Esther.5

The Story of Esther - Divine Reversals

Passages: Esther 5:1-4; 5-8; 9-14; Esther 6; Esther 7

Summary: Esther’s courage and strategic interaction with the king lead to the salvation of her people. God redeems and delivers through means that may seem inconspicuous. Genesis 50:20 “20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

1. Stepping Forward in Courage

Esther 5:1–4 “Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, across from the king’s house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house. 2 So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter. 3 And the king said to her, “What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you—up to half the kingdom!” 4 So Esther answered, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.””

Esther's initial approach to King Ahasuerus was a courageous demonstration of faith. Despite the potential for death, Esther dressed in her royal robes and stood in the presence of the king, committed to her people’s salvation, trusting in God's providence. This was the pivotal moment of all that God had planned. It was a moment of great faith for Esther. She was prepared for this moment by her upbringing with Mordecai, her powerful walk with God, and final preparation of the heart.

This part of the story invites us to consider moments when we need to take a stand, armed with prayer and faith. Hebrews describes how we are to approach the King of Glory. Hebrews 4:14–16 “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Like Christ's intercession on our behalf, Esther reveals the powerful role of an advocate. She was one woman standing up for an entire nation.

Ezekiel 22:30 “30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.”

Nehemiah 4:13–14 “13 Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.””

2. Patiently Planning with Purpose

Esther 5:5–8 “5 Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 6 At the banquet of wine the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!” 7 Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and request is this: 8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.””

Esther exercised patience and wisdom, inviting the king and Haman to a banquet. She developed a plan and didn't rush but discerned the right time and method. She invited them for a simple meal both the king and Haman. She was laying a trap.

Her actions remind us that courageous faith also involves strategic patience, reminiscent of Christ waiting and choosing the right moment to fulfill His mission. May we learn through this the importance of trusting God's timing and strategy in our lives.

3. Pride, Plots, and Providence

Esther 5:9–14 “9 So Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, and that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with indignation against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and called for his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11 Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king. 12 Moreover Haman said, “Besides, Queen Esther invited no one but me to come in with the king to the banquet that she prepared; and tomorrow I am again invited by her, along with the king. 13 Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” 14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made, fifty cubits high, and in the morning suggest to the king that Mordecai be hanged on it; then go merrily with the king to the banquet.” And the thing pleased Haman; so he had the gallows made.”

Note: Haman's pride contrasted with Esther’s humility. While Haman plots against Mordecai out of arrogance, Esther’s humility in seeking God's guidance stands out.

Haman was still filled with anger towards Mordecai but found the pride of being noticed took its place for a time. His lust for approbation, recognition and praise, was stoked and soon would undo him.

He was divided in a common way. Destroy someone else so you may be lifted up.

This passage challenges us to examine our motivations and align them with Christlike humility. We see how God orchestrates events to reveal and counteract pride, calling us to rely on His love not vengence.

4. God's Sovereign Surprises

Esther 6

Esther 6:3 “3 Then the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” And the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.””

Esther 6:6–9 “6 So Haman came in, and the king asked him, “What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought in his heart, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” 7 And Haman answered the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, 8 let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’ ””

Mordecai gets recognition at just the right time. And Haman is going to get the “recgnition” he deserves.

The theme of divine reversals is exemplified here. Where God intervenes in a miraculous twist of fate through a sleepless night. King Ahasuerus remembers Mordecai. Haman is asked to describe the very honor that he will bestow on Mordecai.

This mirrors God's ultimate justice in Christ's resurrection. The power that changes our lives comes from the resurrection of Christ. We are reassured that God sees our situation and can change our story for His glory.

Genesis 50:20 “20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

5. Truth Triumphs and Saves

Esther 7

Esther 7:1–4 “1 So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther. 2 And on the second day, at the banquet of wine, the king again said to Esther, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!” 3 Then Queen Esther answered and said, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request. 4 For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king’s loss.””

Esther 7:6 “6 And Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!” So Haman was terrified before the king and queen.”

Esther 7:10 “10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath subsided.”

Esther's makes a courageous revelation to the king about Haman’s plot. Her boldness leads to Haman's demise and the salvation of her people.

Haman’s name in the reading of Esther during Purim is booed by the hearers. It is strong reminder that the enemy is defeated and deserves no respect.

Divine reversals are how God becomes conspicuous in coincidental circumstances.

Reversals of Status and Power

God “makes poor and makes rich” and “raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes.” (1 Sam 2:1–10) This pattern echoes throughout Scripture.

When Samuel looked at Jesse’s eldest son and assumed he was God’s chosen king, the Lord corrected him: “the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Sam 16:1–13) The youngest shepherd boy, David, became Israel’s greatest king.

Mordecai will take the place of Haman in power and Haman will take the place of Mordecai on the gallows (Esther 6-7).

Reversals of Suffering and Vindication

When Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, God shut the lions’ mouths, and Daniel emerged unharmed, while his accusers were cast into the same den and destroyed. (Dan 6:16–28)

Job’s losses were restored when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord gave him twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10–17)

Paul the persecutor of the church became the Apostle of grace.

Reversals of Expectation

At the Red Sea, God divided the waters so Israel walked on dry ground while the Egyptians pursuing them were overthrown in the sea. (Exod 14:21–31)

In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the beggar died and was carried to Abraham’s bosom, while the rich man found himself in torment, with their positions completely reversed in eternity. (Luke 16:19–31)

The Ultimate Reversal

Genesis 3:15 “15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”” The serpent it defeated by the cross he would have Christ die on.

Christ embodied divine reversal by not grasping equality with God but humbling himself as a servant, becoming obedient to death—yet God then exalted him and gave him the name above every name. (Phil 2:5–11)

Those great in God’s kingdom are the lowest and servants of all; the king models servanthood and lays down his life, making apparent weakness the pinnacle of divine reversal that overthrows worldly power.

Jesus taught that “the last will be first, and the first last,” (Matt 20:16) while God chose the foolish, weak, and despised things of the world to shame the wise and mighty. (1 Cor 1:26–29)