Esther & Turnaround JOY #6 – Pray, Wait and Discern

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Image: Esther before Ahasuerus (1547-48) Painting by Tintoretto

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Pray, Wait & Discern

Are you praying, waiting, and discerning? Have you ever prayed in a daunting situation? Were you looking for a quick solution? Sometimes a quick solution is not the best solution. In our podcast today, Esther shows us the value of prayer, but also why it’s important to wait and discern God’s solution.

Esther Puts Her Life on the Line

Esther’s name comes from the Hebrew root “SIT-UR seter,” which means “concealed.” It suggests her identity would be concealed for a time, but the time had come for her to reveal her faith.  Mordecai asked her to go to the king to stop the edict against the Jews, but without an invitation, she could be executed.  Esther finally agreed to put her life on the line for such a time as this. She knew she needed God’s intervention, so she called for three days of fasting from food and water for all Jews, and even her maids. Then she would go to the king with the conclusion, “If I perish, I perish.”  In the podcast today, we will cover these points.

The Third Day (Esther 5: 1-8)

•  The “third day” in the Jewish faith is significant. A Jewish commentary suggests believed God’s deliverance for Israel would come after prayer on “the third day” (Midrash Raba, Esther).
• For example, in the Old Testament Hosea 6: 2 says,  After two days He will revive us; on the third day God will raise us up, that we may live before him. NRSV-CE
• The third day is also connected to the Christian faith and Jesus’ resurrection.

Esther’s Gentle-Discerning Leadership (Esther 5: 5-7)

• Esther “stood” before the king radiating an inner strength and outer beauty from God.
• Esther 15 (Deuterocanonical): the King invited Esther to him, saying: “Come near. ¹¹ Then he raised the golden scepter and touched her neck with it; ¹² he embraced her, and said, “Speak to me.”
• Gentle leadership characterizes a leader who is kind, compassionate, loyal, and willing to listen to the needs of those around her.
• A discerning leader prays and waits for God’s direction.
• Queen Esther was truly a gentle and discerning leader.  She leaned completely on God for strength and guidance.

 Esther’s Discernment and the First Banquet (Esther 5: 9-14)

• The fasting and prayers of Esther and God’s people changed the heart of the King.
• On the third day of fasting, Esther abandoned herself in total submission to God, put on royal robes to show her authority as Queen of Persia, and became the leader God designed her to be.
• Esther asked the king to come with Haman to a festive dinner banquet she had prepared.
• At the end of the meal, Esther delayed and again asked the king and Haman to come to a second dinner on the following day.
• God’s guidance and discernment indicated Esther needed to wait one more day.

 Haman and His Prized Sons

• Haman boasted to his family and friends (v. 10-12). H
• Historian Herodotus says the Persians prized a large number of sons, second only to great courage in war.
• Haman’s pride burst with pride at being invited to dinner twice with the king and queen of Persia.
• Only the sight of Mordecai the Jew who would not bow to him pricked his joy. His wife Zeresh suggested he build gallows 75 feet (50 cubits) high and hang Mordecai immediately.

Personal Reflection

• Which principles on prayer, waiting and discernment will you apply?
• I need to seek God with other pray-ers for support to stand firm in spiritual battles.
• To become a gentler and more discerning person, I need to increase my time in prayer with repentance for myself and others, fasting, and waiting.
• I want to rely more on God’s discernment. I must wait where God has placed me and invite his discernment and leadership.
• I will try to remember this verse: Isaiah 40:31.“But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” NRSV-CE

Links

• You can download Bookmarks from this podcast series at my website: WRAPYourselfinJOY.com.
• Check out more podcasts here!
• Click here to find the book: Esther For Such a Time As This: Prayer, Reversals, and JOY