Extending The Golden Scepter

In the book of Esther is found a wonderful story of God's amazing grace. The children of Israel had been taken captive by the Babylonians and the Persians. The city of Jerusalem and the Temple of the Lord had been destroyed, along with many lives as punishment for sin because Israel had disobeyed and forsaken the Lord God. Yet, God had not forsaken them. He had spared a remnant to carry on his will and plan. As a loving Father it was always in His heart to bless his children, even if they disobeyed. And so God was gracious again and allowed them to grow, flourish and prosper in a foreign land. All they had to do was to learn to adjust to their new surroundings, obey the king and be kind to the people who didn't know their God. They also needed to remember to worship the Lord their God, the best they could. They were now foreigners, servants and outcasts with no place to worship. The Persians had their own gods and temples, and many times Israel was forced to serve them.

Out of the outcasts, God had a few faithful ones which God intended to use to bring hope, favor and restoration back to the people of Israel, also to bless other nations that surrounded them. One of these people was Mordecai the Jew, who had been exiled to the citadel in Susa. The other was his niece Hadassah, who he had raised after her parent's death. Mordecai loved Hadassah as if she were his own daughter; and she grew up to be beautiful young woman in very way. He also gave her the name Esther, which means "a star," which indicates a future of promise and blessings.

Then one day the King of Persia made a decree to search his kingdom for beautiful young virgins. They were to be brought to the palace and groomed as a potential wife. The king would then choose one of them as a replacement his former wife and queen, who had rebelled and dishonored him in public. Her conduct was unacceptable and would create contempt in marriages throughout the land, and this could not be allowed in his kingdom. The queen was removed and her position would be given to someone more worthy. So the search began throughout the land.

Eventually, Esther was one of the young women taken by the king's men. She was not happy about her situation nor her new surroundings that she found herself in—even though the palace itself was beautiful beyond description. But what could she do? she was just a woman in a strange land, who had to go along with the practice of the taking of young virgins for the court's harem. Many of the virgins were excited about the prospect of being a queen and living in the palace with all of its luxurious benefits and servants. However, Esther placed her hopes, her future and her trust in God, also in the encouraging words from her uncle Mordecai, who felt for some reason that this situation was God's will. So she obeyed Mordecai, as she had always done; she also set a good example for others to follow. Mordecai had instructed her in the important things in life, and he loved her very much. So she trusted his judgment completely.

The time came for Esther to make her appearance before the King. When the King saw her, he knew she was the one. There was something special about her. He just didn't know how special. Sure she was beautiful, but there was also something in the way she moved, talked and dressed that made her no ordinary woman. Then there was her eyes. Yes, it was her eyes. They were like blue sapphire, full of compassion and strength. And much to Esther's surprise, she saw that she too could love the King. So Esther became the new Queen.

Then one day the King was deceived by one of his advisers—a man who hated Mordecai the Jew—into passing a decree, a law that would kill a certain group of people, including the king's wife (a fact the man was unaware of). Esther had not told the King that she was a Jew, as her uncle had requested. Mordecai warned Queen Esther that she needed to do something about the decree, because she had not heard anything about the threat as of yet. He also stated that her exaltation as queen may have been, "for such a time as this."

Esther had to do something she had never done before; come before the king without being requested, which could mean death. So she prepared herself along with other Jewish supporters, by prayer and fasting food and water for three days. Then she would go to face the king, which was not permissible without first being summoned. And if she perished she perished. What choice did she really have? her people's lives were hanging in the balance as well as her own. She had prayed to the Lord God for strength and wisdom for what she was about to say and do—that is, if she lived. And now the moment of truth was at hand.

Walking with her head held high, she chose to face eminent death if her husband the King disapproved of her boldness (or insolence). They were all surprised to see the queen coming, knowing she had not been summoned. They also knew of the possible dire consequences. And so was the King when he finally saw his beautiful wife standing and waiting at the entrance to the court doors. However, she found favor (grace) in the eyes of the King, as he extended his golden scepter for her to come forward. A quiet joy and then a hush filled the room as she came before the King and touched the golden scepter. Then the King asked, "What's the matter with you woman, ain't you got no brains in that pretty little head of yours?" No, no that's not what he said. He was filled with compassion and knew something was definitely wrong for her to do what she had done. So the King asked what was troubling her?

(To know the rest of the story, I encourage you to read the story in the Bible. It has a happy and victorious ending, which you'll want to know and maybe experience for yourself.)

Note: For the first time the king detected fear in his bride's beautiful eyes as she stood in the doorway. He realized how foolish the man-made law was that had restricted everyone from seeking his attention. His wife should always be able to come before him, if necessary and with respect for her husband. God even gives us grace when we break his laws. Freedom is about love not rules and regulation. The only law that really matters is the law of love and grace. You can't have one without the other. Extending the golden scepter grants us the power to speak and act with the King of King's authority.

Esther had done all she could. What was needed and what she possessed was faith in a loving, merciful and gracious God. And that is exactly what she found; grace and favor in the eyes of her husband/king, also in the eyes of her God. People will always find grace when they come before Him with a humble, honest and seeking heart. Furthermore, God's people also receive grace when others are willing to lay down their lives for them, just as Jesus did for us and the rest of the world. Today, we all need God's grace more than ever. And His awesome grace will continue to be poured out for a thousand generations.

The book of Esther is a beautiful picture of the Bride of Christ and of the end time Church living in the world but not of the world. The Bride is made up of the faithful sons and daughters of God, who are kings and priests in His Kingdom. They are the ones who are willing to intercede and lay down their lives for their brothers, also for a lost world. Yet, it is only by the grace of God that he extends His Golden Scepter to us. For we are not worthy in and of ourselves; it is a gift of love. Now we are given the opportunity to rule and reign with him, and to extend our scepter (power) to a world that needs God's amazing Grace.

P.S. I have some further insight on the Book of Esther in my article Life and Death—found by clicking HERE.



Note: The Bride of Christ need not fear coming before her king for she is one with Him. They share the same thrown, which means He has given us His scepter to rule over His kingdom. We are His hand extended to give mercy and mercy or judgment.