Esther: Week 5

Apr 12

Written By Christie Browning

WEEK 5 READING PLAN

DAY 1: Esther 7:1-7

optional reading: Deuteronomy 28:58-68

DAY 2: Esther 7:8 – 8:2

optional reading: Psalms 37:34-40

DAY 3: Esther 8:3-10

optional reading: Daniel 6

DAY 4: Esther 8:11-17

optional reading: Psalm 97

DAY 5: Esther 9:1-3

optional reading: Proverbs 22:17-25

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 passage in Deuteronomy that warns those who would wish harm on Israel just what consequences await for them...a warning Haman should have listened to and possibly why his wife told him to stop pursuing Mordecai's destruction.

In contrast, we'll look at a passage in Psalms that shows us how God intends to protect those who obey and follow him. This is evident in Mordecai and Esther's story. In Daniel, you'll see another example of how a decree meant the destruction of God's people and how God once again moved to protect them.

We finish our optional reading with a few passages that showcase God's protection, His promises, and some wisdom we should work to adhere to.

WEEK 5 OVERVIEW

Week 4 ended with Zeresh giving Haman some much-needed advice - to leave Mordecai alone. Choosing to pursue his destruction would mean the ruin of Haman. These were words Haman should have heard and heeded long before that moment, however in that same moment, Haman was swept off to have dinner with the king and Esther for a second time.

At the banquet, the king asks Esther a second time for her request. This time she tells the king that her people have been sold for destruction and slaughter. Remember, Haman offered a bride or monetary reward if the king would let him carry out his plan to kill the Jews.

The New King James Version says it so well:

Verse 4: “For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king’s loss.”

Esther, at that moment, reveals her identity as a Jew and even uses the same words as Haman - Destroy. Kill. Annihilate. Esther paints the picture for the king of his loss should this destruction take place.

The king can't even fathom that someone would even think, let alone plan, to kill the queen. When he asks who this could be, Esther tells him Haman. Insert the suspenseful music! Haman is sitting there to hear all of this. Can't you just imagine the kick in the gut this must have been for Haman.

Remember, he didn't know the queen's nationality any more than the king. In that moment, he realizes he is doomed.

The king is so angry he gets up in a rage and "leaves his wine." You know he was upset if he walked away from his wine... we all know how King Xerxes loved his wine! He is so upset he needs to walk away to gather his thoughts and cool down for a moment. He leaves to walk in the garden.

Meanwhile, Haman stays to beg Esther for his life. He knows that his fate is determined, but grasping at straws, he hopes to change Esther's mind.

You know how throughout this story there has been much attention paid to the various eunuchs and attendants that served the women in the palace? Well, there was a reason for that... no one else but the king was allowed to be alone with them. So, when the king left to cool down in the garden, Haman should have left as well. However, he is found alone with the queen.

When King Xerxes comes back to the banquet, he sees Haman draped over the queen begging for her help to spare his life. The king, who's trust in Haman is now wrecked, is shocked to find him alone with the queen and even more so, in a compromising position. He audibly wonders if Haman might be taking advantage of Esther.

There just so happens to be an attendant with the king as he reenters the scene. He knows that Haman's actions mean death. So, he coincidentally reminds the king that there are gallows all ready to go near Haman's house and oh by the way, these are the very gallows Haman himself had built for Mordecai.

The king says ... let him be hanged there.

If any enemy of the king was destroyed, his possessions and all that he owned became property of the king. So, when Haman was killed, the estate was King Xerxes' who then gave it to Esther.

At the same time, Queen Esther reminded the king of Mordecai's loyalty and how Mordecai and Esther are related. So, the king gave Mordecai Haman's position - second in command with a signet ring and great power. Esther put Mordecai over Haman's estate, so he also was given a lot of wealth. But the two Jews couldn't celebrate just yet.

It wasn't enough to have Haman killed, the Jews' fate was still sealed by the previous decree that was sent out. So, Esther pleads with the king to do something to reverse this plan. The king couldn't revoke a decree so the only way to void it was to write another decree that would counteract the previous. That meant the king would look a little wishy-washy, but it was important to the queen, so it was important to the king.

The king has Mordecai draft another decree however he wishes, and Mordecai is smart. The decree gives permission for the Jewish people to defend themselves should anyone seek to destroy them.

This is important because:

1.) The Jews were taken into captivity and on their own, they lacked the same power as Persian citizens. This decree gave them the chance to defend their women and children, their homes, and belongings as well as their lives.

2.) The decree specifically was worded with the opposite action as Haman's so if anyone had come upon the first decree, they would understand what the second one meant.

Now the Jews could celebrate and have peace of mind that they wouldn't be destroyed. We see Mordecai celebrate in king's attire - a stark contrast to how he appeared under the first decree.

Study Plan

DAY 1: Esther 7:1-7 Optional Reading: Deuteronomy 28:58-68

What parts of Haman’s plan stacked against him in the end?

How did Esther’s secret help her here?

What stands out most to you in this group of scripture