Esther Series – part 4 

Pastor Eric A. Green

 

In Shushan the citadel there was a certain Jew whose name was Mordecai the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite. Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was lovely and beautiful. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

Esther had not revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to reveal it. And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the women’s quarters, to learn of Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her. Excerpts for Esther 2: 4, 7, 10, 11 (NASB) 

Mordecai is every bit as important to the Book of Esther as Esther herself.  She is a beautiful type of the church - plucked from obscurity, unknown, orphaned, and in need of care.  Mordecai, her older cousin, is a type of the Holy Spirit, who God used to care for, instruct, protect, and prepare Esther for her position as the bride of the king.  Because we are poor in spirit, like Esther, Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit to usher us in to the Kingdom of God as His very own bride.  Just as Esther would not have been able to do the will of God without Mordecai, neither can we without the Holy Spirit. 

Little did Esther know the role she would play in the history of God's people. In the same way, you and I don't always realize how crucial our service, obedience, and availability are in the plan of God to save the souls of those all around us. Let's keep our lives free from disobedience, sin, and selfishness that so easily trap us and makes us unfit for Kingdom enterprises.  The Holy Spirit has been given to you lead you into all truth.  As Esther obeyed Mordecai, please obey the promptings of the Spirit - God wants to use you!! 

Pastor Eric

Esther Series – part 3

Pastor Eric A. Green

 

Then the king's servant who attended him said: "Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king."  Esther 2:2

"Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti."  This thing pleased the king, and he did so.  Esther 2:4

. . . Esther was also taken to the king's palace.  Esther 2:8

In order to be considered a candidate for the king's bride, a woman had to be beautiful, young, and a virgin.  Physical beauty was necessary, because she was to be the object of his desire, a pleasure to behold, a source of personal pride, an example of his exquisite taste, and the pinnacle of his "possessions."  Her youth denotes health, vigor, and her relative inexperience in life, allowing her to be shaped, molded, and matured into her new marital, social, and political roles.  Virginity was the standard of unmarried women of Esther's day, and the wife of the king could not be compromised in any way by intimate sexual, romantic, or emotional relationships with any other man. 

When we take a deeper (spiritual) look at this passage, we are able to draw parallels to our relationship with Jesus, our heavenly king and husband.  The Bible calls the church of God the "Bride of Christ" (John 3:29), which He is preparing for Himself without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:22-33). 

Does your practical life make you eligible for the awesome privilege of enjoying an intimate love life with Jesus Christ?  As a pastor, I witness so many whose choices and lifestyles make it impossible for them to be credible witnesses for Christ.  But those of us who truly desire to be with Him are learning to turn away from the self and sin that once filled our days, and we are looking to Jesus for all we need and desire.  I encourage you to allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse, prepare, and lead you into the life of holiness you are called to - and when the Father looks for those to present to His Son, He'll find the youth, vigor, beauty, and purity in you that makes you fit to be with Him forever!

Let’s talk about it!

Pastor Eric

Esther Series – part 2

Pastor Eric A. Green

 

“What shall we do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus brought to her by the eunuchs?” And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: “Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. “For the queen’s behavior will become known to all women, so that they will despise their husbands in their eyes, when they report, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come.’ “This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the king’s officials that they have heard of the behavior of the queen. Thus there will be excessive contempt and wrath. “If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will not be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. “When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small.” And the reply pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan. Esther 1:15-21

Poor Queen Vashti.  She had no idea one rash display of temperament would cost her the crown.  Her decision not to honor the king proved to be a bigger deal than she anticipated, and there was no place left for repentance. 

Regardless of how we feel about the queen's behavior, she did not exercise her prerogative wisely; and her position of influence magnified her action, causing her to be perceived as a major threat in to the king's authority.   This was seen as more than an isolated incident, but a fire that would spread throughout the land.

I'm reminded how important it is that I conduct myself honorably and discreetly before those in authority over me - not only for my own good, but for those I influence.  If the exercise of my rights dishonors those I serve, work for, civic, governmental, or spiritual leaders, I dishonor the God who put all authority in place (Romans 13:1).  In a day when we are taught to promote our own rights at all costs, we saints must remember all our rights were surrendered to Jesus. Even when it's not pleasant, we must walk in humility; remembering that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).  Think about it.

Love and perfect peace,

Pastor Eric