Queen Esther

Mrs. Ang Siew Khim

16-09-2018

Queen Esther changed a whole nation. Esther was a given her name by her Persian master. Esther is the name of a Mesopotamian goddess of fertility, sex and war. Her Hebrew name was Hadassah which means Myrtle - a tree whose leaves release their fragrance when they are crushed. Esther's full potential only appeared when she and her people were in terrible danger. 

She was an orphan taken care by her cousin Mordecai. She was beautiful and humble. And she was 100% obedient to Mordecai's advice.

The King of Persia searched for a new queen to replace Queen Vashti. Esther ended up being the favourite and she was crowned as Queen.

Told by Mordecai to hide her Jewish identity. 

When you are a persecuted race, the people either look down on them or fear them.

Displaced people are suffering people. She did not let rejection, bitterness and self-pity rule her. Otherwise she would have lost her destiny and her nation would have suffered.

We either fight and become aggressive, suspicious, angry or flight and avoid people, low self esteem. As Christians, you are precious in the Lord. Don't let the devil pull you down because of circumstances in your life. Be like Esther. Fulfil your destiny in the Lord.

Esther knew who she was in God. What about you? When you are secure, submit to authority. 

Satan wants to destroy you but don't let him have the upper hand. Satan always seeks to destroy the Church of God through persecution, falsehood, deception, prosperity etc.

Haman, an enemy of the Jews, planned to destroy the Jews because of hurt pride and vengeance.

With Christ's return close, persecution increases. 

Esther 4:13-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther's husband was known to be very bad tempered and a man of irrational temper and fits of cruelty. For her to approach the king, it was a very dangerous thing.

What was her dilemma? If she does nothing, her people will die. If she does something, perhaps she will die. 

Nehemiah has the sword and the spade. Prayer comes with action. One or the other will not work.

Mordecai reminded her that God will still deliver if she refuses, but her spiritual covering is removed when disobedient. Destruction follows. 

The same words apply to us today. 

We have a miracle for Malaysia. The church woke up and suddenly realised that we must be involved in intense prayer.

Queen Esther called for a national fast for three days. She knew it she can't do it on her own.

We have a responsibility in the country we live in.

What was the result when Esther called for a national fast?

The Jews were united, obedient, fasted and prayed.

They believed that God is able to deliver.

Do you believe?

God hears your prayer and God answers it. God works in His own way and not your way.

Psalm 106:15 New King James Version (NKJV)

15 And He gave them their request,

But sent leanness into their soul.

A strategy was given to Esther. There were God-ordained events. (Esther 6,7,8)

God ordained events mobilise the Church and teach us to pray for our nation.

Many churches responded earnestly with prayer altars, prayer drives, spiritual mapping, solemn assemblies, repentance on behalf of the county and the church, and seeking God without telling Him what to do!

All the races worked together and there was a sense of unity.

Although God is not mentioned in the book of Esther, His providential care for His people is evident.

He communicates with us directly to our spirit. God is alive. You need to hear from God and obey His Word.

Esther's position was no accident and neither is yours. Think about the time and people among whom God has placed you. You are in this time for a special reason.

What does God have for you to do right where you are now?

The world's way is save your own skin.

Be like Esther. When God tells you to do something, do it. Esther says, "If I perish, I perish." Submit unto God, even unto death.

God uses the most unlikely character to fulfil His purposes when one is obedient. He elevates an ordinary Jewish orphan to become Queen of a great empire. She begins as a nobody and becomes God's agent of power. Use all of God's gifts (beauty and brains) for God and others. 

Esther 4:14 New King James Version (NKJV)

14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

When God puts you there, He has His protection upon you.

Psalm 23:4 New King James Version (NKJV)

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

He gives you deliverance.

He gives you the best promotion. 

Trust God.

The battle is not over.

Esther 9:1-5 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Jews Destroy Their Tormentors

9 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, the time came for the king’s command and his decree to be executed. On the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, the opposite occurred, in that the Jews themselves overpowered those who hated them. 2 The Jews gathered together in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could withstand them, because fear of them fell upon all people. 3 And all the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and all those doing the king’s work, helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. 4 For Mordecai was great in the king’s palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for this man Mordecai became increasingly prominent. 5 Thus the Jews defeated all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, with slaughter and destruction, and did what they pleased with those who hated them.

Haman may be dead but the decree is still there. The powers and principalities are still there.

With prayer, the window of change and blessing will be sustained longer. After that the door may not stay open. Pray until Jesus comes. Pray for the next generation. 

Don't become complacent.

We pray for revival but what happens if a revival takes place? Are we prepared? No revival, no transformation. 

Can we be a Church that God can depend on, to carry out His instructions in obedience and in submission to Him and His authority. 

It begins with one. And it begins with you.