1 So the king and Haman went to dine with Esther the queen, 2 and as they drank their wine on that second day, the king asked once more, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.”

3 Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request. 4 For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent, because no such distress would justify burdening the king.”

5 Then King Xerxes spoke up and asked Queen Esther, “Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?”

6 Esther replied, “The adversary and enemy is this wicked man—Haman!”

And Haman stood in terror before the king and queen.

7 In his fury, the king arose from drinking his wine and went to the palace garden, while Haman stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king was planning a terrible fate for him.

8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Would he actually assault the queen while I am in the palace?”

As soon as the words had left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

9 Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said: “There is a gallows fifty cubits high[B] at Haman’s house. He had it built for Mordecai, who gave the report that saved the king.”

“Hang him on it!” declared the king.

10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Susan Duc

In today’s passage, the evildoer Haman, who was already unsettled by recent events in the king’s court, is hurried off to Esther’s banquet. And there, for a third time, the king offers to grant Esther anything she asks for.

Esther isn’t aware that the tables had already been turning against Haman and, at risk to her life, bravely presents her petition. She chooses her words wisely – framing her request as a ‘distress call’ only the king could answer and riling him up in favour of her and her people. At that point, she points the finger at Haman, whose life is now at stake.

And so, Haman begs Esther to save him. But in a darkly comic scene, as the king returns from the garden, Haman falls on Esther and condemns himself. One of the attendants tells the king that Haman was planning to kill Mordecai, and so the gallows Haman had intended for Mordecai was used to hang him.

Today’s passage is a welcome reminder of God’s justice, particularly as we grieve the persecution of believers around the world – the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of justice (2 Peter 2:9).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan is our Women and children’s minister.

1 That night sleep escaped the king; so he ordered the Book of Records, the Chronicles, to be brought in and read to him. 2 And there it was found recorded that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the king’s entrance, when they had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.

3 The king inquired, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this act?”

“Nothing has been done for him,” replied the king’s attendants.

4 “Who is in the court?” the king asked.

Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had prepared for him. 5 So the king’s attendants answered him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.”

“Bring him in,” ordered the king.

6 Haman entered, and the king asked him, “What should be done for the man whom the king is delighted to honor?”

Now Haman thought to himself, “Whom would the king be delighted to honor more than me?”

7 And Haman told the king, “For the man whom the king is delighted to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe that the king himself has worn and a horse on which the king himself has ridden—one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Let the robe and the horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them array the man the king wants to honor and parade him on the horse through the city square, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man whom the king is delighted to honor!’”

10 “Hurry,” said the king to Haman, “and do just as you proposed. Take the robe and the horse to Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything that you have suggested.”

11 So Haman took the robe and the horse, arrayed Mordecai, and paraded him through the city square, crying out before him, “This is what is done for the man whom the king is delighted to honor!”

12 Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief.

13 Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun, is Jewish, you will not prevail against him—for surely you will fall before him.”

14 While they were still speaking with Haman, the king’s eunuchs arrived and rushed him to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Susan Duc

You might have heard the saying “all the world’s a stage and we are but actors in it.” We see this saying played out in today’s passage, where God’s invisible hand is clearly at work for the downfall of Haman.

There is obvious irony in the events which reverse Haman’s fortunes: the king’s insomnia, the king’s reading of a book which records Mordecai’s exposure of a plot against him, Haman’s appearance right after that, the king’s ambiguous question to Haman and Haman’s wrong assumption – all of this works against Haman and for Mordecai. And with this reversal in fortunes, God’s people can also hope. In God’s providence, he uses the initiative of Mordecai and Esther to punish Haman the evildoer and to protect his people.

The Bible presents this ‘coming together’ of human and divine activity at many points. At Pentecost, Peter tells the Jews that they had put Jesus to death, but only in accordance with God’s saving plan (Acts 2:22-23). Elsewhere, we are encouraged to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do (Eph 2:10). Praise the God whose ways are higher than ours, as we faithfully and obediently live out lives in accordance with his good and perfect will.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan is our Women and children’s minister.

1 On the third day, Esther put on her royal attire and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance.

2 As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

3 “What is it, Queen Esther?” the king inquired. “What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.”

4 “If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for the king.”

