DAY THREE: An Unexpected Banquet
Please carefully read Esther 5:6-8 and answer the following questions.
1. The main idea behind the word used for banquet was that it wasn’t just a special meal prepared for an honored guest, but implied drinking was involved, as we saw in the beginning of Esther.[1][v] No wonder Ahasuerus and Haman, old drinking buddies, high-tailed it over there! The wine would be served after the meal typically.[1][vi] What did Ahasuerus ask Esther at that time, no doubt in front of Haman (v. 6)?
2. Esther then made her petition and request. What was it (v. 7)?
3. Perhaps as Esther said that she would answer the king’s question the next day, she communicated through her eyes as couples do that there was something hidden of great importance, so of course Ahasuerus agreed to have them come the next day again. We don’t know Ahasuerus’ thoughts about this, but perhaps he pondered late into the night, which led to the events beginning our next chapter. How did Esther serve as a fulfillment of the principle behind what we read in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17?
4. Did you know that a banquet is being prepared for you? Not a booze party, but a great feast being prepared by our Lord Himself! One day you will hear a heavenly cry, “Come, for all things are now ready” (Luke 14:17, nkjv) as you are summoned to the marriage supper He has prepared for you as His bride. What are some things Isaiah 25:6-9 beautifully describes about the events of that awesome feast?
Scripture Memory: Try to fill in the missing words in the blanks below, by memory if at all possible, and then review the passage several times today.
But without ________________ it is impossible to _______________________ Him, for he who comes to God must ___________________ that He is, and that He is a ________________________ of those who ___________________________ seek Him. Hebrews 11:6, nkjv
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© 2005 by Harvest Christian Fellowship. All rights reserved. Written by Thomas Klock for Men’s Bible Fellowship, 2004-2005.