Esther Chapter 5:1-8 – The Bold Queen

Esther, the brave queen, had prepared herself for three days through fasting and prayer. Now, it was time for her to take a big risk. On the third day, she dressed in her finest royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, hoping to catch the king’s attention. This was dangerous! The king hadn’t summoned her, and appearing before him uninvited could mean death.

The King’s Favour

But God was with Esther. The king saw her and was pleased. He held out his golden sceptre, a sign of his favour and acceptance. Esther touched the sceptre, relieved that she was safe. The king asked her what she wanted, even offering her half of his kingdom! Instead of immediately revealing her problem, Esther invited the king and Haman, the king’s advisor who hated the Jews, to a banquet she had prepared. This showed her wisdom; she knew she needed to build trust and choose the right moment to reveal her true purpose.

Study Questions

1. Courage and Risk: Why do you think Esther was willing to risk her life to go before the king? What does this teach us about courage and following God’s plan even when it’s scary?
2. God’s Timing: Why didn’t Esther immediately tell the king her problem? How does this show the importance of waiting for God’s timing?
3. Wisdom and Strategy: How did Esther use wisdom and strategy in her approach to the king? What can we learn from her example about approaching difficult situations?
4. Faith and Prayer: How do you think Esther’s faith and prayer helped her during this time? How can we apply this to our own lives when facing challenges?

Key Takeaway

Esther’s story reminds us that even when facing impossible situations, we can trust God to guide us and give us courage. It’s also important to remember that wisdom, strategy, and timing can play a crucial role in achieving our goals. Most importantly, faith and prayer are powerful tools that can help us overcome any obstacle.