5 “Hurry,” commanded the king, “and bring Haman, so we can do as Esther has requested.”

So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 6 And as they drank their wine, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.”

7 Esther replied, “This is my petition and my request: 8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”

9 That day Haman went out full of joy and glad of heart. At the king’s gate, however, he saw Mordecai, who did not rise or tremble in fear at his presence. And Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.

10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. And calling for his friends and his wife Zeresh, 11 Haman recounted to them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored and promoted him over the other officials and servants.

12 “What is more,” Haman added, “Queen Esther invited no one but me to join the king at the banquet she prepared, and I am invited back tomorrow along with the king. 13 Yet none of this satisfies me as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, “Have them build a gallows fifty cubits high,[A] and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself.”

The advice pleased Haman, and he had the gallows constructed.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Susan Duc

Growing up in an Asian home, I always showered at night. I had ‘home clothes’ and always took my shoes off at the door. These were ‘protocols’ or rules that I had to follow as a member of the household.

Esther, as queen to the Persian king Xerxes, was well aware of the many protocols that shaped her life in the royal court. In today’s passage, Esther devises a plot, using the rules of court, to entice the king. If she fails, she dies and so do all her people. But…it works! The king extends his scepter toward Esther and asks for her request. But instead, Esther coyly invites him and Haman to feast with her – not once, but twice – sparking his curiosity and drawing him in.

In a world of political intrigue and to rescue her people, Esther is brave and shrewd in dealing with the king. Is shrewdness a bad trait? It can be. But Jesus taught the parable of the dishonest manager (Lk 16:1-13) and called his disciples to be ‘wise as serpents’ (Matt 10:16) so that we, like Esther, might be shrewd in our earthly dealings even as we set our mind on things above (Col 3:2).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan is our Women and children’s minister.

1 When Mordecai learned of all that had happened, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. 2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate.

3 In every province to which the king’s command and edict came, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

4 When Esther’s maidens and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, the queen was overcome with distress. She sent clothes for Mordecai to wear instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.

5 Then Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs appointed to her, and she dispatched him to Mordecai to learn what was troubling him and why. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square in front of the king’s gate, 7 and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money that Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury in order to destroy the Jews.

8 Mordecai also gave Hathach a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for the destruction of the Jews, to show and explain to Esther, urging her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead before him for her people.

9 So Hathach went back and relayed Mordecai’s response to Esther.

10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and instructed him to tell Mordecai, 11 “All the royal officials and the people of the king’s provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned—that he be put to death. Only if the king extends the gold scepter may that person live. But I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the past thirty days.”

12 When Esther’s words were relayed to Mordecai, 13 he sent back to her this reply: “Do not imagine that because you are in the king’s palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”

17 So Mordecai went and did all that Esther had instructed him.

REFLECTIONS

Written by James Davidson

Three things stand out to me from this chapter. Firstly, Mordecai’s faith is in God, not Esther. He is confident God will deliver his people without Esther if she remains silent. So our confidence should be in God, not in any human, no matter how impressive or powerful.

Secondly, Esther’s prayerful courage. She’s in the King’s bad books for some unknown reason. He hasn’t summoned her for the past thirty days. To approach the king without being summoned attracted the death penalty unless the king showed mercy. But she decided to do it anyway with no guarantee that she would come out alive. But it wasn’t a self-reliant courage, it was a God-reliant courage. She asked all the Jews to pray and fast for her for three days. May God give us such God-reliant courage when we are afraid.

And thirdly, God’s sovereign control of all events. Mordecai’s question to Esther gets to the heart of the book: ‘Who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’ That’s precisely what God has done. He has brought Esther to the throne at just the right time so she can save his people. The same is true in our lives. God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James is an Assistant Minister with our Bossley Park morning and Fairfield early congregations.

1 After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him to a position above all the princes who were with him. 2 All the royal servants at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded that this be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.

3 Then the royal servants at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the command of the king?”

4 Day after day they warned him, but he would not comply. So they reported it to Haman to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, since he had told them he was a Jew.

5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or pay him homage, he was filled with rage. 6 And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, he scorned the notion of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes.

7 In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the Pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman to determine a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar.

8 Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. 9 If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.”

