The book of Esther speaks about one of God's people who becomes the queen to king Ahasuerus (Xerxes). In those days, king Ahasuerus reigned from India to Ethiopia. It consisted over 127 provinces and he reigned between the years of 486 to 465 BC.
I do not know how many Christians have read the book of Esther but I will just briefly touch on it before getting to the main point. Deep calls unto deep. I hope God gives you the insight and revelation on the type or shadow of this story. I will not go into much of the insight for it would require much more research and posting. I would like to discuss part of the story that exemplify His Grace.
King Ahasuerus had made a feast for his people in Shushan the capital, both great and small for seven days in the court of the garden in the king's palace. Queen Vashti, also gave a feast for the women. On the seventh day, when the king was merry with wine, he called for his queen Vashti, to display her beauty. But the queen refused and this angered the king. The king then consulted with his wise men and they recommended he divorce her. The king divorced the queen and she was banished.
The king's ministers recommended he find a virgin to replace the queen. The search went out to find a virgin for the king. Beautiful young virgins were gathered from all his provinces. In order for these virgins to presented to the king, they had to go through a purification process.
A certain Jew name Mordecai had "brought up Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The maiden was beautiful and lovely, and when her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter" (Esther 2:7). Under Mordecai's direction, Esther did not divulge her identify as a Jew.
The virgins had to go through a twelve month regulation of purification. "Since this was the regular period for their beauty treatments, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with sweet spices and perfumes and the things for the purifying of the women" (Esther 2:12). After the purification process, the maidens went in turn to see King Ahasuerus. Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus on the tenth month of Tebeth in his seventh year of reign.
Esther had found favor in the sight of King Ahasuerus and he held a feast. It was Esther's feast and the king gave a holiday. Esther became queen and she continued to hide her true identity.
One of the king's servants, Haman, was seated above the princes and Mordacai would not bow down to him in reverence. This angered Haman very much and he sought to destroy him. Haman further found out that Mordacai was a Jew and he sought to destroy all the Jews. Haman was able to convince king Ahasuerus to order a decree to kill all the Jews for he claimed that they did not keep his laws. Then the king ordered the decree for all Jews to be killed on an appointed day.
Mordacai had found out rented his clothes and sought to give this information to seek help from queen Esther. However, queen Esther first reply was not very positive. She was afraid to go in fear of death. But Mordacai replied if she did not go, she would perish regardless and God would find another way.
Esther 4:10-17 (AMP) Then Esther spoke to Hathach and gave him a message for Mordecai, saying,11 All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any person, be it man or woman, who shall go into the inner court to the king without being called shall be put to death; there is but one law for him, except [him] to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter, that he may live. But I have not been called to come to the king for these thirty days.12 And they told Mordecai what Esther said.13 Then Mordecai told them to return this answer to Esther, Do not flatter yourself that you shall escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews.14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?15 Then Esther told them to give this answer to Mordecai,16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me; and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I also and my maids will fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.17 So Mordecai went away and did all that Esther had commanded him.
Esther did not ask to be queen. She was placed as a queen by the Grace of God. As queen, she benefited from all the material blessings and all the advantages from such a position. Esther did not do anything to earn her way to be a queen. Her beauty and grace was not from her own but from the Grace of God.
Today, many of God's people are in either high positions or low positions. Today, many of God's people are prosperous and many are not. Some are enjoying much while some are enjoying less. Some are very talented and some are not as much. Many did not choose where to be born or in which family. Whether we were born in wealthy or into poor, we must understand and give thanks regardless to the King of Kings for all things work out according to His purpose. All that we have is given by His Grace! All of us have a calling. Our calling is to OBEY. For some, our calling may require much while for others, our calling may be only for a moment. For Hannah, her calling was to earnestly pray and cry out until Samuel was born. It was through her difficulties the prayers were birthed as she uttered prayers in the temple of God.
However, like Esther's attitude at first, many of God's people today are rich and they think they do not need anything but in reality many today are naked and poor. Mordecai said "Do not flatter yourself." She did not want to risk her position, benefits, and comfort. She wanted someone else to be responsible when the calling fell on her lap. She was giving an excuse. All God required is one person to cooperate and have enough faith to save a nation.
Revelation 3:17 (AMP) For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
If God has allowed us to be rich, it is for the purposes of His Kingdom and not ours. Yes, we will benefit from it as we will get to enjoy what comes with it but when God calls, we must be willing to lay it all down including our lives. At the end, queen Esther realized her calling and why she had been placed in that position. She had been made queen out of God's Grace. She was now willing to risk her life and go to the king trusting God so that her people may be saved. But as you can see, before she risked her life, all of God's people were ordered to fast and pray. Today, many of us can not even fast for three days from food. Are we really certain we can lay down our lives for the Lord?
God may be prompting someone to do their part in order to advance the Kingdom of God. For those who are in possession of much, He may be prompting you to give so His Kingdom may advance. For those who are talented, He may be calling you into His service to help build. For those who are called into His ministry, He may be calling you to be His ministers on the pulpit. We are the body and we have all been called whether small or great according to His purpose. But if you do not answer the call, deliverance will come from somewhere else and your family may perish. As Scripture says, "And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?" You must fully obey. You cannot negotiate with God and give Him less or less of you. Esther at the end knew she must go risking her life. She said, "If I perish, I perish!"
Are we willing to die for Jesus Christ who had died for us? Many can say they will but God is testing all of us each day to see if we can give up the little or big things of the world that are in our possession. Will you lay it down at the cross for the purpose and advancing of His Kingdom? Are you willing to give it all up if He asked you? Search your heart brethren. Many are called but few are chosen. Only few choose to obey.
May you all make choices that will Glorify HIM to advance His Kingdom doing His Will. May you all grow in His Grace moving from Glory to Glory!!
Matthew 7:21 (AMP) Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.
Fire of God Ministries
Steve Yong Kim
July 29, 2012
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