Esther, The Bride In Intercession

An Introductory Note The story of Esther offers us a profound picture in types and shadows of the intercession of the bride of Christ on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people. It will be helpful in gleaning the prophetic significance for you to read the book of Esther afresh before continuing.

In this Old Testament scenario, we find amazing prophetic types: Ahasuerus, the sovereign king, portraying our sovereign God, reigns over his mighty kingdom of many peoples. Amongst these people is a remnant of the people of Israel, which speaks of our present age. Vashti, the queen, represents a prideful and disobedient church which falls from her lofty position. Mordecai is seen in the role of the Holy Spirit, leading, training and exhorting the intercessors. Haman and his plan to annihilate the Jewish people demonstrate the ever-present anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli diabolic drive. And Esther, the beautiful and willing maiden, is a type of the bride of Christ, the glorious church, in intercession.

Apart from the intercessory ministry of the Lord Jesus Himself, we cannot find in God’s Word a more dramatic, dangerous and successful intercession than that of Esther. Among the great intercessors of the Bible, no other portrays so clearly and vividly the position and the ministry of the true church toward God on behalf of the Jewish people.

The Setting of the Stage

At the time of this story, King Ahasuerus of Persia reigned supreme over most of the then-known world, exercising utmost authority over 127 states. This indivisible number speaks of the totality, strength, and all-encompassing nature of his kingdom. What a mighty throne he had.

Vashti, the queen, was no doubt an impressive figure. Her very name means “beautiful woman” in the ancient Persian tongue, and her position was one of great privilege and authority before the sovereign king. She resembles a particular type of church, one of great pomp, pride and impressive appearance. Yet all of her outward splendor and great position availed her not on the day she disobeyed her husband, the king.

During a great royal feast, seven eunuchs were sent from the presence of Ahasuerus with an urgent and commanding invitation for his queen to appear before him, that he might display her beauty to his court. “But Queen Vashti refused” (Esther 1:12). Ridiculing the king’s command and disobeying his expressed will, the queen found herself deposed, divorced, and ultimately replaced. A royal edict was issued declaring that,

“Vashti should come no more into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to another who is more worthy than she” (Esther 1:19).

A search was conducted throughout the whole kingdom for a virgin who would be worthy to become the king's bride; and a most thorough and careful search it was. A bride was found for the mighty king. Esther was chosen to join the king’s harem, entering an extensive season of preparation and beautification before she could be presented to him.

This beautiful Jewish maiden, void of earthly parents, was raised by her righteous uncle, Mordecai, in a low and humble estate. Though dwelling among the pagans, her roots and true identity were with the people of Israel. Her very name means “star” and speaks of her high calling, even her destiny, for heavenly purposes. She reminds us of yet another kind of church, this one possessing hidden qualities, humility, and a noble spirit.

The excellence of her character and her inner beauty, all wrapped in a delightful vessel, quickly won her favor among the other maidens and the eunuchs in the king's harem. Esther’s humility was her strength, as we see that, during the period of her preparation, “she did not request anything except what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the women, advised” (Esther 2:15).

She also kept secret her true identity at Mordecai’s command and found great confidence in her submission to him. Her heart was at rest, having no need for self-promotion or striving after position. For, “Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her” (Esther 2:15).

In considering Mordecai’s role typifying that of the Holy Spirit, we find his place in Esther’s life as one of a righteous, holy and faceless influence. He is the one in charge of nurturing, tutoring and instructing the bride, as she prepares herself for her high calling. In spite of Esther’s increasing power in the king’s harem and the inherent temptations of her newly acquired and privileged position, she “did what Mordecai told her as she had done when under his care” (Esther 2:20). Again, humility and submission were the secret of her great favor and promotion.

After the customary season of beautification was completed (six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and cosmetics, symbolizing the anointing of God and the various gifts and flavors He pours into a yielded vessel), the young maiden was presented to the sovereign king.

“And the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti” (Esther 2:17).

The stage was set. The main players were positioned to act out their prophetic roles, when evil entered. A diabolic plan stirred by jealousy and unrestrained hatred was devised against the Jewish people in the king's realm. The anti-Jewish spirit of rejection and murder found full expression once again against Israel, as Haman took offense because “Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage” to him (Esther 3:2).

And so Haman qualified himself to become the chief instrument of wickedness in the Devil’s plan to annihilate the Jewish population. The sovereign king himself permitted and legalized this evil, and a decree was issued for the destruction of the Jewish people.

What horrible fate came upon them overnight as dark clouds of gloom and despair once again converged upon this people. How they probably wished they would have returned earlier to the desolate land of Judah with Zerubbabel. How they must have questioned, again, “Why us?” Once more, as history unfolded, it seemed the whole world turned into a monster to devour and destroy the seed of Abraham. Global powers decreed their annihilation, and there was no escape.

The battle was over the very existence of the Jewish people, the covenant God made with their 103 fathers, and His promises to their descendants. Blows were exchanged between Haman and Mordecai in this struggle as to who would influence the throne. Haman was the accuser, while Esther was the instrument of intercession. King Ahasuerus himself was the supreme and sovereign judge who would determine the final outcome.

The War of the Ages

Notably, as we trace Haman’s roots, we find that he was a descendant of the Agagite (Esther 3:1). This ancestor of his was none other than Agag, king of Amalek, Israel’s ancient and implacable foe. Mordecai, as we find in Esther 2:5, is traced to Kish, a Benjamite, from whose loins came King Saul of Israel.

