Esther 5

“On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the in the inner courtyard of the king’s palace, opposite the king’s hall.  The king was sitting on his royal throne in the king’s hall, across from the entrance to the hall.  When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the courtyard, she won his favor; so the king extended the gold scepter in his hand towards Esther.  Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.  ‘What is it you want, Queen Esther?’ the king asked her.  ‘Whatever your request, up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.’” Esther 5:1-3 (CJB)

History records that on January 10, 49 B.C., Julius Caesar, who by the Senate of Rome had been declared an enemy of the Roman state, took a step that forever changed the course of history – he crossed the Rubicon.  By leaving his home province and crossing that shallow river with his army, Caesar, in effect, had declared war on the Roman Empire.  Alea jacta est – “The die is cast.”

Caesar risked his all and succeeded as, perhaps, no one else could.  Would the same be true for Esther now that she had taken that one small step across the threshold to the king’s royal hall?  We might anticipate big drama and suspense here, but the author tells the story almost as if it was an everyday event, with no special emphasis.

Interestingly, the author chooses not to build tension surrounding Esther’s approach to the king but immediately reveals that the king graciously welcomed Esther into his presence.  Thus, Esther is not painted as a heroine of super-human proportions but merely as someone who has a task to do and does it calmly & efficiently.  There is a lesson for followers of Jesus here.  We should not seek to be heroes or to be recognized as anything other than obedient to the Lord.  If we will live our lives in simple, diligent devotion, there is no end to the amazing things the Lord will accomplish through us.  Where, then, is heroism?  Is it not God who works through us; doesn’t the glory completely go to Him for the deeds of even the most pious among us?

The events of chapter 5 take place “on the third day,” that is, the day the fast that Esther instituted was to end.  What a difference three days make in her willingness to risk her life and luxury for the betterment of others!  It begs the question: What is fasting?  More than simply not eating, fasting is the intentional denial of fleshly desire.  When we fast, we are making our flesh submit to our will.  When we combine prayer with fasting, we make our flesh submit to our will as we submit to the Lord’s will.

Now, we see where Esther’s boldness comes from!  She has put herself under God’s direction and made her flesh be under hers.  Are you struggling with a difficult decision?  Do you feel as if your flesh continues to lead you down paths your spirit does not want to travel?  Try seeking the Lord daily through His Word and prayer and deny your flesh the control it wants.  There can be only one “Alpha” in control of your life.  And He should be the “Alpha & Omega!”