Esther 1-3 Time Matters

I kept noticing dates in these chapters.  A banquet that lasted 6 months, followed by sort of a “thank you” banquet for the palace staff that lasted a week – no wonder Queen Vashti was tired of it all and refused the king’s summons.

Following her removal as queen, letters went out to all states commanding a beauty pageant of sorts.  But each girl first went through 12 months of beauty treatments.  So more than a year passed from the time Esther was chosen for the program until she was chosen as the next queen by King Xerxes.

For four and a half years, nothing remarkable happened.  Then Haman became offended that Esther’s cousin and adopted father Mordecai wouldn’t bow down to him.  A date was chosen to exterminate all of Mordecai’s people – the Jews.  It was 11 months away.

So six and a half years would pass from the time Esther left her home, spent a night with the king, became queen, and would be called upon to save her people.

Often we ask God to hurry.  But God, in His timing, knows exactly the right time to put plans into place, for He must ready us as well.

Father, I know I’ve been praying for You to hurry on several things.  But You know the best time to have everything come together.  Please give me peace about these things that will settle me in until it’s time.  Then prompt me when it’s time to get going.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford