Esther Chapter 7

We now come to the climax of Haman’s wicked plan.

But instead of Mordecai hanging on the gallows, it was Haman, himself, who ended up hanging there.

So what did I learn from today’s chapter?

Wisdom from God

Now Esther had come up with the idea of the banquet to bring the petition before the king. But this plan was made only after the Jews had fasted and prayed over it (Esther 4:16-17).

Noticed Esther did not immediately accuse Haman on the 1st day of the banquet. It was only on the 2nd day when the king invited Esther to present her petition did Esther pour out what was deeply troubling her.

I am sure Esther must have been super anxious but bided her time, with what must have been the wisdom that came from God.

What about us? When faced with super challenging times, do we rush around like a headless chicken, calling out to God but at the same time, frantically searching for plans, and ways to resolve the matter?

The steps taken by Esther were very important.

First, she fasted (and prayed). Not only herself but her maids and all the Jews were called to do the same. (Esther 4:15-16).

Then, when the king granted Esther an audience with him and promised to give her anything (up to half his kingdom – Esther 5:3), she did not immediately blurt out that Haman wanted to have all the Jews destroyed – possibly including her as she was one as well. I am sure her heart must have been exploding when she was before the king and saw Haman there.

But she kept her peace and went ahead with her plan of the banquet.

It might seem a coincidence but when God acts, every puzzle piece would fall into place.

In the period between her request in Chapters 5 and 7, there was this incident where the king was reminded of what Mordecai did. And with it, a reminder of who the Jews were and what a Jew did for him.

Fresh with that reminder, the feast started.

But only on the 2nd day, did Esther find the right opportunity to petition to the king. When Haman’s evil plot was revealed, the king exploded in anger and went to the garden to consider what to do. And in trying to plead for his life with Esther, it was seen as if he was assaulting the queen.

That was the last straw and Haman was hung on the very same gallows he built for Mordecai.

I truly believed that this wisdom of knowing when to act came from God to Esther. There is a difference between earthly wisdom and wisdom that comes from above.

Haman was full of earthly wisdom. That was why he was able to rise to the 2nd in command in the kingdom and come up with all these ideas on the annihilation of the Jews.

But Esther’s wisdom was from above.

James 3:13-18 seems to capture this contrast between Esther and Haman very well…

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. ¹⁸ Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Haman’s wisdom was earthly, sensual, demonic, envious, self-seeing and every evil thing there is.

Esther’s was pure, gentle, willing to yield etc.

How can we be like Esther today and receive this heavenly wisdom?

James 1:5-6
⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 

We can ask from God. And ask it in faith.

May all of us gain wisdom that comes from God.

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