Introduction : Although we don't want them in our lives, we meet little and big enemies. Jesus said that even our family members might be our enemies. How many more enemies are there around us? The Lord tells us what attitudes we should have toward our enemies (Ps 23:5). In other words, if an enemy comes, the Lord will set a bountiful table before us so that we may eat, drink, be strengthened, and overcome the enemy, and He will anoint us with the Holy Spirit so that our cups may overflow in our lives. This fact is well proven in the book of Esther in the Bible.
1. Queen Esther of King Xerxes of Persia. 1) The cousin of Mordecai, a Jew who was taken captive into Babylon (Est 2:7). 2) She became queen after Queen Vashti was dethroned (Est 2:15-17).
2. Mordecai, a low-ranking official in the king's palace. 1) A faithful report - He indicted Bigthana and Teresh, the king's officers who guarded the doorway, for conspiring to assassinate King Xerxes (Est 2:21-23). 2) Mordecai, who didn't kneel down or pay honor to Prime Minister Haman (Est 3:5,6) - Haman, the descendant of the Amalekites; Mordecai, the descendant of the Jews (Dt 25:17-19; Ex 17:16) 3) The rage of Haman - He was going to destroy Mordecai and all the Jews (Est 3:8-11).
3. Mordecai conveyed an appeal to Esther (Est 4:13,14). 1) Esther and all the Jews in Susa fasted for three days and three nights (Est 4:16). 2) Esther appeared before the king and invited him to a banquet with Haman (Est 5:2-4; Jer 33:3; Mt 17:20; Jn 14:14). 3) Her second invitation for the next day and Haman's discontent (Est 5:9-14; 5:8; Pr 21:1; 16:18; Jas 4:14; 1 Jn 2:17; 2 Ch 16:9).
4. God prepared a table in the presence of the enemy. 1) The king could not sleep, and he read the book of the chronicles. - He wanted to reward Mordecai (Est 6:1-3). 2) Haman appeared in the palace early in the morning, and his downfall began (Est 6:4-11; 6:12,13; Ps 9:16). 3) At the banquet, he encountered destruction (Est 7:3-6; 7:9,10; Mt 16:26; Est 8:1, 2, 5, 6,11-13; 9:12-14, 20-22, 26, 27; 10:3; Pr 26:27; Isa 54:17).
Conclusion : It is written in Romans 12:19-21, "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
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