The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 51

Ver. 4.-The 'l)erdict of pleasure an untrustworthy basis of a.ction. If wisdom and goodness sometimes make all profit they can by embracing opportunity, much more often do policy and evil. For the "children of this world are wiser in their genera- tion than the children of light." They most studiously adapt means to end ; they most patiently bide their time; they most unerringly, in this disordered scene, this dislocated system, see and snatch the opportunity. Let us observe here the appeal made to the King Ahasneras- 1. IN THE LIGHT OP' THE OPPORTUNE TIME AT WHICH IT WAS MADE. Meaning much there was in that time. The moment makes often the difference. Now the moment and the man met. A cheerless blank before the king. An aching void within him, as though emptiness were the most veritable existence. We do not indeed read that of this inner vacancy the king said a word or uttered a complaint ; he would not make so humiliating a confession. But whether he did so or not, it was no doubt seen, and he was seen through by the minions of his retinue and his court. His own "wrath," and, as we have reason to know, matters of state and matters of war, had helped him tide over several months ; but un-ease at heart can be no longer endured and is bound to betray him. Neither momentary diversion of heart nor months 1 diversion of mind destroys facts, nor turns back dissatisfaction's natural tide. The most they do is to arrest awhile, certain to aggravate after a while. II. IN THE LIGHT OP' THE SPECIAL INNER PREPARATION FOB IT WHICH THE WHOLE HERETOFORE COURSE OP' BIB LIFE HAD MADE. That antecedent course of life might have been judged to be a deliberately-constituted preparation for such a moment as the present. No outward opportunity for good or evil, no outward invitation of gain or loss, is comparable for effect with that opportunenesa which is, which is made, which grows wi,tkin. There is no such ripeness of time as that which comes of ripeness of disposition. If the spark also is to have its fair chance, it m11-st fall on touch-paper, dry wood, gunpowder. If an ill-starred suggestion, or the happiest, holiest impulse, is to have each its own due course, the one and the other must fall, though in time's briefest instant, upon the material of a character that has been con- sciously or unconsciously fitting and maturing a long time for each respectively. An instant's mere hint, whether of good or bad, will not mean much, except it come upon the product of months' or years' education; but if it light upon this, it may. Ill. IN THE UN.TUBTIP'IABLY BEADY AND HASTY ACCEPTANCE OF IT. There was apparently no consideration of the proposal contained in it. There was certainly no careful exercise of the jndgment upon it. No counsellors are called in as before. The seven "wise men which saw the king's face, and sat the first in the kingdom," are not called in to consult. Nay, not so much as an hour's time is reserved before an answer. It seems plainly that all was considered safe, and he actod on a momentary impulse, thinking only of self-gratification. H '.{'h,e thing pleased th, OH. II, 1-18.] •rHE BOOK OF ESTHER. 49