”So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet. On this second occasion, while they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, “Tell me what you want, Queen Esther. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” Esther 7:1-2 NLT
This moment captures the pinnacle of power Esther had learned to properly stewart. And, no doubt, she also had a massive dose of FOTL – Favor of the Lord! Even in Esther’s response, you hear no hubris, no ego, no self promoting angle. “If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request.” Of course we know it’s a courtly formality that could easily be faked! We see the scoundrel, Haman, cozy up to the King to fulfill a personal vendetta against Mordecai and commit genocide on all the Jewish people in the kingdom.
The book of Esther gives us the perfect compare and contrast on the use of power over people. This moment at the planned banquet rose to the apex of the story arc, when Esther delivers the news to the king – she asked King Xeres to spare her life and the life of her people! One can feel the rage of justice finding its voice in the King, “Who would do such a thing?” Wow! Esther, now filled with the boldness worthy of her stature as a great queen speaks these words, “This wicked Haman is our adversary and our enemy.”
Immediately Haman grew pale with his dark plans, exposed in the light, before the king and queen! The very blood that drove his revengeful, blind jealousy, would run away from his pompous face, now filled with fear. What an amazing example of the power dynamics that should exist in kings, rulers and leaders over human beings!
When and if you happen to rise in your company, your family or even your neighborhood HOA Association remember this. Power is for protecting the least, the weak the poor, or those on the fringe. Power consumed for one’s self will set yourself against God. God sees those unfortunate and disadvantaged. And God is looking for good and just men and women to lead well with those who have power over others. May the favor of the Lord be with you who leverage your gain, their reputation, wealth and certainty power to lead others.
Prayer
Dad,
I get the feeling that most don’t think they have any power, any influence over others. I think we do. It may be small, but it is still there – where we work, live and play. Help us remember, in all humility, that you saw us, you loved us even while we were your enemies. Give us your favor, to do and be justice over those we influences around us. That we would speak up for them just as Esther did!