Fast of Esther and the Fig Tree Season
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Long ago, Esther pleaded for her people Israel, before her king, in a time of peril.
Centuries later, Jesus indicated the season of the greatest peril that would ever be known on earth.
Will we do as she did?
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Fig tree season
We seem to be entering into another "fig tree season."
Will this be the year that begins the time of trouble on earth?
Mat 24:32 ¶ Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh:
Mat 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors.
Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
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Purim occurs at the threshold of fig tree season
Time of Esther
Purim (“lots”) is a festival that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people living throughout the ancient Persian Empire from a plot by Haman the Agagite to annihilate them, as recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (Megillat Esther).
According to the story, Haman casted lots to determine the day upon which to exterminate the Jews.
The death date was thirteenth of the month of Adar. When Mordecai (Esther’s uncle) found out about the plans he ordered widespread penitence and fasting.
Esther (Jewish, but the king’s wife) discovers what has transpired; she requested that all Jews of Shushan fast and pray for three days together with her, and on the third day she seeks an audience with the king.
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Modern Times
Today, Satan, through other “Hamans,” plans to destroy the holy people of God.
I am planning on a 3 day fast of Esther (March 17,18, 19 – 2011), as she did thousands of years ago, to save her people.
She was called for "such a time as this."
2011- 2012, with all its serious issues, is also "such a time."
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You are welcome to join me in this prayer effort in March.
Each can pray for their own country, state, city, neighborhood, and family.
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Then, after fasting and prayer, go before your own King Jesus, and make your request.
Repent, and ask for mercy, deliverance, and protection during perilous times.
You are His precious bride.
He will hear you.
Heaven Awaits 
YES! To the churches! He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Thank you Marianne,
In Christ, Sarah
Purim is a remembrance of deliverance, and it’s a great time to undertake this fast and prayer. Jewish sages have said that after
redemption by the messiah, only Purim will still be a celebrated feast,
for it is pure joy.
Let us pray that our redemption draweth nigh. And that those who are not with us may become “with us”, as far as may be possible.
Marianne, I will join you on your fast, this is a divine idea! I have never fasted, as I’m not sure of how safe it is for our health., c ould you give any tips on how to go about it, or direct me to some infornation?
elle
do as you feel led by God.
I have heard of people giving up meats, or starches, or favorite foods, and just eating vegetables.
I will not eat for 3 days. I will most likely drink something, to prevent dehydration.
The more we eat, the more distracted we get with our appetites.
The important part is the seeking of God in prayer.
Do not allow distractions, and keep your mind and heart on God.
Dear Elle…I fasted in my early christian years…..then I went through some serious trauma which resulted in health problems with my digestive system. After that I could not fast again…Satan had bound me with lies that if I fasted I would become ill again…Satan was determined to stop me in my walk with the Lord. This year I laid down those fears and did a three day fast from 7-9th Feb…I suffered no ill effects in fact health wise I felt amazing and I heard that still small voice directing my steps….go for the fast and trust God with your health….
How does one fast? Is it from sunrise to sundown?
that is your choice.
Officially, as the Jews do it….fast begins at 6 am on the 17th.
6-13..And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
The stars of Heaven are god’s people being shaken out of the tree via the mighty WIND of Satan’s Islamic doctrines being preached in the CHRISLAM churches today…..
Chrislam are the Christian churches that are teaching Mohammed in Sunday school and place the antichrist Koran alongside the Bibles in the pews..
Paul warned of this great falling away from Christ in 2 Thessalonians 2-3..
Jesus also spoke of the CHristians that were garnished, and swept clean of Satan.
He said the last state of these would be worse than the first..The first state would be the adamic condition that is like Satan.The last state is where Satan and his demon angels enter the man…Matthew 12-43-45..When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth [it] empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last [state] of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
This event occurs during judgment (see Verse 39,40,41).
Satan and his seven wicked angels are none other than the 7 headed dragon beast of Rev. 12-9 and Rev. 13..
