Answered Prayer (Esther #22) - Bible Baptist Church

Text: Esther 7:1-4

First of all let’s read all of chapter seven to see what’s happening. Then we’ll break it apart and preach on the first four verses.

The king and Haman came to banquet with Esther… (vs 1)
Haman has gone from being on top of the world to stumbling over a righteous Jew.
Esther’s humility, obedience, and prayers have brought all things together to publicly destroy the wicked adversary.

The king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet… (vs 2)
She doesn’t bring it up.
King Ahasuerus brings up Esther’s request halfway through the banquet. Now, you talk about patience.
Two things waiting does here:
- Ahasuerus was willing because Esther was not pushy about it.
- Esther could be confident that it was time to indict Haman.

King Ahasuerus says again that he’ll give her half his kingdom. He’s willing to give up as much as he has to make her an equal shareholder.
Answers by the king are directly related to his kingdom.
- That may sound simple, and it is, but how often do we apply that understanding to our prayers?
Prayer promises related to God’s kingdom.

An answered prayer means the king is pleased with the request.
Death sentence was on Esther and her people in verse 3.
Prayer changes things
God has placed Himself under the law of prayer, and has obligated Himself to answer the prayers of men. He has ordained prayer as a means whereby He will do things through men as they pray, which He would not otherwise do.
Prayer changes things because God changes things.
- Daniel’s prayers and answers
- Answered prayer means you got a hold of the Creator of all things and He agreed with you and moved in a direction you wanted Him to.
It is an opportunity to allow the Lord to put his name on it

Esther accepts anything less than a death sentence would’ve been handled a different way. If we had been sold as slaves, I wouldn’t complain, but because I and my people are facing a death sentence I’m speaking up.
Countervail means to balance out. Esther says essentially that even if the enemy were dead, it would not pay for the lives of an entire nation of her people being sold into slavery.