What can we learn about courage from Esther's actions in Esther 7:5? Setting the Context • After fasting three days (Esther 4:16), Esther hosts two banquets for the king and Haman. • At the second banquet she finally exposes Haman’s plot to annihilate her people. • Esther 7:5 records the king’s stunned question right after her revelation: “King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, ‘Who is he, and where is the man who would presume to do this?’” Courage on Display at the Banquet • Esther speaks uninvited before the most powerful ruler on earth—a risk that once carried a death sentence (Esther 4:11). • She identifies herself with the condemned people, saying “we have been sold” (Esther 7:4), forfeiting any personal safety in the palace. • She directly implicates Haman, the king’s favored official, knowing it could appear as treason (Esther 7:6). • Her timing is Spirit-directed: only after prayer and fasting, only when the king’s heart is receptive (Proverbs 21:1). Key Dimensions of Esther’s Courage • Reliance on God, not self – Fasting shows dependence on divine intervention (Psalm 20:7). • Obedience over self-preservation – She honors her God-given role “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). • Truth spoken plainly – No half-measures; she names the threat without compromise (Ephesians 4:25). • Wisdom and patience – Two banquets give time for the king’s favor to deepen (Ecclesiastes 3:1). • Influence used righteously – Position is stewardship, not privilege (Luke 12:48). • Boldness that inspires others – Her stand sparks deliverance for the entire Jewish nation (Esther 9:1-2). • Confidence grounded in God’s sovereignty – “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1). Lessons for Believers Today • Pray first, act second—courage grows in communion with God (Philippians 4:6-7). • Speak truth even when it’s costly; silence can enable evil (Proverbs 31:8-9). • Know your calling and trust God with the outcome (Romans 8:28). • Use every platform—home, workplace, public office—to defend righteousness (Matthew 5:14-16). • Remember you never stand alone; the Lord goes with you (Joshua 1:9). |
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