Revelation 13 is Satan’s throne where he and his demons claim Allah is the God of Abraham.. The earth beast also called false prophets are the Muslims who say the Koran is gods words.. They are also those who kill (for 1400 years) all who won’t bow to the Allah beast…The seven wicked sprits and Satan that enter the Christians are doing so through Chrislam…
lOOK UP CHRISLAM ONLINE…
In the ministry I’m involved in, the verses that you quoted are about deliverance and letting the demons back in. If you are delivered of a demonic spirit of say, addiction, and you let it back in by going back to drugs/alcohol or whatever your addiction, then it allows 7 more demons back in. Each of those demons will be worse than the first that was cast out. A lot of research has been done by the leaders in the ministry into deliverance and spiritual warfare and a lot of it is based on Derek Prince and Smith Wigglesworth. Very interesting men they were. 🙂
Angel, I too cannot fast. I have a rare genetic condition in which fasting produces an attack. I have not had an attack of this disease in a long time, because I know how to regulate my diet to prevent it;
in a sense I am always on a modified fast, although I get to eat some
tasty foods, not complaining.
The way in which Daniel says he fasted was to abstain from luxurious an fine tasting foods. He ate very simple foods all of the time, but in the time he fasted to receive the Lord’s word about the end of the 70 years of exile for the Jews, he cut this down to what I would interpret to be bread, water, and unspiced, unoiled beans.
It is essential for everyone fasting to have water. The normal healthy body can go without food for weeks, but must have water or
get sick and perhaps out of their heads.
Some people fast by giving up other pleasant things: TV, movies.
More important even than fasting is the prayer part. Don’t forget
that part. Most of us pray daily, but we could set apart times when
we sit with the Bible and read it line by line and ask for special
guidance. And remember to pray specifically for redemption and deliverance, as Esther did.
Marianne & Angie, Thanks for the information. I will be joi ning those of you who will be fasting & will tell others about it too…blessings to all!
I AGREE IF EVER THERE WAS A TIME TO FAST IT IS NOW. THE LORD HAS PUT IT ON MY HEART TO FAST ALSO . JESUS CHRIST YESHUA HA MASHIACH IS COMING SOON . I PRAY ALL OUR FAMILIES ARE COUNTED WORTHY AS WELL AS OURSELVES TO BE TAKEN WHEN HE DOES COME IN YESHUA’S NAME I PARY . AMEN.
Dear Marianne – I will be joining you on your fast. I have been training myself to fast lately – mainly to overcome overeating and obesity; and it has been amazing; even though I get acid reflux and terrible headaches during the fasts; however I will press on; especially during this Esther fast that you have called. I commend you for being attentive to the Spirit to challenge us to do it. May the Lord deliver us from evil, all over the world. I especially lift up the country of Lybia, Tunisia, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast and South Africa on my continent. May the Lord raise up a whole army of fasters over the period March 17-19. God bless
dear Lesego
Thank you. Joining together in unity can accomplish much. There are over the counter medicines for acid reflux you can get before you start a fast. Stay away from coffee. That will help also.
Hallo There. Please people do not fear Keep your Eyes fast on the Lord JESUS. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Thus sayeth The LORD. !!! What a promise. We had a Prophet in the early parts of the century and he has been on the mark every time. Be advised also to judge the prophets as the Bible teaches,don’t just accept.Siener Van Rensburg, google him if you want.Don’t just assume islam is the Antichrist. Be mindful of what Martin Luther and the Protestant reformation taught.Dont be swept around in the wind study! The Antichrist is known already!!
hello Louis
Who do you say is the antichrist?
Matt 12:30–“He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. There you go Marianne and many are not with CHRIST JESUS. That’s who Our Lord Jesus calls Antichrist.
well I agree with that…..but if there is a specific personality who will take over, that is what I was asking Louis about.
Marianne,
As I said I am just catching up. Please remind me of the fast for the 3 days a couple days out.
Are we doing the Daniel fast or is this an abstain from water and food. Since this is a corporate fast shouldn’t it be defined. Fasting is good for the body and the soul when done for the Biblical reasons, honoring the Lord or when inquiring of direction, or when needing strength.
I feel after reading this message and it being about our land and the lives of our loved ones that the story of Gideon is good to keep in mind.
The Lord told Gideon he needed men who were not afraid, that they were willing to lap as dogs. In other words they submitted themselves to the Lord and his will in all things that they might over come. So as God expressed to Gideon regarding fear, we can’t fear what appears as giants.
We are not just anys, we are his. Who is greater than him? He gives strength in times like these, his love and forgiveness
is ever present with those who call upon him.
Oddly enough Gideon was of the tribe of Manasseh. The Jewish children of the nation of the USA are of the roots of Manasseh according to the Rabbi’s studying 10 tribes and where they live today.
Everything God does is perfect. He leads us in paths of righteousness for his name sake. The story of Esther is one of my favorite, she was brave and filled with much love and was lead by God through her faith.
