Divine Reversals: When Favor Defeats the Plot

Be God's Glory
2 days ago
10 min read

Welcome to Day 130 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Esther. In Esther chapters 5 to 7, the tension of the story intensifies as Queen Esther courageously approaches King Xerxes to begin revealing the danger facing her people. She invites the king and the wicked Haman to a series of banquets, wisely delaying her request until the perfect moment. Meanwhile, divine intervention becomes evident when the king’s sleepless night leads to the honoring of Mordecai—unbeknownst to Haman, who had just planned his execution. Ironically, Haman’s pride leads to his humiliation, and ultimately his demise. The chapters climax with Esther’s bold revelation of Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews, prompting the king to act in righteous anger. These chapters powerfully showcase God’s providence, the danger of pride, and how courage paired with divine timing can shift the course of destiny.

In Esther 5, Queen Esther puts her life on the line by approaching King Xerxes without being summoned—an action that could have led to her death. However, she finds favor in his eyes, and he extends his golden scepter to her, signaling her safety. Instead of making her petition immediately, Esther wisely invites the king and Haman to a private banquet. At the banquet, she still does not reveal her true request but invites them to a second banquet the next day, building suspense and demonstrating strategic patience. Haman, thrilled by the exclusive invitation, leaves in high spirits, but his mood sours when he sees Mordecai refusing to honor him. Enraged, he consults his wife and friends, and they advise him to build a gallows to execute Mordecai—an idea Haman eagerly embraces, setting the stage for a dramatic reversal.

Esther 6 highlights God's providence working behind the scenes through what seems like a minor incident—a sleepless night. King Xerxes, unable to sleep, asks for the royal chronicles to be read to him and discovers that Mordecai had previously uncovered a plot to assassinate him but was never rewarded. Seeking to honor Mordecai, the king asks Haman for advice on how to celebrate someone the king desires to honor. Believing the honor is for himself, Haman describes an extravagant display of royal recognition, only to be horrified when he’s ordered to bestow it upon Mordecai. Humiliated, Haman obeys the command and parades Mordecai through the city, crushed by the very honor he hoped to receive. This chapter marks a pivotal turning point as Haman begins to lose his standing and favor, and divine justice begins to unfold.

Esther 7 delivers the powerful climax of the narrative. At the second banquet, Queen Esther finally reveals her petition, courageously exposing Haman’s plot to annihilate her people. She identifies herself as a Jew and pleads for her life and the lives of her people, stunning the king with the shocking revelation. Furious and confused, King Xerxes steps out to process the news, and when he returns, he finds Haman falling on the couch where Esther is reclining, appearing to assault her. This seals Haman’s fate. The king orders Haman to be executed immediately—ironically on the very gallows Haman had built for Mordecai. The chapter concludes with justice served and the enemy of the Jews destroyed, demonstrating how God can orchestrate a complete reversal of fate through faithful obedience and bold action.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name Esther is of Persian origin, likely derived from the word “star” (Persian: “Setareh” or Babylonian: “Ishtar”, a goddess associated with love and war). Esther’s Hebrew name was Hadassah, which means “myrtle tree”, a symbol of peace and righteousness. Her Persian name, Esther, reflects her assimilation into the Persian royal court while concealing her Jewish identity—an important element in the story’s unfolding.

Purpose of the Book:

The Book of Esther was written to celebrate God’s providential protection of His people, even in exile, and to explain the origin of the Jewish festival of Purim, which commemorates their deliverance from annihilation. Although God's name is never explicitly mentioned, His unseen hand is evident throughout the narrative—revealing His sovereignty in every twist of fate, hidden identity, and bold act of courage. The book emphasizes themes of divine timing, courage, identity, and faithful obedience in the face of danger.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The author of Esther is anonymous, but Jewish tradition and several scholars attribute it to Mordecai, one of the key figures in the story. The reasons supporting this view include:

Firsthand knowledge of Persian customs and court details, including specific names and laws (Esther 1:1–8, 10:1–3).
The book concludes with the mention of Mordecai’s acts being written down in the chronicles of the Medes and Persians (Esther 10:2), which could indicate the author’s involvement in recording history.
The detailed knowledge of Mordecai’s genealogy (Esther 2:5–6) and his emotions suggest an insider’s perspective.

Extra-biblical references:

The Talmud (Babylonian Talmud, Baba Batra 15a) credits Mordecai (possibly with the help of the Men of the Great Assembly) as the author of Esther.
Early Jewish commentators and Josephus, the 1st-century Jewish historian, affirm the historical accuracy of the events in Esther (see Antiquities of the Jews, Book 11, Chapters 6–7).

Although the book is not quoted in the New Testament, it was accepted into the Jewish canon and celebrated through the annual Feast of Purim, which is still observed today.

