May 17. 2025-Meditation, Esther 5:1–14 Esther Approaches the King

With the resolve of “If I perish, I perish,” Esther stood before the king. To stand before the king without being summoned was to risk death. However, the path God had prepared for her was not death—it was favor in the king’s eyes.

In verse 2, it says:

“When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter.” (Esther 5:2, NASB)

The king extended the golden scepter to Queen Esther. The golden scepter was a rod the king carried, symbolizing royal authority. By extending it to Esther, the king was showing that he accepted her—that he chose her. Instead of being put to death for approaching unsummoned, she was chosen by the king.

Earlier in verse 2, it says Esther was “pleasing” in the king’s eyes. The original Hebrew word used here for “pleasing” is ḥen (חֵן), which means grace or favor. It is followed by the word nasa (נָשָׂא), which means to lift up. Literally, it means “to lift up grace.” This phrase implies that Esther appeared in such a way that inspired the king to show grace and mercy to her.

Though the king held absolute authority at the time, and Esther’s action was punishable, the king instead responded with mercy. This wasn’t because of Esther’s outward beauty alone—it was because God was with her.

In our lives, when we face difficulties, we pray to God. Yet sometimes, even while praying, we feel like there is no answer, no way forward. We ask ourselves, “Is there an answer?” “Is there a way?” And truly, there may be no way—no solution. But when God acts, everything changes. If God chooses to work, then no situation is truly impossible. There is no such thing as “no way” or “no answer” when God is involved. This is exactly what we see in today’s story through Esther.

After receiving grace and mercy from the king, Esther does not immediately present her request. Instead, she invites the king to a banquet—twice.

In verse 4, she says:

“If it pleases the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.” (Esther 5:4)

And later, during that banquet, she makes another request:

“If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and do what I request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king says.” (Esther 5:8)

She says, “Please come again tomorrow.” Why didn’t Esther immediately state her request? Why risk the chance that the king might not return the next day?

This is something worth pondering. After the first banquet, Esther must have continued praying—more earnestly than before. And behind her were fellow Jews, interceding in prayer on her behalf.

When we pray and wait for God's work, we sometimes receive a subtle sense in our hearts—“Not now, but later.” This kind of conviction does not come from mysticism or magical voices. It is a quiet confidence given by God to those who pray.

That’s why we must pray—especially in moments when there seems to be no way and no answer. Precisely because there seems to be no way, we must pray even more. In doing so, we must remember that all answers and all paths are made by God.

May we live out our faith by praying through difficult times, experiencing firsthand how God creates a way and reveals the answers in His perfect timing.