Esther's Courage

In this eighth message from Esther we see her courageously take the lead by giving INSTRUCTIONS to Mordecai. Her orders were for Mordecai to prepare all the Jews in Susa by gathering them for a three day fast. Once fasting, she would go in to the king to appeal for the deliverance of her people - if she died, then she died. Mordecai went away and carefully obeyed the commands of his queen. On the third day, Esther made preparations by putting on her royal robes and taking her stand in the inner court of the king - a very risky undertaking. Once seeing Esther, the king immediately held out his golden scepter, granting her permission to approach him. When the king probed into Esther's reason for a personal visit, her proposal was a special INVITATION to the king and Haman to come that day for a banquet. At the banquet the king made a promise to grant Esther's petition - to half of his kingdom. Her response was to once again extend an INVITATION to both the king and Haman to come to another banquet, the next day, where she would finally reveal her petition.