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Sleepless in Susa




Esther

Weekly Reading

Week 6 – Chapter  



Read Chapter 6 - Mordecai Honored

Chapter 6 brings back to our attention the incident of the conspiracy to kill the king in chapter 2. The king was unable to sleep that night and asked for his history to be read to him. It seems he just “happened” to hear the part about the plot to take his life and how Mordecai had saved his life. He asked what had been done to reward Mordecai. His servants replied that nothing had been done.

Who should be outside waiting to see the king that morning but evil Haman, who was plotting to kill Mordecai! So, when the king called Haman to come in, the two men had totally opposite plans in mind.

The king asked Haman what should be done to someone the king wanted to honor. Of course, in his pride, Haman thought the king was talking about him. So he said that such a person should be treated like royalty and honored by a high official announcing, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!” (verse 9).

Imagine Haman’s surprise when the king assigned him to honor his archenemy Mordecai (verses 10-12)! All sorts of things are happening in the heavenlies around us.

The sixth chapter is “the hinge of the story of Esther.” God appoints or allows circumstances (often crises) in our lives to redirect our paths.

Going Deeper          Proverbs 26:27, Isaiah 52:1-2
             
Questions

Verse 1 begins with the words, “That night.” Glance back at the previous chapter. What night was it?

What did the king request since he couldn’t sleep?

Why this night of all night was Xerxes’ memory jarred?

Describe a time when you knew God Strategically timed something you read or heard.

Why had Haman come to the king’s court? Providence is at work all around us.

What did the king as Haman (v. 6)? Write the exact words Haman “thought to himself.”

What suggestions did Haman present to King Xerxes?  List every suggestion Haman presented to the King. How many times die Haman use the words “king” or royal?

What phrases out of the king’s mouth included the word “you” in reference to Haman (6:10-11)?

What reason did Zeresh and Haman’s friends/adviser give for his certain demise (v. 13)


Just to know we are significant to God and He’s willing to orchestrate a holy set-up to speak to us is monumental to every woman who ever feared she was invisible or unremarkable.

Click here for printable version of Week 6.


Cheryl


Comments

  1. This chapter is full of "but for" plus "selfish indulgence" resulting in inevitable negative consequences. The worth of Haman was negligible compared to the worth of Mordecai. Haman's worth was in his mind and Mordecai's worth was in his deeds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haman was a man full of himself, full of selfish ambition or as you say "selfish indulgence." Our true worth is found only in the Lord and by His grace we are treasures.

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