Day 5

Esther Approaches the King

from the Esther reading plan


Esther 5:1-14, Proverbs 16:18, Mark 6:14-29

BY Erin Davis

Haman’s gallows were built with the whispers of his wife and friends. I’m mortified by the power of these diabolical words. Though their intent was to plot for the downfall of Haman’s enemy, Mordecai, they instead set the stage for the execution of Haman and his sons (Esther 9:25). In the most jarring way, Zeresh and Haman’s friends serve as archetypes of the kind of person I never want to be. 

There are other examples embedded in this chapter of Esther. Let’s start with Haman. His appetite for power was insatiable. His pride, it seems, knew no bounds. When Mordecai refused to stand and honor him, Haman became enraged. In his anger at Mordecai, he became a threat to the well-being of all the Israelites living in Persia.

In Haman, I’m reminded of a more powerful enemy, the one who seeks to harm all of God’s children everywhere. The devil is the enemy of God and His people, seeking to devour and destroy (1Peter 5:8). Haman’s plot to eradicate the Jewish people in Persia is simply one strand of a larger, deadlier sickness. The devil’s efforts to destroy God’s people began long before Haman ordered the genocide of God’s people, and they have continued long after.

This danger compels me to open my Bible, to remember the hero who can rescue me from unrelenting evil. In today’s reading, we find that because Esther had found favor with King Ahasuerus, he offered her whatever she wanted, “even to half of the kingdom” (Esther 5:3). How much better is the offer from our good and perfect King? King Jesus is our true hope. Our Jesus extended grace to us, inviting us into the work of His kingdom, one that could not be shaken (Hebrews 12:28).  

This reality takes the story of Esther out of the history books and into our lives. The threat continues. The enemy is still plotting the destruction of the people of God. He is set on our death through sin. The proverbial gallows have been built for us. But look! Our good King has extended grace toward us. He invites us to boldly approach His throne, “so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). 

Plan ahead to read Joshua and Mark with us starting February 15Shop the collection now for Digital Study Books for Lent!

Post Comments (75)

75 thoughts on "Esther Approaches the King"

  1. Micaela Deegan says:

    Wow this is so good.

  2. Dyani Straube says:

    Amen!

  3. Well written & done my friend!
    I began writing a blog iin the last few days and realized that many blogs simply rehash old content
    but add very little of benefit. It’s good to see ann enlightening write-up of
    some genuine value to ypur readers.
    It’s on my list of details I ned to replicate being a new blogger.
    Audience engagement and content quality are king.

    Manny excellent thoughts; you have certainly made iit on my
    list of people tto follow!

    Keep up the fantastic work!
    Cheers,
    Hilliary

  4. Mariah Montanez says:

    Amen

  5. Tammy Patton says:

    Only ask.

  6. Karen Roper says:

    I love that Esther said come back tomorrow and I will tell you. She would never have realised on the day she said it why? Why would God ask me to have lunch twice with my enemy? Isn’t once enough. Sometimes the situations around us may need to change before we can see the reason. So when God says wait another day- let’s just trust and continue to hope

  7. Sarah Nelson says:

    Beth S, I truly value your comment and take away. It is encouraging for me this morning to stand strong in my faith so that the generations that follow through my children will always remember my love for our Father and Creator. Thank you!

  8. Beth S says:

    Kristen Cole, I was thinking that exact same thing as I read these passages. We, as women, have a responsibility to build up the men in our lives and influence them for good to honor and glorify God. To go even further, consider the impact of parents/ caregivers on the women that they then used on the men in the stories. Our influence isn’t just on the people immediately surrounding us. It is a ripple that continues generationally. Mordecai raised Esther to have morals and values, and that showed in her character when she was faced with trials in her life. Heroidias clearly did NOT raise her daughter with morals, and that showed in her daughter’s character, as well. Both women then used what they had been taught growing up in their interactions and choices in their own lives and with the men they interacted with. For all the ladies saying they are calling out the sin in their children’s lives, even though it is hard and heartbreaking, we see clear examples in these readings of why that is exactly what you should be doing and why it is so important. Keep up the good work! Let’s be mom’s and mentors to the next generation that boldly proclaim Christ and the truth found in His Word. It makes a difference, and will continue to do so for generations.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *