Have you ever read the Book of Esther?

By Yolanda Garcia

Have you ever read the book of Esther?  Have you ever even read the Bible through?  That's what my pastor asked us on Sunday.  It made me stop and consider the importance of reading the entire Bible through and not just once but over and over again.  Though to some the thought of reading the entire Bible may not be that important, to us it is of utmost importance.

But, have you ever read the book of Esther?  I find something so wonderfully amazing in this book: from the obedience of Esther toward her cousin Mordecai, to her willingness to be attentive to Hegai the King's Chamberlain, being heedful to his insight of what exactly pleased the King.  In Hegai, we see the importance of knowing the will of Him whom you are serving - not only his likes, but his dislikes as well - especially in the service of God.

I've been using the analogy of a puzzle a lot lately with my friends at work and at home.  Why puzzles?  Well, the Word of God is like a puzzle that we are responsible for putting together.  The only way to do that is by studying this word, the Bible. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Timothy 2:14).

The Bible tells us that there is nothing new under sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).  Whatever is happening now or is going to happen in the future has already happened.  It is required.  "That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past."

So, have you read the book of Esther?  I keep asking you this because there is something in this book which is very crucial for us to know.  This book holds the key to answering two very important questions: 1) What is the will of God for his church today?   2) Where, in today's Christian society, can we find the characters revealed by this allegorical prophecy?  Remember, "That which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past."  So, if He requires for the story of Esther to take place again, it makes sense for the characters to be replayed.

Let's review: the King in this story is Jesus, the Esther in this story is the Church and the Hegai (the King's chamberlain) in this story is ___________.

I'm sorry.  What was that? Who is the Hegai in this story?  Is the puzzle missing a piece?  Never.  God would never have a puzzle with a piece missing to it.  However, the missing piece is actually a mystery that has yet to be understood by many, but, as God said in his word, "Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (Ephesians 3:4).

God has revealed this great mystery, and we, the People of Truth, have boldly chosen to believe its truth.  God does not change, and from the beginning of time He has used men to be leaders of His people.  In Old Testament times, God anointed Judges, Prophets and Kings.  In New Testament times, Jesus, even after the Holy Ghost was poured out, chose leaders for His Church.  Apparently, Jesus appointed Peter to be that leader in John 21 when He said, "Feed my sheep."  By Acts 15, it is obvious that James, the Lord's brother,  had been anointed to assume leadership.

Likewise, today, God definitely has an anointed leader.  As Esther needed Hegai's guidance and insight, we too need Hegai today to reveal to us the will of our King and be ready when He calls.

To many, the idea of having an anointed leader or leadership is absolutely unacceptable.  Christians today just don't want to hear that God would do such a thing.  "We're all anointed leaders one way or another," is what they say to me.  I, too, was one of those Christians, so I know first hand where they are coming from.  I've learned, however, that to reject such leadership is to outright reject the word of God. 

With Paul, I confess unto you, that after the way which many Christians call Heresy, I worship God, believing all things that are written in the scriptures (Acts 24:14).

So, I keep asking you if you've read the book of Esther, because if we are to be chosen as the queen, just like Esther, it is important that we find Hegai (a puzzle piece), find out what the King likes and dislikes and get ourselves ready for the wedding.  You know the Church is going to be married to the bridegroom, Jesus.

"Behold the bridegroom cometh."  Are you ready?  Have you read the book of Esther?