Esther 5:1-2

Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
 
In the message on October 11^th Called to Bring Deliverance from Sin, we saw how Mordecai urged Queen Esther to go to King Ahasuerus to raise supplication unto the King to stop the decree against Jews. The King’s decree was to destroy the Jews based on the plot devised by wicked Haman for he noticed that Mordecai who was a Jew did not pay respects to him when he passed by the King’s gate as did the other men. His main intention was to get rid off Mordecai somehow. So he came up with a plan to destroy him by destroying the entire Jews in Shushan. Haman did not know that Esther was a Jewess for she kept it a secret as suggested by Mordecai.

Esther’s response to Mordecai was (Esther 4:16): “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” In other words, Esther agreed to go before the King Ahasuerus and plead on behalf of her people knowing fully well that she could perish. She urged all the Jews in Shushan to fast for her while she and her maidens fasted too. She was carrying the burden of all her people and representing all the Jews before the King. This is much like Christ bearing the burden of all of us on His back and carrying the same burden to the cross on our behalf representing us before His father, God Almighty. The fast that she had was in preparation for this great event that was not easy.

On the third day Esther put on her royal apparel and stood in the inner court of the King’s house. King was seated on his throne of majesty and when he saw Queen Esther, she found favor in his eyes. We like Queen Esther should represent the people we are called to minister to. When we represent the people that are about to perish in the world and intervene on their behalf by raising supplications, the Lord God will surely shower His grace and favor on us. He will not only hear our plea but will also surround the people we uphold with His grace and mercy. The enemy has a plan to destroy the people but the enemy’s plan will be annihilated by the Almighty God because He reigns forevermore and is in control of everything including the enemy. He is the creator of heavens and earth and our help comes from Him alone (Psalm121:1-2).

King Ahasuerus raised his golden sceptre for Queen Esther and she went near and touched the top of the sceptre. This golden sceptre symbolizes his sovereign authority and power. Yes, our Lord God will raise His golden sceptre when we intercede for the people out in the world who know not His salvation, who are given to the vile traps of the enemy and subject to the temporal passions. He will let us touch the top of His sceptre to listen and answer our humble entreaties. When we take our requests to the Lord in prayer we should also accompany our prayers with fasting. Matthew 6:17-18 says, “But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” Esther when she went before the King was dressed appropriately and probably she did not have the appearance as though she fasted. The King very well knew that she had a plea and by allowing Queen Esther to touch the top of the sceptre was willing to hear her plea and answer accordingly.

Esther 5:3 says, “Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.” King Ahasuerus was so gracious to the queen and was ready to hear her request and willing to even give half of the kingdom. Our father is a gracious Lord and is waiting to hear our prayers and supplications for therein His heart rejoices. He answers our humble prayers in His own sweet way for He cherishes in us and our communion with Him. Won’t you intercede and lift up the people of the world and pray that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is accepted and that they all might have everlasting life?!?!

Tomorrow: Haman at the Queen’s Banquet