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

Ancient Persia (modern Iran) was the center of an empire that came between Babylon and Greece in point of time. Jewish prophecy had much to say about this region. From this we concluded that the intercessor needs to know the bible and prophecy, because every Empire has its own demon and angel power or principality, and the prophecy may address this. We also saw that fasting and prayer are essential in intercession. We also saw that God uses individuals to fulfill His greater kingdom plans, as evidenced by Cyrus (Esther's offspring) playing a significant part in Israel's return.

The book of Esther is aimed at inspiring folk to "pray through" for revival. One single person can be key to break-through, so no individual should discount the role God has given them to play in His kingdom plans.

God kept Esther's identity (her Jewish heritage) hidden and he placed her in a strategic position as queen. God had her in place and ready to go so that when the enemy attacked God's people, the intercessor was already strategically placed. God will often do that with His intercessors. He will place them strategically. Often the intercessor may seem hidden, or unappreciated, until it comes time for them to play a key role in God's strategy to defeat the enemy.

Then we saw that God's timing is not always our timing. For instance, Mordecai was key in foiling a plot against the king... yet he received no reward at that time. His actions seemed unappreciated. Instead of becoming upset or frustrated, he choose to trust God. God caused his deeds to be remembered and rewarded at a key time... or at just the right moment. His faith in God was not in vain. God's timing is not our timing, but He knows what He is doing and how it fits into His master plan. God has a plan and we can trust Him to carry it through and to work His glory in our lives.

We also saw how the enemy (Satan) hates God's people and how he plots and schemes to destroy them. The book of Esther shows attack on the Jews through Haman, (like that of Adolph Hitler) to destroy the seed that would eventually overthrow Satanic power. Revelation 12:17 describes Satan's war against God's people, "Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring-those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus." Satan has been making war against God's people for a long time. The battle is real. Like it or not, if you are one of God's elect, you are one of Satan's targets in this war... his efforts are directed against you to destroy you.

In chapter 3, we saw the beginning of the Devil's move to exterminate the Jews by promoting Haman to Grand Vizier. (Esther 3:1-2). We saw how witchcraft was a part of the preparation for the attack (v.7) against the Jews. A decree for their destruction was published after it had been backed by bribes (v 12). The outcome looked very bleak for God's people. We conclude that it is only by trial and tribulation that God's people win through to victory. So we can be encouraged when we face trial and tribulation, understanding that it is a part of the pattern of spiritual warfare and NOT a sign of defeat.

We saw how some aspects of effective intercession and spiritual warfare played out in Esther's life. We saw the intercessor mourning and carrying a burden in prayer (Esther chapter 5), making a bold request (Esther 4:8) and making a covenant with God (Esther 4:16). We saw that the secret of getting an audience with the king, of being "heard" by God, comes through patience and relationship, through presenting ourselves to the Lord and entering into His presence. We saw that, as Esther clothed herself in her queenly robes to approach the king, likewise we must dress ourselves in the holiness and righteousness that is ours through the blood of Christ. We can approach God's throne in intercession with confidence when we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ, or sins forgiven through the blood of the lamb.

Esther risked her life to approach the king, because the laws of court said that anyone who came uninvited into the kings presense would die unless the king extended his scepter to them. There are times where we have to take risks in intercession. The king was sitting on his throne and was in the best position to see and receive her so that he could answer her prayer. Likewise, God is always ready to receive us (Heb 4:16), so let us approach Him with confidence. At the same time, Esther waited in reverence and only moved when the scepter was stretched out to her. She was not presumptuous. Likewise, we must approach God in an attitude of reverence and awe, not presuming on Him but honoring Him (Heb 12:28).

We also saw that the enemy is interested in promoting himself, and is arrogant and boastful, full of pride. He plots and schemes against God's elect. But in the midst of the enemy's schemes, we saw the power of God beginning to work behind the scene, which should encourage us as intercessors. When things appear to be at their worst, we can know with confidence that God is working behind the scenes. We must not underestimate God's divine power, He is mighty on our behalf. He extends His grace towards His own, just as the king extended his scepter in grace to Esther.

In chapter 6, we saw the power of God in action. We saw how God revealed things to the King as he read at night. We saw how God began to break the power of the devil's strategies against God's people, honoring God's own and bringing shame on the devil's representatives (Esther 6:6,12-13). This led to the complete fall of Haman, which instructs intercessors on their power over the enemy through prayer. The book of Esther shows the power of the intercessor for victory, covering persistence in prayer (the second banquet 7:2). It also shows 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 Christ's victory at Calvary.

We saw how we must not stop praying at the first sign of victory. Even after Haman was executed, his decree still had the power to destroy the Jews. Esther had won a victory in intercession, but she could not stop praying, or it would have been a very shallow victory and the Jews would have still be destroyed. Continued intercession on their behalf brought a complete victory. We must remain persistent in prayer until God's break-though is complete and the battle is fully won. 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.

And just as the Jews were given authority to stand together in unity to defend themselves from their enemies, so the Church today must come into unity to see God's victory won in spiritual warfare.

Finally the goal of our intercession is not just to be for our own protection or for our own household. 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) Even after Esther's own position was secure, she was concerned with more than the salvation of her own household -- Esther wanted to save her nation! Likewise, as intercessors we must learn to have God's "big picture" vision rather than just be concerned with our own needs.

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/she should use. There are many scriptures that God has given us to claim for the unsaved. 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.

God came though for His people in response to the prayers of the intercessors who He had strategically placed in key positions for "such a time as this." The Jews were delivered from their enemies and this deliverance resulted in much joy and feasting. It also led many people to become Jews, or being converted to God. Similarly today, salvation spreads where the Christian crowns Christ as King, prayer is made in unity and the joy and victory of the Lord are seen! God's salvation is Good News, and we need to make sure we present it as such!

Our God is a powerful but caring God, who works behind the scenes and is able to foil the enemy's schemes against us and take good care of us when we come to Him and ask for Him deliverance. God places His intercessors strategically, that they might stand in the gap and intercede "for such a time as this." There is power in prayer to break the strategies of the enemy and to see God's salvation and deliverance come forth. And that is why God strategically places His intercessors, so that His kingdom might advance and that His name might be glorified.