Tuesday, October 20, 2015

The Word and Esther # 7

Mt 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
The enduring quality of the Bible is well known. Tyrants and skeptics have tried to do away with it, sought to ban and discredit it. But it still sells year after year in more languages and greater quantity than any other book. Don’t be content to own a Bible. Read it daily!


Esther 5:1 Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, across from the king’s house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house.
:2 So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Ester went near and touched the top of the scepter.
:3 And the king said to her, “What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you – up to half the kingdom!”
:4 So Esther answered, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.
:5 Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
:6 At the banquet of wine the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!”
:7 Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and request is this:
:8 if I have found favor in the sight of the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”
:9 So Haman went out that day joyful and with a good heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, and that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with indignation against Mordecai.
:10 Nevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and called for his friends and his wife Zeresh.
:11 Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king.
:12 Moreover Haman said, “Besides, Queen Esther invited no one but me to come in with the king to the banquet she prepared; and tomorrow I am again invited by her, along with the king.
:13 Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”
:14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made, fifty cubits high, and in the morning suggest to the king that Mordecai be hanged on it; then go merrily with the king to the banquet.” And the thing pleased Haman; so he had the gallows made.
God was in control of the king’s response to Esther.
When the king offers her half of the kingdom it means he will give her anything she wants, not necessarily half the kingdom.
It doesn’t say why at the first banquet she doesn’t say anything about Haman’s plot. Maybe she felt it wasn’t time. She instead invites them back the next day. The king enjoys parties so he is happy. She knows what he likes and is being careful to get him ready for the news.
Even though her heart had to be heavy with fear, she kept her head.
Esther shows great faith. She fasted and prayed, and is now taking action with the banquets.
We just like Esther can call upon God for the strength we need.
Her waiting also allowed Haman the time to build the gallows that he would be hung on.
Haman is so upset when he sees Mordecai. His position has really gone to his head.  He can’t enjoy the blessings he has received because he keeps focused on the thing that displeases him.
God wants us to base our emotions and attitudes on His love for us. His love, unlike the favor or approval of others, never changes and will always bring lasting joy and contentment.
Just as Esther gave herself time before making her request, we too should give ourselves time, so we do not get ahead of God’s plan. Sometimes we get impatient thinking God forgot. Waiting for God’s will can be hard, but we must wait.


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