Esther - #Rule With Purpose (Notes Chapter 7&8)
Chapter 7 - Thou Preparest A Table...
Queen Esther invites Haman and the king to the second banquet. Remember before Haman had time to think about retracting his anger against Mordecai he was whisked away to the banquet called by Queen Esther.
So there they were at the banquet of wine and again the king asked Esther What is your petition? It shall be granted to you and what is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done. Again, the king was willing to give Queen Esther half of the kingdom. He really loved her. I do not think that he was ready for what Esther was about to tell him. Esther began to tell the king what was on her mind and inform him about the decree that was in writing regarding the destruction of Jews.
This was the first time that Esther revealed her ethnicity, her heritage, she reveals that she is a Jew and they are her people. The king had no issue with the Jews, he had just honored Mordecai the Jew. Esther continues and really breaks it down that she goes as far as saying I would not have a problem and would have held my peace if we were sold into slavery but we have been sold to be destroyed. Notice that Esther continues to add herself in the group "for we have been sold..., my people and I". The queen wanted the king to know that she would be destroyed if the decree was not shutdown.
Sometimes we have to make that bold step and step out on faith. GOD has already equipped you for such a time as this and He is going to give you the words to say. Do not fret GOD is on your side. He has prepared a table before you in the presence of your enemies now eat!!! Do not doubt that the table is for you. No excuses of "I have no degree", no excuses of they are smarter than me", "I have no money". GODs has caused your enemies to witness His awesomeness and stand in awe of Him of what He is doing in your life now eat.
King Ahasuerus was furious at Haman so much so that He left. Haman began to plead with Queen Esther. The king returned and ordered Haman to be hanged from the very gallows that Haman had made for Mordecai.
It is a serious thing to mess with a Child of GOD and that goes for every enemy in our lives. It doesn't have to be a person but it could be financial bondage. No matter what it is GOD will prepare you and you will be equipped to take that problem and conquer it. While GOD is teaching us He will give us His light burden and His easy yoke. You will be ok while enduring the hardship but learn what GOD is teaching and you will have gained so much more when you come out.
1. How many times did the king ask Esther what her petition and request was? (You may have to go back to the previous chapters)
2. Do you think that the king was surprised by the request?
3. Are you facing a major decision and anxiety is setting in? (Matthew 11:28-30)
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Has GOD set a table before you.
Chapter 8 - The Roles Are Reversed
King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther Haman's estate, he also gave Mordecai, Haman's ring, Esther appointed Mordecai over the house of Haman. Oh how the roles are reversed. Now that the king had ordered Haman's death. Queen Esther remembered that the decree was still out there. King Ahaserus reigned over 127 provinces and just because Haman was dead did not mean that the decree went away. Queen Esther was concerned about her people and the problem had to be addressed.
Be careful not to grow arrogant in what GOD is doing in your life. Always remain humble. Treat people how you would want to be treated. There is a saying "“Be kind to everyone on the way up; you’ll meet the same people on the way down.“ Wilson Mizner
Queen Esther once again goes before King Ahasuerus and again she is uninvited but she has a boldness about her because she knows her purpose has not yet been fulfilled. She goes and pleads with the king to overturn the decree that Haman had set forth in the name of the king. The king goes down the list of what he has already given Esther and then he says you and Mordecai write the decree yourself in the king's name and seal it with the signet ring so that it cannot be changed.
Some theologians think that he is growing tire of her asking and so because she is persistent he gives her what she wants. In Luke 18:1-8. Jesus teaches His disciples that an unjust judge grants the persistent widow woman justice from her adversary because she was persistent and wore him down. Jesus says, "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? " GOD loves us to be persistent and so it was with Esther she was persistent.
King Ahasuerus allowed Queen Esther and Mordecai to put their own decree in writing. He sent the letters by couriers the letters allowed the Jews to defend themselves if someone disobeyed the decree and attacked them.
A copy of the document was to be issued as a decree in every province and published for all people so that the Jews would be ready to avenge themselves on their enemies. The couriers who rode on royal horses hastened and the decree was issued in Shushan. Mordecai went out from the king with royal apparel on and with a great crown of gold. The city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. The Jews had light and gladness joy and honor. Then many of the people of the land became Jews because fear of the Jews fell upon them. Some theologians say that verse 17 means converts to Judaism or identified themselves with the Jewish people.
Chapter 8 - The Roles Are Reversed
Did Queen Esther go before King Ahasuerus uninvited in Chapter 8, verse 3?
What was her request this time?
Did the king grant her request?
Was King Ahasuerus irritated or positive by Queen Esther's request? Read Chapter 8, verses 7-8.
Have you ever asked GOD of something, He grants your request and then you go back and ask Him to do something else?
Persistence pays off read what Jesus teaches us in Luke 18:1-8
What does it mean if the king signs a decree with his signet ring?
What did the letters permit the Jews to do?