As with out Lord who can be a giant to us none. The tower of strength is with us.
hi Pattie
Personally, starting in the morning of March 17, I will abstain from any food for 3 days.
I would not recommend going without water or fluids. That might cause medical problems.
However, any fluids should be humble ones, and not exotic or comfort drinks, like soft drinks, fancy coffees, etc. Maybe water or tea.
The Daniel fast is an option for those who really need to eat something for medical reasons.
The idea is to get our minds off food and just pray. people can spend too much time peaking into the refrigerator, and the time spent in feasting on food can be used for prayer.
Prayer is the important part.
Thanks for joining me.
I am particularly concerned for your area of the country. That has already been through much stress, and does not need any more disasters, affecting innocent people.
I just heard from someone in New Zealand. the Christ Church earthquake cause power outages, and a lack of food and water for 3-4 days. Building damages and lost lives. He said all the anglican churches that allowed gays, jezbels, and witches were destroyed.
I am hoping I see God selectively protecting the innocent while judging the wicked.
But Jesus said, we have because we do not ask. So we must ASK…..ask for protection, forgiveness and mercy, for ourselves and our loved ones.
I realize that officially, there is no danger according to secular sources. But God is judging the earth, and he does things the secular sources cannot predict or change, even if they knew.
God raised up Moses to deliver Israel in his day…Joseph to deliver Israel in his day…Esther to deliver Israel in her day….all God’s idea. He continues to RULE over all in this generation. Heard it said in a weekend sermon..’Satan is the devil…but he’s God’s devil.’ Be assured everything we are seeing and experiencing in this generation is under God full and total control…to accomplish HIS purposes…HIS plan for man. I don’t understand what the fasting is ‘asking’. God hasn’t changed. There is no rule but God. He determine the time span of man …beginning to end….saw every soul who would live or die…from before the foundation of the world. Why would we ask Him to altar His plan….for what purpose?
internet elias
WE are not asking God to change his plans.
We are asking God for protection and victory against the plans of the devil.
God raised up those people before to deliver the innocent from the wicked.
If Satan had his way, the innocent would perish, but asking God for victory over this plan, we want the victory to be ours, not the devils.
And yes, there will be some things in the future that are in God’s plans, but we are not opposing that, only asking for protection and mercy and forgiveness.
But Purim focuses on the plans of the wicked against the innocent, and how God delivered his people after they fasted and prayed.
You always pick good pictures. Good timing for this post.
http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/digitalmedia/2008/11/beth-moores-esther-study-avail.html
The contrast:
The most pronounced motif in the entire Book of Esther is feasting. The chapters are practically tied together by tablecloths. Not coincidentally, this fast divides the feast on the narrative I half strongly implying that the remaining feast only occur because this fast took place.
The timing:
Remember, the news of the decree hit the provinces the very day the Passover celebration was intended to begin among the Jews. Feasting was the cornerstone of the entire remembrance. Only something monumental could have trumped the commanded ritual, turning its feasting into fasting. Perhaps we can best related by imagining dreadful news on Christmas Day calling for fasting while turkeys roast in the oven and pies cool on kitchen counters. The emotional whiplash would be brutal.
The severity: In the ancient world most fast were either limited to daylight hours or certain foods and rarely included fasting from water. The risk of dehydration was too serious. Severe maladies often call for severe remedies, however. Perhaps most interesting is what this kind of fast would do to Esther’s appearance. Re ember, the harem girls were fattened up for the king not starved into sticks.
The implication: A momentous element of the fast in Ester is the profound implication of prayer. In a book of the bible with no mention of God,
Fasting indicates prayer. And prayer indicates God. After all, fasting for fasting sake is futile. Our assumption is that Esther and the Jews of Susa were without food so they could wholeheartedly focus their petitions before God. Their refusal to receive sustenance demonstrated their desperation to receive something much greater deliverance.
In the whole of Israel’s history, god’s people were never called to fast for fasting’s sake. They were called to forego food to deny all else but god. We must ask ourselves why this occasion would be any different. The following portion of Joel 2:17 describes a petition God’s people were told to make as they gathered together for a holy fast. “Let them say, “Spare your people, O Lord. Do not make your inheritance an object of scor a byword among the nations” The parallels I Esther 4:15-17 could not be more remarkable. Perhaps they find the height of their significance in the way they each “god” in the blanks of this unique book. Consider the words of Dr. Karen Jobes:
“Whether Esther was mindful of Joel’s prophecy or not, she in effect “blows the trumpet I Zion.” commanding Mordecai to call a fast for all the Jews of Susa, to see if the Lord may relent from sending this calamity on her people. For the first time in this story Esther identifies herself with God’s people and responds to the prophetic call to repentance by joining with the Jews of Susa in this fast.
