We continue with our study of the book of Esther, focusing this week on Chapters 5 and 6 which will teach us how to ask according to the rule book.
1) The importance of preparation
Esther fasted for three days before facing the king; she did not just barge in because he favoured her: it would have cost her, her life. The lesson here is that you cannot physically possess that which you have not first obtained spiritually. Indeed, EVERYTHING that is visible has its origin in the invisible. The physical events first take place in the spiritual realm. Moses was able to gaze at the physical tabernacle because he had first beheld its heavenly pattern (He 8:5). Thus, before venturing into the physical presence of the king, Esther had to be welcomed in there in her spirit first. In addition, fasting also gave her the courage and determination she needed to risk her life. Because of this preparation, the effects of fasting were early felt:
- First, when Esther appears, before opening her mouth, the king is already ready to give her half of the kingdom (vs. 5:2-3).
- Then, the king cannot sleep and to occupy himself, asks for the Chronicles of the kingdom 'by chance' (but it is another consequence of the fast) and finds that Mordecai, Esther's uncle, had saved his life and had not been worthily rewarded (vs. 6:1-3).
- Finally, when Haman comes to see him to seal Mordecai’s fate, the king speaks first and asks him which befitting reward should be given to someone who has rendered good deeds to the nation. Haman, who is totally convinced it can only be him, describes the pageantry that should accompany such a man and the next minute, Mordecai falls into glory (vs. 6.4-10). If Haman had spoken first to ask the head of one’ arrogant Jew’, and if the king had agreed, everything would have changed because the king never came back on his word. Again, we see the effects of the fast.
Do you take time to prepare yourself before encountering those who are in authority - people or God? Do you understand the role of fasting? Fasting does not change the heart or purposes of God; but it changes the heart and purposes of men, and aligns your heart to the Lord's plans, while giving you the wisdom you need to act, as we will see with the second point.
2) Knowing how to touch the heart
You can only best speak to the head if you have previously successfully spoken to the heart and soul. If Jesus performed many miracles around the table, it is because the mind is more receptive when the soul is satisfied. Indeed, the seed that falls among thorns (the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches), will be choked and bear no fruit (Mat 13): the heart must first be relieved, contented and free in order to be willing to do good. Thus, when Isaac wants to bless his beloved son, he asks: “Prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.” Isaac knew that to say/wish the best possible thing (etymological sense of ‘to bless’); to be able to utter good words, living words, something had to be stirred, shaken and moved deep within. So, he thought of what was most likely to put him in such a state and revealed it to his beloved son. Esau was not to prepare just any meal; he had to prepare a game and prepare it in a special way. Likewise, Esther had to make a splash. Fasting helped her discover the strategy to obtain the king’s grace; she found the key to his heart and what he liked the most: feasts. This was the best gift she could give him and offered two successive banquets in his honour. When you know how difficult it is to impress someone who has seen /eaten it all and who can afford everything, you understand what it took to blow his mind. Don’t be fooled; it is wrong to believe that 'it's the thought that counts': you must hit the target. If you really want to touch the heart of those whom you want to offer (or ask) something to, you should take the time to research what will make them happy. This is done in the place of prayer or by interviewing people close to them: this is the time of preparation mentioned above. If you offer me a pair of yellow, green or bright red shoes, no matter the brand, the price, and the sincerity of your intentions, the person that I am now and that I will probably be for long, will not wear them and will give them back to you. You may even irritate me: it's not the gesture that matters. Saul thought he could flatter God with the best beasts of the Amalekites’ cattle: it did not work (1Sam 15)!
The day will come when you'll want to ask something very important to the Lord, your boss or a someone in a high position; don’t jump anyhow into it because, just as this inconsistency could have cost Esther’s life, it can also cause you to lose everything. Take time to prepare; remember that the way of blessing flows through the heart and to touch it, have recourse to the Holy Spirit to know what is suitable to give.
God bless you with wisdom this week.
No comments:
Post a Comment