Esther Reading Plan – W7D3
Check out all the previous Esther readings here.
Esther Reading Plan | Week 7 | Day 3
Prayer
Take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times. This helps you be more present and aware. Ask God to open your eyes to wonderful things from His word today.
Bible Reading: Esther 5:5-14
Read these verses three times slowly.
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.”
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. 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.
Reflection & Questions
Yesterday, Esther courageously went before the king uninvited. The king responded favorably, and accepted Esther’s invitation to a banquet. Haman also was invited. At the banquet, we know what Esther wants to request of the king (the rescue of her people the Jews). Perhaps it was on her mind during the whole meal. But when the king asks what she wants, curiously, instead of bringing up her people, she invites the king to another banquet. We’re not told why, but instead the focus shifts to Haman.
Haman was riding sky high. He boasted to all his friends about “his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him.” But there was more! “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king…and she has invited me along with the king tomorrow.” As honored as Haman was, there was still a thorn in his flesh: Mordecai. Mordecai “neither rose nor showed fear in his presence.” This filled Haman with rage to the point of wanting to impale Mordecai. As much honor as Haman had, there was never enough.
When we put ourselves at the center, like Haman, we will never be satisfied. We might get the promotions, the kudos, the grades, the degrees, the expensive toys, the acclaim, but if we are the center, it will never be enough. Only when Jesus is at the center of our lives will we fill the hole in our hearts. In giving Him all the honor we will find ourselves resting, breathing and experiencing His peace. He gets the glory and we get the joy.
- Are you seeking your glory or Jesus’ glory? How do you know?
- Are you content? Why or why not? Talk to God about that – not as you feel you ought to be, but as you are.
Prayer
Pray in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Prepare to Meet with Jesus
Go to your quiet place. When there are no devices around that will distract you, take a deep breath. Blow it out slowly. Do that again. And do it one last time. Ask God for His help to read and understand.
Bible Reading: Esther 5:1-4
Read these verses three times slowly.
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes. She stood in the inner courtyard of the palace. It was in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall. He was facing the entrance. He saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard. He was pleased with her. So he reached out toward her the gold scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached him. She touched the tip of the scepter.
The king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What do you want? I’ll give it to you. I’ll even give you up to half of my kingdom.”
Esther replied, “King Xerxes, if it pleases you, come to a feast today. I’ve prepared it for you. Please have Haman come with you.”
Reflection & Questions
After spending three days fasting and praying, knowing that others were fasting with her, Esther was ready to approach the king. Do you think she was scared? I think she may have been. When she appeared in the inner courtyard she may have said one last prayer before the king noticed her. Until he held out his scepter, she was not sure if he would decide to punish her. She went anyway and the king accepted her. She invited him to a banquet. This is probably an idea that God gave her during her time of fasting and prayer.
When we have something scary or difficult, God can help us. If we spend time talking to Him and asking Him what to do, He sometimes gives us ideas. He is always with us as we do what He asks. We can trust Him!
- Has God ever helped you with a difficult or scary situation?
- Have you ever spent time talking to God and asking Him to show you how to do something hard?
Pray
Thank God for always being with you. Ask Him to help you know how to serve Him. Spend a few silent minutes (or seconds) listening. It is good to spend quiet time listening anytime you pray. Sometimes God will give you ideas about how to serve Him while you’re listening. Sometimes the quiet just helps you have peace in your soul.
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
