Esther 7:1 – 4 So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther, and as they were drinking wine on that second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”
Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”
King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?”
Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.”
It is difficult to tell by reading this fast-paced story, but Esther has now been queen for five years. And during that time, she has managed to conceal her identity as a Jewess quite successfully. It had become well-known that Mordecai was a Jew, but Esther has done such a good job hiding her roots that no one even knows she is related to him, except perhaps a few of her closest servants.
Now, it is crunch time. She must either come out of the closet and reveal her true identity, or deny her heritage and continue on with her queenly lifestyle. She makes the queenly decision to stand with her people, even if it costs her life.
She knows of her husband’s mood swings. He is rather fickle, and is known for his temper. He will have to decide who is more important to him – his wife, or his first-in-command. She must tread carefully, and not do anything to upset him.
So she takes a deep breath, and takes the plunge. She frames her desperate plea in humble phrases, lifting up her husband at every opportunity. Notice, however, that she doesn’t reveal her identity right away. Instead, she reveals her plea: she wants her husband to save her life and the lives of her people. She lets him get good and mad before she unveils the villain, thus taking advantage of his temper and giving him an object of wrath.
Now, up to this point, all we really know about Esther is that she’s a looker. But that humble, demure facade has hidden more than her Jewishness. Behind that pretty face lived one smart little cookie. She has prayed and planned and plotted, and now, in one fell swoop, she has revealed her own identity and Haman’s crooked character. Xerxes doesn’t know which piece of information to deal with first – but we’ll hear more about that tomorrow.
Friends, what are you hiding? Like Esther, are you acting as an under-cover Christian? What about your gifts? Are you hiding a beautiful mind, or a special talent, or a rare ability? It is time to come out of the closet! Let the world know who you are, and to Whom you belong. Use the gifts He has given you for His glory and for the benefit of others. As we will soon learn, God blessed Esther’s decision to make a bold stand for Him. He blessed her intelligence by guiding her in a near flawless plan. And when you make the decision to stand for Him, and to use your gifts for Him, He will bless your efforts, as well.
Dear Father, I’m Yours, and I want the world to know it. Use me as You will.
Amen
Oh how I like the way you think! This is a neat application. Great work!
Alyssa, you’re a lot like Esther, with a beautiful face and a beautiful mind! I’m so glad you’re using it all for Him. 🙂
I second Alyssa’s comment wholeheartedly! I have read the book of Esther since I was very young, but it has never had as much meaning for me as it does now. Thanks for using your talents to lift us up and encourage us to be all God wants us to be!
Thanks, Jeanette! This is a fun story, with a lot of twists in the plot. But then, the more I study God’s Word, the more I find it is one exciting book!
Encouraging!
Blessings,
Lance
http://www.lancessoulsearching.com
Great to see you, Lance!
I wish I knew what my hidden talents were!!
Here is how one artist imagines Esther:
http://bp3.blogger.com/_ucs3zlo2lxM/RrTHgidnX1I/AAAAAAAAACs/kzna4EiAX2Q/s1600-h/esther.jpg
Thank you Jackie! What a beautiful depiction.
As for your hidden talents . . . nurse-cook-teacher-maid-organizer-personal assistant-counselor . . . with your lot, you can’t afford for any of your talents to be hidden.
Or how about . . . stand-up comedian? Comedy show writer?
I don’t remember the date, but several years ago I got fed up with myself living on the defensive as a Christian. Always trying to be politcally correct and avoiding possibly offending anyone who might happen to be within earshot. I try to be kind and loving in my speech, but I just decided to be ME when I speak and act. And ME is a Christian who is madly in love with Jesus.
It has been liberating.
Thank you for your comment on my blog.
Very soon I will have an unlimited Internet connection, so I can visit more.
Jean, doesn’t it feel great to have freedom in Christ? God is love, but He is also a God of truth. Speaking the truth in love is very freeing, rather than always walking on eggshells and skirting around certain issues. Thanks for sharing that testimony.
Amrita, it is always great to have you here! I’m so excited about your internet connection. That will be wonderful for you!
Dear Renae,
good point, again!
I remember when I started blogging with the “new Born” Canadians, or they found me as a matter of the fact.
I sensed some culture differences and asked my very wise daughter what should I do?
She looked down on my writings, went out to her room and placed this coca cola cork beside my computer. It said:”Show them who you are.”
I took her advise; and that just was the right thing to do.
My blog-friends have coped with our differences, as have I tried to understand and respect them.
My best congregaton is over at the Pilgrim Pals. Ordinary people praying and supporting one another.
So much blessing just for daring show who I am.
Yours Felisol
What a great story, Felisol! Thanks so much for sharing that! And thanks for sharing your true self in your blog and in your comments on other blogs. You are a blessing to people all over the globe!
–r