Esther's time had finally
come to appear before King Ahasuerus, and now twelve long months of
preparation were complete. She wore the finest of accessories chosen
specifically by Hegai who was the king's chamberlain, and as Esther
stepped into the room, it was as if someone removed it's air.
Esther's beauty was so striking that everyone took knowledge of her.
In chapter two and verse sixteen we gain a little more insight into
her appearance as it was her turn to be before the king. We read:
So
Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the
tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year
of his reign.
Our verse begins, “So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into
his house royal in the tenth month, which is the
month Tebeth,” So we are not left without the timing of
Esther's appearance, the writer of Esther thought it necessary to
provide it for us. Esther was taken into King Ahasuerus' royal house
in the month “Tebeth” which means “goodness” and corresponds
to modern December through January which are generally some of the
coldest months of the year. We remember that she has been invited to
the winter palace of Shushan, so it was during this time that she
came in.
The
verse goes on to say, “... in the seventh year of his reign.”
The “seventh year” gives us more specifics within this
story. In chapter one and verse three we learned of King Ahasuerus
holding a feast for all the princes and servants of his provinces
that lasted for one hundred and eighty days. Immediately following
that feast, the king held another feast for those who were in his
palace for seven days. It was during that time when King Ahasuerus
was rejected by Queen Vashti, and he subsequently banished her from
the throne. It has been four years since there was a queen in Persia,
yet in the month of Tebeth in the seventh year of his reign, Esther
stepped into his room and changed his world.
How
long have we been waiting for God to “change our world”? Have we
often wondered when it will be our time to appear and receive favor?
Are there circumstances in our lives currently that seem to be
tedious and slow and nothing more than preparation for something life
changing in our future? As we consider the timing of Esther's
entrance before King Ahasuerus, perhaps we will realize that our
Almighty and caring God has specific timings for us as well. May we
learn to walk in his timing and not that of our own.
Next time we see Esther made queen, so
read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation
to Generation” and the new marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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