Key People:

Esther (Hadassah): A young Jewish woman who becomes Queen of Persia and courageously risks her life to save her people.
Mordecai: Esther’s cousin and guardian; a faithful Jew who uncovers a royal assassination plot and stands against Haman.
King Xerxes (Ahasuerus): The Persian king who deposes Queen Vashti and later elevates Esther, unaware of her Jewish heritage.
Haman the Agagite: The king’s advisor who becomes the antagonist, seeking to destroy all Jews out of hatred for Mordecai.
Queen Vashti: The former queen who defies the king’s order, creating the vacancy that Esther eventually fills.

Conclusion

The Book of Esther is a powerful story of divine intervention without direct mention of God, showing how He works behind the scenes through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary deliverance. It reminds readers of the importance of courage, identity, and standing for truth even when it’s costly. The narrative celebrates the resilience of the Jewish people and introduces Purim as a joyful reminder of God’s faithfulness. Esther's bold stand reminds us that we are often placed in certain positions and moments “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14)—to fulfill divine purpose, even when the risks are great and God seems silent.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

Ester 5: Though God's name is not directly mentioned in Esther 5, His character is seen through His providence, wisdom, and favor. Esther’s bold approach to the king and his immediate favor toward her is evidence of God's unseen hand guiding hearts and situations. God demonstrates that He is a God of timing, strategy, and protection—working behind the scenes to bring deliverance for His people. He gives courage to the fearful and wisdom to those who wait on Him.

There are no specific Hebrew names of God mentioned in this chapter. However, God's lesson in Esther 5 is clear: sometimes the most powerful actions are done through patience and wisdom, not haste. Esther models courage that is balanced by discernment, showing us that God leads us to act at the right time. When we seek Him in prayer and trust His leading, He prepares both the moment and the heart.

In Esther 6, God’s character is revealed through divine orchestration and justice. A sleepless night and an old record of loyalty become instruments in God's plan to honor Mordecai. The irony and reversal in Haman’s humiliation showcase God's ability to exalt the humble and bring down the proud. Even without His name being spoken, His justice, sovereignty, and faithfulness are on full display.

No Hebrew names of God are directly mentioned in this chapter, but God is clearly acting as El Elyon (God Most High) in function, orchestrating events that no human could have planned. The lesson here is that God sees the faithful and remembers their deeds, even when others forget. He is always working—even in silence or in the night—to ensure that His purposes prevail. We are reminded to trust His timing, knowing He will honor faithfulness in His perfect way.

In Esther 7, God’s justice and sovereignty are evident as He brings evil to light and brings down the oppressor. Esther’s boldness and Haman’s exposure reveal God’s hand of righteousness and deliverance. God is a defender of the oppressed, and He empowers His people to speak truth with courage. His justice is perfect, and His timing never fails.

Though no Hebrew names of God are mentioned in this chapter, God's character as a righteous judge is powerfully illustrated. He teaches us that while evil may seem to thrive for a time, it will ultimately fall under His justice. He honors those who stand for truth, even at great personal cost. In Esther’s courage and Haman’s fall, we are reminded that God will always defend His people and turn the plans of the enemy for their good.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

How is God’s providence revealed in Esther’s favor with the king even though His name is not mentioned?
In what ways do we see God orchestrating events behind the scenes in Esther 5–7?
What does Esther 6 teach us about God's faithfulness to those who act with integrity and courage?
How does God’s justice unfold throughout the narrative, especially in the downfall of Haman?
How does God show Himself as a defender of the righteous even in a hostile and godless environment?
What attributes of God’s character are revealed through Esther’s courage and patience?
How can we trust in God’s sovereignty when He appears to be silent in our circumstances?

Questions About Themes:

How does the theme of divine reversal appear throughout Esther 5–7?
What role does courage play in Esther’s decision-making, and how is it rewarded?
How does the story highlight the danger of pride, especially in the life of Haman?
What do these chapters teach about timing and wisdom when confronting injustice?
How does Esther model strategic intercession for her people?
How is the theme of honor and humiliation used to contrast Mordecai and Haman?
What does the progression of events teach us about trusting God's plan rather than rushing into action?

Reflective Application Questions:

When have you needed to take a courageous step like Esther, and how did God meet you in that moment?
Are there areas in your life where you need to wait on God's timing instead of acting hastily?
How do you respond when others are honored while you feel overlooked—what can you learn from Mordecai’s patience?
Are there any prideful attitudes or ambitions you need to surrender to God, as seen in Haman’s downfall?
How can you be an advocate or intercessor for others in your family, community, or workplace?
In what ways can you trust that God is working behind the scenes in situations where you don’t currently see Him?
What does Esther’s story teach you about the power of preparation, prayer, and trusting God’s purpose in your life?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans