I would love to hear your thoughts about today's chapter...
Esther going to the king, the king's response, what you think "even up to half my kingdom" means, Esther's request for Haman to attend her banquet with the king, Esther's request for a second banquet, Haman's response to getting to come to the banquet, Haman's rage against Mordecai, the building of the gallows...
I'd love to hear what you thought about all of these things or other insights the Lord gave you. I'm just going to let us all have a "conversation" about it today and not put anything extra here except for my own comments later.
Hope you all have a beautiful weekend and enjoy this nice weather!!! Blessings!!!
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As I've read and meditated on this story, one of the things that impacted me was the weight that must have been on Esther's shoulders.
ReplyDeleteThe story moves along at a fast pace and it seems everything happens so effortlessly. But stop and consider the following: Esther had not been in the presence of the king for 30 days. She might have even been wondering if if he had fallen out of love with her. So now she has to go before the king, unsummoned, not secure in her relationship with him, knowing unless he extends the royal scepter to her she is dead. Once there, she must reveal her own identity, that of being a Jew, and then plead for her people. Keep in mind, she wasn't going before some kind hearted individual; she was going before a warrior king who had no problems eliminating his enemies, or anyone else who got in his way, man, woman or child. He impaled his enemies and then hung their bodies from the gallows for all to see. I'm sure that while Esther might have loved him she also feared him, knowing his reputation.
I think probably her whole body would have been trembling from fear as she walked that long corridor to his throne room. Her 3 days and nights of fasting might have strengthened her resolve, but that doesn't mean it eliminated her fear. I can only imagine the courage it took for her to take those steps.
Then when the king extended the scepter to her, the Bible states that she reached out and touched the top of the scepter. Even in the midst of her terrifying situation, she showed honor and respect and maintained her dignity.
To me Esther's character shines bright, but brighter still was her WILLINGNESS to sacrifice her life for the sake of her people, God's chosen people.
As I have encouraged us, the reader, to consider the weight on Esther's shoulders, I would also like to encourage anyone who would to research the laws and custom of the Persians in that day. Then reconsider the things we have said about Vashti. I think it is easy for us as free American women to judge Vashti, but if we consider what it was like in her day, in her land, with the laws and customs of her day, perhaps we will see her in a different light, more the product of her environment and less of a rebel.
Esther is a humble woman. A woman that saved her people. Wow! I love the book of Esther. It is so encouraging to know that women can be used by God in such a mighty way. Esther must have been fearful, but when a person fasts for a long time, sometimes you gain more confidence from the Lord. I believe that she was confident. She was a well read woman, in scripture and other books as well.
ReplyDeleteShe by no means was stupid. She planned out every step and was very cautious I am sure of it. Haman is just plain old crazy and I am so happy that Esther was used by God to out wit him. She definitely won this Chess Match hands down!! Go Esther!