Esther - Open Warfare

"For the cravings of the lower nature are opposed to those of the Spirit, and the cravings of the Spirit are opposed to those of the lower nature; because these are antagonistic to each other, so that you cannot do everything to which you are inclined." [Gal 5:17]

The flesh, self, our Adamic nature, will suffer no rivals. It is megalomaniacal. Unchecked, self is capable of shocking things. It will go to any length to preserve its power. Self rightly perceives that Father is its mortal enemy. Father has wisely placed restraints upon the flesh. And so there is open warfare between flesh and Spirit.

Flesh desires to be worshipped. Have you noticed this? The drive for recognition is powerful. It may openly seek the praise of others, or it may mask its desire with deeds of charity.

In the end, self is bitterly hostile against any restraint or criticism. So we see that Mordecai's refusal to bow to Haman (at the king's command) has Haman enraged to the point of genocidal edict. Even the reminder of opposition is maddening. And so Haman elicits the utter destruction of the Jewish people.

In Mordecai's response we glimpse Father's most tender affection for His children. Though He has subjected us to these things in hope, and has already worked out the solution, the pain of the process is not lost on Him. Jesus was a man of sorrows and aquainted with grief. He suffered more than any man. He knows what we are facing.

When Father begins the process of opening a heart to believe there is much opposition. Yet He draws near, even unto the gates, setting in motion events that will change one's life permanently. The act of drawing near to an unbelieving child provokes this opposition. The flesh perceives the threat and reacts. How often the gift of believing is given in the midst of great crisis. Jesus is fully aware of the suffering that the process will require. This is expressed in Mordecai's mourning. The affinity between Esther and Mordecai (the Spirit and Jesus) can be seen in Esther's response to Mordecai's sorrowing. They are one.

The great hope for mankind is that Jesus willingly suffered, tasting death for every man, that all His children might receive the gift of believing in their appointed time. The granting of sight to man is the process that now lies before us in this most precious book.

Mordecai's presence has provoked Haman, and the inexorable march to freedom has begun. As of yet the king is unaware of these things. But that will soon change.

To be continued ...