No favour without preparation Part 2

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Let’s continue with the preparations that Esther had gone through. 

The time allotted to her protected her from the last minute shocks she had to face due to lack of familiarity and experience in managing the affairs of a kingdom. This phase might have benefited her to face unexpected problems and disruptions that she had to deal with by staying calm. This phase taught her to maintain a balance in her life between her responsibilities and personal time. She disciplined herself during this time to handle all the uncertainties that were thrown at her leading to reduced stress even when she had to manage a huge kingdom. A year of preparation seems to be a wise step implemented for the virgins in the palace. A woman not submitted to this process can mess up the entire functioning of a palace.Seeing the faithfulness of Esther, Hegai might have invested more of his time and resources on her when compared to the other women. Esther is truly one of a kind. 

Some of you may have experienced culture shock—I certainly have. Adapting to a new culture can be an incredibly frustrating process. The unfamiliar behavior and mannerisms of people in a new country can be irritating, and unfamiliar cuisine may not suit one’s palate. Being away from family often leads to homesickness, which can eventually spiral into loneliness. The uncertainties of stepping into unfamiliar territory can be overwhelming, sometimes resulting in physical and emotional struggles such as eating disorders, stress, and insomnia, all of which can negatively impact an individual’s well-being.

Esther, too, likely endured a form of culture shock when she was brought to the palace. She was thrust into an entirely unfamiliar environment where she must have initially felt out of place. While many might imagine Esther marveling at the opulence—the gold and silver couches, marble pillars, golden vessels, and mosaic pavements of alabaster, turquoise, and marble—it is unlikely that she was immediately overjoyed. Instead, the drastic change in her surroundings would have been challenging to navigate.

To help her adjust, Esther was given a year of preparation—a crucial buffering period to acclimate to the culture and practices of the royal court. This time allowed her to cope with the inevitable stress, focus on the weighty responsibilities of her new role, and learn the intricacies of what it meant to be a queen. Through observation and experience, Esther was equipped during this phase to wisely and effectively handle the situations she would encounter in the palace.

This preparation not only protected Esther from the shock of stepping unprepared into the complex world of royal governance but also equipped her to face unexpected problems and disruptions with composure. She learned to balance her personal life with the immense responsibilities placed upon her, reducing stress and developing the discipline needed to manage a vast kingdom.

The year of preparation was a wise and intentional step for all the virgins in the palace. Without such a process, the mismanagement of responsibilities by an unprepared queen could easily disrupt the functioning of the royal household. Esther’s faithfulness during this time likely caught the attention of Hegai, who, in turn, may have invested more time and resources into her development than he did with the others.

Esther stands out as truly remarkable—a woman whose humility, dedication, and willingness to adapt prepared her for the extraordinary role she was destined to fulfill.

The Persian Empire spanned vast regions, including deserts and subtropical climates. Women living in such harsh weather conditions were unlikely to have soft, moisturized, and supple skin—especially someone like Esther, who came from a non-royal background. The effects of wind, heat, and sun exposure often led to issues such as cracked, wrinkled, or damaged skin, as well as sunburn and other skin conditions.

To address these concerns, extensive treatments were essential before the maidens could meet the king. Every skin issue had to be healed, ensuring they were in perfect condition. It was inconceivable to present themselves to the king as they were when they first arrived at the palace. Skin beautification, therefore, became a crucial part of their preparation, symbolizing transformation and readiness for their royal roles.

Esther was not the only woman brought to the palace for the king’s consideration. Historical accounts suggest that anywhere from 400 to 1,400 women, from diverse backgrounds, were gathered. Many of these women were brought against their will, forced into the palace under difficult circumstances. It’s likely that some of them resented the year-long preparation process, while others, perhaps longing for a return to their former lives or relationships, might have disengaged mentally or emotionally. Yet, others may have been drawn in by the opulence and luxury of the palace, distracted by the grandeur around them.

Amidst these distractions, Esther demonstrated remarkable focus and discipline. She understood the importance of this period of preparation and dedicated herself to it, remaining resolute in her purpose. She was wise enough to avoid the influence of those around her who lacked direction, recognizing that even a single conversation with someone who was not committed to the process could derail her focus.

Esther’s journey was not aimless. She pursued her goal with determination and a clear sense of purpose, keeping her eye on the crown she hoped to win. As 1 Corinthians 9:24 advises, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” Esther exemplified this principle: she was not running just to participate, but to win. Her passion, vision, and unwavering focus propelled her forward, and she knew that any compromise or distraction could mean her relegation to a lesser role of a concubine. She did not settle for less than the position for which she had come.

Esther could have easily compared herself to women who were more intelligent, more beautiful, or more influential, and allowed those comparisons to convince her that she had no chance of winning the royal crown. She could have been discouraged by the thoughts of inadequacy and unworthiness, or allowed the voices around her—those who said, “Esther, you are not going to win”—to determine her fate. However, she chose not to succumb to those voices of doubt. Instead, Esther rose above feelings of unworthiness, condemnation, shame, past trauma, and rejection in order to reach her ultimate goal.

She understood that her success was not just about her personal victory. She represented the Jewish people scattered across 127 provinces. If she had failed to rise above her own struggles, the consequences would have been dire—her people would have faced destruction, death, and annihilation. To fulfill her purpose, Esther had to rid herself of everything that stained or threatened her ability to succeed, whether it was past pain, shame, or rejection. Holding on to these burdens would have been detrimental not only to her but also to her people.

By letting go of these emotional hindrances, Esther allowed herself to be purified and prepared for her mission. As the maidservants around her applied myrrh, perfumes, and ointments, Esther’s life, too, began to emanate a fragrance that symbolized hope for the Jewish people, who were facing imminent destruction. Her choice to focus on the higher purpose rather than past pain ultimately led to the salvation of her people.

How could the king be with a woman who was stinking? Doesn’t this further explain why Esther had to be made ready for the king? It was the need of that hour for Esther to transform her life to one that emitted a sweet smelling aroma. It was crucial for herself, the king as well as the Jews. The Jews were much obliged to Esther for her obedience to the bitter preparation she was subjected to. Her lack of submission might have led to the death of thousands of Jews. “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;” as per 2 Corinthians 2:15. Similarly, As Esther approached the cross to crucify all the desires of her flesh, her life rose as a perfume unto God who used it to save the perishing Jews. Her life crucified to self and a life pleasing the king and her people was an aroma unto her God.

How could the king possibly favor a woman who was not prepared or refined? This highlights the significance of Esther’s transformation to meet the king. It was essential, not only for her own well-being but also for the king and the Jewish people, that Esther’s life was made ready. The process she underwent, though difficult and demanding, was necessary for her to emit the sweet fragrance that would make her worthy of the king’s attention. 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”

Esther’s obedience to this process was crucial. Her willingness to submit to the preparation, though challenging, had far-reaching implications. Had she failed to comply, it could have led to the destruction of thousands of Jews. Esther’s willingness to undergo the refinement process, to crucify her own desires, allowed her life to become a fragrant offering, pleasing to God.

As Esther approached her pivotal moment, she chose to crucify the desires of her flesh, submitting her will to the greater purpose of saving her people. In doing so, her life became a sweet aroma to God—one that ultimately played a key role in the salvation of the Jewish people, as well as a testimony of her obedience and devotion. Through her preparation, she became a vessel of divine purpose, pleasing both the king and her God.

The process of applying myrrh and perfumes required Esther, along with the other women, to expose their bodies, revealing any scars, wounds, or imperfections they may have had. While we can only imagine how uncomfortable this might have been, this act serves as a powerful metaphor for living a transparent and authentic life—one that allows the light of God to shine through. It symbolizes the necessity of bringing our weaknesses, flaws, hidden secrets, and the unattractive parts of our hearts to the Lord for His healing and transformation.

In Acts 23:1, Paul declares, “Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.” Like Paul, Esther maintained a pure conscience before God, which was foundational to her ability to ascend in faith and favor. Her transparency before God, her willingness to confront her own vulnerabilities and imperfections, positioned her to fulfill her divine purpose. Just as the process of preparation refined Esther outwardly, it also purified her inwardly, enabling her to stand with integrity before both the king and her God.

Esther’s success was a direct result of her willingness to undergo the necessary preparation. She serves as a model for those who are willing to submit to the Holy Spirit’s transformative work, preparing themselves to be a bride worthy of an eternal union with Jesus. It was through God’s favor that Esther was elevated to a place of authority, where she reigned rather than living the life of a concubine or servant. This favor led her to the destiny God had ordained for her, a purpose that had been assigned to her even before her birth.

Esther’s journey demonstrates that true power, authority, and influence do not stem from worldly qualifications, but from a heart that is teachable, obedient, and submissive to God’s leading. Her life teaches that when we allow the Holy Spirit to prepare and refine us, we open the door for miraculous opportunities and divine favor that can surpass anything we could have imagined.