The very woman who had hidden her identify so she could live royalty in Persia stood to her feet and blew the trumpet of re-gathering loudly for the scattered people of Zion. The shrill sound reverberated from the palace walls to peasant homes until thousands of voices melded together in heavenly ascension: Spare Your people, O Lord!” a splintered people became as one timber. She who had systematically reinvented herself returned to her roots at the risk that she’d be buried by them.
Esther came to what many would call her “defining moment” . Sometimes our most important moments come hand in hand with our willingness to reveal that we aren’t really who we’ve seemed to be. Our protagonist was a double-minded woman who, interestingly enough possessed a name for each side of herself. She was Hadassah, the Jewess and Esther, the Persian. I can’t imagine that any of us has persistently resisted the lure of double-mindedness.
In a crisis situation such as this, there was no neutral position. Failure to decide brings personal loss and misses the opportunity to fulfill God’s purpose’s.”
Esther would identify herself with her covenant people even if it killed her. If it didn’t, life as she’d known it was dead anyway. There was no way back. She must step into the unknown known and into the hiddenness completely un-hidden.
Fully exposed, only a providential force could protect her now. Xerxes’ scepter was in the hand of God.
good song Kitti 🙂
I have never been able to fast prior to this year. Last week I finished a 21 day Daniel fast because I sincerely felt the Lord calling me to do this. A Daniel fast is considered a partial fast found in the book of Daniel. In chapter 10, Daniel and his companions took in no sweets, no meats ,no wine. ” I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I annoint myself at all till three whole weeks were fulfilled” Dan.10: 2-3 A Daniel fast is a fast of only vegetables, fruit and water. It includes no bread of any type, pasta, and no meat.
Personally I felt it permisible to allow basic lentil, beans, quinoa, unembellished due to health issues. It was an amazing experience of seeking God. Definitely heard Him more clearly.
Two more types are found in the Bible being the absolute fast and the normal fast. These are done for shorter periods.
On an abolute fast, you take in nothing-no food or water.
On a normal fast, you typically go without food.
Fasting done in the right spirit is a continual prayer before God .
Fasting is also a powerful weapon that releases the promises of God.
Its amazing to learn just how the Bible is FULL of fasting practiced by every biblical hero I’ve read about for years and never noticed before how much fasting was a way of life. Times of crisis, before battles, asking God to lift judgements, fasts for healing and deliverance, etc.
How did we get so removed from this tool for seeking God’s face?
Lastly, there is a wonderful book that enabled me to understand and be able to truely fast. The title is simply FASTING by Jentenzen Franklin.
I will do the Purim fast with you Marianne . God bless you.
hi Barbara
May you be blessed during this time of seeking God, his will, and his protection.
I think a healthy Daniel fast would include the complete protein
such as lentils and grain. Barbara said that a Daniel fast would be something like veggies and fruit, and quinoa, but no grain. I think quinoa is a grain, although an unusual one. I believe Daniel knew so much about food combining that he would know how to combine a lentil or bean with a grain to get a complete protein. So his fast at the end of the 70 years in exile would be basically the same things he always ate, but devoid of wine, oil, and “pleasant things”–i.e. additions of spices, sweeteners, and
meats. I don’t know if Daniel ever ate meat. He refused it when he
was just a young man new at the court of Persia, but he may have added meat to his basic diet a he grew older.
The main thing about a Daniel fast is to have no “pleasant” things added to the basic diet. So it is austere, even though one is still
eating the chemicals of a bssic diet.
I really wish I could go on a stronger fast, but I tried that when young an got into Porphyria attacks; then, of course, I was trying to lose weight, not to serve God by my fasting. I only lost weight when
I got on a balanced diet of protein and carbohyrates, minus sugar and saturated fat. Balance was the key for me. And still is. I can’t detoxify, but I continually refuse things which cause toxicity.
I have to balanced to serve God; that is my chief lesson to learn
from Him. I am passionate and would go overboard for Him, but He says no.
