The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 102

the throne of the universe? Merest bubbles on the surface I invisible specks in the air I small dust of the balance I (Isa. xl. 22-25). 2. Royal power. Some human sovereigns have "the power of life and death ''-an awful prerogative for mortal man to wield. They can exalt or humiliate, enrich or impoverish. But they have "no more that they can do" (Luke xii. 4). What is their power to his, who" is able to destroy both soul and body in hell"? (Matt. x. 28). 3. Royal will. The will of the human monarch is often exercised quite capriciously. Esther could not tell whether, when "she stood in the inner court of the king's house" (ver. 1 ), she would be graciously welcomed or instantaneously ordered for execution. All turned on the mood of the moment. God's will is sovereign, but never capricious. He doeth "according to his will," &c. (Dan. iv. 35 ), but never wills to do that which is unwise, unjust, unkind. By everlasting and universal principles of righteousness he decides what he will do toward the children of men. II. THE ACCESSIBILITY AND TREATMENT OF THE RUMAN AND THE DIVINE SOVEREIGN. The subject wants to approach the sovereign ; he has requests to make of him. Let us contrast the accessibility and treatment of the earthly with that of the heavenly monarch. 1. When he ma11 be approached. Esther was not acting "according to law " (eh. iv. 16) in now drawing near. She did it at the peril of her life. We picture her waiting for the king's notice with tearful eye and trembling heart, lest the " golden sceptre" (ver. 2) should not be held out to her. Our great and gracious King is accessible to the meanest of hie subjects at any moment. There is indeed a Mediator (1 Tim. ii. 5) between him and us, but through him we may come "at all times." Eis throne on which he sits is a throne of grace. His sceptre is one of boundless beneficence. We may touch it when we will (ver. 3). If he rebukes us, it is not for coming when he does not send; it is for not coming oftener than we do. "Men ought always to pray." 2. How he may be pleased. Queen Esther sought accept- ance by attention to her personal appearance; she" put on her royal apparel." That which we are to wear to gain the favour of our Sovereign is other than this. We are to" be clothed with humility" (1 Pet. v. 5). "He has respect unto the lowly" (Ps. cxxxviii. 6). Of such as the poor in spirit is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. v. 3). Another garment we must have on in our approach to the king is that of faith. Without that it is" impossible to please him" (Heb. xi. 6). 3. What it is he promises. The king of Persia made promise to Esther in very "royal" fashion; he offered her, in word, much more than he had any intention of granting. " It shall be given thee to the half of the kingdom" (vers. 3, 6). To-day he promises superfluously; to- morrow he may virtually withdraw his word. There is no wisdom, carefulness, cer- tainty about it. God's promises are righteous, wise, generous. ( 1) Righteous, for he gives nothing to those who are deliberately vicious or impenitent, who " regard iniquity in their heart" (Ps. !xvi. 18). (2) Wise, for he gives sufficiency to those who are his servants, and who, as such, ask for their daily bread (Ps. I. 15 ; Prov. xxx. 8 ; Matt. vi.). (3) Generous, for he gives abounding spiritual blessings to those who seek them in Christ Jesus (Luke xi. 13; Rom. viii. 32). Not tremblingly to an earthly throne, like Esther, do we come, but "boldly to the throne of grace" (Heh. iv. 16 ; Eph. iii. 12), to find grace for all our sin and help for all our need.-C. Vere. 1-3.-Self-devotion encouraged. "On the third day," when the fast was over, Esther proceeded to visit the king on her mission of deliverance. We notice here- I. A PROMISE FAITHFULLY KEPT. Whatever tremblings may have visited her heart, Esther gave no signs of hesitation. Good resolutions often fade before the time of performance arrives. Promises are often forgotten or wilfully broken in the presence of danger. 1. Let us keep truthfully our promises to men. An easy breaking of our word to others is inconsistent with a good conscience or a Christian spirit. Besides, it destroys confidence, imperils success, and is the parent of much unhappiness. Our word should be 11s "g·ood as our bond 11 (Matt. v. 37). 2. Let us hold sacred our promises to God. Vows to the Most High should not be lightly made; when made they should be religiously performed. All who confess Christ should strive earnestly and prayerfully to fulfil their engagement to be his. The son in our Lord's parable who promised to go into his father's vineyard, but did not go, is a warning against all folse or unfulfilled profession (Ps. !xvi. 13, 14; 1 Cor. xv. 58). 3. Let us remem- 106 THE BOOK OF ESTHER. [OH, V, 1-8.