Esther - That Which Was Lost

"For this cause , even as by one man sin entered into the world, and by sin death; and thus death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: ..." [Rom 5:12]
"... for God is not a God of disorder but of peace." [1Co 14:33a]

Our world is an external reflection of an internal reality. As a race, we exhibit the physical symptoms of our spiritual deficiency. At first flush this may seem a tragedy. But the truth is, what appears to fleshly eyes as chaos, is purposeful, and ultimately for our good. Everything is unfolding just as planned.

The book of Esther is the story of us. That is, it accurately portrays man's inner history. It is the journey away from Eden and Father into self and ultimately back again, into a far more beautiful future.

At the outset we are introduced to a kingdom (a life) at peace and rest, in the midst of an opulent celebration. The king is liberal in his gifts which are offered without condition. Queen Vashti is hosting the women of the kingdom and all is well.

On the seventh day of this feast, under the influence of wine, the king makes a fateful decision. The results of that decision spell the end of the peace and celebration of the kingdom and the permanent banishment of Vashti. Her counterparts in the kingdom are subjected to control with fear by decree (law). The state of his empire immediately changes and the peace and celebration are replaced with consternation, uncertainty and turmoil. The king has lost his peace and is filled with anger and rage. Self has blossomed and the fruit is ugly.

Vashti is banished without remedy. We shall see through the role of her replacement that she represents the place of man's connection with his Maker. Sans Father's internal presence, self becomes the proprietor of the establishment. This, by Father's design, will contrast for all, good with evil, darkness with light. In the end there will be no doubt as to the reality of life apart from Father. This will be experienced by all in the most personal and real way.

This is our natural state. Adam was created in Father's image, but we have all been born in Adam's image [Gen 5:3]. We have inherited Adam's nature. Vashti is banished. We are without our internal connection with Father. We are born in a state of spiritual death (the rule of self).

The results of life apart from Father are writ large in our collective and individual histories. The most difficult may yet be ahead of us. But take courage, for the story is just beginning.

To be continued.