Mariel
I just wanted to thank-you for sharing this portion of the bible with the public. My name as you well know is Esther. Do you realize that a majority of the population has never even heard of her, nor do they even know it’s a book of the Old Testament. How do I know this? Almost eight out of ten people spell my name Ester. I then proceed to spell my name correctly and explain that I was named after the biblical name Esther. Very few people know of whom I am named after for they either never read a bible or their bible is just another dust collector sitting on their table. My name has been a testimony to teach others the importance of studying the word of God. The importance of fasting is relevant especially in this particular book considering the word God is never used in this book.Being Jewish it is taken in context that she is fasting and praying to God to help her people. So I am with you on the fast, it is not something to be taken for granted, there is so much power in prayer and fasting. So especially for those who are proclaimed Christians that have never read or heard of Esther, let this be a lesson to what you are missing when you skip over portions of the bible. Fastng and prayer changed the course of history, the Lord is the same yesterday. today , and tomorrow, so may we use this time to submit to a loving God. May we use this time to pray for other instead of ourselves, may we pray for a peace that passeth all understanding in times of difficulty,mercy and deliverance in perilous times.
Thank you Esther. May we reap insight into challenges ahead and directions as to how to proceed from God. May our prayers help others as well and bring them the protection they may need as times become more dangerous.
Glad to meet you Esther. Love what you wrote 🙂
Dear Esther,
Information on the items and great specifics of the Daniel fast are listed on a Jentezen Franklin site that he has dedicated to the specifically to that fast.
His church does a 21 day fast of Daniel every year toward the beginning of the year.
Hope this information helps you and anyone else wanting more details.
Marianne,
I have seen some encouraging results of fasting with prayer – even though partial fasting. I am actually desperate for my family’s salvation – especially for my wife’s. My in-laws feel that I have gone “too deep” into Christianity and are scared that my wife and our 3 yr old son too will become Christians. I have a Hindu background.
I suspect some ungodly prayers etc being offered to prevent them from turning to Jesus. Please pray for her salvation and for me to take a bold stand and play to perfection, my role as the priest of my household. I have had several crying sessions over the last few years. People say that God has His own right time. But how can we assume it is not NOW? It might have been yesterday. I request you to help me catch up, as your brother in Christ Jesus, because at present, i am a lone warrior in my household. Quite likely, I am the first born-again in my lineage goingg back several hundred (or a thousand) years. It’s tough when you are a 1st generation in anything.
dear Ketan
You are already on my prayer list. I can understand how hard it is. There are many of us who have family who are not saved. The problem does not have to go back one thousand years. Each generation can be a challenge, because the people are different.
Your tears are NOT for nothing. Each one is noticed by God.
As the deadline approaches, we look around and see no change. But we must have faith that the change is in the spirit and in God’s hands.
We have asked according to His will, that all be saved, and Jesus has already promised that, if we ask anything in his name, that is the will of God, he will do it.
The salvation for loved ones, for many of us, may occur at the last moments, but it will occur.
So do not be discouraged. Keep praying and do not give up on your family.
There is a very good article at the hebrew4christians.com site that enlightens us as to why we should observe Purim as Christians.
Beth Moore has a very unique way of dramatizing the Book of Esther and also giving a modern day application of what it means for us. I highly recommend it.
http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/digitalmedia/2008/11/beth-moores-esther-study-avail.html
Esther has a choice. She had to overcome herself in order to do what God had created her and positioned her to do.
Esther faced the fear.
Hebrews 2:14-15
By embracing death, taking it unto himself, he destroyed the Devil’s hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death.
Esther 4:11-17
Our protagonist made three shifts that moved her from self-preservation to brave determination.
“Living perpetually in the shadow of immanent catastrophe, the Jew was threatened no only physically but psychologically. Walking in the shadow of death was as perilous as dying. Esther took the courage she was offered.”
Session 4 challenged us to face our worst fears. We talked about how the enemy and our own self-destructive natures combine to taunt us with “What ifs.” Once we are in Christ, Satan has no authority to detroy us, so he settles for the next best thing; threatening to destroy us. Based on our histories and behaviors he deduces what we ourselves are most convinced would raze us. To the Devil, the irony is delicious: Our distrust of God tattles on us, telling our enemy exactly how to get to us. Many of us habitually rehearse, “If…..ever happens, then I’ll …….. Our fears become like long, bony index fingers pointing at our vulnerabilites. Once satan sees what we believe would be the end of us, he threatens and torments us with it.
Esther was now in the driver’s seat. She took responisbility, but she also took the reins. After three days of spiritual and mental preparation, she got prepared physically. Make no mistake. Esther’s full intent was to dress for success. “Ether had no intention of being what Daisy Buchanan called “a pretty little fool.”
