September 7, 2025 – The Day Courage Spoke Up” (Esther) – Esther 4:1–17; 5:1–8
Theme: Esther didn’t plan to be a hero — she just said “yes” when it mattered most. What will you do when it’s your turn to speak up?
In Esther 4, Mordecai learns of Haman’s plot to exterminate the Jews and urges Esther, the queen, to intervene with the king. Esther initially hesitates, citing the law forbidding uninvited access to the king, which could result in death. However, Mordecai convinces her of the urgency of the situation, suggesting her royal position might be divinely ordained for this purpose. Esther agrees to approach the king, but first asks Mordecai and the Jews to fast and pray for three days. In Esther 5:1-8, Esther, after fasting, presents herself before the king, who extends his golden scepter, indicating her life is spared. She then invites the king and Haman to a banquet. During the banquet, the king inquires about her request, but she defers revealing it until a second banquet the following day.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Esther 4:
Mordecai’s Distress:
Mordecai, upon learning of Haman’s decree to annihilate the Jews, goes into mourning and urges Esther to intercede with the king.
Esther’s Hesitation:
Esther initially resists, explaining the law forbidding uninvited access to the king, punishable by death.
Mordecai’s Challenge:
Mordecai challenges Esther, suggesting her current position might be for such a time as this, implying divine purpose.
Esther’s Decision:
Esther decides to act, but first calls for a three-day fast by all Jews in Susa, including herself and her maids.
Risk and Faith:
Esther’s decision to approach the king, despite the risk of death, demonstrates her courage and faith.
Esther 5:1-8:
Esther’s Audience: Esther, having fasted and prayed, approaches the king.
The King’s Favor: The king welcomes her, extending the golden scepter, signifying her safety.
First Banquet: Esther invites the king and Haman to a banquet.
Deferring the Request: Esther does not reveal her request at the first banquet, but instead invites them to another the next day.
Second Banquet Request: She defers her petition until the second banquet, promising to reveal it then.
Esther 4:1–17; 5:1–8
Esther 4:1–17
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Esther Agrees to Help the Jews
4 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes and went through the city, wailing with a loud and bitter cry; 2 he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 In every province, wherever the king’s command and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and most of them lay in sackcloth and ashes.
4 When Esther’s maids and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed; she sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. 5 Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs who had been appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what was happening and why. 6 Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate, 7 and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. 8 Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther, explain it to her, and charge her to go to the king to make supplication to him and to entreat him for her people.
9 Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and gave him a message for Mordecai: 11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that, if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law: to be put to death. Only if the king holds out the golden scepter to someone may that person live. I myself have not been called to come in to the king for thirty days.” 12 When they told Mordecai what Esther had said, 13 Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” 15 Then Esther said in reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” 17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.
Esther 5:1-8
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Esther’s Banquet
5 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, opposite the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne inside the palace opposite the entrance to the palace. 2 As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won his favor, and he held out to her the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the top of the scepter. 3 The king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even to half of my kingdom, it shall be given you.” 4 Then Esther said, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet that I have prepared for the king.” 5 Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther desires.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 6 While they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” 7 Then Esther answered, “This is my petition and request: 8 If I have won the king’s favor, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and then I will do as the king has said.”
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