Nehemiah 5
In Esther chapter 5, the story unfolds around how Esther courageously approaches the king in the face of a national crisis. In this chapter, it shows how, amid intense tension, Esther’s resolve and wisdom—and her actions after the fasting she offered to God—begin to take shape.
1verseThen there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brothers the Jews.
2verseFor there were some who said, “We, our sons and our daughters, are many. Let us get grain, that we may eat and live.”
3verseThere were also some who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses. Let us get grain, because of the famine.”
4verseThere were also some who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute using our fields and our vineyards as collateral.
5verseYet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children as their children. Behold, we bring our sons and our daughters into bondage to be servants, and some of our daughters have been brought into bondage. It is also not in our power to help it, because other men have our fields and our vineyards.”
6verseI was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
7verseThen I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them, “You exact usury, everyone of his brother.” I held a great assembly against them.
8verseI said to them, “We, after our ability, have redeemed our brothers the Jews that were sold to the nations; and would you even sell your brothers, and should they be sold to us?” Then they held their peace, and found not a word to say.
9verseAlso I said, “The thing that you do is not good. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?
10verseI likewise, my brothers and my servants, lend them money and grain. Please let us stop this usury.
11versePlease restore to them, even today, their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, that you are charging them.”
12verseThen they said, “We will restore them, and will require nothing of them. We will do so, even as you say.” Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise.
13verseAlso I shook out my lap, and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that doesn’t perform this promise; even may he be shaken out and emptied like this.” All the assembly said, “Amen,” and praised the LORD. The people did according to this promise.
14verseMoreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brothers have not eaten the bread of the governor.
15verseBut the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, plus forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people, but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God.
16verseYes, I also continued in the work of this wall. We didn’t buy any land. All my servants were gathered there to the work.
17verseMoreover there were at my table, of the Jews and the rulers, one hundred fifty men, in addition to those who came to us from among the nations that were around us.
18verseNow that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep. Also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days a store of all sorts of wine. Yet for all this, I didn’t demand the governor’s pay, because the bondage was heavy on this people.
19verseRemember me, my God, for all the good that I have done for this people.
Esther’s Risky Decision and Going to the King’s Residence
After her fasting was over, Esther stands in the courtyard inside the king’s palace. According to the laws of ancient Persia, anyone who approached the king without being summoned could risk being put to death. However, Esther goes before the king, risking her own life. The scene where the king holds out the golden scepter is a positive response to Esther’s courage, marking a turning point in her fate.
Esther’s First Banquet and a Wise Approach
Rather than stating her request immediately, Esther instead invites the king and Haman to a banquet. And even at the banquet, she invites them again, once more, thereby postponing her request while also drawing attention and creating an atmosphere of tension. Through this, Esther demonstrates carefulness and wisdom.
Haman’s Pride and Resentment
Haman considers it a great honor that he has been invited to Esther’s banquet together with the king. However, he becomes furious when he sees Mordecai at the palace gate who does not bow to him. Haman takes his wife’s and friends’ advice and sets up a gallows to hang Mordecai. This shows Haman’s pride and wicked intentions.
Meditation Points
- Esther’s courage and wisdom prompt us to think about how we should act carefully in times of crisis.
- You can reflect on what attitude the Jewish people should have when facing a crisis, and consider your posture of faith and life.
- Through Haman’s attitude, you can examine how someone else’s approval or a self-centered heart can lead to wrong choices.
Apply It to Yourself
- When faced with an important decision, how courageously—and how carefully—I act?
- You can check whether you are approaching the situation with wisdom and love, not with my own selfishness or pride.
- As you review your actions and attitude in the face of crisis or fear, think about where the source you rely on really is.
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