Esther 2:12-13
Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. 13 And this is how she would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace.
The story of Esther is fascinating and how she ascended to the throne by divine orchestration.Well, it took Queen Vashti making a mistake and her replacement being sought soon after.
What time is it in your life? Eccl 3:1 There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under the heavens:
Could it be time for pampering or self care like Esther? All the beautiful women were put through a beauty program.Sounds like Spa treatment if you ask me & for a whole year.Whoa!
6 months beauty treatment, with oil of myrrh and 6 with perfumes and cosmetics.
Are we able to recognize when God ushers us into these seasons of rejuvenation, pampering ,self care?Remember it wasn’t guaranteed that one would become queen but the one year must have made them different women in their individual capacity.It would be a shame if these women downgraded their mindsets or lifestyles after the one year at the Harem.It may seem like it was all prepping to meet the King but knowing how those beauty treatments are like,they were more like self care regiments.Ladies know how these treatments leave one feeling so relaxed,rejuvenated, physically looking and feeling beautiful & glowing.The treatment may involve scrubbing your skin,popping out pimples,massages,body wraps,facials.And yep, that will cost you a handsome amount of money.
These women lined up to replace Queen Vashti were put under the care of Hegai who would also prepare them to meet the king.He must have been working on their inward person and how a woman was to carry herself when with the King.He knew what the king desired.Doesn’t that sound like the role of the Holy Spirit in our walk with God?He teaches us more about God and prepares us day by day in our relationship with the King of Kings.
It’s important to know when you are in an Esther year( Confession:This word is made up by the way.There is no such year ,not that I have heard of anyway.Lol)
Esther’s preparation was for marriage and which had a divine destiny tied to it.This we see, as we read the rest of the book.It could be God preparing you to occupy a position at the market place , or perhaps ministry assignment. Something impactful.
In a deep way though ,God is helping me see another side of an Esther year and that is -a season to pour into myself first.Before pouring into the lives of people in my life and those i am trusting for Him to add(read Mr.Boaz and mini-me’s (mini- us) 🙂 or new places for me to step into,have I truly poured into myself? Importantly, am I allowing the Holy Spirit to build or rebuild me,beautify me inwardly and for Himself first?
Have a reflective week ahead !
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