When Esther was standing in the presence of her enemy, how can we apply this section to our life applications today?
Esther 5:1 - 8
ESV - 1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, in front of the king's quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. 2 And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
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Asked September 17 2013
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allison golden
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Kelli Trujillo
Supporter
Esther is one of my favorite books in the Bible! Here is what Matthew Henry's Commentary says about this passage: "Esther having had power with God, and prevailing, like Jacob, had power with men too. He that will lose his life for God, shall save it, or find it in a better life. The king encouraged her. "Let us from this be encouraged to pray always to our God, and not to faint. Esther came to a proud, imperious man; but we come to the God of love and grace. She was not called, but we are; the Spirit says, Come, and the Bride says, Come. "She had a law against her, we have a promise, many a promise, in favour of us; Ask, and it shall be given you. She had no friend to go with her, or to plead for her; on the contrary, he that was then the king's favourite, was her enemy; but we have an Advocate with the Father, in whom he is well pleased. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace." My thoughts: A few things should be clarified here: 1) Esther wasn't necessarily standing in the presence of a personal enemy in this passage, but she was indeed standing in the presence of a man (her husband, the king) who was immoral, godless, self-serving, and indifferent to the condition and plight of her people. He had been foolishly persuaded by an evil man, Haman, who hated the Jews and wanted to annihilate them (See Esther 3). 2) This passage can serve as a model for us in some ways, but it has limitations. For example, the bravery of Esther in the face of very possible peril and her resolve to face her own possible death for the sake of saving her people demonstrates godly, Christlike character that should inspire us even today to lay down our lives for others. Also, the fact that she had such favor with the king that he extended the golden scepter to her and spared her life is a picture of the heart of God toward us and his desire to bestow favor and life everlasting on His children. However, God is by no means our enemy, as was the king in this passage. Rather, Satan and our sin nature are the enemies that we battle in the Spirit; Esther's enemy was flesh and blood, but ours are powers and principalities set against us by Satan (Eph. 6:12). 3) Esther did not shrink in fear or draw back, but found confidence in her God as she made her plea to the king. We can learn from her example to be bold and confident that our God is for us, no matter what our circumstances.
Chris Eleam
Consider the Bible example of Queen Esther. Although physically beautiful, she was modest and submissive. (Esther 2:13, 15) When married, she showed deep respect for her husband, King Ahasuerus, unlike the king’s former wife, Vashti. (Esther 1:10-12; 2:16, 17) Esther also respectfully deferred to Mordecai, her older cousin, on appropriate matters—even after she became queen. But she was no weakling! She boldly exposed Haman, a powerful and ruthless man who plotted to annihilate the Jews. Jehovah used Esther mightily for the preservation of his people.—Esther 3:8–4:17; 7:1-10; 9:13.
Leon Penny
We are always in the presence of the enemy. Satan is ever present prowling to devour us. Use the whole armour of God, and keep your mind on Him and you'll be kept in perfect peace.
Ato Incoom
Esther's boldness indicates that even in the mist of stormy weather God is always with us, so far as we continue to do HIS will. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I do not fear any evil.
Jack Gutknecht
God was still on the throne “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will” (Prov. 21:1; see Ezra 6:22). The sovereign God was in control. This does NOT mean that we do nothing, but that we must be WILLING to act. And then God WILL work through us!
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