“Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, across from the king’s house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house. So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter. And the king said to her, “What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you—up to half the kingdom!” (Esther 5:1-3)
Queen Esther had a great need. Only God could help. The people of God, her people, were slaves and exiles in Persia. That was bad enough. But now, Haman, the prime minister of Persia and King Xerxes’ best friend, has planned to kill all the Jews. Mordecai, her uncle, warned her of the danger of staying passive and quiet, trying to hide in the palace. He manifested his sorrow by dressing in rags. Dressed in this way, he cannot go before the king. Lesson: our personal ‘righteousness is like filthy rags’ (Is 64:6) and it is not acceptable before God. Mordecai urges Esther to intercede with her husband, the king. There is a law saying that going before the king un-invited is punishable with death. The only way to live is for the king to extend his scepter of mercy and grace. Esther has to make a final decision: Be selfish and live or lay down her life for God’s people and probably die. She decides to do God’s will. She fasts and prays three days. On the third day she stands up and dresses with her ‘royal robes’. This is significant. The third day is resurrection day. During the three days of fasting and prayers she ‘died to self’. She identifies with the Lord Jesus Christ. On the third day, she identifies with His resurrected life. From this moment on, she can die no more. Even if they kill her body, her spirit will live on. Knowing your identity in Christ is victory power!
Sure of her salvation and the backing of heaven, Esther goes to meet the king. Lesson: Once you are free from the fear of death, you become a Bible hero. Nobody can intimidate a child of God with death, for death means going to heaven. The royal robes signify her identity as a priest and king in Christ. She claims the promise of Jehovah that: ‘no man can stand against you all the days of your life’ (Josh 1:5). Having faith in the Word of Jehovah, Esther stands strong in the power of God. With all his evil incantations, with all his money and fame, Haman has no chance before her. Once a child of God stands in his royal authority, the wicked perish. Haman died that moment. Knowing her identity in Christ, Esther goes before the king. Please observe that she did not go as his wife (dressed with a kitchen apron or in a sexy night gown) or as the mother of his children (dressed in maternity clothes). She dressed with her royal robes, crown and all. She went to see him as his co-equal. King talks to king! King does not talk to commoner. In Christ, there is no male no female! This is what it means to be an ambassador for Christ, anointed to speak before kings and governors, walking and talking by the Spirit of Almighty God! Victory is sure!
Dear believer in Christ, do you know who you are? Esther was born in the ghetto but now she is the queen. She must act like one! A queen does not hide; she is not shy or foolish; a queen is a warrior, a member of the army that knows no defeat. Once he sees her dressed in her royal robes King Xerxes addresses her as ‘Queen Esther’ and not ‘my wife… my dear… Mama Junior…’ The gift promised to her, even before she asks for anything, is ‘half of his kingdom’. He did not give her half of his savings account or half of the kitchen. Because she stood as a Queen, he gave her ‘half of his kingdom’!!!
In the past, the same king called his other wife, Queen Vashti that she should come with the crown on her head. But she refused to come. Because of her disobedience, she was sent away from the palace. Vashti represents a weak believer who is not sure of her salvation, ignorant of her authority as a king and priest in the Kingdom of God. May we learn from her mistakes!
Haman was a very wicked, rebellious and ambitious man. He was coveting the king’s position. He was dreaming of the king’s robe, crown and horse. But once Esther entered the royal battle and stood for Jesus, he lost it all, including his life. Putting on the royal robes is a prophetic act. It means to ‘put on Christ’ (Rom 13:14). It means that you openly identify with the King of kings. It means that you carry the cross and follow Jesus. It means that the flesh is dead and the spirit is alive! There are times when you have to be wise ‘like a serpent’ (Mt 10:16). This means to keep quiet and hide. But there are other times when silence is poison and words are life. May we know the seasons! May we have the wisdom to know what to do! May we receive strength and stand for Jesus! May we be prepared to speak a word in season to them who are weary! May Jesus Christ be glorified in us always! May we pay the price to be a source of inspiration to many! Be a blessing to others! Glory to God!
(In the picture, the former Empress of Iran, Queen Farah Pahlavi. For me, she looks like Queen Esther… just to help with my imagination…)
Green Pastures 