“보라 네 왕이 네게 임하시나니”(스가랴 9:9)

Esther Series (6)

“That Night”

Esther 6:1-14

This refers to the very night after Esther had hosted a banquet for the king and Haman. In verse 1, the king is unable to sleep following the banquet, and he suddenly has the chronicles of his reign read to him. While listening, he is reminded of the incident when Mordecai exposed a plot by two eunuchs to assassinate the king (2:21–23) (6:2). The king then asks whether Mordecai was ever rewarded for this, and learns that no reward had been given (6:3). At that very moment, Haman—who had come to seek permission to hang Mordecai—is waiting to meet the king (6:4–5). The king asks Haman, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” (6:6). Assuming the king is referring to him, Haman reveals his own ambitions by suggesting that the man be dressed in royal robes, placed on the king’s horse, and paraded through the streets with public proclamation (6:7–9). Then the king commands Haman to do exactly that—for Mordecai (6:10–11). Haman ends up honouring the very man he wanted to destroy.

If the king had not experienced sleeplessness that night...
If the chronicles had not been read...
If that specific event had not been recalled...
What would the king's mindset have been the next day, when Esther held her second banquet and brought up her request?

But that night, all these things happened. The king’s heart had already been prepared.
This was no coincidence—it was the hand of God.

Esther chapter 6 reminds us that while we may not know what the future holds, the Lord knows exactly what He will do, and He is constantly at work. God was working for Esther, for Mordecai, and for the Jewish people.

That night, Esther may also have had a sleepless night filled with concern.
But because she acted not for herself, but out of love for God and for her people, the Lord acted on her behalf.

God works for those who love Him (Romans 5:8), who wait on Him (Isaiah 64:4), and who walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Even in our worries and uncertainties, the Lord never stops working on our behalf.

1. Even at my limits, God is still working.

Discussion Questions:

• What is the most memorable work that God has done in your life?

• Was there a difficult night in your life when God gave you strength or comfort?
  Share how you experienced His help—whether it was through scripture, prayer, or the encouragement of others.

Application:

Even if it feels like we are in a “night” where we cannot see what’s ahead, let us trust in the Lord’s work.
Choose one small action (or restraint from an action) to faithfully practice this week, as a way of expressing trust in God. Through it, let’s expect to see how He works in our lives.