Queen Esther lived amongst some dangerous wolves. Her husband, King Ahasuerus had his previous wife banished because she refuse to come to him when he summoned her. Haman, one of King Ahasuerus high officials also was on a mission to destroy all the Hebrew people in Persia. One wrong step and Queen Esther's life and those of her people would mean death! Now there is some seriously dangerous wolf territory.
As we talked about last week, Queen Esther had circumstances in her childhood and life that were easily the breeding ground of her own self-centeredness. However, her love, trust, identity, and surrender in the Almighty was her saving grace. Let's look at how Queen Esther survived her life surrounded by wolves.
First, Queen Esther looked at circumstances from God's eyes not hers. Imagine what she thought when she was taken from her family and put in the King's harem. She didn't throw a temper tantrum. She wasn't quoting rules in scriptures about being God's chosen. Rather, something in her demeanor was so gracious that she stood out amongst all the other women early on and was given special treatment during her year of preparation. Even then Esther didn't gloat, she was gracious and the other women in the harem respected her.
How often do we get an attitude when we are put in circumstances that we don't like? Do we call it unfair? Do we call it unjust? Do we use the Bible to defend our position? Or, do we trust in God's word that promises He will take ALL circumstances and use them for His good?
Second, Queen Esther was willing to submit and seek wise counsel. When it was her turn to go before the king, she took the advice of the king's eunuch, Hegai and dressed according to what he suggested. When her adopted father, Mordecai warned her about the plot to murder the Hebrew people, she listened to Mordecai, even though his request could bring her grave consequences, as it was strictly forbidden to approach the king without being summoned.
When an authority tells us to do something, how do we react? Do we react with humility or do we react with words of how dare you tell me what to do? Do we say yes and then just do it our way?
Third, she knew that her hope and her fate were in the hands of her sovereign God. She understood that God had brought her to the palace "for such a time as this." She had her people, her servants and herself fast for three days prior to approaching the king. She was clear about who her Lord was! She understood that her attitude, her demeanor, her actions, her words ALL reflected her God! So it wasn't with self-contriteness that she approached her earthy king, rather it was with trust and humility in God's plan! In God's way! In God's time!
How often when we are battling our spouse, do we step back and say "Lord, let me reflect your spirit rather than mine"? When we are being accused or blamed do we defend ourselves or do we think about how God wants us to respond? The home of a Wolf is filled with accusations and blame. It is imperative to not get caught up in the defense of yourself. Psalms 37:6 clearly says that God will defend His work in you and that it will be as clear as the blazing sun. One of the biggest mistakes I see of a spouse married of a Wolf is in their reactions back to the Wolf. Matthew 10:16 (MSG) says "Be as gentile as a dove and as cunning as a snake...when amidst wolves." Our reactions usually come from a place of our own self-centeredness! It is our actions that can come from a place of wisdom.
Queen Esther definitely was gentle as a dove and she was also as cunning as a snake. She had followed Mordecai's orders to not reveal that she was Hebrew. She fasted and prayed for God's direction and protection. She didn't go running to the king, rather she stood outside the inner court, in eyes view, and waited for the king to summon her. When he asked her what she wanted, she still waited and invited the king and Haman, the man who had put the death decree on the Hebrew people, for dinner. At dinner, she still didn't make the request of the king. She served the king and Haman and then asked them to return the next night for dinner. Haman boasted about his close relationship to the king and queen. Haman also told his friends how much he hated the Hebrew Mordecai and was planning to ask the king the next morning to hang Mordecai for not bowing before him. She invited them both to dinner a second time.
God had other plans, that very night the king couldn't sleep and requested reading material. It happen to be the section of where Mordecai had exposed a plot to assassinate the king. The king realized he had never honored Mordecia. Talk about God's perfect timing! The next morning he summoned Haman, who had just had the gallow built to hang Mordecai. The king asked Haman how he should honor a man who truly pleases the king. In all the wolfness Haman had, assuming it was he himself the king would want to honor, he told the king to have the man ride the king's own horse, wear the king's own robe, and all should shout honor to this man as he passes by. The king thought this was an excellent idea and told Haman to go get Mordecai, the Hebrew and honor him in this way. OUCH! Can you imagine? God always defends His people who are doing His work and His way.
So, if you were Mordecai and heard of plots of your destruction, would you try to intervene and circumvent the situation on your own. Do you seek God? Does your pride step in and do you say how dare that person assume that of me. Does vengence take over and do you begin to plot the destruction of someone who doesn't respect you in the way you think they should? Do you say "I'll show them". Friend, God's timing is perfect! He knows when and how the details need to fall together! He knows all men's heart! His sovereignty is a save place to rest.
That night at dinner, King Ahasuerus once again asked the Queen what she desired. She then told the king of the plot to kill her and those of her people. The King demanded to know WHO would dare touch her and she then revealed Haman's evil plot! In that moment Haman, the Wolf, was sent to the gallow he had constructed to hang Mordecai and he himself was hung!
How often do we rush ahead and plow thru our circumstances to get what we think we deserve. Are you rushing into divorce trying to get out of your circumstances? Have you stepped back and been a Queen Esther? Have you allowed God to transform? Are you working in His time or yours? The clock ticks very slowly in a marriage with a Wolf. But, God is there! He is working! Wise housewives wait on God and let Him direct their steps!
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