Passage
Esther 5:1-14 (ESV)
Sins of Azariah and Northern Israel
2 Kings 15:1-16
Key Verse: 15:5
The King's Scepter Extended
Date: Nov. 24, 2014
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 5:2
And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
First, Queen Esther's invitation (1-8). When beautiful Queen Esther stood in the entrance of the king's court, he held out his gold scepter to her. He was not angry, even though he had not summoned her. In fact, he was really glad to see her. It was an answer to prayer. He offered to give her whatever she asked. But God gave Queen Esther wisdom. She did not state her case immediately; rather, she invited the king and Haman to a small, intimate dinner party, and the next day, to a second one. When we wait and pray, God works.
Second, Haman builds a gallows (9-14). Haman did not know that Queen Esther was Jewish. He was very happy to be invited to the queen's banquet to dine with the king. His high spirits fell, however, when he saw Mordecai at the king's gate. He went home in a bad mood. When he told his wife about this, she suggested that he build a gallows and ask the king to hang Mordecai on it. She can be a representative of wicked, ambitious wives who push their husbands to commit sin. Haman followed her advice, built the gallows, and felt wickedly satisfied.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for answering prayer. Give me courage, wisdom and patience like Esther's.
One Word: Don't give up; pray and act
