Studies In Intercession from the Book of Esther

"And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14

In Lesson 9, we traced Haman's fall, showing the power of the intercessor for victory, covering persistence in prayer (the second banquet 7:2), how Satan is directly attacked through the believer's authority (gained through our intimate relationship with God), and how the substance of royal wrath foreshadowed Calvary victory.

This leads us to see value of prayer for unsaved, still in danger.

Seek For Salvation Of Others

In Esther 8:6 we see her for salvation for her people. "For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?" (KJV) Esther's own position was now secure, but she was concerned with more than the salvation of her own household (unlike the Philippine jailer (Acts 16:31) or Rahab whose salvation included only those in her home.) Esther wanted to save her nation!

Esther's household was secure. The king gave Mordecai Haman's signet ring in Esther 8:2. They now had the whole household of Haman under their control from the King. The enemy meant persecution for harm, but God used it to promote unity. Through persecution, Esther came to unity with Mordecai and now presented him to the King as part of her family. Persecution may be key to children of God coming to unity. The same authority and ring were handed to Mordecai that had previously been given to Haman (Esther 3:10). Mordecai would exact vengeance. Just so we must hand over our vindication and case to the Lord, rather than trying to accomplish it on our own (Romans 12:19, Deut 32:35).

What happened to Mordecai here represents how Satan's power in this world will be given to Christ! (Rev 11:15)

Maintaining Our Victory Through Continued Prayer

Esther saw a victory when Haman was destroyed. But some of his works, some of what he set into action, still remained potent with power to harm. The decree had already been signed and distributed. Even with Haman out of the picture, this had the potential to destroy the Jews. So Esther continued to petition the king. An intercessor must not stop praying at the first sign of victory, they must continue to pray the matter through until all the lingering effects of the enemy are destroyed. In this case, the mischief of Haman was nullified by Esther continuing to pray. Esther 8:3-4 "And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. Then the king held out the golden scepter toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king." (KJV)

We must understand Satan's position. Satan as been judged and cast out of heaven, but still needs to be dealt with here on earth (Luke 10:18-19, John 12:31). Jesus saw Satan doomed but He also saw need to continue to pray. The Lord continued to intercede for Jerusalem, weeping over her, when He saw how the attitude of men would compel God to judge that city (Luke 19:41-44). This depth of feeling by Jesus and Esther in prayer must be shared by all intercessors.

Make Use Of God's Name and Authority

The King gave orders to nullify Haman's plot by granting his own name and ring to Mordecai. Similarly, the Intercessor has the oath and word of God that he should use.

Heb 6:16 Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, 18 so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. RSV

Words from God which we may use to plead for salvation are:

Psalms 80:3 Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Psalms 106:8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.

Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Use these promises of God when praying for the unsaved, for those lost and hurting. There is great power and authority in claiming God's promises in prayer.

Sivan Miracle

In Esther 8, starting at verse 9, we see how the deliverance comes for the Jews in the third month (called month Sivan). The Jews are give authority to defend themselves. This is in May/June period and corresponds to the Feast Of Pentecost (Deuteronomy 16:9-12, Lev 23:16).

Deliverance came from Heaven at this time, as it did on the day of Pentecost, at a time predetermined by God (Acts 1:7). The Holy Ghost is needed to make this deliverance real in God's timing. In other words, it is God's power, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who gives us power over the enemy. There are many verses to support this: Matthew 12:28, Luke 10:20, Luke 10:21, John 3:34, John 15:26, Acts 2:17, Rom 7:6, Rom 8:2, Romans 8:11, Romans 8:15, 1 Corinthians 2:4, 2 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 3:17 and Galatians 5:18.

This decree of Mordecai allowed the Jews to stand up and defend themselves against their enemies. Just so by the power of the Spirit, Christ has given us power through the armor of God, to fight the Devil (Eph 6:17).

Stand Together

How should intercessors stand today? We see a model for this in Esther 8:11 "Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey." KJV

Under Persian Law, the king could not reverse his Degree, but he could and did allow the Jews to stand against their enemies and gave them royal help. Likewise, God must keep His holy laws, but He has found a way to avoid the death of the sinner -- that way is through Calvary (Romans 3:26).

Just as God stands with us in this, we must learn to STAND TOGETHER in intercession (Matthew 18:19, Acts 1:14, Acts 2:1, Acts 4:24, Mark 3:25, Galatians 5:1, Philippians 1:27, Colossians 4:12). The glorious result will be that we get spoils as we bind the strong man, so that souls will be saved (Col 2:15).

Christ will share His victory with overcoming Christians. Isaiah 53:12 says, "Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

This victory was won on the day fixed for their destruction! God can turn an "evil day" to a good day! Let nothing deter you from prayer at the time the Lord leads! Let us also not delay in publishing the results of His victory!

We are also royal ambassadors, commissioned by the King (Matt 28:18). We should go out, like Mordecai in clothes of blue and white, with a crown on his head. Just as the children of Israel were clothed by the Lord (Num 15:38). Note how the people rejoiced and the Jews had light, joy and honor at his appearance. (Compare the perplexity of Esther 3:15). We should rejoice in faith at this victory won (Ro 4:21, Psalm 97:10-12).

This joy and feasting at the end of the book of Esther led to many people converted to becoming Jews. Salvation spreads where the Christian crowns Christ as King, prayer is made in unity and the joy and victory of the Lord is seen! There is a direct tie between the Joy we experience in God's salvation and winning others to the Lord. Look at Psalm 51:12-13, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee." God's salvation is Good News, and we need to make sure we present it as such!