Timing counts! Esther 7 2On the second day [of Esther’s Feast], as they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” 3Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have won your favor, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me—that is my petition—and the lives of my people—that is my request. Since our last installment, Haman (the King’s head administrator) has been building gallows to hang Mordecai (and other plans for exterminating the Jews were getting underway). We pick-up our story during the anniversary party of King Ahasuerus’ marriage to Esther. (Note: In the lead-up, Esther made certain her king was pleased with her!) On the second day of partying, King Ahasuerus knew something was bothering his queen, so he offered to do anything he could for her; just let me know your request (what husband hasn’t made this statement?). Esther asks for something small: Don’t kill me! Sell my people into slavery, but please stop killing us! Haman hadn’t realized killing all Jews also meant killing the King’s wife. Now for this realization to become public on the second day of the King’s Wedding anniversary party, well, it doesn’t take a genius to see things will go badly for Haman; he gets hung in the gallows he build for Mordecai. While there are many ways to analyze the book of Esther (and many are valuable), one take-away point might be that going with God, implies also being wise in God. Unlike her predecessor (remember the socially inept Queen Vashti?) Esther by contrast was admired by all who saw her (Esther 2:15). Yes, Esther had been given many blessings by God. ALSO, Esther knew how to play those cards, and when to play them. Being God’s people does not mean we can be idiots and by magic everything will sort out. Actually the reverse is true: It means that we must enable God to work thru us. That is, we recognize that WE HAVE WORK TO DO FOR GOD! Likewise, we must use God’s wisdom to work wisely in carrying out His plans. Being effective for God is just as important as being right for God! Just a thought. All insights and comments welcome.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:40:00 +0000
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