Wise Strategy

It’s not easy to appreciate how Esther might have felt as she dressed in her royal robes and walked towards the entrance of the king’s hall. She no doubt made a humble supplication for the help of the Lord, which accompanied her three-day period of fasting. Perhaps she prayed, “Come to my help, for I am alone and have no one but you, Lord.” Her courageous acceptance of the risky task of initiating an approach to the king was rewarded by his welcome to his throne. Not only that, Xerxes generously initiated the opportunity for her to explain why she had made her unusually bold move. The encounter could hardly have begun better.

We might have expected Esther to blurt out what was on her mind–possibly what we would have been tempted to do! But Esther has grown much in confidence and wisdom since we first met her. Three days earlier she had begun to instruct Mordecai, rather than just obey his instructions. Now she astutely guides the king towards her desired outcome and he endorses her directives. She first, quite respectfully, suggests the king and Haman might join her for a banquet. She then resists disclosing her petition and, again respectfully–note the series of “if” clauses in her responses–requests a second banquet meeting (Does good food always enhance important negotiations?).

Esther’s restraint not only creates further suspense, but it also allows time for even greater surprises in the course of events. While Esther had a careful (and prayerful) strategy in mind, she could not have guessed how other circumstances would intervene to fulfill God’s purposes. Her role was to be obedient and wise–and trust God to do the rest (Prov. 3:5-6; 1 Thess. 5:23-24).

“My will is not my own, till thou hast made it thine; If it would reach a monarch’s throne, it must its crown resign” (George Matheson, 1842-1946). Esther was learning this. Are you?