Trusting God's Plan When You Don't See Him: Lessons From the Book of EstherSýnishorn

Who says the Bible is boring? If they say that, then they haven’t read this chapter from Esther. It reads like a best selling dramatic novel! Let’s dive in!

As we last left our story, Haman faced the humiliation of parading Mordecai around town on a horse, praising him to the town’s people. Now, Haman is headed to the palace to take part in the second banquet of Queen Esther. From the beginning of the banquet, the king is very curious about Esther’s petition, after all, she has planned two banquets and he really doesn’t know why. He’s drinking wine and wants to know what her big request is. He says he’ll give her whatever she wants. This is HUGE! If she belives him, perhaps she could ask for her life and half his kingdom, but Esther stays true to her purpose.

Esther displays pure brilliance in how she presents her request. “If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life - this is my petition. And spare my people - this is my request.” (Esther 7:3) This was the big microphone drop moment, if they had them back then. This request had to come out of the blue for the king. He has no idea someone wants to kill his wife. Notice she starts her request with something he’d care about - his wife. That was really smart of her to make the request personal.

She also reveals that she and her people have been sold off for annihilation and destruction. Did you catch something there as well? She never names her people as Jews. She simply says “her people.” She points the proverbial finger at “this vile Haman” as the one responsible. Upon learning this, Xerxes is so mad that he has to go burn off some steam and heads to the garden. With the king gone, Haman knows he’s a dead man, so he begs Esther for his life. But just like out of a movie, Xerxes happens to come back in right when Haman is looking like he might assault Esther right there on the couch.

Xerxes has had enough! One of the king’s eunuch's says, “A gallows seventy-five feet high stands by Haman’s house. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.” (Esther 7:9) Doesn’t it kinda feel like the eunuch didn’t like Haman too? Anyway, the king orders Haman to be executed, so they kill him on the same gallows he built for Mordecai. Mind you, this all happened in just a few days. Look what God did when Esther and the Jewish people fasted and prayed for Him to intervene!

Questions:

1. In examining closely how Esther approached the King for her request, what stands out to you?

2. How important is it to provide context to someone when making a request of them?

3. What role did the eunuch have in turning things around for Esther and her people?