10 So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11 “Keep your money,” said the king to Haman. “These people are given to you to do with them as you please.”

12 On the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal scribes were summoned and the order was written exactly as Haman commanded the royal satraps, the governors of each province, and the officials of each people, in the script of each province and the language of every people. It was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the royal signet ring.

13 And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month.

14 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued in every province and published to all the people, so that they would be ready on that day. 15 The couriers left, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion.

REFLECTIONS

Written by James Davidson

In this chapter we see the emergence of a powerful enemy of God’s people – Haman the Agagite, that is, a descendant of Agag. Agag was the king of the Amalekites whom King Saul had defeated centuries earlier. At that time, the prophet Samuel had executed King Agag. God had commanded Saul to destroy the Amalekites because they had attacked the Israelites in the desert when they first came out of Egypt and were exhausted. This explains Haman’s intense hatred of the Jews and why he wanted to destroy all of them in Xerxes’ kingdom. And because Haman was Xerxes’ trusted right hand man, he had the power to do it. This reminds us that we too have a powerful enemy – Satan. He prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. He is too powerful for us to fight on our own.  But when we resist him, firm in our trust in God to defeat him, he flees away.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James is an Assistant Minister with our Bossley Park morning and Fairfield early congregations.

15 Now Esther was the daughter of Abihail, the uncle from whom Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter. And when it was her turn to go to the king, she did not ask for anything except what Hegai, the king’s trusted official in charge of the harem, had advised. And Esther found favor in the eyes of everyone who saw her.

16 She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal palace in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

17 And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she found grace and favor in his sight more than all of the other virgins. So he placed the royal crown upon her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.

18 Then the king held a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his officials and servants. He proclaimed a tax holiday in the provinces and gave gifts worthy of the king’s bounty.

19 When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. 20 Esther still had not revealed her lineage or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed. She obeyed Mordecai’s command, as she had done under his care.

21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance, grew angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.

22 When Mordecai learned of the plot, he reported it to Queen Esther, and she informed the king on Mordecai’s behalf.

23 After the report had been investigated and verified, both officials were hanged on the gallows. And all this was recorded in the Book of the Chronicles in the presence of the king.

REFLECTIONS

Written by James Davidson

Two things stand out to me from this passage. Firstly, God is working out all things for the good of his people. He raises up Esther to be queen because he knows a great threat is coming to his people and his plan is to use Esther to save them. The same is true for each of us. God has placed each of us right where he wants us in order to work out his good purposes through us.

Secondly, in contrast to Queen Vashti, notice the sensible way Esther follows the advice of wise people and obeys those over her. She takes the advice of the king’s trusted official Hegai on what to take with her when it’s her turn to go to the king. And she obeys her adoptive father’s Mordecai’s command not to let on that she is a Jew. Let’s thank God for the wise people he has put over us and listen to their advice and obey them as appropriate.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James is an Assistant Minister with our Bossley Park morning and Fairfield early congregations.

1 Some time later, when the anger of King Xerxes had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done, and what had been decreed against her.

2 Then the king’s attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king, 3 and let the king appoint commissioners in each province of his kingdom to assemble all the beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the women, and let them be given beauty treatments. 4 Then let the young woman who pleases the king become queen in place of Vashti.”

This suggestion pleased the king, and he acted accordingly.

5 Now there was at the citadel of Susa a Jewish man from the tribe of Benjamin named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish. 6 He had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon among those taken captive with Jeconiah king of Judah.

7 And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah (that is, Esther), the daughter of his uncle, because she did not have a father or mother. The young woman was lovely in form and appearance, and when her father and mother had died, Mordecai had taken her in as his own daughter.

8 When the king’s command and edict had been proclaimed, many young women gathered at the citadel of Susa under the care of Hegai. Esther was also taken to the palace and placed under the care of Hegai, the custodian of the women. 9 And the young woman pleased him and obtained his favor, so he quickly provided her with beauty treatments and the special diet. He assigned to her seven select maidservants from the palace and transferred her with them to the best place in the harem.

10 Esther did not reveal her people or her lineage, because Mordecai had instructed her not to do so. 11 And every day Mordecai would walk back and forth in front of the court of the harem to learn about Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her.

