Esther 5:1-14
Please read your Bible text: Esther 5:1-14
‘When he saw Queen Esther standing there in the inner court he welcomed her, holding out the gold scepter to her. So Esther approached and touched its tip.’ Esther 5:2(NLT).
More than just clad in her royal robe Esther was also clad in the garment of faith. It was faith that made her courageous even to put her life at stake in stepping into the king’s inner court uninvited. Today as I look at this scene of Esther approaching the royal throne in the inner court – I remember the Scriptures in Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
The throne of Xerxes was a throne of authority and allegiance to be feared; the Throne of God is a throne of awesome GRACE and overflowing Mercy. An earthly throne is dependent on the king’s mood and temperament, which is uncertain and always changing – The heavenly throne, is secured in God’s unchanging favor. Esther may be clad in faith as she approached the king, but we who are in Christ are clad in grace as we approach our King!
Esther approached King Xerxes in faith, uncertain of the king’s favor. That’s why she said, “If I die, I die” (4:16). We approach our King in the absolute surety of His favor, and with boldness, we enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19). Behold a greater than Esther, a greater than faith…GRACE…for when you see grace, faith is effortless and there is the absolute surety of hope!
I see a contrasting parallel between these two thrones – King Jesus’ as against King Xerxes’!
Clad in Royal Robe—Approach the Throne – v.1
Esther clad in a royal robe entered the royal throne. But the believers enter the inner court of the Throne of Grace, clad in Royal Robe of Christ’s Righteousness. Esther came to the throne in fear of displeasing the king. The Believers come to the Throne in boldness, confident that God is pleased. Here we come boldly to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. His throne is specifically labeled ‘the Throne of Grace’ (Hebrews 4:16). The Lord waits that He may be gracious to us always.
Touched the Royal Scepter – v.2
Esther had entered the throne room uninvited and unless the king stretched out his royal scepter, a sign of favor extended – it would mean certain death for her! Either he stretched out his scepter of favor in approval or he shouted his order of disapproving. For Esther, she had to wait for the royal invitation – for us we have the royal Invitation awaits us! Why are we so slow to come into God’s throne room? Esther touched the royal scepter in reciprocal of the king’s favor – have you touched the divine scepter?
Ask for half of the Royal Kingdom – v.3
King Xerxes inquired Esther about her request. He was even prepared to grant her half of the royal kingdom (v.3). Doesn’t this strikes a similar chord in the King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ –” You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:13). The Lord said, “Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the ends of the earth as your possession”. (Psalms 2:8). Let’s believe God is the greater giver than King Xerxes. In fact, God is the greatest giver. Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from God who is the Father of lights (Jas 1:17). You can ask God for big things simply because you have a big God. Have you claimed up to half of the kingdom?
Invite the Royal Majesty a Banqueting Table – vs.4-8
Esther invited the king to her banquet – her request was simply the deliverance of her people. But look at her wit and patience in waiting for an opportune time with the king to bring up the matter against the royal edict of genocide. It is worthwhile to note Esther’s witty approach to garner the king’s favor with the invitation to her banquet.
We may not have the capacity to host an elaborate banquet for the Lord, but perhaps a humble table in which we can sup with Him. For the Lord, Himself is willing to be our honored guest. We feast at His table, but He also comes and sups with us at our table. “Behold I stand at the door and knock, he that opens the door, I will come in and sup with him” (Rev 3:20). Surely the Lord would be pleased to have supper with us.
The Dross in the Royal Palace – Hatred Begets Crimes – vs.9-14
In every quarter of life, there would always be a mixture of evil and good. How we need to be on guard against the dross of evil–hatred. The villain Haman hated Mordecai so deeply. This led to his evil scheme to kill! Not only we see his hatred, but we can also sense his pride as well. He boasted and bragged (vv.11-12). A gallows was prepared for Mordecai as advised by his evil companions, including his wife (v.14) – but it was to be (at a twist of an event) his own. Beware – the little seed of hatred sown, even a little, would eventually breed a monstrous killing!
THINK: Heaven’s Throne of Grace awaits us.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you that in YOU, I am highly favored, and greatly loved to approach your Throne of Grace that I may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Amen.
David Quek
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