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1 So the king and Haman went to dinner with Queen Esther. 2 At this second dinner, while they were drinking wine the king again asked, "Queen Esther, what would you like? Half of my kingdom! Just ask and it's yours." 3 Queen Esther answered, "If I have found favor in your eyes, O King, and if it please the king, give me my life, and give my people their lives. 4 "We've been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed - sold to be massacred, eliminated. If we had just been sold off into slavery, I wouldn't even have brought it up; our troubles wouldn't have been worth bothering the king over." 5 King Xerxes exploded, "Who? Where is he? This is monstrous!" 6 "An enemy. An adversary. This evil Haman," said Esther. Haman was terror-stricken before the king and queen. 9 Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, spoke up: "Look over there! There's the gallows that Haman had built for Mordecai, who saved the king's life. It's right next to Haman's house - seventy-five feet high!" The king said, "Hang him on it!" 10 So Haman was hanged on the very gallows that he had built for Mordecai. And the king's hot anger cooled. 20 Mordecai wrote all this down and sent copies to all the Jews in all King Xerxes' provinces, regardless of distance, 21 calling for an annual celebration on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar 22 as the occasion when Jews got relief from their enemies, the month in which their sorrow turned to joy, mourning somersaulted into a holiday for parties and fun and laughter, the sending and receiving of presents and of giving gifts to the poor. (Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 The Message Bible)
We come to a unique book in the Bible. Three things that we should know about this book: 1). The name of God or even the word God, does not appear in the book. God's presence is implied and felt as we read the story. 2) It details the start of a Jewish holiday/festival, the Festival of Purim, which celebrates the deliverance of the Jews from a plot to destroy them. 3). Strong Female Protagonist; Esther is the main character and her role in this story is very important. I highly recommend you add the book of Esther to your daily devotions and read the story of Esther and her life.
In this passage we find Esther courageously revealing her true identity and the plight of her people to King Xerxes. Her request is more than a plea for mercy; it is a bold declaration of her faith and the power of standing up for what is right. Esther's bravery reminds us that our voices matter, especially when the stakes are high.
The aftermath of her revelation is profound. The king’s anger turns against Haman, the very architect of destruction. Esther’s story teaches us about the importance of divine timing and the way God works through our actions, even when we feel vulnerable.
Following the deliverance of her people, Esther institutes a celebration that serves as a reminder of their survival and joy. This act of remembrance invites us to reflect on the moments in our lives when we have experienced liberation—spiritually, emotionally, or physically.
As we remember these moments, we are called to share our stories and to extend grace and joy to those around us.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the example of Esther and her unwavering courage. Help us to find our voices in moments of injustice and to stand firm in our faith. May we remember and celebrate the victories in our lives, extending love and generosity to those in need. Grant us the strength to act boldly and the wisdom to recognize Your hand at work in our lives. We pray in the awesome name of Jesus, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Take time to reflect on a moment in your life when you felt liberated or supported. Share that story with someone who may need encouragement. Additionally, consider how you can actively support those around you who are facing struggles. Your voice and actions could be a source of hope and strength for others.
I love you and I thank God for you,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
