There is nothing quite like a pause or a delay. Waiting is not usually one of our better traits, and as we watch this dialog between King Ahasuerus and Queen Esther we might wonder why Esther doesn’t come out and ask to save her people. Patience is a virtue, and when we look into chapter five and verse eight we will find ourselves and King Ahasuerus delayed once again. We read:
If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king has said.
Let’s notice the way this verse begins, “If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request,…” Esther employs the word “if” two times as she positions herself in a place of obeisance to the king. Rather than exploit her position, she humbles herself to his direction – “If I have found favor” and “if it please the king”. When we are dealing with those who have authority over us we should take a few lessons from Esther as to how to approach them.
The verse goes on to say, “let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them,…” This is yet another invitation to a banquet. As though one was not enough, Esther is willing to prepare another feast for the king and Haman. Sometimes the wheels of progress turn slowly, but they do indeed turn. Esther is wise enough to slowly place herself in a good spot for asking what she really wants. After one feast we might think the preparations for the request were enough, however, Esther thought two would be even better.
Finally we read, “and I will do to morrow as the king has said.” This is where the further delay takes place – “I will do tomorrow”. The anticipation of the king had to be growing as he wondered what Esther was going to request. King Ahasuerus was perceptive enough to know that Queen Esther had not provided her real request as yet, and he was quite willing to go along with her banquets. This further delay only heightened the anticipation that the king and Haman had as we can be sure they were thinking of all kinds of scenarios in their minds. Nonetheless, on the following day Esther promised to give her request to the king.
How are we with delay tactics? How do we feel when we are delayed? Do we grow more anxious, or do we call upon God? Do we employ delays in our actions with others, and rather than immediately comply with their desire, do we have them wait for our response? Sometimes the Lord Jesus delays His answer to us, and it makes us grow closer to Him. When we relay our desire to know from God like King Ahasuerus requested from Esther, perhaps the delay will have the same effect in us as it did in the King…he grew more and more passionate toward Queen Esther, and we will grow more and more passionate toward God.
Next time we will learn how Haman reacted to Esther’s request, 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, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
Ray Hanselman 