Esther Chp. 5: God is Deliberate and Unrushed

Book: Esther

Author: Mordecai

Time: 460 and 350 BCE

Theme: God is sovereign over all things. He often works behind the scenes.

Things to Note:

• God is not explicitly mentioned throughout the entire narrative. Although His name is absent, His provision and providence are evident.

Overview:

Esther is a historical narrative set in Susa, the capital of the Ancient Persian Empire. During this time, the Jews are exiled and have not returned to their homeland in Jerusalem. Many Jews resided in the provinces of the Persian Empire ruled by King Ahasuerus. King Ahasuerus throws a six-month-long banquet to display his wealth and glory in the kingdom. At the event, the king drunkenly asks his wife, Queen Vashti, to parade herself for his friends. Queen Vashti refuses, so the king banishes her from the kingdom.

After Queen Vashti is banished, the king organizes a beauty contest for young virgins to replace her. Esther, a Jewish maiden, wins his favor and is promoted to Queen of Persia. Meanwhile, Haman, the king’s principal minister, is offended by Esther’s uncle Mordecai. Mordecai will not bow down to Haman out of respect for the Lord. In his wrath, Haman issues a decree to kill all Jews throughout the empire. As a result, Esther has an opportunity to save her people.

Chapter 5 Scripture Observations:

Verses 3-4: “And the king said to her, What is it Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom. And Esther said if it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.” (ESV)

• According to tradition, no one could go before the king without permission. Esther risked her life by approaching him, but fortunately, she won his favor. However, she did not present her request immediately. Instead, she invited the king and Haman to a feast.
• Esther’s decision to wait for the right time to make her request demonstrates her dependence on the Lord’s leading. When the Holy Spirit guides us, he does so gently and tactfully. Some things may be urgent, but He never asks us to act impulsively.
• On the other hand, the devil will urge us to listen to our impulses, which can cause us to make rash decisions. A huge clue that the Lord is not in something is if it feels rushed.

Verse 13: “Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Moredecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” (ESV)

• After the feast with Esther and the king, Haman is feeling merry. But he is angered when he sees Mordecai unphased by his presence. This leads him to gather his friends and family and recite all his accomplishments and accolades.
• Haman’s reaction proves that you can have everything in the world, but still be unsatisfied. What would it profit a man to gain the whole world but forfeit his soul (Mark 8:36)? The Bible affirms that apart from Christ we have nothing. When sober, we realize how poor and needy we truly are.