Esther: Week 4

Apr 12

Written By Christie Browning

WEEK 4 READING PLAN

DAY 1: Esther 5:1-5

optional reading: Mark 6:14-29

DAY 2: Esther 5:6-10

optional reading: 1 Kings 3:1-15

DAY 3: Esther 5:11-14

optional reading: 1 Kings 21:1-16

DAY 4: Esther 6:1-6

optional reading: Ecclesiastes 9:10 – 10:4

DAY 5: Esther 6:7-14

optional reading: Psalm 57

BACKGROUND FOR REFERENCE

The optional reading this week showcases some of the lessons we'll read in Esther this week. First, we'll look at a situation where life and death are influenced by a queen who uses her position to sway the king... this time for evil, not good. This week we witness Esther's wisdom in coming before the king and pitching her request. Our additional reading on Tuesday shows us the importance of wisdom and highly it is valued...more so than riches.

Continuing with the influence of women over men in leadership, we read about a woman who killed for her husband's wish... and to add to it, we meet another man who is easily disappointed and found pouting like a child. We finish our optional reading looking at a few more passages on the importance of wisdom and a final look at God's promises to protect the Israelites.

WEEK 4 OVERVIEW

Week 3 ended with Esther calling for a group fast that would last for three days and three nights. This was something she did to bring the power of prayer to this grave situation facing her - a trip to see the king. It was also a way for her to get really in tune with God, to know His direction and guidance for this situation. This is still a highly recommended practice among believers when we are about to go up against something big or if we are facing a big decision or a formidable hurdle.

As we dive into this week's reading, we meet Esther after the fast is over. She puts on her royal robes and puts herself within eyesight of the king, in hopes that he would invite her in to talk. The plan works and she invites the king and Haman to a banquet she's prepared.

The king and Haman go to the banquet as requested, but Esther keeps her cards close to the vest and doesn't tell the king what she really wants. Instead, she invites him to return the next night with Haman for another banquet. The king agrees and they leave for the night.

As Haman is on his way home, he sees Mordecai, who neither stands nor kneels before him... don't you know how much that grated against Haman's ego. When Haman gets home, he brings together his wife Zeresh and his friends and begins to detail his wealth and good fortune. At the end of it all, he determines nothing matters or satisfies as long as Mordecai is still alive. His wife suggests that he ask the king to hang Mordecai now instead of waiting for him to die with the rest of the Jews.

Haman goes off to ask the king for this very thing.

Meanwhile, the king can't sleep and so he asks for his book of chronicles to be read to him... a book that outlines the history of his reign and empire. The attendant reads the record detailing how Mordecai uncovered the plot to kill the king and immediately King Xerxes asks if anything was done to thank and honor Mordecai for saving his life. When the attendant says nothing was done, the king goes on alert trying to fix the oversight.

As he is looking for a way to honor Mordecai, he has the chance to ask Haman to weigh in on the question: "What would you do honor someone?" When Haman assumes it's him the king has in mind, Haman details a huge parade with lots of fanfare. The king loves Haman's suggestions and commands him to do that very thing... for Mordecai. What a turn of events!

Haman does as the king commands and parades Mordecai through the city. In the end, Mordecai returns to his position at the king's gate and Haman goes home embarrassed and humiliated. When Zeresh hears of what went on, she tells Haman to give it up. There's no way he'll ever destroy Mordecai. As she gives him this advice, Haman is called to join the king at Esther's banquet.

This week's chapters are ripped right out of a movie script! Or rather, vice versa! Can you imagine how twisted and how ironic all these events are? Only God could orchestra such a thing.

As you read this week, I want you to really sink into the thoughts and feelings of each of these characters. See things from their perspective and put yourself into the scene that unfolds.

Think about the three women we've met in this book: Vashti, Esther and Zeresh. How are they alike? How are they different? What can we learn from them? Which qualities do we most mimic and which ones should we be more like?

Study Plan

DAY 1: Esther 5:1-5 Optional Reading: Mark 6:14-29

Why do you think Esther opted to hold a banquet? Why not just tell the king what was going on when she came to the throne?

Why do you think Esther invited Haman? Wouldn’t it make more sense for her to have the king’s undivided attention so she could best persuade him?

What stands out most to you in this group of scripture