The story of Esther maps a profound path leading to national justice and the unraveling of a sinister plot against the Jewish people. It is a prophetic template for our day. God is calling for a Corporate Esther, who can change a nation through touching God’s heart.
A Diabolical Plot
The story of Esther unfolds at a dire moment. Through obedience and humility, Esther plots a strategic course activating the administrative rule of heaven. Today, there is an emerging army of believers collectively giving themselves to a similar strategy. More than victory, they will experience the immense beauty of their glorious God. They are a ‘Corporate Esther’.
Our story evolves in a moment when the very existence of the Jews was being threatened by a diabolical plan. Envy had once again focused the enemies of God toward the cause of annihilating His people. Central to the narrative is Haman, a man with murderous ambition. He is not acting alone, being merely the present host through which Satan’s demonic intent is galvanizing. Strangely enough, though this story has played out more than once in history, the outcome continues to serve the purpose of God in astounding ways.
The threat hanging over the Jews is both a political and a spiritual one. Similarly, their adversary then, is the same as ours today. Like the Jews of that era, the Church is surrounded by sinister plans for its destruction. What we need is divine favour and action from heaven. What unfolds is more than a crisis ending solution, it is an epic prophetic pattern and glimpse into God’s heart.
In the initial phase, Esther is alerted to the plot and immediately calls for a fast. Struck by the all-consuming urgency of the need, she and her servants set themselves apart as a rallying cry to the Lord for salvation. Despite her position in the palace, she knows the fires of persecution will eventually engulf her, as well her people.
Similarly, there can be no illusion of ease for any part of the Church today, no matter where we are. As with the Jews then, we are currently facing an existential threat calling for our demise. While it may not be at our doorstep, no one is safe. Esther acted – as must we!
Divine Strategy
It is not clear how Esther came to the conclusion, but she knew what she must do. Without invitation, she presents herself before the king. The act of approaching the throne uninvited could have been grounds for execution (Esther 4:11). Yet, she comes dressed in her royal robes. At this moment, the king finds her pleasing and extends his golden sceptre, seeming to offer everything she needs.
“And the king said to her, ‘What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you—up to half the kingdom!’” Esther 5:3
Despite the offer, she does not present her petition. She makes no plea, nor hints at her dilemma. Rather, she engages the king in a series of events in order to fully open his heart. Diverting her focus away from her plight, she plunges headlong into meeting his need. In doing so, she establishes a deeper, more profound connection. Through time and attention, this enkindles intimacy.
She invites him to a banquet where the king again extends favour to Esther. It is the second time an offer is made. Again she deflects, preferring to simply ask both the king and Haman to attend yet another festivity the next day. What Esther was doing is not only brilliant, it was part of an already established Biblical pattern. She was following a template revealing a key requirement for God’s kingdom order.
Governmental Order
The core principle involves a question of order. By ‘order’ we mean what comes first. Or in this case, ‘who will be put first?’ If you read carefully the words of Jesus you can find this message distinctly in His words.
Consider this:
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25
“For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:32 & 33
What is He saying? The solution for our needs is found in the command saying, ’seek first the kingdom of God’ (6:33). More than a statement, it is a precept for the release of the heart of God toward us. Jesus is giving us the formula for a literal landslide of His blessing. The pursuit of God is the key to everything within Him. Esther illustrates this prophetic picture by doing this very thing with her king. Rather than focus on her need, she paid attention to his.
Kingdom Administration
Something mysterious happens between the first and second banquets. Her obedience awakens the wheels of heavenly justice, unlocking a magical momentum behind the scenes. The hand of God is engaged to disturb the king’s sleep. When we seek first the Kingdom of God the machinery of heaven becomes engaged.
One can only imagine the furious traffic of angelic beings, hastening to do His bidding. In the natural, unable to rest, the king has the book of records read before him, where he is reminded of the debt owed to a Jewish man Mordecai – Esther’s cousin. This event becomes a turning point. Suddenly Haman’s plan to destroy the Jews and exalt himself begins to unravel. We should know the story from here.
When the final banquet unfolds and Esther pours out her heart, she has the full attention of the king. This is the essential goal of the Church and the Bride. Esther could have presented her petition on day one, or during the first banquet. She was offered a request up to half of the kingdom on two occasions. However, not content with the low hanging fruit of answered petitions, she chose instead to touch the king’s heart. She achieves an intimacy that far exceeds simple favour, gaining affection and unusual authority. Likewise, a Corporate Esther is not preoccupied with need but with Him. A bride who reaches for the heart of God, and rises to co-reign.
The Mature Church
A lesser person would have stumbled awkwardly grabbing the very first opportunity to voice her request. Similarly an immature church is impatiently preoccupied with her own needs. Yet, according to Jesus we are called ‘to seek God and His righteousness’. At which point, ‘all these things will be added unto us’. This priority uncovers the right order of the Kingdom. It is a door, which when opened, will release the full majesty of our God. As the sun soaks the earth in its life-giving energy, so will the unfurled heart of God bless the earth.
A people who knows this will bathe God in the wine of love and adore Him ceaselessly, until He is fully satiated. When we do this, His heart opens and the full measure of His goodness begins to pour out. Then, He will make streams in the desert. The impossible is suddenly not only made possible, it even comes inescapable.
Unlocking More
It has always been the intent of God to unlock His goodness on us, a truth reflected in the message at Christ’s birth, ‘peace and goodwill to men’. After all, He can ‘open His hand and satisfy the need of every living thing’ (Psalm 145:16). Even in nations where tyranny rules, His arm is not too short to save. What is needed is a high level administration of the Kingdom of God. Then, with the Corporate Esther doing what it can, directing the minds and hearts of men is virtually automatic. After all…
“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1
We are entering a day when the people of God will be that collective Esther. They will rise to bless the heart of God in a way that sees Him pour Himself out on the earth. This posture unlocks a level of heavenly atmosphere able to shift nations and governments into serving His desire. Kings and princes will be awakened in the night as divine order comes to scenarios far removed from our reach. This is the power of a Corporate Esther.
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God And his righteousness And all these things shall be added unto you Allelu Alleluia”
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