Esther 7
Job 7 describes Job pleading his suffering to God. Job laments that human life is short and full of misery (verses 1-6), portraying pain that does not let up day or night. He then confesses that his life is fleeting (verses 7-10) and tells God his situation in detail. Finally, he asks God questions directly and deeply considers the reasons for what he is experiencing and his relationship with God (verses 11-21).
1verseSo the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.
2verseThe king said again to Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition, queen Esther? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.”
3verseThen Esther the queen answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.
4verseFor we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for male and female slaves, I would have held my peace, although the adversary could not have compensated for the king’s loss.”
5verseThen King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen, “Who is he, and where is he who dared presume in his heart to do so?”
6verseEsther said, “An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman!” Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.
7verseThe king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden. Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen, for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
8verseThen the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman had fallen on the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, “Will he even assault the queen in front of me in the house?” As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.
9verseThen Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were with the king, said, “Behold, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman has made for Mordecai, who spoke good for the king, is standing at Haman’s house.” The king said, “Hang him on it!”
10verseSo they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath was pacified.
Structure and Flow
- Verses 1-6: A description of human life and the depth of suffering
- Verses 7-10: Lamenting the fleetingness and futility of life
- Verses 11-21: Questions and pleas to God, confession regarding his own sin and righteousness
Overall Meaning
Job 7 deals deeply with human limitations, suffering, and the despair felt within it. In his affliction, Job raises questions about God’s silence and an incomprehensible reality, and he makes a heartfelt confession of human weakness and the emptiness of life. This represents the kinds of hardships we all can experience and the religious struggle that comes with them. Job seeks answers, but through honest conversation with God in which he reveals his heart, he makes us rethink the relationship between humans and God.
Meditation Points
- In the face of suffering in every life, we can think about what kind of attitude we should bring as we come to God.
- We can meditate that, just as Job reveals his honest heart and thoughts before God, laying them open before God is one aspect of faith.
- Even in suffering, it leads us to consider an attitude of holding on to our relationship with God and acknowledging our own limitations and weakness.
Applying It to Me
Through this chapter, you can find the courage to come to God honestly about your life and your suffering, and to ask God questions and pray even in situations you cannot understand. Also, rather than becoming discouraged in the face of life’s emptiness or your limitations, you can be challenged to live a life that seeks God more and keeps your faith.
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