Day 19 – Esther 7:1-10
Opening Prayer: Father, You are a God of justice and the ultimate defender and protector of Your people. Thank you for Your faithfulness and deliverance!
Read: Esther 7:1-10
In your 4R journal:
- Record: After reading this short story, what verse stood out to you?
- Respond: Write a short prayer of praise in response to what God has shown you.
Wasn’t that exciting? The tension builds as King Xerxes, Haman and Queen Esther gather around the table once again. No doubt Esther spent the previous night in prayer. However, it’s unclear if she was aware of Mordecai’s ride through the city or Haman’s humiliation. Nevertheless, it is clear she was eager to share her request as soon as she heard those glorious words, “What is your petition, Queen Esther?”
Reflection:
- Share a time when you cried out to the Lord in desperation.
- How did He answer you?
Like air forced from an untied balloon Esther blurts her request to save her life and the lives of her people, the Jews. She uses the words sold, destroyed, killed, and annihilated, the exact wording in the decree. When the king hears Esther say, “A foe and an enemy is this wicked Haman!” he is fist-pounding furious. And Haman was terrified.
Let’s freeze-frame here. If you recall, King Xerxes didn’t know Esther was a Jew until this moment. But he did know Mordecai, the man who saved his life, was Jewish. Furthermore, Haman never identified the people group he wished to destroy. Therefore, the king assumed Haman purposefully deceived him. King Xerxes’s glittering robes must have been flying as he rushed into the garden to calm himself!
Frightened, Haman pounced on the queen to beg for his life. Haman’s distress and pleading must have been intense for the king to assume Haman was assaulting Queen Esther. Yet it was this conclusion that sealed Haman’s fate. He was a threat to the throne and must die!
My Verse: Esther 7:9, “Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, ‘A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.’ The king said, ‘Impale him on it!’.”
My Response: Father, Your judgement is righteous and You are just. Thank You for being my counselor and covering me with Your righteousness.
What stood out to me was the role of the eunuchs throughout the story. Like the Holy Spirit, they seem to know everything and carry out the wishes of the king. Moreover, the fact that Harbona knew about the gallows makes me consider the possibility he was one of the eunuchs who ushered Haman to the banquet that evening. If so, he would have seen the gallows and perhaps inquired about them. Either way, he knew everything and worked for the good of his King!
Father, keep my heart pure and free from deception. Give me an ever-present reminder of Your goodness and grace but never let me take You for granted.
The next step:
When the Spirit leads, in the comment section below, chose a response to share:
- Share a time when you cried out to the Lord in desperation.
- How did He answer you?
Or
- Share your 4R Response
