Bible Trivia

Bible Trivia

Bible Trivia

How long did Esther fast for before going to see the king?

Esther's fast before she approached King Xerxes is a pivotal moment not just in the book named after her, but in the narrative of the Jewish people. The three days and nights she fasted weren’t just about abstaining from food; they symbolized deep prayer and earnest supplication to God for protection and success. In the cultural context of ancient Persia, fasting often accompanied seeking divine favor or guidance—an earnest plea during a time of imminent danger.

Interestingly, it’s common in many biblical accounts for significant decisions or dangerous ventures to be paired with fasting. For instance, Moses voted for fasting when he went up to Mount Sinai, set aside for communing with God, and even David exemplified this when pleading for the life of his child (2 Samuel 12).

Fasting can often be understood as more than just a denial of food; it serves as a means to focus and gather one's energies towards prayer. That Esther led her people to join her means this was not just an individual act; it demonstrated unity and collective determination during a crisis.

Esther’s courage highlighted the fact that sometimes, when faced with perilous situations, standing up might require not just physical courage but also spiritual. This story echoes the enduring lesson of aligning convictions with righteous action. As Esther famously states, "If I perish, I perish," her readiness was an act of valiance in pursuit of justice.