Lessons from Esther: The second banquet

1 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. 2 And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom. 3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: 4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. 5Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? 6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. 7 And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. 8 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. 9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified. Esther 7

The day has arrived; the second banquet of Queen Esther is now in progress. The king and Haman arrive at the banquet. After a little wine, the king asks Queen Esther for her request. “Just ask, and you will receive up to half of the kingdom.”

Esther “jumps in” with both feet. She immediately starts to plead for her life as well as “her” people’s lives. She makes mention of not saying a word if they were only going to be sold for slaves, but this is death. The people have been sold to be totally destroyed.

Ahasuerus appears to be a little shocked. Sometimes I wonder was he even paying attention. He was the one who took the money and signed the decree. Then I come to my senses, God is in total control. God knows the whole story, beginning to end. Proverbs 8:15-16 tells us: By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

God has allowed the rulers to reign. Even though God’s name is not mentioned even once in the book of Esther, His very being is weaved throughout the entire book.

Ahasuerus is getting very upset. He demands to know who would do such a deed. Esther knows, now is the time to speak, now is the right moment to come clean before the king and reveal the evil mastermind, Haman. As Esther says his name, Haman is “shaking in his boots”. He has been exposed and panic takes over.

The king, in shock, leaves the banquet to get fresh air in the garden. He needs to clear his head and take a moment to think.

Haman sees this as an opportunity to plead with the queen. He has worked with the king for many years and knows he can be “hot headed” and quick tempered. Haman falls on the bed where Esther is and appeals for mercy. Ahasuerus comes back in the banquet and is shocked by what he sees, Haman on the bed with Esther. He does not need an explanation, his mind is made up. Haman’s face is covered which signified his death was eminent.

One of the chamberlains tells the king about the gallows. The next words out of the king’s mouth were “hang him on it”.  The wicked Haman comes to a speedy death and the king’s rage is pacified.

What can we learn from Haman’s wicked life?

1. He was responsible for his actions.

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Romans 14:12

2. He did  not “get away” with doing wrong

But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23

3. Haman reaped what he sowed

He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. Proverbs 22:8

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7

4. God is in control and the Final Judge

The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. Psalm 9:16

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. II Corinthians 5:10

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Unfairness

12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: 13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. 14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.  Ecclesiastes 8:12-14

We may think someone is getting away with wrong doing. But “it shall not be well with the wicked.” God is always awake. Nothing passes the Lord unnoticed. In God’s time the wicked will be punished.

As Solomon says, it sometimes appears that righteous men get what the wicked deserve and wicked men get what the righteous deserve. As we read in other areas of the Bible this is not so, Galatians 6:7 tells us, Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

There are many verses that let us know, in God’s time, God will meet out justice.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19 

God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. Psalm 7:11 

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews

10:31 

So the next time you think someone is “getting away with it”, think again and thank God for His perfect judgment.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Do good

12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

There appears to be a change in thought process. Rejoice in what you have and do well in this life. Be thankful for everything. Be grateful that you can work and provide food and needs for your family.

Everything I have is a gift from God. I am blessed with the ability to think, the ability to work, and the ability to do for others.

A few verses that jumped to mind are:

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

Think of those around you, whether they be family, friends or acquaintances, is there something you can do for one of them this week? Look for opportunities to share the “goods of your labor” with others.

Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good; try to use ordinary situations. ~ Henri Richter

Just do it ~ Nike

Have a blessed day, 

Donna

Goals 2012

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

As I sit and reflect on the past year I remember many things, some are positive and some are negative. As I wrote I thought, negative to whom? The Bible says, “All things work together for good to them that love God …” Romans 8:28

I usually set spiritual goals for myself each year, reviewing periodically to “stay on track”. One of the meanings for the word goal is “the end toward which effort is directed: aim “. My aim is to draw closer to the Lord to “know him and the power of his might” Ephesians 6:10

Today I reviewed the goals I set last January. I kept or surpassed most of the goals. There was one that I didn’t even do, which I will again put on my list. I was encouraged by what I did accomplish.

Do you want to grow closer to the Lord this year? Set some goals. Do not start with big goals but with little goals.

Suggestions:

1. Keep a prayer/praise journal. What can you write? Write prayers to the Lord. Write down answers to prayers. Write down praises, thanksgivings and gratitude to God.

… I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. Psalm 9:1

2. Memorize verses that will help with a problem in your life i.e. gossip, anger, selfishness etc.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

3. Read the Bible daily.

I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Psalm 119:16

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Proverbs 30:5

4. Pick up a daily devotional or sign up for an email devotional.

5. Be an encourager in your corner of the world. Send cards, emails or make phone calls to those hurting or those who need to be encouraged by a kind word or deed.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

6. Read nonfiction Christian books i.e. spiritual growth, biographies.

Everyone is in a different spiritual place in life. Don’t look at what others are doing, ask the Lord to show you what He wants you to do.

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. II Corinthians 10:12

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2Peter 3:18

As you set goals for 2012, do not look back on what you did not do, look forward to what you will do, with the Lord’s help.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Have a blessed day,
Donna