12 In the twelve months before her turn to go to King Xerxes, the harem regulation required each young woman to receive beauty treatments with oil of myrrh for six months, and then with perfumes and cosmetics for another six months. 13 When the young woman would go to the king, she was given whatever she requested to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. 14 She would go there in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second harem under the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he delighted in her and summoned her by name.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Vincent Chan

Today we meet two of the other central characters: Esther and Mordecai. Two things stood out for me.

Firstly, many times we’re told that Esther was a beautiful looking woman. In fact, out of all the women that receive beauty treatment, Esther outshines them all in this beauty contest! That is no easy feat!

On the other hand we also meet Mordecai her adoptive father. The thing that stands out immediately is Mordecai’s wisdom. He recognises that their Jewish nationality might be a danger to them and shrewdly warns Esther not to reveal her nationality.

Wisdom and beauty are two things prized by this world. They aren’t bad things, but the wisdom and beauty that God values are different. It’s the wisdom to know that despite what may appear foolish to the world, the wisest thing is trusting in Jesus the crucified King. And rather than the outer beauty being the emphasis, what’s of even greater worth is the inner beauty of godliness.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vinno is an Assistant Minister with our Fairfield congregations.

13 Then the king consulted the wise men who knew the times, for it was customary for him to confer with the experts in law and justice. 14 His closest advisors were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom.

15 “According to law,” he asked, “what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey the command of King Xerxes delivered by the eunuchs?”

16 And in the presence of the king and his princes, Memucan replied, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the princes and the peoples in all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17 For the conduct of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.’

18 This very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard about the queen’s conduct will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in much contempt and wrath.

19 So if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree, and let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti shall never again enter the presence of King Xerxes, and that her royal position shall be given to a woman better than she. 20 The edict the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom—and so all women, from the least to the greatest, will honor their husbands.”

21 The king and his princes were pleased with this counsel; so the king did as Memucan had advised. 22 He sent letters to all the provinces of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be master of his own household.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Vincent Chan

Today’s passage continues to set the scene for the rest of the book. Although we get a range of characters so far, only King Xerxes will play a significant role in the following chapters. Unfortunately for Queen Vashti, this will be the end of us seeing her.

One thing that stood out for me was the dynamic of the King and Queen. It’s a side point of today’s passage, but I was struck by how difficult it is for women in many cultures. The wisemen think this is the best move to act decisively and heavy handedly so that wives will learn to honour their husband (vs. 20). Sadly, what we see in today’s chapter was perfectly normal back then and in many parts of the world today. The way that men ‘ruled’ their wives was through power and might.

The Christian marriage is called to something radically different. Because ultimately the true picture of marriage is of Jesus (the groom) and his church (the bride). Jesus loves his church and the way that he serves his church is by laying down his life for her. No wonder why in the Christian marriage, husbands are called to lead their wives, by service and laying down their lives (Ephesians 5:25). May we be reminded to look through our relationships today through the lens of Jesus.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vinno is an Assistant Minister with our Fairfield congregations.

Today, we begin a new Daily Devotion series in the book of Esther. This story takes place during the reign of King Xerxes, the ruler of the Persian Empire. The Jewish people had originally been exiled under Babylonian rule, but with Persia now in power, they found themselves living in uncertain times. As a minority group, they were often viewed with suspicion, raising difficult questions about God’s faithfulness: Would His chosen people survive? Was He still in control?

One of the most striking aspects of Esther is that God’s name is never mentioned—not even once! The people pray and fast, yet there are no direct references to God. However, this literary choice actually highlights a key theme of the book: God’s hiddenness does not mean His absence. Though His presence isn’t explicitly stated, His sovereignty is evident. Even in the midst of evil actions and powerful enemies, God is at work, orchestrating events in ways His people could never have expected.

But beyond its deep theological themes, Esther is also an incredibly engaging story. This ten-chapter narrative is filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing to the very end. In Jewish tradition, the book is often acted out, with audiences encouraged to “boo” at the villains! With that in mind, you may find it especially enjoyable to listen along to our podcast version as we journey through the book together.

1 This is what happened in the days of Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Cush. 2 In those days King Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa.

