Post by Lynnette Easter
Confession time! As my hand darts straight up and I shake my head at a scenario that just darted through my mind as I penned this post: Yes, I most definitely gave the side eye along with a Me, Myself, and I +1 resolution that I came up with had I been Queen Esther!
As we continue in the book of Esther, where is it taking you when it comes to your resolution(s) regarding this particular upcoming scenario?
The setting takes us yet again to Esther’s uncle, Mordecai. The edict circulated around the provinces; the intended targeted person received the horrific news—Mordecai. He was devastated and distraught, to say the least; he knew this death sentence affected his niece, the Queen Esther, as well.
- Every Jew in the provinces under the king’s ruling that received word of this law fasted, cried and lay in sackcloth and ashes. Mordecai ripped his clothing, put on sackcloth and ashes and cried aloud at King Xerxes’ gate, while Esther was oblivious to what was taking place right underneath her nose. Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants updated Esther on Mordecai’s behavior. She sent clothes to her Uncle Mordecai but he refused them; Esther called on one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to her, Hathak. Esther told him to find out what was wrong with Mordecai and the reason.
- So Hathak went to the open square in front of the king’s gate where Mordecai was located and spoke with him. Mordecai told Hathak about Haman’s set up to pay into the royal treasury for all of the Jews to be killed; he then presented a copy of the edict published in Susa that ordered the killing of the Jews. Mordecai then told Hathak to show the edict to Esther; explain to her its meaning and ask her to go beg King Xerxes for mercy on behalf of her people’s lives.
- Hathak went to Queen Esther and relayed to her everything Mordecai told him. Esther told Hathak to further explain in detail to Mordecai the king’s law: any man or woman that approaches the king’s inner court without being summoned by him will be put to death. The exception is for whomever the king extends his gold scepter to; that person will be seen and their lives will be spared.
- Esther told Hathak to inform Mordecai that she had not been called by the king within the past thirty days. Hatahak relayed Esther’s words to Mordecai and he asked Hathak to tell Esther that even though she lived in the king’s house unbeknownst to him as a Jew, her life would not be exempt from this heinous act. Mordecai further stated that if Esther remained quiet, deliverance for the Jewish people would come from another source, but Esther and her fathers family would perish.
- Hathak reported to Queen Esther everything Mordecai relayed to him; she told Hathak to tell Mordecai to get all of the Jews together in Susa for her; they were to not eat and drink for three days and three nights. Esther further stated that she and her attendants would fast along with the Jews for those three days and three nights. At the end of the fast, even though it is against the law, she would go before the king. She then stated: “And if I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai carried out Queen Esther’s instructive…
Next month we will delve deeper into Esther’s resolution but now it’s truth time:
Q: Initially, did anyone come up with anything similar to Esther’s problem solving resolution?
A: As I stated my answer in the beginning: no, my initial response did not begin nor end with anything Esther did.
My problem solving mechanism: it’s all in who you know! My husband is the king; therefore, both my uncle and I are safe. My husband picked me; he loves and values me and these two contending factors guarantee an overturned edict which also covers the lives of the Jewish people as well. I took the resources I had and used it to my advantage—problem solved!
I am so wrong in every aspect, but I can admit it. My thinking process did not include seeking God’s face and asking Him how I should go about doing things.
When resolving issues without seeking God, the issues will be resolved undoubtedly. Unfortunately, the resolution will not be the best. Yes, it may work for my benefit but the lasting effect is a greatly impacted life. The path becomes off kilter; the blessings and opportunities that were supposed to come my way along the God-path will not arrive because “I Did It My Way.”
Well, there have been instances in my life where I did things my way and received those benefits because that was the choice I made. The difference between then and now is I recognize when I am about to embark upon taking matters into my own hands; I listen to that still small voice that prompts me to stop and pray. I want nothing but the best God has to offer. I’m still learning along the way and that’s a God thing.
