For Such A Time As This預覽

“On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, in front of the king's quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace.” -Esther 5:1 (ESV)

For three days, Esther and her servants fasted. On the third day, Esther called for her finest robes, left the safety of her quarters, and walked in faith before her king without being summoned by him. Her decision to do this involved great risk, but she knew what needed to be done in order to help save her people. 

Although she was not summoned by the king, she was still able to find favor in his sight. As we read the dialogue between Esther and the king (Esther 5:3-8), we see how wise and gentle Esther was in pleading her cause. She was extremely careful in her approach to the king in order to demonstrate her respect and ultimately win his favor. Her fast had prepared her “for such a time as this”. (Esther 4:14)

“And Esther said, ‘If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.’” -Esther 5:4 (ESV)

Instead of jumping straight to her request after winning the king’s favor, Esther invited the king and Haman to a banquet. While feasting together, Esther knew in her heart it was not the right time for her to expose Haman. Although she was more than ready to, she decided to trust in God’s timing rather than her own and invite the king and Haman back for a second feast the following day. (Esther 5:6-8)

Haman took great pride having received an invitation to yet another feast hosted by Queen Esther (Esther 5:12), but that would all change the second he realized the purpose of the banquet. This time around, Esther would expose his corrupt heart. The second feast would become one of the strongest pivotal markers in the story of Esther. 

Leading up to it, the king could not sleep. To help pass the time, he gave orders to have the book of memorable deeds read before him. (Esther 6:1) As he listened to one of his servants read it aloud, the king quickly realized Mordecai was the one who had saved his life from being taken by Teresh and Bigthana, the king’s eunuchs. (Esther 2:19-23) 

Realizing nothing had been done for Mordecai, the king summoned Haman and asked him, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” ((Esther 6:6) 

Haman had no idea the king was referring to Mordecai. Rather, he thought the king was talking about him. In Haman’s mind, there was no one worth honoring more than him. 

Naturally, Haman answers in the very way he would like to be treated by the king. (Esther 6:7-9) After he finished talking, the king commanded Haman to do everything he mentioned in his answer for Mordecai. 

“So Haman took the robes and the horse, and he dressed Mordecai and led him through the square of the city, proclaiming before him, ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’” (Esther 6:11) 

The very man Haman planned to execute (Esther 3:6) ended up being the very man Haman was commanded to honor in the city square (Esther 6:10). How humiliating it must have been for him to publicly honor the man he was so driven to kill! It was such a blow to Haman’s pride that he went home and mourned. (Esther 6:12) Not even his wife and friends could comfort him. They knew Mordecai would prevail, and there was nothing Haman could do about it. (Esther 6:13)  

Reflection

1. What verses stood out to you in Esther 5-6?
2. Do you believe it was the right thing to do for Esther to wait another day before exposing Haman? Why or why not?
3. Have you ever struggled with trusting God’s timing rather than your own? How can we trust that His timing is perfect? 
4. Haman was an extremely prideful man. Do you struggle with pride in any area(s) of your life? If so, how do you deal with it? (James 4:7-10)
5. How did you see God at work in Esther 5-6?