Esther

Esther

Means “Star” in Persian

Her real name was “Hadassah” which means Compassion

To be a prayer warrior you must have compassion

Providence: Defined as "The protective care of God"

Synonyms: Fate, Destiny,God's will, divine intervention, predestination.

The story of Esther is one of Providence.

We too are predestined, Romans 8:28-31

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.30 Moreover whom He PREDESTINED, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

God’s Everlasting Love

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

The King Ahasuerus was from a long line of kings many of which gave of their wealth for the  rebuilding of the temple of God. Ezra 6;8, 6:7 and Neh. 2:8. King Ahasuerus lavished in his wealth by throwing banquets for many days and Glorifying himself. He didn't give glory to God. Esther 1:3-4  In his Kingdom he had a very close adviser, Named Haman whom he trusted and listened to. Haman was a descendant of Agag The King of the Amalekites. Esther 3:1.  Now When Saul was King he was commanded by God to completely destroy the Amalekites because of their attack on Israel when he brought them out of Egypt. Exodus 17:8-16.  King Saul did not listen to God and let the King of the Amalekites live {Agag}and 1 Sam. 15:13,1;7-9. Disobedience and lies and pride were Saul's downfall.  Obedience, humility, and Character were Esther's rising up.

God Knew that the war between the Amalekites was a spiritual battle between devils and angels and being worked out in the natural. Don't be deceived the things of the spirit are more real then the things of this world.  God wanted to remove them from the earth because the devil was using them to stop the work of God in his people Israel. He wanted to stop attacks on his children. King Saul didn't obey and God's enemies the Amalekites rose up again against his Children in The story of Esther.  God also chose a person with a warriors spirit to do this. He first chose Saul but he failed. So he then Chose Esther. Both Saul and Esther were from the tribe of Benjamin. let's see what God says Of the tribe of Benjamin. Genesis 49:27

We all have a spirit within us that directly has to do with our call. Only God knows what that is but as long as we obey him and seek his will he will unfold our calling and purpose in our lives. Esther was very obedient.

In Esther 1 we see how God plans to bring Esther and Hamon face to face begins. Esther 1:10-12

so the King get's rid of Queen Vashti. 

Pride comes before the fall and Humility before exaltation. Vashti was full of pride but Esther was humble and lowly. God wants us to have this type of character. She was an orphan and a captive in the Persian Empire.  Esther was not a natural warrior. She didn't walk into that spirit of a warrior until she prayed.  prayer and fasting will initiate providence it will prepare the way. Just like Jesus did in the desert 40 days and nights. Esther knew that she had to seek God.  

Haman and Mordecai Esther's uncle. Mordecai knew who Haman was and although Haman was a high official of the king Haman refused to pay him honor or bow to him. You should know the Character of the people around you. Mordecai felt Haman was evil and did not deserve honor so in accordance with God's law Mordecai only payed respect to God and the anointed King. This angered Haman. He wanted to kill Mordecai. Then his anger turned to rage and he sought to rid the earth of all the Jews. The devils Plan. But God has a plan and it never fails.  Esther 3:1-2, 5-6, 3:8-11

Esther 4:1-17

See How prayer made her brave. Apart from God we can do nothing!!!!!

Esther learns that obedience is key to success in God. She also learns that God's will be done whether through her or someone else but God will have his way. Just as God rose her up because King Saul disobeyed. Esther 4:13-14 

Esther risks her life for her people 

after she prayed three days she got up and got dressed and went and stood before the king. Esther 5:1-2

Finding favor in the sight of the king. We have already found favor in Christ when we obey his commands. Even Christ says ask and you shall receive. Esther was  very obedient to her uncle and she sought counsel whenever she needed to. There is safety in a multitude of counselors. 

Here the King says to Esther Ask and you shall receive. Esther 5:3

Esther did not act right away she invited the King to a dinner with Haman as guest. Most people like to speculate on why she waited. I simply say it is because everything happens in Gods timing. God simply wasn't ready he wanted certain things to happen first. Everything had to be rightly aligned. 

God wanted Haman's plan for the Jews to be fully visioned by Hamon and begin to be put into action. Esther 5:13-14  Then God wanted the king to remember that Mordecai saved his life and honor him. But not just honor him, but use Haman to do it. So this could cause Haman humiliation. Esther 6:1-3, 4-12 

Now God was ready! Esther reveals herself and pleads for her life and the life of her people. Esther 7:3-4

Esther names Haman as her enemy Esther 7:6

God turns all things around for the Good of the Jews. Esther 7:10

The house of Haman given to Esther. Mordecai gets Haman's job. The Jews are allowed to protect themselves against their enemies. Then many become Jews because fear of the Jews fell upon them. Mordecai becomes very great in the Kingdom. Their mourning turned to Joy and they rejoiced. All Haman' sons hanged. A feast day instituted “Purim” Esther 8,9,10

Jesus came to turn our mourning to Joy.

Isaiah 61:1-3New King James Version (NKJV)

The Good News of Salvation

61 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

So God avenged his enemies through Esther and blessed his people whom Haman the Devils tool sought to destroy.