Authorization.

If I perish, I perish! (Esther 4:16)

Frankly, the other famous quote in this chapter is more appealing: “Who knows if you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14) We like the idea of being given a place of favor and recognition by God. Sometimes, we even like having the attention and accolades of man. But not too many of us like to embrace the idea of suffering or dying for a cause that we believe in.

Kairos time, the opportune moment in which we are called to step forward and do something, sometimes arrives with accompanying signs. Not celebratory handshakes, but accusatory remarks: Who do you think you are? Who invited you to the leadership meeting? Esther had favor with King Ahasuerus, but she also had to contend with Haman’s hatred of her people.

In Esther chapter 5, we see that the queen engaged a process of appealing to the king which extended over several days. Her unauthorized, but accepted, appearance in the king’s inner court was followed up by two banquet invitations. In the first banquet, she was a gracious hostess to the king and to Haman. Esther held her peace and did not make a single appeal during the first banquet meal.

Perhaps we can learn from this incredible exercise of restraint. Have you ever had to host your sworn enemy? Have you ever been placed in the position of showing love and maintaining decorum as you stand face-to-face with the person who is intent on destroying you and all you hold dear? Have you ever had to serve your modern-day Haman, providing sustenance for the person who has influenced the heart of your King Ahasuerus against you?

Haman was not just a man enjoying a free meal. Haman was a man who had been given a promotion by the king. Haman had been given ten thousand talents of silver by the king. Haman had been given the king’s signet ring and had the authority to write and send letters with the king’s signature on it. Further, Haman had already been in exclusive events with the king where Esther had not been invited. Esther’s inclusion of Haman, to some degree, seems to have validated his position of favor with the king rather than her own (see Esther 3:8-15).

God had a plan, and through Esther He brought deliverance for His people. But first, she had to establish herself as a woman of wisdom and peace in the face of impending loss. And in the act of blessing her sworn enemy, she set the stage for a soon-to-follow, incredible, undeniable act of deliverance.

Esther, I am taking notes.