. Psalms 1: Meditating on God's Word brings prosperity and freshness
- B. The Word of God as health and youth renewal
- 1. Proverbs 4:22: “life to those that find them and health to all their flesh”
- 2. Cleansing and rejuvenating effect even when not fully understood
- 3. Opposite of the world's view of aging
- III. God's Providence in the Book of Esther
- A. God's name not openly mentioned, but visible in acrostics
- 1. “Supernaturally natural” provision over miracles
- 2. “Providence” (pro video): God sees and provides beforehand
- B. Historical context: Israel in captivity (“times of the Gentiles”)
- 1. God hiding His face due to their sin (Deuteronomy 31, Hosea)
- 2. Esther and Mordecai remaining in Persia
- C. The story unfolds: Queen Vashti's deposition
- 1. King Ahasuerus's 180-day feast and a 7-day party
- 2. Vashti's refusal and the decree deposing her
- 3. God overruling (acrostic reversed) to prepare for Esther
- D. Esther obtains favor and becomes queen
- 1. More than beauty, God's favor makes the difference
- 2. Dependence on God's grace and favor, not human smarts
- E. Haman's evil plot against the Jews
- 1. Haman (an Amalekite) type of antichrist/fleshly effort
- 2. His hatred for Mordecai and plan to destroy all Jews
- 3. God is positioning you for favor even in adversity (acrostic)
- F. The turn of events
- 1. Haman casts Pur (lot) for the 13th day of Adar
- 2. The king's sleepless night (God uses small things)
- 3. Discovery of Mordecai's unrewarded act of loyalty
- 4. Haman's advice for honoring the king's favored man backfires on him
- a. Haman is forced to honor Mordecai (acrostic: God's wrath used to praise Him)
- 5. Esther's second banquet: Reveals Haman's plot
- a. “Let the king and Haman come” (acrostic: God ruling directly)
- b. “Who is he and where is he” (acrostic for “I AM”)
- 6. Haman hanged on his own gallows
- G. God's reversal and deliverance
- 1. King gives Haman's ring to Mordecai
- 2. New decree allowing Jews to defend themselves (old law unchangeable)
- 3. Mordecai in royal apparel; Shushan rejoices
- 4. Many people became Jews out of fear and favor
- IV. Conclusion: God's Unchanging Presence
- A. From “Low Army” (not my people) to “Sons of the Living God” (Hosea, Romans 9)
- B. Jesus' name on the cross: Yeshua Hanazeri Vec Yahoudim (YHVH acrostic)
- C. God is our I AM: Healer, Strength, Length of Days, Provider, Banker
- D. Prayer for salvation and blessing
Scripture references
- Esther
- Proverbs 4:22
- Psalms 1
- Psalms 96:1
- Deuteronomy 31
- Hosea 1:8
- Hosea 1:10
- Romans 9:24-25
- Psalms 22
- Psalms 23
- Psalms 24
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
1 O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.
1 And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel.
2 And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the Lord hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
8 Now when she had weaned Lo–ruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.
10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.
24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
Insights
God often works unseen, arranging circumstances for our good.
Connecting with God’s word cleanses the mind and renews strength.
Even the wrath of man can be used by God to bring about praise.
Questions & answers
What is the main message of the sermon?
The sermon's main message is that God is always working behind the scenes, orchestrating events through His providence and favor, even when His name or presence is not overtly visible, to protect and prosper His people.
How does the Book of Esther demonstrate God's activity?
In the Book of Esther, God's name is never explicitly mentioned, but the sermon explains that it appears in hidden acrostic forms within the Hebrew text at critical turning points, revealing His unseen hand guiding circumstances.
What is 'acrostic' in the context of this sermon?
An acrostic is a literary device where the first (or other specific) letters of successive words spell out a hidden word or message. In Esther, the sermon points out hidden acrostics of 'Yahweh' (YHWH) and 'I AM' at pivotal moments.
What does the sermon say about the power of God's Word?
The sermon teaches that engaging with God's Word brings prosperity, health to all flesh, renewal of youth, and wisdom. It cleanses the mind and gives a different vision than the world's perspective.
What does the preacher mean by 'God hides His face'?
The preacher explains that during the period of Israel's captivity, referred to as the 'low army' period from Hosea, God, due to their rebellion, 'hid His face' or did not openly acknowledge them, yet still compassionately worked for their favor.
How does the sermon connect Esther to Jesus?
The sermon connects Esther's story, where God's name is hidden, to Jesus's crucifixion. It points out that the title placed above Jesus on the cross, 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews' (Yeshua Hanazeri Vec Yahoudim), forms an acrostic for Yahweh in Hebrew, indicating God's presence even in His suffering.
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