Tag: Book of Esther

Psst…What’s your secret?

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mirrorThere is a peculiar benefit that will develop as you walk the path of prayer, praise, purity and practicing the presence of God. It will begin to manifest itself day by day, effortlessly and possibly unknown to you, at first. It is Beauty.
In the Book of Esther, maidens were brought to the palace from around the kingdom to participate in a beauty pageant where one maiden would be chosen to become queen. Each maiden endured 12 months of treatments; 6 months of myrrh, 6 months of cosmetics and spices. Why did the King choose Esther? I believe this verse may hold the answer: “When it was Esther’s turn to go to the king (Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had adopted her as his daughter), she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the harem, had recommended. Esther, just as she was, won the admiration of everyone who saw her” (Esther 2:15 MSG).
Hegai was the right hand man to the King and he knew everything about what type of woman the King would desire. The Holy Spirit knows everything about what the Father desires in us, so by allowing the Holy Spirit to direct us, we will have all we need as well. According to ancient Hebrew teachings, Esther was not a great beauty. It was her holiness. Her body, mind and spirit were set apart to God. This inner glory permeated her being and became visible to others, especially to the King who made her his bride.
Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Looking Out For Number One!

GodScience_m_0918In previous posts, we have been looking at the spiritual nuggets found in the Book of Esther. I mentioned a revelation that I received from my personal study that revealed 10 tenets or guideposts that relate to increase in every area of our lives. The 1st of these tenets is prayer. What is prayer? Many of us grew up with “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep”… which was a great start. However prayer in its simplest form is communication with our Heavenly Father. There is no special format or keywords to use. Well maybe, but more about that later. Truly, it is no different than speaking to your best friend or trusted confidante. There is one caveat to the previous statement. You must come to God with a humble heart. You must believe that HE is God and that HE rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).. Why is prayer so important? When we pray we put our thoughts, wishes and desires into focus. The Holy Spirit within us helps crystalize these thoughts and desires. As these prayers are brought forward from our hearts unto God, the Holy Spirit may inspire us with scriptures that speak to us or ideas that create solutions to problems or my favorite, remind us of the love of God and His ever present help (Psalm 46).

Consistent communication in prayer brings results. This is why it is the 1st tenet. It is the recognition that we have a relationship with God that helps us to know Him and His voice in our hearts. When we know His voice we receive His guidance and we know we are not alone.

And I will ask the Father and HE will give you another helper…

images How did Esther gain the advantage to be selected over the maidens taken from around the Kingdom to go before the King?  Hegai, the King’s chamberlain was asked to oversee their preparations to be chosen as bride by the King.  A chamberlain was one who managed the household of a monarch or noble.  He was the “right hand” man to the King.  In our story it says that Hegai had the custody of the women.  So it is safe to say he knew what the King liked.  Esther (then known as Hadassah) found favor with Hegai over all of the maidens presented to him.  We know from the earlier description that Esther was very beautiful but that was to be expected of all the maidens brought to the palace for this opportunity.  There is also a spiritual dynamic woven into the picture of who Hegai was.  Or is it who it is he may represent? The Holy Spirit whom Jesus Christ spoke of and later asked of the Father to be sent to us is a type of “Right Hand” Man.  He makes the Word of The Lord known to our spirits.  It is the Holy Spirit who guides us- if we are listening.  He makes all things known to us (John 16:13 NIV).  It is the Holy Spirit who directs us to walk in the things of God, helping us to become more”attractive” to the Light. 

What set Esther apart to be favored by the King’s chamberlain?, I wondered.  What will set me apart and make me attractive to the Holy Spirit?  We have the Holy Spirit within us if we have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ.  Which brings us to this point in our journey-Have you accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of your life?  Do you understand that Our Heavenly Father gave HIS Son Jesus as a representative of the Father to demonstrate HIS Love for us?  Do you believe that taking your SELF off of the throne of your life and placing Jesus Christ upon that throne will not only save you from a future darkness but He came that you may have an abundant life in the present?  If the answers are yes, fantastic.  Just checking!  If not, receive  Jesus Christ as your Lord and be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life.

“Lord Jesus,  come into my life to help me to live the abundant life that you came to provide for me.  I believe you walked this earth to demonstrate the Father’s love for me and to direct me to the Highest and Best in God for my life.  Today I accept the Father’s precious gift and I receive you as Lord and Savior”.

That’s it.  Things are about to change!

Wait, there’s more…

In the beginning of the Book of Esther, we are told that a huge party is being planned by the King to display the riches of his kingdom. After much merriment, the King requests to also have his Queen displayed for she was very beautiful. She refuses. This action is what causes her to be replaced by another”more suitable than she”. The Bible scripture “Many are called but few are chosen” comes to mind. This scriptural theme continues throughout this Bible story. As we have read, many maidens are called to replace the Queen. All are brought to the palace and given the same beauty treatments, cosmetics and food. Yet only one maiden is chosen to be Queen, Esther.

As children of the King, The Most High God, we are all called to live in the fullness of His Kingdom. We have accepted His supreme gift; His Son , the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe in the word of God concerning Christ and the abundant life that He came to provide for us. However, like the maidens in the Book of Esther, we are in the city. We have been brought to the palace court but that is as far as we’ve come. We have yet to walk in the fullness of Christ promised to us.