DAY THREE: The Shocking Accusation

Please carefully read Esther 7:5—6 and answer the following questions.

1.  What was Ahasuerus’ shocked response to this threat to his beloved queen (v. 5)?

2.  The phrase dare to presume in his heart meant he filled his heart with such an idea.[vii][vii]  Ahasuerus was shocked to know that there was such an evil traitor who would seek to kill his queen.  There would later be another traitor with even more wicked intentions, yet was influenced by the same ultimate enemy.  Who was this, and what led him to fill his heart to do such a thing (John 13:21—30)?

3.  No doubt there were further moments of silence before Esther responded.  Who did she accuse of such a thing, and what was the reaction (v. 6)?

NOTE: Terrified means to be overtaken with a sudden dread and terror; this word described the strongest form of being intimidated.[viii][viii]

4.  We too face a wicked adversary who hates Christ in us, and will do all he can to destroy us or make us ineffective for God’s kingdom.  Interestingly, the Hebrew word for adversary meant literally a narrow man; this described a personal foe, adversary, or oppressor.[ix][ix]  How do the following passages describe how we can face such a foe and walk in bold victory, not in cowardly hiding away or in sad defeat?

            2 Corinthians 4:2; 10:3—5

            Ephesians 6:10—13

            1 Peter 1:13—15; 5:8, 9

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.

Do not be deceived, God is not ____________________; for whatever a man sows, that he will also ____________________. For he who sows to his ___________________ will of the flesh reap _____________________________, but he who sows to the __________________ will of the Spirit ________________ everlasting life.  Galatians 6:7—8 (nkjv)