Where is God?
Esther Chapter 5
Esther Wk 5
Darin Elquist
Jan 7 2024
Darin Elquist
Message Notes
Review-
Chapter 1 Vashti Deposed
Chapter 2 Esther Chosen as Queen
Mordecai Uncovers Conspiracy to Kill Xerxes
Chapter 3 Haman’s Plan to Kill Jews and Xerxes Signs Edict
Chapter 4 Mordecai Encourages Esther to Expose Haman’s Plan
Esther Says Yes, if the Jews will fast and pray for three days
Esther 5:1
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.
Esther Gets Dressed Up
Respected Local Customs and Laws
Esther 5:2-4
When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”
Esther shows patients and tact and does not allow emotions to lead her in her request of the king
During the three day fast is when Esther was prepping for this banquet
Esther 5:5-8
“Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.”
So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”
Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”
Does Esther lose her courage?
Was two Banquets part of her plan?
Is she waiting on God?
Esther 2:9
She pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven female attendants selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem.
Esther 2:15b
…And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her.
Esther 2:18
And the king gave a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality.
People seem to like Esther. Everywhere she goes, she finds favor with those she meets.
Esther 5:9-12
Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow.
Haman has everything, still… it’s not enough.
Esther 5:13-14
But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate. ”
His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.
While Esther brings joy and finds favor in the people she meets, Haman seems to bring out the worst in the people around him.
Esther brings joy, hope, and an overall feeling of goodness. Haman brings hopelessness, sorrow, and an overall feeling of darkness.
How do people feel when you enter a room?
-
What are some attributes of Esther? What are some attributes of Haman?
2. Read Esther 5:1-8, what is the significance of the king holding out the golden scepter? What
would have happened if he did not when Esther approached? What is the significance of Esther
putting on her royal robes?
3. Why do you think Esther doesn’t immediately tell the king what was on her mind?
4. Read Esther 5:9-14, why would Haman be “happy and in high spirits”? Have you been around
positive people? How does they compare to negative people you’ve been around? How have
people in your life changed who you are today?
5. Why do you think there were two banquets noted in chapter 5?
6. Is there anything wrong with boasting or bragging? Why or why not? Why would Haman be
filled with rage when he saw Mordecai?
7. In you experience, does money and power like Haman had usually lead to happiness?
8. Darin mentioned that Esther reflects God. What does that mean? How can we reflect God in
our lives?
9. Haman’s wife and friends give Haman advice regarding Mordecai. Does it seem like good
advice? What affects can others have on us or that we have on others? Ultimately who is
responsible for the decisions we make in our lives?
10. Please pray for the church and the church leadership in the New Year. Pray that we will
continue to be guided by and follow God’s direction.