Esther's Crowning Glory!


Scripture is rich in intriguing stories of how God bestowed His Favour upon the least likely candidates to accomplishing great exploits in His Name and for His Glory. Esther was once such person. Orphaned and adopted by her cousin Mordecai, Esther lived under Babylonian captivity and was a relative unknown. Her life was uneventful and mundane, but not when God had a plan and something to do with it. Her purpose began to unfold most incredibly. Unbeknownst to Esther, she was primed and poised for a mission beyond her wildest imaginings.

During lavish festivities celebrating King Xerxes rule and dominion spanning India to Cush, no cost was spared in entertaining everyone in the Kingdom. When he had requested the presence of His Queen Vashti to show off her beauty, she had declined him. Raged in anger he deposed Queen Vashti, forever removing her from his presence, after which he issued an edict for all the beautiful maidens in the land to be prepared in the search for a new Queen. Beautiful Esther was chosen.

Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favour and approval. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. And the king gave a great banquet, Esther's banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality. Esther a Jew had not revealed her ethnicity just as her cousin Mordecai had advised her to. Mordecai concerned for Esther's well-being was found at the Kings gate enquiring after Esther and while there had overheard a plot to kill King Xerxes. Having passed knowledge of this conspiracy to Esther, she informed the King. Now Haman a loyal servant of the King was given full honour and prominence over all the Kings nobles, it was Haman who discovered Modercai's ethnicity and when Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, he was angered and issued a decree for all the Jews throughout Xerxes Kingdom to be killed.

"Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" Mordecai outlined to Esther. Esther replied, "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." Observe Esther's heart for her people, her Mission taking pre-eminence over her Royal Crown.

Sometimes deliverance and breakthrough manifests most intriguingly. Did Esther ever imagine that she would deliver her people? That she would be Queen? That her beauty and charm would win the Kings favour, that in so doing she would be a heroine to her people and the path she had paved in their liberation. Yes there are awkward and unconventional means to where God leads and the purposes for which He has ordained for us to accomplish. But every step is ordered, every strategy and design configured, every person poised and positioned to help deliver, rescue, and foil enemy schemes. We might have to reach beyond ourselves in stepping out of our comforts and complacencies, but when we stay the course and rely on God to come through, He will, He always does. Haman's plot to annihilate the Jews was uncovered, he was executed. The Jews were saved, Esther made Queen and Mordecai elevated to the highest rank in the Kings Palace.

Isn't it amazing how God can elevate you and me to missions and assignments beyond our natural inclination or ability? Even in heathen circles and enemy territory He furnishes a table before us in the presence of our enemies, that His Favour, His protection and anointing enable us to accomplish greatly and significantly. May Esther's boldness and courage inspire us to step into whatever God places on our hearts and spirits to do for surely God has revealed repeatedly that He will use a willing, available obedient vessel of purpose for exploits even greater than those He has done.