Those royal robes were a power suit if you’ve ever seen one. Even though Mordecai told her to beg and plead with Xerxes, she did not approach the king as a beggar. Neither did she approach him as a wife alone. Clearly she appeared before Xerxes an none other than Queen of the vast Persian Empire.
Though rattled with fear and insecurity, Esther needed to be regal. Statley. Smart. She must be a force to be reckoned with. sexy had better give way to savvy or her neck could give way to the noose. Quaking in her glass slippers, scripture’s Cinderella rose to the occasion. Based on bits and pieces of historical evidence, a handful of quotes, and blends of human nature, this is how I (Beth Moore) think the events may have then unfolded. Ready or not, the time had come:
Esther hoped the three day fast would end with reprieve and she’d not have to approach the king, but no miracle occured No prophet spoke. No plague overtook the Persians.
Only time would tell if they were on their own If they were, all the empire would know it, because God’s exiting signature would be written in Jewish blood. Esther had never felt more alone. More forsaken. Ironically, a person is never less aware of divine intervention than when he or she has been chosen to render it. Sometimes Gog’s hand is so close that it covers the eyes.
Esther’s maidservants held out the pieces of her royal ward-robe. Each stared at the floor, trying to hide her fear. Before sliding the first layer over head. Esther glanced at her frame in the miirror and marveled how quickly she’d withered with the fast. Her stomach screeched with such a war of hunger and nerves that she couldn’t distinguish one from the other. For once, she was thankful for all the heavy layers of royal garb. They would muffle the sound of her stomach and amplify the size of her body
Robes were draped delicately across her collar bone to frame a necklace of greater worth than a commoner could see in a liftime. One of the maidservants stood atop a cushioned stool, combed and pinned Esther’s raven hair until no contortion of terror could hide her beauty . Another maidservant handed the crown to the one standing on the stool. She placed it carefully on Esther’s head.
Xerxe’ bride looked to the mirror as the attendants stepped back. Had she not been so riddled with self doubt, the vision would haven taken her own breath away. Instead, she drew air in to the deepest part of her lungs, exhaled, and nodded with intent toward the door. with evey step toward the throne room, she gained a small measure of strength.
Esther paused at the entrance to the king’s hall. In a few short footsteps. she’d be visible and there would be no turning back. She knew if she tarried an instant, she might run. Her attendants strode hastily to her side and fanned the train of her robes until the marble floor was blanketed with her splendor.
A hall of pillars tretched between Xerxes’ throne and the entrance where Esther stood. Esther could see him now. She could also see the soldier standing guard over him holding a large sword for the rapid disposal of any unwelcome guests. Her heart pounded so furously that her ears rang. A mixture of admiration and astonishment over her uninvited appearance caused a stir among observers. The king looked up from a document and then drew down his brow as if focus would help him fathom the sight. Ony her beauty exceeded her audacity, and feeling the weight of the crowd’s expectation, King Xerxes somehow found himself intrigued than insulted.
You see, the woman who stood at the oppostie end of the king’s hall not just the fairest of the harem. She was the Queen of Persia…and never more fully than now. The king was pleased with her 5:2
The Hebrew echoes the exact same phrase from 2:17 like reverberations down the airy halls. She’d done much more than receive Xerxes’ favor. She’d won it. Crucially, the Scriptures will mark their move to the banquet,not the bedroom. sexy had not won his favor here. God-given savvy had.
Our scene freezes today with the tip of Esther’s fingers touching the tip of Xerxes’ scepter. The historical resonance of captive Israelites is reiveting. “Like Moses, (Esther returned) to the court as a deliverer-and during the specifc time for Passover. after reclothing herself, she (took) her stand in the inner court of the palace, (faced) the king and (awaited) his response.
How often does our own King hold out the scepter of His approval and though we inch forward in timid approach we choose not to reach out and touch it? Oh, that we’d receive such royal invitation even when our hearts pound withn us until our ears ring! Who knows what a mighty deliverance is at hand?
“I am the Root and Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. “The Spirit and the bride say ‘Come’ (Revelation 22:16-17)
[…] Marianne Tioran, are pursuing a three day ‘Esther fast’, beginning today (noted in this Feb 7th post), with the current-day, Jewish eye-opening application of the Esther-Bride, King-Christ typology […]
Sun to Retire; Son to Take Over « New Wineskins said this on March 17, 2011 at 5:28 pm |
Realy i want to serve God bigtime but things are continually puting me down. Please back me in prayer as i am going on 3days esther fasting starting today October 7 2015
steven
I wish you a blessed and easy fast.
you have my prayerful support.
may god be with you