Esther

Esther Chapter 5

Esther Prepares a Banquet

• Esther 5:1  Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. 
• 2  And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. 

Esther must have gotten some courage after everyone including herself, fasted and prayed. This act took courage and trust in God. Remember that if the king had not have held out that golden sceptre, Esther would have been put to death. Seems like a silly cruel rule to us today but back then it was a rule with the kings of Persia.

I believe a lot of old ways even though there is still much evil and corruption among many countries, has been changed by the influence of Jesus Christ and His glorious gospel. In these latter days though we see a lot of curelty still around and returning as many begin to reject the gospel and return to the evil ways of the past. Sad.

• Esther 5:3  Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. 

Well, looks like she obtained enough favor from the king that before he even knew what she wanted, he promises her half the kingdom if she requested it. I notice the wisdom of Esther though not to blurt out her desire all at once.

• Esther 5:4  And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him. 
• 5  Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 

They loved to have banquets it seems. The king was eager to grant her this request without even asking her why she wanted it. I assume mostly that our God is working here on behalf not only of Esther but to save the lives of His chosen people. Esther truly was used by the Lord and was  raised up "for such a time as this."

• Esther 5:6  And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed. 
• 7  Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is; 
• 8  If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said. 

The king seems to know something else was on her mind but Esther puts him off until the time was right.

Haman Plans to Hang Mordecai

• Esther 5:9  Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai. 

Seeing the lack of respect coming from Mordecai, Haman's joy of being called to the banquet was quickly gone. He hated it that Mordecai did not show him reverence.

Mordecai seems to be a person that is upfront and for real. He doesn't pretend to be what he is not. He could have just pretended to give him reverance just to get on his good side.

• Esther 5:10  Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. 
• 11  And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. 
• 12  Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. 
• 13  Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. 

Haman was then lifted up in pride assuming he was something special to be invited to Esther's banguet when no one else was invited. Yet he sorrowed and hated Mordecai so much it bothered him to even see Mordecai.

• Esther 5:14  Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made. 

I never noticed this before but it was Haman's wife and his friends that gave him the idea to build a gallows and hang Mordecai. So his ten sons and friends were part of this conspiracy against the Jewish people.

We tend to forget that God sees everything and can see what is within our very souls. We will not get away with evil unless we repent. Repentance is something real where we do not just ask for forgiveness without meaning what we say with no pretense. Repentance causes us to change within and if possible do all we can to undo the evil that we have done. God sees that change and knows if it is for real or not. That is what God desires for us though. He send Jesus to save not destroy. The story of Jonah is one place we can read and see the true heart of God. He does send judgment. We do reap what we sow but God prefers that we get right with Him. Again like I've said many times. That is why He sent Jesus. -DC

Esther Chapter 6