His Last Command: Our First PrioritySample

Day 4: Knowing Why You Have What You Have

Esther 4:14

Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

The book of Esther takes place in Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire, about 100 years after the end of the Jews’ captivity in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:28). Earlier, under the decree of King Cyrus in 538 BC, the Jews were allowed to return to their homeland. Many returned, but other exiles chose to remain in Persia. Generations had passed, and though they had settled there, the Jewish people never fully assimilated into the Persian culture.

King Ahasuerus, a significant character in the story, is believed to be King Xerxes I (486-465 BC). His opulent 180-day banquet is described in the first chapter, and his wife, the splendid Queen Vashti, was summoned to display her beauty before his guests. She refused, and as no one was allowed to disobey the king, she was banished.

A search began throughout all the provinces for a new queen. Perhaps one could be found that was even more beautiful than Vashti. Several young women were brought to the palace to present to the king. Hadassah, her Hebrew name, was among them, “beautiful of form and face” (Esther 2:7). Hadassah’s Persian name was Esther, meaning “star”.

Her parents had died, and her close relative, Mordecai, cared for her as his own daughter. Wanting to protect her, Mordecai had cautioned Esther not to reveal that she was Jewish. He kept a close eye on her, and every day he walked back and forth in the courtyard where she stayed.

Lavished with beauty treatments and fine clothing, Esther experienced unbelievable privilege as the hand of God guided her from poverty to prominence. She found favour with the king and was soon crowned Queen.

What she had was amazing! What she had was unbelievable! What she had was incredible! What she had could very easily seduce her into forgetting why she had it!

Wicked Haman entered the story in Chapter 3. Because he hated the Jews, he hatched a plot to destroy them. The king unknowingly agreed. Meanwhile, Mordecai learned of the plot and, distressed, then urged Esther to reveal her identity to the king and intercede for their people. He believed she was brought into the kingdom for such a time as this. This was her moment to act, and if not, God would most certainly raise someone who would.

At significant personal risk, Esther entered the king’s presence uninvited and pleaded for her life and for her people, and the king granted her request.

Esther knew why she had what she had - “for such a time as this.” Her example prompts us to reflect on our own roles and why God has given us what we have, reminding us that we, too, are positioned for His purpose.

If we do not rise up and obey Him and fulfil the Great Commission, then He will raise up someone else to do it. Help and deliverance will come from some place else because somewhere, somehow, some way, someone is going to do it. His plan will not fail.

Deliverance of Samaria

2 Kings 7 records an earlier time when God’s great deliverance came to His people. Samaria was besieged by Ben-hadad, king of Aram. Starvation was rampant in the locked-down city, and the people were desperate for food.

Elisha prophesied in the midst of the hopelessness, declaring that by the same time the next day, food would be in abundance. It was four ragged leprous men who discovered how the hand of God brought their deliverance.

The Lord had caused the Arameans to “hear” the sound of chariots, horses, and armies. They fled for their lives, leaving most of their camp’s goods behind and dropping more as they ran.

The lepers already lived outside the city, for that was the law. They knew that their deaths were imminent, so with nothing to lose, they ventured out to the camp of the Arameans. To their astonishment, no one was there, and an abundance of food, clothes, silver, and gold had been left behind.

Initially, they reacted in a self-protective manner, as you might expect. They gathered up as much stuff as they could, buried it for later, then hastily went back for more. They were overwhelmed by such abundant wealth, but eventually came to their senses. “Then they said to one another, We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, but we are keeping silent.” (2 Kings 7:9)

They realized the ‘why’ of the ‘what’ they had received. Have you and I realized why we have what we have? I tell you, the Holy Spirit is in you for such a time as this! The blessings of God are on you and me and on our nation.

For such a time as this!

Israel in the wilderness

After 400 years in Egypt, the descendants of Jacob were ready to be freed and enter the Promised Land. Before they left, Moses told the people to ask the Egyptians for silver, gold, and clothing. God gave them favour, and the Egyptians gave them what they asked for (Exodus 12:35-36). They did not yet understand why they received these things. God was teaching them about Himself and how to worship Him. Their 40 years in the wilderness is where God shaped them into a nation.

God called Moses to go up Mount Sinai, where he spent 40 days and nights hearing God’s voice and seeing His glory. When Moses came down, his face shone with God's glory, and he had to cover it. The people gathered to listen to him.

In Exodus 25:1-2 (NKJV), God said to Moses, “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly, you shall take My offering.”

The riches the Israelites brought from Egypt were used to build the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant, allowing God's presence to come into the Promised Land. Their wealth was meant to make the name of the Lord known among all nations. From them, a nation would grow, and through that nation, God would send His Son into the world.

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Prayer

Lord, I ask for a deeper understanding of why I have what I do. I pray that, like Esther, I will use my voice within my sphere of influence for God's glory and the benefit of others. I pray that generosity becomes a defining feature of my life. Show me how, when, where, and to whom. Amen.