Your Place in Ministry 2 In this first part we learn 2 things, we should not allow our past to determine our future and that we need to be open to allow ourselves to be guided by the spiritual authorities God places in our lives. In this second part we will see development of this story and the bravery a woman like Esther had. Finally, the day had arrived to go before the King, twelve months of preparation for this day, without a doubt she was nervous but confident, she had only one opportunity for that first impression, since after spending the night with the king the girls needed to go to the second house for the woman and did not see the king again unless he called for her by name. But Esther was special, “Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti” (2:17) God had placed her in that place and at the right moment she would need to intervene, when her people were in danger and she would need to do something. “Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and little children—on a single day” (3:13) and in (4:1) “When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly” He went to the door of the King to give Esther a message of everything that was going on, then Esther sent to tell him “All the king's officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king." (4:11) Mordecai responded in verse 13 “"Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Once more he guided Esther but this time with more authority than ever because he understood that God had called her for this, this was the time for the test and decision. We all know this popular passage, where she is challenged, she needed to take a risk and with the risk of death, intercede for her people, What would she do? Mordecai had advised her and had given her good direction on other occasions, was he wrong this time, or should she listen to him once more, even if it is for the last time! She made her decision, "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do.. I will go to the king... And if I perish, I perish." In chapter 5, verse 2 “When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 Then the king asked, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you." Esther proceeds to invite the King to a banquet she had prepared where she would ask him for her life and the life of her people. Once more this young woman used her favor and influence and with great wisdom presented in that place her case, and won for her cause and changed the future of the Jewish people. God used a young woman, an orphan, simple but special, because she was obedient and brave. God wants to do the same with you, be brave and dare to have a supernatural faith even if for others it may seem crazy and you will see the favor of God over your life. |