I believe that sometimes God leads us to certain areas in the Bible just to tell us how to pray and go about our lives; this events that lead up to this post transpired about three weeks ago (give or take). Presently, I am still reading the book of Isaiah - which has got some really strange scenarios (case-in-point Isaiah 20); but I will attribute the leading of the Holy Spirit to me reading the book of Esther, when I wasn't done with Isaiah.
I wouldn't say that I'm not familiar with the story of Esther, it's just that I've never really studied it like this. I would also like to point out that I've not read the entire book just the first eight chapter (which leaves just two chapters, since it ends at ten!) This is not an analysis of the book of Esther, rather it's just identifying with the awesomeness of God's work in the life of Esther & Mordecai, in fact in the lives of the Jews!
The events that led to Esther becoming queen were quite marvellous, from the disposal of (former) Queen Vashti to her place in the harem, which was put in the care of Hegai. It could be said that Esther had always been favoured by the Almighty, that everyone who saw her liked; thus she gained favour in their sight, the events that transpired in Chapter 2 of this book, shows exactly how powerful God's favour works. Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the harem, choose what garment Esther would wear when she went to see the king, Xerxes, for the first time. I particularly liked this feat because it was said that after preparing each of the young virgins for a year, grooming and what not, they (virgins) would decide what they were going to wear on their special evening with the king; but in Esther's case, Hegai choose for her. This act signified that Hegai knew what the king liked, and as a result of the favour that rested upon her, he choose for her; this was coupled with the fact that she was specially groomed by seven young women from the palace. In all, Esther was being groomed to be queen, without her knowledge.
Fast forward to Chapter 4 & 5, where Haman's plot to destroy all the Jews was in full effect, and Esther had to see the king; the Jews, at Esther's command, prayed and fasted for three days, while she and her servants also did the same - here I saw that Esther must have known that the favour of God rested upon her, but she didn't rest on it rather she still went to God in prayer and fasting to boost the favour that she was already benefiting from. As a result of this, the physical effects of the fast were not seen by King Xerxes, rather he welcomed her presence and even offered her half his empire, verdict ... turbo charged favour in effect!
With Mordecai, the favour of God rested on him even when he was absent, which in turn meant that everything to identify him by was also favourable, here's why (in my humble opinion) Xerxes was troubled, and asked for the official records of his empire be read to him. And something strange happened, Mordecai's heroic feat was read and Xerxes inquired to know how he was rewarded, meaning that he was feeling particularly appreciative and wanted to honour someone, and that someone just happened to be Mordecai who was to be hanged the next morning. Wow! God is awesome!!!
Mordecai's enemy was the one who recommended his promotion, and the structure erected to hang him was instead used to hang his enemy, Haman. Here, the favour of God worked in defence mode. Also, Haman's wealth was given to Esther, and Mordecai was given Haman's ring (which signified authority) per Esther's recommendation - here is God's favour co-operating in two separate individuals.
Finally, in Chapter 8 where I stopped, we see how that favour led to the emergence of the Jewish holiday, Purim, to analyse that i have to complete the book - at least I've got just two chapters.
Thank you fro reading and God bless. :D
NB: I turned a year old in the Lord on Sunday the 31st of March, which was Easter, so ...
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