Mordecai kept it real with Esther. Though she’s living a luxurious life in the palace right now, she won’t be able to escape Haman’s wrath any more than the next Jew in the kingdom. A king’s edict is a final edict. He even goes on to say that if she doesn’t step up to deliver them, using her unique position, someone else will be used instead. God will accomplish His sovereign purposes even if His servants refuse to obey His will!
He reminds her that she is not indispensable. If she won’t cooperate with God, He can find someone who will.
Mordecai was trying to help Esther establish that connection between her beauty, her opportunity, and the kingdom of God. All she thought was that she was fortunate because she could dress up, look fine and grab the attention of the king. But God had specifically placed Esther in a position of influence, combining her personality, background, and history in such a way as to deliver His people. The favour that Esther had received, was not for just her benefit alone.
Time for a mid-season break. How are you finding it so far?
It’s definitely interesting. Yes, it’s a story from quite a long time ago, in a kingdom oh so far away, but it feels pretty relevant to what we’re seeing today, especially with the emergence of influencers. What if they are there, today, on earth, for such a time as this?
Let’s flip it. Have you ever considered that everything that has happened in your life – the good stuff as well as the bad – has happened for a specific purpose up to this point? It’s hard to really get your head around, but a wise man once says “if all you see is what you see, you haven’t seen the kingdom yet.”
An overarching principle with the kingdom is this: You are blessed to be a blessing. You’re free in order to set free.
There’s a whole conversation to be had regarding how God will take into account everything he has blessed with, including your physical make up, because it is true. We love talking about being blessed with skills such as the ability to sing, dance or act but maybe you have been blessed with an excellent education, a great family or even good looks. Whatever God has given you; He has done it on purpose and hence it has a purpose. Pretty privilege exists, and it’s in your best interest to use it to God’s glory, because He’s given it to you, and hence, He has the right to ask what you’ve done with it.
He doesn’t want you to hoard your blessings, but to use the position that He has given you to do something amazing in others’ lives. He wants you to bring about His purposes in the lives of others around you.
Esther was afraid of going before the king because she thought that doing so would mean trouble. She knew that if he did not hold out his sceptre that she may lose her life.
But the thing is, Esther’s fears were rooted in one thing: Esther. She didn’t care about anyone else.
It’s true, when the greatest thing on your mind is yourself, even if you’re a member of the kingdom, you’ll lose sight of the kingdom as a whole, just as Esther almost did.
Almost?
Where are we now?
Let’s just say episode 8 since we pressed fast-forward earlier.
Cool, episode 8. After Mordecai’s reply, Esther finally started seeing things for what they are, sending him back a message with a much different tone.
16 “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus, I will go into the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him.
As Esther was making plans to visit the king, she did not know that God working things out in the background. To Esther, she simply had to approach a man who seemed to have lost interest in her. This is the same man who once banished his wife because she didn’t do what he had instructed. This is the same man who could have Esther killed simply because he was not in the mood.
May I add, this is also the same man who had given into Haman’s wishes to annihilate an entire group of people.
Despite all of the red flags, Esther approached the king after three days.
Just imagine how tense she must’ve felt. Seconds turned to minutes or even hours. All she could do was take the first step and wait for his response.
When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter. 3 Then the king said to her, “What is troubling you, Queen Esther? And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be given to you.” (5:2-3)
Phew. She survived the first step. She received favour from the king.
She still needs to speak on behalf of her people, and at this point, Esther planned to invite the king and Haman to dinner so she could do just that. One thing that Esther didn’t know is that while she was working on the next step, God was there working behind the scenes.
My Sunday Skl 