She Acted Wisely, Bravely, and Selflessly

 ESTHER slowly approached the throne, her heart racing.  Imagine a hush falling over the great royal chamber in the Persian palace of Shushan, a silence so profound that Esther could hear her own soft footsteps and the rustling of her royal garments. She could not let her attention wander to the grandeur of the royal court, the graceful columns , the richly carved ceiling  of cedars imported from distant Lebanon. She trained all her attention on the man seated on the throne, the man who held her life in his hands.

 The king watched intently as Esther approached, extending his golden scepter toware dher.  It was a simple gesture, but it meant Esther's life, for by it the king excused her from the offense she had just committed-that of appearing before him with out a royal invitation.  As she to the throne, Esther reached out and gradually touched the top of the scepter. - ESTHER 5:1, 2.   

Everything about King Ahasuerus bespoke his immense wealth and power.  The royal garb of the Persian monarches of those times reputedly cost the equivalent  of hundreds of millions of dollars.  Yet, Esther could see some warmth in her husband's eyes; in his own way, he did love  her.  He said: "What do you have, O Esther the queen, and what is your request?   To the half of the kingship-let it be given to you!" - ESTHER 5:3. 

Esther had already shown remarkable faith and courage; she had come before the king to protect her people from a plotto wipe them all out. So far, she had met with success, but greater challenges lay ahead. She had to convince this proud monarch  that his most trusted adviser was a wicked man who had duyped him into condemning Esther's people to death.  How would she persuade him, and what can we learn from her faith? 

Next time: She Acted Wisely, Bravely and Selflessly - She Wisely Chose "a Time to Speak"

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