Est 5:1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
The third day of the fast, Esther prepares herself. Putting on the royal robe of queen, using the authority of the title she approaches the palace where the king sits on the royal throne. Again, symbolism here, the third day, it was the third day that Jesus arose from the dead assuring our salvation. On the third day, Esther goes forth with her royal garment to seek the salvation of her people. Esther is a woman, the church is call the bride. Esther wears the robe of her position, we wear the robe of righteousness in Christ Jesus.
Est 5:2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
One look at the queen in her robe and the king gave her favor. When God our King sees us in Jesus, he gives us favor, we are invited to enter his presence. The scepter is the symbol of authority, a golden scepter. Gold speaks of purity and riches in spiritual terms. Esther touches the top of the scepter, to show that she was accepted.
Est 5:3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt Thu, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.
The king gave her an open door to request, to the half of the kingdom. This sounds familiar. For in the story of King Herod, he was entertained by his stepdaughter and in a moment of indulgence he spoke a similar remark.
Mat 14:6 But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
Mat 14:7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
Mat 14:8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
This brought death. Esther's request was to prevent the death of her Jewish brethren.
Est 5:4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
Est 5:5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
Est 5:6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
Esther first asks the king to invite Haman to a feast. The king again pledges to give to Esther up to half of the kingdom. Why did she invite Haman? Probably to expose him in front of the king. To wine and dine him and then to reveal the bad plot that Haman had authorized.
Est 5:7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;
Est 5:8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.
First they drank wine and now a banquet where she will; make her request known. She had fasted for three days, surely now she was doing as the LORD would have her do. The king was probably wondering why she did not just make her request? I suppose God, our Father has wondered why we hesitate to ask him for our needs. The king has already allotted authority for her request. Jesus said we can come to God, through His name to make our requests.
John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Est 5:9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.
Haman was so happy, perhaps from the wine, he was high up in the kings court and was being honored at the kings banquet by the queen, so he thought. But, the sight of Mordecai ruined his joy. He hated this Jew who would not honor him. Are we ever like Haman? Do we let people ruin our joy? Have we not been not respected, our feelings hurt? Beware of anger, place a "d" in front and it spells danger. You may be in danger letting anger fill your heart.
Est 5:10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
Est 5:11 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.
This should have caused him to thank God, but he considered himself to be the reason for his blessings. He had too high of an opinion of himself, and little regard for others. He did not know God's way as spoken by the apostle Paul.
Phil 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Phil 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Est 5:12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.
Est 5:13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
It is at home that all the upsets of the day come out. Are we dumping a heavy load on our loved ones? Better to give your burdens to Jesus. Haman spoke of his blessings, but it was all forgotten when he thought of Mordecai. Perhaps Mordecai's rejection of him caused him to doubt himself. The evil Haman sought to do evil to that Jew, Mordecai.
Mat 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Mat 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Est 5:14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
Bad advice, anger and wrath never is the proper response. Haman has walked in evil ways, he would reap an evil reward. He does not know that the queen is Mordecai's adopted daughter and a Jew. Esther has her own plans. Both Haman and Esther enter the banquet with their own plans. The king will decide whose plan will be accepted. In the end, it is God who will have his will done in this place and time.
Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Evil brings confusion to God's plan. The world seeks its own way apart from God, but nothing evil will last. In the very end all sin and evil will be removed. All who remain will live in love and peace forever. Satan has blinded many with lust and power. God has a vision of order and peace fulfilled through his Son. The promises of God came first through the Jewish people. Satan hates the people of God, they have a foe and a fight. The victory is in the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ.
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