Meditations on the Book of Esther for the God-fearing woman - Roline van der Merwe
Part 2
Esther - A queen of the King's choosing
Oh, the wisdom of God. He can use our faults to bring His will to past. It is proven that His ways are not like ours. We will see the beauty of the new life in Christ as we take some time to look at the example of Esther. A quick look at their names will reveal some of the deep truths God has hid, as treasure to be found, in His Word. Vashti means "beautiful". Which she was, from the outside. Scripture tells us:
...beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. (Pro 31:30)
Esther's Hebrew name was Hadassah which means "myrtle". This is a lowly shrub which bears delicate, purple flowers of which it is said that they are more fragrant than a rose. This portrays the fragrance brought forth from a humble life, which reflects Esther, even when she entered the harem and her named was changed to Esther meaning "star". Though it is said that she was 'a fair maid', her life was marked with obedience and submission, which made her to shine brighter than all the rest. Consider these verses:
Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. (Est 2:10)
Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter ofAbihailthe uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but whatHegaithe king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. (Est 2:15)
Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
(Est 2:20)
What was most honourable about her life and testimony? It was not just the favour she found with men and the king, but also that God could use her, through His providence, to deliver the Jews from their enemy. God choose her because she qualified through the obedience and submission she has showed since her youth. He gave her favour because she was as clay in the Potter's hand. Later in the book she submitted fully unto her uncle, that brought her up, and took it upon herself to endanger her own life; to go uninvited into the king's presence to entreat him for her nation. After fasting 3 days she went in obedience to the wisdom she received from above, and God in His providence worked out the whole plan of salvation for the Jew's.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Pro 9:10)
Was her circumstances so much different than that of Vashti? Was she, Esther, not queen of the same heathen nation and king? She even spread a banquet before the king and his most esteemed Haman; a banquet of wine. I believe God, also by providence to teach us, caused Esther to live such a life in the same circumstances as Vashti found herself. Therefore I am so convinced that God is not as interested in changing our circumstances, as He is to work holiness within us through the new life that He gives to them that believe in the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ. A death to the old that the new might reign.
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (Rom 7:4)Oh how this meditation stirs my heart to seek my Saviour King's rule and reign more in my life. That the King might have His dominion in me; that He might use me as a vessel, weak and lowly in myself, but filled with the fragrance of Christ:
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
(Rom 6:11-13)
Now thanks be unto God, which alwayscausethus to triumph in Christ, andmakethmanifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. (2Co 2:14-16)
He alone is so worthy of all honour.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Mat 6:33)