Good morning,
The Book of Esther shows us how God keeps His promises, how God saves the Jews from annihilation, and the sovereignty of God. Did I mention the name of God is not mentioned in the whole book? God is in every circumstance that happens to save God’s people.
Things to remember as you read Esther. The Jews were captives and living in Babylon. The story takes place in Shushan. Woman, whether Jew or Gentile, did not have any rights. They were required to submit to men. The Babylonians did not worship Jehovah God.
Esther 7-8 reveals who perpetrated the wickedness against the Queen, Mordecai, and the Jews, the sentence of the perpetrator, and a new letter being sent.
How clearly God is seen.
Chapter 7 Second Banquet (7:1-2)
So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.2 And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.
Esther’s Request (7:3-4)
3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favor in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.
The King Asks “Who is he…” and Esther’s Reply (7:5-6)
5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.
Haman’s Request to Queen Esther (7:7)
7 And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
Haman Sentenced to Die on the Gallows Built for Mordecai (7:8-10)
8 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
The King had no clue that this wickedness was going on. Why? He never asked any questions. When Haman wanted to destroy the Jews, he did not tell him who they were and the King did not ask. When Esther revealed Haman to be the one to destroy her people, the King did not ask for any evidence.
Haman had no idea that Queen Esther knew of, or cared about, his plan to kill the Jews. No one knew the Queen was a Jew. Haman’s arrogance caused him to suffer the shame (Chapter6) and the death, he plotted for Mordecai. God knows our thoughts and the intention of our hearts. We must be very careful not to think wicked deeds. The very act we mean for others may come back on us.
Queen Esther’s courage. When the Queen told the King of Haman’s plan, she was accusing Haman of being a traitor. Since women were not held in high esteem, why did the King believe her? He had no evidence.
The answer to the above questions is God. God’s hand prevailed to protect Queen Esther, condemn Haman, and to hang him on the gallows built for Mordecai. In fact, that same God is intervening in the affairs of men and women today. Every day, 24/7. He knows what we do, whether good or bad. Before we act, we must think about who is watching, and consider our ways.
Tomorrow the letter that changes everything.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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