Esther: Silent but Sovereignနမူနာ

When faced with a crisis, is our first response action or prayer? It’s not easy to wait patiently on the Lord in prayer. To allow time for Him to work in our hearts to comfort, strengthen and renew perspective requires discipline. But as we spend time with God in prayer, He works, not only in our hearts but also in the circumstances and hearts of those around us. 

As Esther, her attendants, and the Jews waited on the Lord (4:16), God prepared Xerxes’ heart so that he was prepared to meet any request she would make. Esther was not only allowed uninvited into his presence (5:1–2), but Xerxes consented to her request ‘Even up to half the kingdom’ (5:3). This was a fairly common phrase, used for show by proud, powerful men, wanting to impress. Xerxes didn’t literally mean that he would hand half his kingdom over to Esther, but he was prepared to grant any reasonable request of hers because she found favor with him. 

Esther had put on her royal robes, dressing respectfully for the king so that when he saw her ‘he was pleased with her’. She didn’t run foolishly into his presence, crying hysterically and pleading with him for mercy. She stood, poised and dignified, and waited until he called her to him. 

While praying and fasting, Esther had also been preparing a feast that her husband would enjoy (5:4) – that must have taken some self-control! We know that Xerxes loved feasts so it was unsurprising that he would accept Esther’s invitation. What was surprising was Esther’s second choice of honored dinner guest: the hated enemy of the Jews, Haman! 

Esther didn’t rush to point the finger at Haman, accusing him of his evil before the king and his court. Rather, she used Haman’s pride and ambition to lure him into a false sense of security before, in God’s time, exposing him before the king as her greatest threat, her potential murderer. 

We don’t know why God’s timing required another day but, when prompted again by Xerxes to present her request (5:6), Esther continued to be patient, inviting Xerxes and Haman to dine with her the next day when she would answer his question (5:8). 

Although apparently silent, it’s clear that during the three days of prayer and fasting God was working. He was working in Esther to make her patient, wise, courageous, and sensitive to His leading. God was also working in Xerxes’ heart so that he was prepared to receive Esther and grant her requests. In our times of crisis, we too can be confident that our sovereign God is always working, even when He appears to be silent.

Reflection

Are you facing a situation that requires you to wait patiently on the Lord in prayer and trust that He will work for your good and His glory?