From all modern appearances the story in the Bible of Esther appears to be a Cinderella story. The rich, famous, and handsome King falls in love with a peasant girl and takes her to his palace and makes her Queen. Who wouldn’t love to marry rich, famous, and handsome? This story appeals to the romantic heart strings.But there is more than romance in this story. It has several deeper, more meaningful insights. God’s omnipotent power is unspoken but evident in every detail of the story. The King’s most trusted royal advisor, Haman, died from his blinded fury and rage. His blinding passion was to destroy the Jews. The Jews celebration of Purim is a result of this testimonial of deliverance from annihilation and destruction. Mordecai’s good deed of reporting the assassination attempt on the King’s life was not immediately rewarded, but he was rewarded at a later. All good things come to those who wait. Esther’s obedience to her surrogate father was instrumental in the defeat of Haman’s plan to destroy the Jews. Obeying your parent leads to a long life.
But there is something else in this story. On the night that Esther was chosen to approach the King “she required nothing.” She asked for nothing and she took nothing with her, except for the clothes on her back and whatever the Eunuch recommended.
Esther was an orphan. She was adopted into a loving family. She was a servant girl and desired to please others before herself. She was simple, she was quiet, and she was obedient. She carried herself with dignity without pride. She was patient and uncomplaining. She was beautiful inside and it was apparent to all. Her humbled and selfless actions found favor from all who looked upon her, even from the King. He loved her more than all the other women. Her actions, attitude, and spirit stirred the love of the King, and he chose her to be the Queen and placed the royal crown on her head.
We are but orphans in this world. “On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths. No one looked on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised.” (Eze 16:4-5)
We were born in pride, selfishness, arrogance, and all kinds of evil deep within. The depth of wickedness resides within the uncut cord and fills our entire being. We are unwashed and unsanitary. We are foul smelling and a stench to all around us. There is no pity or compassion on us. We are despised and tossed aside. Who can love such a disgusting mess?
There is one who travels the road of life, who searches high and low for those tossed aside and left for dead. There is a King who loves the unlovely, the wicked, the lost, the confused, and the lonely. He longs to bring others into His palace, clean them, feed them, and love them with an everlasting love and to fill them with springs of living water. There is a King whose desire is to breathe life into the lifeless, the unimportant, and the wicked. And just like the father of the prodigal son, the King is waiting, watching, and searching. He is filled with compassion for you and He will run to meet you, throw His arms around you, and bring you into His Kingdom and life everlasting. And like the prodigal son, we have nothing to offer the King, except our living body in service to Him.
But the story of Esther doesn’t end with the happily ever after of marriage. The story goes on to tell how she learns the palace life and etiquette. She lives and interacts with the King and his royal administrators; she surrenders to the power and authority around her. She continues to live in service, humility, and obedience.
“Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house; and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court that she obtained favour in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter. Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? And what is thy request? It shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.” (Esther 5:1-4)
Our rescued state and eternal life is not the end of the story, but the beginning. We have a life to live in service to the King. We have a duty to learn the King’s business. To learn the history of the King, His passion, His desires, and discover how we can be of “service to the King.” It is our duty to learn the reverence and etiquette of interacting with the King of all Kings, our Savior, and Lord of our life. He rescued us. He cared for us. He brought us to His palace. His grace and favour has made us beautiful and radiant. And He longs for others to see and accept the same grace and favour. “I have seen you in the sanctuary, and beheld your power and your glory.” (Psa 63:2) I have “tasted and seen that the Lord is good.” (Psa 34:8) “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the riches of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” (Psa 63:3-8)
Oh may my actions speak louder than my words. May my hearts desire be to please only You my King. Fill me with the wisdom and knowledge of Your love for all the world. Teach me Your statutes. Teach me Your ways. Teach me how to live a life that is a pleasing offering of service to You. Teach me the holy reverence and love for all You have given me. I have beheld your power and glory and it was good. May my cup over flow. May this little spark, this gift of life, burn with selfless passion within me for all the world to see.
