Esther 5 & 6 - #Rule With Purpose
Chapter 5 - The Petition
1 What preparations did Esther make to go see the king?
Esther put on her royal robes on to see the king. She made sure he saw her. He was pleased with her and with gladness he held out his scepter and bid her to come, she touched the tip in acceptance.
1. Was the king angry at Esther when she took it upon herself to go to the king?
2. Have you thought that GOD was angry at you for something and then you find the Lord blessing you?
GOD brought to my mind that sometimes I think GOD is going to get me because of something I did but instead He loves me and bids me to come into His presence where He welcomes me and clothes me from my nakedness. Thank you, Jesus.
King Asuherus asked what is your request,up to half of the kingdom.
“If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”
“Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared.
As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”
The king loved Esther so much that he was willing to give her half of the kingdom.
4. What was Esther's first petition and request?
Watch Esther's strategic move:
Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this:
If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”
5. Why do you think that Esther asked for a second banquet before telling her petition?
Was Esther stringing them along?
The Bible tells us in Matthew 10:16-20
“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
So Esther knew that she was sheep amongst wolves and she had to be very wise in what she was about to do. So it is with us just because we are followers of Christ doesn't mean that we lay down at every turn fight back with wisdom and discernment. And when you speak GOD will give you the words to say.
Esther says "Let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”
Haman was happy until he say Mordecai he immediately began to conspire to kill Mordecai.
He went home and began to boast to his family about the banquet that Queen Esther invited him to. “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow.
If he only knew who was inviting him to the banquet. That is why sometimes GOD tells you to hold your peace. GOD is working on the situation. Exodus 14:14 says "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."
Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials.
“And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow.
But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”
6. What was it that Zeresh, Haman's wife instructed him to do to Mordecai?
His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.
The king asked Esther what was her petition, even before knowing Esther's first petition and still ready to give her half the kingdom. Isn't that like our GOD willing and able to give what you need and more way before you ask.
Chapter 6 - Delayed but Not Denied
Why do you think the king could not sleep?
Have you ever experienced sleepless night and begin to seek the Lord? Was GOD trying to show you something?
GOD speaks to some in dreams, visions, face to face, how does GOD talk to you?
Had anything been done to Mordecai for his good deeds to the king?
Why would Haman think that the king would want to honor him?
What is that scripture, pride goes before....?
In verse 13, what did Zeresh advise her husband to do?
The king could not sleep and he commanded that one bring the book of chronicles so they could be read before him. It was written that Mordecai had warned the king of how Bigthana and Teresh (Kings eunanchs) wanted to harm the king. The king wanted to know what was done for Mordecai in protecting him? The servant said, "Nothing has been done for him".
1. Why do you think the king could not sleep?
GOD can get in your sleep and cause you to think about who you are messing with. I'm reminded how GOD caused an unbeliever to fast for a Believer in the story of Daniel and the lion's den. King Darius' officials plotted against Daniel and advised the king with mal-intent to make a decree that everyone must worship the golden image when the music started to play. Daniel a man of GOD would not give in so the king put him in a lion's den and signed it with his signet ring which meant the decree could not be changed. The entire night that Daniel was in the lion's den the king sought ways to deliver Daniel. The very next morning King Darius ran to the lion's den and he called out to Daniel and was excited when Daniel answered. He found out that his officials plotted against Daniel and that Daniel was innocent. No injury was found on Daniel because he believed in his GOD. King Darius released Daniel and made a decree that men must remble and fear before the GOD of Daniel.
This shows you that GOD will cover His children. Remain stedfast and do not compromise. Do the right thing even when nobody is looking.
Back To Esther:
4. Had anything been done to Mordecai for his good deeds to the king?
5. Had anything been done to Mordecai for his good deeds to the king?
Haman had just entered the outer court to suggest to the king to hang Mordecai. The King asked who was in the court? ". "Haman is in the court" the servant said. The king said "Let him come in".
"When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head.
Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’ ”
“Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”
What the devil meant for evil GOD will turn it around for your good. Do not fret. Stay focused on the Lord and Do it GODs Way. Vengeance is GODs. He will handle it all.
Your responsibility: To keep GOD first and process your wounds in a Christ-like manner.
Haman was mad and his feelings were hurt. Remember, how high and mighty he was and he was for sure that the king was talking about him. He went in on all the goodies only to find out it was not for him. It angered him because he thought he should have been paraded around town with the king's robe on. But GOD.
6. What is that scripture, pride goes before....? Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 ; Message Bible: First pride, then the crash - the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.
Haman went back and reported it to his wife. She just had an ephiphany that you can't mess with a Child of GOD. She says “Since Mordecai—this man who has humiliated you—is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. It will be fatal to continue opposing him.” Esther 6:13 NLT
In the words of Matthew Henry about GODs people, " They are a holy seed, a praying seed, in covenant with God, and a seed that the Lord hath all along blessed, and therefore let not their enemies expect to triumph over them."
Praise The Lord!!!!!
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