...prevail

“If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. 7 King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have hanged him on the gallows. 8 Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring– for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.” (NIV) Esther 8:5, 7-8

Haman, an official in the Persian Empire, receives the authority from King Xerxes to destroy all the Jews in kingdom. When Mordecai hears of the plot, he sends word to Queen Esther. It seems that they are backed into a corner. But, never underestimate the significance of one trying to make a difference!

After 3 days of fasting and praying Esther approaches the king. “On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” (Esther 5:1-3). Esther requests that the king and Haman come to a banquet that night and the following evening.

The first evening the king is sleepless. He has the official court records read to him and realizes that Mordecai has never been honored for discovering an assassination plot against the king. And then the plot intensifies at Esther’s second banquet.

Esther 7:1 So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther, 2 and as they were drinking wine on that second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life– this is my petition. And spare my people– this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”

5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?”

6 Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. . . .9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A gallows seventy-five feet high stands by Haman’s house. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.” The king said, “Hang him on it!” 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided. (NIV)

Don’t ever question who is in control! Whether you see God’s hand visibly at work or not, His plans and purposes always prevail!

-murji kruger