3 In the third year of his reign, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media were there, along with the nobles and princes of the provinces. 4 And for a full 180 days he displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness.

5 At the end of this time, in the garden court of the royal palace, the king held a seven-day feast for all the people in the citadel of Susa, from the least to the greatest. 6 Hangings of white and blue linen were fastened with cords of fine white and purple material to silver rings on the marble pillars. Gold and silver couches were arranged on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones.

7 Beverages were served in an array of goblets of gold, each with a different design, and the royal wine flowed freely, according to the king’s bounty. 8 By order of the king, no limit was placed on the drinking, and every official of his household was to serve each man whatever he desired.

9 Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.

10 On the seventh day, when the king’s heart was merry with wine, he ordered the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas— 11 to bring Queen Vashti before him, wearing her royal crown, to display her beauty to the people and officials. For she was beautiful to behold.

12 Queen Vashti, however, refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs. And the king became furious, and his anger burned within him.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Vincent Chan

Our reading today introduces us to King Xerxes and his wife, Queen Vashti. Xerxes was a powerful and influential ruler, but what we see in this opening chapter is his arrogance and egotism. He becomes furious when his unreasonable demands aren’t met, revealing a ruler who expects absolute obedience. In many ways, this was the norm for kings of that time—power was wielded to command and control.

This makes the contrast with Jesus all the more stunning. While Xerxes used his power for his own pride and pleasure, Jesus, though possessing absolute power, chose to use it to serve others. His rule is marked not by self-interest but by self-giving love.

As we explore Esther together, may we be reminded that even when God seems hidden, He is never absent. He is always at work, bringing about His purposes in ways we may not yet see.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vinno is an Assistant Minister with our Fairfield congregations.

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16 If a man consecrates to the LORD a parcel of his land, then your valuation shall be proportional to the seed required for it—fifty shekels of silver for every homer of barley seed. 17 If he consecrates his field during the Year of Jubilee, the price will stand according to your valuation.

18 But if he consecrates his field after the Jubilee, the priest is to calculate the price in proportion to the years left until the next Year of Jubilee, so that your valuation will be reduced. 19 And if the one who consecrated the field decides to redeem it, he must add a fifth to the assessed value, and it shall belong to him.

20 If, however, he does not redeem the field, or if he has sold it to another man, it may no longer be redeemed. 21 When the field is released in the Jubilee, it will become holy, like a field devoted to the LORD; it becomes the property of the priests.

22 Now if a man consecrates to the LORD a field he has purchased, which is not a part of his own property, 23 then the priest shall calculate for him the value up to the Year of Jubilee, and the man shall pay the assessed value on that day as a sacred offering to the LORD. 24 In the Year of Jubilee the field shall return to the one from whom it was bought—the original owner of the land. 25 Every valuation will be according to the sanctuary shekel, twenty gerahs to the shekel.

26 But no one may consecrate a firstborn of the livestock, because a firstborn belongs to the LORD. Whether it is an ox or a sheep, it is the LORD’s. 27 But if it is among the unclean animals, then he may redeem it according to your valuation and add a fifth of its value. If it is not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to your valuation.

28 Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD.

29 No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death.

30 Thus any tithe from the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. 31 If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value.

32 Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s rod will be holy to the LORD. 33 He must not inspect whether it is good or bad, and he shall not make any substitution. But if he does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute shall become holy; they cannot be redeemed.’”

34 These are the commandments that the LORD gave to Moses for the Israelites on Mount Sinai.

REFLECTIONS

Today’s passage ends with exceptions to yesterday’s rules on consecrating things to God. There were some consecrated things that could not be redeemed or bought back – they belonged to God completely and forever. And there were some things that couldn’t be devoted to God in the first place – because they already belonged to God, completely and forever.

After yesterday’s passage about thankful devotion to God, Leviticus’s last words made me realise something strange. My life is not something I can devote to God. I can’t decide one day, “Lord, for the next five whole years, I am going to devote my life completely to you.”

Because I am already his. You are already his. Completely and forever. Jesus has already consecrated us, completely and forever to God. “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body” (1 Cor. 6:19-20) – not for the next 5 years, but completely and forever.

You are wholly holy. Thank you, Lord Jesus!