MAY 27
In chapter 3 we see Satan begin to work. Haman’s promotion
went to his head and turned him into a murderer. Mordecai, Esther’s
cousin and a very faithful Jew, would not bow down to Haman. This
made the proud man even angrier. He then decided to destroy all the
Jews, just because of his malice toward Mordecai. The decree was
written and sent out (verses 7,12), ordering the Persians to
destroy, kill, and plunder all the Jews in the vast reaches of the
kingdom.
In chapter 4 we see Mordecai their protector. The old Jew
that sat at the king’s gate now comes to the front. He is God’s
prepared vessel to save the nation. In verse 14 God sent a message
through Mordecai to Esther to remind her of her responsibility. The
message convinced Esther that she must do the bidding of the Lord
and intercede for His people, even at the risk of personal harm or
death.
The events in the next few chapters center around three
feasts. In chapters 5 and 6 we read about a feast of rejoicing. The
Jews had fasted and prayed with Esther for three days. It was now
time to step out by faith and intercede before the king’s throne.
Keep in mind that Oriental rulers were almost like gods to their
people, and their commands, right or wrong, were obeyed. Esther was
truly placing her life in God’s hands. As she appeared at the
entrance of the throne room, the king lifted his golden scepter and
called her in. What a fulfillment of the Scripture, “The king’s
heart is in the hand of the Lord.” Acting very wisely, Esther did
not immediately tell Xerxes her true request. Instead, she invited
the king and Haman to a banquet. She knew the king’s weakness for
food and drink, and with womanly intuition she prepared him for the
important request she was about to make. She also gave Haman a false
feeling of security by including him. One thing ruined the day for
Haman. He saw Mordecai at the gate and decided to bring false
charges against him and have him killed, since he would now bow down
to Haman. He had a gallows erected, intending to have Mordecai
hanged.
Chapter 7 could be called a feast of reckoning. The results
of Esther’s meeting with the king brought justice to all. Mordecai
was set free and Haman was hanged.