In this chapter Queen Esther’s second feast with the king and Haman takes place.
” ‘What is your wish, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you….’ Then Queen Esther answered, ‘…if it please the king, let my life be granted… and my people… For we have been sold… to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated…’ Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, ‘Who is he, and where is he, who has dared to do this?’ And Esther said, ‘A foe and enemy! This wicked Haman!’ ” (v2-6 abr)
The king offers up to half his kingdom to Esther (for the third time), whose only wish is the lives of her people be spared. The king, outraged at this atrocity decides to execute Haman for this crime against his queen and her people. Haman experiences further irony and humiliation being hanged in front of his own home, on the gallows he built for Mordecai.
I think King Ahasuerus parallels God a little bit. The king has unconditional love for his bride, is enamored by God’s chosen people, and protects their lives fiercely. He is filled with wrath toward those who are wicked and seeking to destroy, and his wrath does not abate until their enemy is ultimately vanquished. Does this sound familiar?
I encourage us to recognize our enemy Satan as a threat, and not be overconfident in our own abilities (eg. complacent or prideful). Yet, we should not fear Satan, for God is on our side and Jesus will ultimately crush the serpent’s head. Let’s submit to Christ our king, honoring and respecting Him, and He will grant us anything we ask (in alignment with God’s will).
Father God, our Redeemer and King, You protect us from the wily enemy who seeks to destroy our souls. Father please guide and deliver us, and keep us on guard for his trickery, that we would not be afraid. Jesus our King, You are our strong and noble Lord who vanquished our foe and snatched us from his clutches. We honor, glorify, praise, and worship You, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training