ASSIGNMENT:
Before we tackle Esther 6 & 7, let's take a minute to reflect on a psalm that might give us some insight into the Esther text.
READ Psalm 89: 30 - 37.
Consider what the psalmist writes regarding God’s punishment of sin (remember that the Jews in “Esther’s Persia” are there because of the sins of their Jewish ancestors). As you read, pay attention to how God is described. Although He does punish sin … He does not withhold His love … nor violate His covenant. (note especially :32-34)
As God provided deliverance for the Jews in Persia, He was also protecting “David’s line” and honoring the covenant He had established with Abraham.
Intro to Esther 6 and 7
If the Esther narrative were being read within a polytheistic (multiple gods) context, the story could be interpreted as an all-out tug of war between the gods. Prior to chapter 6, the pagan gods were winning; then in chapter 6, after Xerxes’ bout with insomnia, the Jewish “gods” gain control.
However, we (believing readers) realize that the events in Esther (from beginning to end) are under God’s control. This is the story of God’s providential preservation of His people who were the ancestors of His Son - Who was the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.
Read 6:1-9 and answer the following questions in your notebook.
1. What is the setting? Identify “that night” in 6:1.
2. Why is Haman visiting the king so early on this particular morning?
3. What does Xerxes fail to share (probably unintentionally) with Haman?
(Do you recall an earlier event when Haman kept a significant piece of information secret from Xerxes?)
We almost feel sorry for Haman. He is so full of himself, he cannot even imagine anyone other than himself being worthy of such honor.
