For Such A Time As ThisНамуна

“...the king again said to Esther, ‘What is your wish, Queen Esther? It shall be granted to you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.’ Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request.’” -Esther 7:2-3 (ESV)

The second banquet we read about in Esther 7 was not just any banquet. In fact, it was the banquet in which breakthrough was served for God’s people. It was the ultimate banquet!

Can you imagine what Esther must have felt in the moments leading up to her life or death conversation with the king? Finally, the day she had fasted for had arrived. Perhaps, as Mordecai suggested, she was made for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14)

When she delivered the news about Haman’s plans, the king was immediately filled with wrath. Here’s the kicker, though: the king had to ask Esther who would do such a thing!

Isn’t it obvious though?

Wasn’t the king present when Haman proposed his destructive plan? Didn’t he give Haman his signet to sign and seal the edict? (Esther 3)

Despite these things, however, God’s sovereign hand still shines through! 

Esther made no mistake in her declaration of Haman as the foe. (Esther 7:6) Her truth-filled words opened the king’s eyes to the very traitor Haman was. When Haman originally had the king sign his edict, the king—unknowingly—agreed to kill Esther. Up until this point, no one but Mordecai had known of Esther’s Jewish heritage. 

Esther’s secret became the very thing God used to save not only her, but ALL the Jewish people! 

As a result of Haman’s traitorous acts, he was hanged on the very gallows he had built for what he intended to be Mordecai’s death. 

What a hero Esther was! She boldly ignored the thirty day rule and interrupted the king, stepped out in faith and stood face-to-face with evil in order to shine light on Haman’s dark heart and save the lives of her people! The king not only listened to her every word, but he also responded in the very way she had hoped, fasted and prayed for during the time leading up to this very moment. 

Just like that, the tables were turned as a result of Esther’s obedience.

“...the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, children and women included, and to plunder their goods.” -Esther 8:11 (ESV)

Just like that, we are reminded that the Lord our God always has the final say. 

Always. 

Reflection

1. What verses stood out to you in Esther 7-8?
2. Why did Esther host a second banquet with Haman and the king? (Esther 
3. Put yourself in Esther’s shoes moments before she approached the king. How do you think she felt?
4. Do you believe what happened to Haman just or unjust? Why?
5. What does it look like to be obedient to God?