Enjoying the Contrasts

I'm loving reading the book of Esther. Even though there are famously no mentions of God in this book, we can learn such a lot about him simply from some very obvious contrasts.

1. Boldly I Approach
It was fun noticing the contrast between Esther approaching King Xerxes and how we can approach God. The edict has been issued that the Jews will all be killed and Mordecai tells Esther to go to the King to plead for their lives. Her initial response is:

[Everyone knows] that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the golden sceptre to them and spares their lives.

Esther 4.11

Esther, however, decides she will risk her life by going to the king,

Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king's hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.

Esther 5.1

Esther must have been utterly terrifed, her knees knocking and heart pounding. But enjoy the contrast: we can enter the King's throne room boldly. joyfully, excitedly, expectantly, all the while humbly acknowledging the huge privilege it is to enter the presence of the King of Kings. We don't come fearing death because the King himself has experienced the death of his Son so that we can approach boldly without fear.

Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may recieve mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4.16

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Ephesians 3.12

2. Better Robes

Esther had to dress to impress- she put on her royal robes, hoping surely that this would help in getting the king to raise his sceptre to her. Contrast: Our robes are more royal than Esther's! They are the robes of righteousness.

For [my God] has cothed me with garments of salvation and arranged me in a robe of his righteousness.

Isaiah 61.10

Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.

Revelation 19.8

3. Come!

Another wonderful contrast, is that Queen Esther had to wait for an invitation from the King (her own husband!) and we read that she hadn't received that invitation for 30 days. We however, have already been invited and don't need to wait for an invitation. We don't need to wait at the door in fear and trepidation wondering what kind of 'mood' our King is in. We know he delights in us, wants to see us, desires relationship with us. He  is faithful to his promises and never changes, never has an off day. He never, like us, just wants to be left alone. We know he wants us to pray and loves us to come to him. 

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say, "Come!" Let the one who is thirsty come, and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life."

Revelation 22.16-17

One of my all time favourite songs is Boldly I Approach by Rend Collective. The words are so meaningful and soul-refreshing. It really helps express some of the wonderful truths in these passages: