This year, as I was reading the Book of Esther, I was surprised at something that I never noticed. There are several instances where a pivotal moment is reached in the story and the moment is decided by advice. We’re going to look at a few examples.
The examples of these moments where advice moves the story forward are: The king receiving advice from the wise men when Vashti doesn’t come when she’s summoned, Mordecai advising Esther not to reveal who she is, the king’s eunuch Hegai advising Esther before she went to see the king, Mordecai advises Esther regarding Haman’s plan, the wife of Haman and his friends advise him regarding Mordecai, and finally the king entrusts Mordecai with his signet ring.
In the first chapter of the book of Esther we see the dilemma occur when Queen Vashti doesn’t appear before the people and officials. The King turns for advice and in verses 13 and 15 it says, “Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times, for it was the custom of the king to speak this way before all who knew Persian law and justice… According to law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, since she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?” The king, although he was angry with Queen Vashti, turned to officials who gave him advice as to how to deal with Queen Vashti’s refusal to appear before the banquet. Now, there is lots written on why Vashti may not have appeared but, today I want to focus on how this moment prepared the stage for Esther. If the king hadn’t sent the edict out that didn’t allow Vashti to appear before the king, and removed her royal position so that it could be given to another queen, then Esther would not have been placed strategically to save her people.
In the second chapter of Esther we see the process of replacing Vashti with another and the introduction of Mordecai and Esther. As Esther is placed in the custody of Hegai, in the king’s palace, she finds favor with Hegai. In this chapter, there are two instances of advice. The first is in verse 10 which says, “Esther did not reveal her people or her kindred because Mordecai had instructed her that she was not to reveal them.” Mordecai gave Godly advice to Esther which was also laced with common sense! He knew that hatred of Jewish people could be inflamed at any time, so he used wisdom in his actions. Mordecai guided Esther with this wisdom, so that she would thrive in the palace and be an instrument for God. The second piece of advice is found in verse 15: “Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai who had taken her as his daughter, came to go in to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the women, advised.” At this point Esther had to depend on Hegai to give her good advice. She had to trust that God had placed him there to guide her, equip her and instill into her the information needed to win the king’s heart. God was working in this situation using Hegai even though he might not look like someone who God would use. In our lives so many times God uses people even when they aren’t walking with Him to accomplish His purposes. This was one of those times!
In chapter four, we see Mordecai informing Esther of the king’s edict against the Jews that Haman created. In verse 8 it says, “He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict which had been issued in Susa for their annihilation, so that he might show Esther and inform her, and to order her to go in to the king to implore his favor and plead with him for her people.” Notice that it says “order her”. Mordecai knew that Esther was frightened and that her life could be lost but, he pushed her into being brave. Sometimes when we are given Godly advice they need to push us to be brave, to believe, to have faith, to trust God and allow God to stretch us.
The verses in chapter five give us a portrait of Haman’s character. We see his reaction to Mordecai at the king’s gate when he doesn’t “stand” or “tremble” in his presence. Haman is filled with anger at Mordecai and assembles his wife and friends when he returns home. When he assembles them he says in verses 11-14, “Then Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and his many sons, and every occasion on which the king had honored him and how he had promoted him above the officials and servants of the king Haman also said, ‘Even Esther the queen let no one except me come with the king to the banquet which she had prepared; and tomorrow also I am invited by her with the king Yet all of this does not satisfy me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.’ Then Zeresh, his wife, and all his friends said to him, ‘Have a wooden gallows fifty cubits high made, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it; then go joyfully with the king to the banquet.’ And the advice pleased Haman, so he had the wooden gallows made.” In these verses, you glimpse the things that are important to Haman. His riches, his sons, the honor that the king bestows on him, his rise over other people and that now the queen is honoring him. Everything that is important to him derives from the flesh. Notice that in the thirteenth verse he says, “Yet all of this does not satisfy me”. His hatred of Mordecai and of the Jewish people overwhelmed any happiness that he might have enjoyed. Haman’s wife and his friends respond with a solution that reflects their character also. They are of the same DNA, so therefore, the solution that they offer has no wisdom in it only a means to an end; the annihilation of the Jewish people. The lesson we can learn here is to surround yourself with Godly people who will challenge you and correct you. Also, the wife Zeresh is an example of how not to be a wife! As couples, we need to encourage one another while also lovingly correcting one another. When we are going into dangerous territory, it is our responsibility to pray, speak and guide one another with Godly advice.
We all know how the story ends. Haman and his sons are hung on the gallows that he built for Mordecai, and the Jewish people are saved. In Esther 9:8 we see the culmination of Mordecai’s wisdom and advice. King Ahasuerus says, “Now you write to the Jews as you see fit, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for a decree which is written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s signet ring may not be revoked.” The king was so confident in the advice and wisdom of Mordecai that he entrusted his signet ring to him which held the official seal of the king by which he authorized the business of the empire.
As we give and receive advice let’s remember these lessons that are given in the book of Esther. May we be instruments at pivotal moments that our God can use!