Text: Esther 7:1-7 International Children’s Bible (ICB)
7 So the king and Haman went in to eat with Queen Esther. 2 They were drinking wine. And the king said to Esther on this second day also, “What are you asking for? I will give it to you. What is it you want? I will give you as much as half of my kingdom.”
3 Then Queen Esther answered, “My king, I hope you are pleased with me. If it pleases you, let me live. This is what I ask. And let my people live, too. This is what I want. 4 I ask this because my people and I have been sold to be destroyed. We are to be killed and completely wiped out. If we had been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet. That would not be enough of a problem to bother the king.”
5 Then King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he? Who has done such a thing?”
6 Esther said, “A man who is against us! Our enemy is this wicked Haman!”
Then Haman was filled with terror before the king and queen. 7 The king was very angry. He got up, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman stayed inside to beg Queen Esther to save his life. He could see that the king had already decided to kill him.
Reflection: The story of Esther is a one of the Bible’s many soap operas that includes a sneaky bad guy, a heroine who risks her life, and a wise old man who helps expose the mischief. Today’s passage is toward the end of the story. Esther finally confronts the king and Haman about the genocide of the Jewish people that Haman had been planning. Esther’s bravery is commemorated with a Jewish celebration that occurs annually. Have you ever had to do anything brave?
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for stories of brave people who took risks to make a difference bigger than themselves! Amen.
Focus for the Day: Bravery
Author: Rachel Dudley, Director of Children’s Ministry