Concerning the Amalekites, who had been hostile to Israel ever since the early years of the exodus from Egypt, God commanded King Saul,

“I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way while he was coming up from Egypt. Now go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him; but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey” (1 Sam 15:2-3).

King Saul, however, compromised and did not utterly destroy his enemy. In disobedience to God’s Word, he spared the spoils of war, the livestock, and the life of King Agag himself. As a result, not only was Saul himself rejected from the throne (1 Sam 15:22-23), but Amalek was allowed posterity, though Agag himself was slain by Samuel, the prophet.

Therefore, because of Saul’s disobedience, Amalek was not brought to an end. Future generations of Amalek continued to be fueled by diabolic hatred, and the campaign against the people of God continued. And now, in the time of Esther, we find Mordecai and Haman, the very kin of both Saul and Agag, locked once again in this battle of the ages. Our failure to execute God’s judgment over evil will only perpetuate its impact.

For Such a Time as This

Because of Haman’s high position in the king’s court, there was only one person in the kingdom who could stand in the gap to intercede. Should Esther choose to, she could make the difference, as she was the bride, the most excellent of all maidens, and the king's beloved queen. She was the only one who had access to both the king’s chamber and his heart, and being of Jewish descent herself, she was her people’s only hope.

Mordecai, as a type of the Holy Spirit, was greatly grieved. When he learned of the evil plan, he “tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city and wailed loudly and bitterly” (Esther 4:1). The grief of the Holy Spirit is often great and will be cast as a burden into the midst of a caring people. God is not embarrassed by the truth, but rather He exposes it for the purpose of identification and intercession.

Mordecai, refusing to be superficially comforted and swayed from his purpose, proceeded to instruct Esther in the battle strategy. In fact, he went on “to order her to go in to the king to implore his favor and to plead with him for her people”! (Esther 4:8)

This intercession had to be an act of complete abandonment, as none could enter uninvited into the presence of the great king without risking their lives, not even the queen herself. For,

“any man or woman who comes to the king to the inner court who is not summoned, he has but one law, that he be put to death, unless the king holds out to him the golden scepter so that he may live” (Esther 4:11).

Though Esther’s heart was fearful and uncertain, the command of the Spirit prevailed as Mordecai’s warning came sternly:

“Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father's house will perish” (Esther 4:13-14, emphasis mine).

This intercession could cost the bride her very life, for she not only would enter the king’s chamber uninvited, but also would openly identify herself with those already doomed for destruction. From her exalted and protected position, the queen would have to stoop low, partaking in the grief and despair of the Jewish suffering, exposing her roots and true identity as one with them.

Either the bride would be swept away by the evil and murderous flood already rushing to consume them, or they all would receive grace, mercy and deliverance out of the cup of her royalty. Which would it be? Esther, who stands for the bride of Christ in this prophetic picture, was reminded of her destiny. The Spirit spoke,

“And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

The Bride in Action

In preparation for her warfare, Esther called for prayer and fasting: “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me... for three days... I and my maidens also will fast... And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). Now that the bride was moving in the will of God and in submission to His purpose, she had authority to summon a national fast to prepare her way.

It is significant that Esther’s access to the king was “not according to the law”! This act of bold and selfless intercession, endangering her own interests and life, was not based on legal rights or political posturing. Her entry into the king’s chamber was founded only upon her relationship with him. Apart from true devotion, mutual respect and love, she would lose her position and her head!

After the days of fasting ended, Esther put on her royal robes and came in to the king. “And it happened when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter” (Esther 5:2). Having gained access to his chamber and to his heart, the bride now began her powerful intercession.

From that position of acceptance, Esther implemented the plan of action she received during her time of fasting. With confidence she moved to draw out the enemy, to expose his motive, and then to silence him. And indeed, before the presence of the mighty king the vileness of Haman was brought to full light, and the wickedness of his intentions laid bare. Haman was found guilty and delivered to be hanged unto death on the very gallows he prepared for Mordecai.

The king then issued a second decree superseding the first one which authorized the annihilation of the Jewish people. This second decree now authorized and deputized these very victims to rise up, assemble together, pursue and destroy their enemies. (Esther 8:11)

In fact, the king’s first decree brought to full exposure and flushed out the enemies of the Jews, so that they themselves might be destroyed by their intended victims at the second decree. The prey were given authority to become the predators.

Not only was the intercession successful in averting the evil plan, but also Mordecai (as the Spirit) was now restored to his proper position.

“Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a large crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple; and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. For the Jews there was light and gladness and joy and honor. And in each and 105 every province... there was gladness and joy for the Jews… And many among the peoples of the land became Jews, for the dread of the Jews had fallen on them” (Esther 8:15-17, emphasis mine).

Where the praying church takes her position sacrificially and boldly, there the Holy Spirit is honored and revered, and the people enjoy liberty, great gladness and light. Many will then be caught in the net of the great harvest, joining themselves to the household of God in the fear and the joy of the Lord.

And thus, the story nears its end with great victory and deliverance. We see how the sovereign king granted the bride's petition and request. We see how all these things worked out for good for those who loved God and remained true to His purposes. And yet, this great lesson of intercession still stands to be fulfilled one last time.

A bride, most excellent of all maidens, prepared and perfected for royalty, is yet to stand in the presence of the supreme authority and make powerful, all-demanding intercession on behalf of the persecuted Jew. The fate of the people will again rest in the hand of the bride. As to the rest of the story, the victory of the Jews, the utter destruction of their enemies, the glory of Esther, and the exaltation of Mordecai, let us continue to press in with the Lord as He Himself watches over His Word to fulfill it.