"Before a girl'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."
Esther was one of hundreds of single, young, beautiful, women who were in essence kidnapped and taken to the palace of the king. They had no choice in the matter - the king had issued a decree and it must be complied with. They were of many different races and ethnic groups, mostly commoners and very likely what amounted to diamonds in the "extreme rough". An incredible amount of "spit and polish" was required to make them presentable to the king. Initially they were literally scrubbed raw to remove all the filth and grime of the streets so that the eunichs could see what they had to work with. After that began a year-long regimen of skin softening and beauty treatments. They were turned over to "care-givers" who would see to their beauty preparations; diets; and wardrobes. Nothing was left to chance and even the smallest of details was taken into account. When the young woman went before the king, she must be as nearly perfect as possible. Her sole purpose was to please the king. It was a matter of proper respect.
Every Christian is an Esther. We have not been kidnapped for physical servitude to a mortal, but in the spirit, our lives should parallel Esther's as we prepare to enter into the eternal, face-to-face presence of the King of Kings.
Where we received Jesus as our Savior, when we were brought into the kingdom, we certainly were commoners and horribly filthy spiritually. Our initial entrance demanded a thorough cleansing, a debriding of the spirit, and this was accomplished by Jesus Christ and His cleansing attonement. We were scrubbed spotless in that instant. Then began the life-long process of spiritual beauty treatments; the softening of the spirit that would reveal the Fruit of the Spirit; and the perfuming, the process that would make us a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Our "care-giver" is the Holy Spirit and He sees to our spiritual nourishment and beauty treatments. He advises us what to feed on that will enhance our spirits; He recommends our spiritual clothing so that we will be radiant in the eyes of the Lord; and He personally compounds the oils and tinctures that will be the most incredible scent to the senses of God.
Just as Esther followed to the letter the directives of her care-giver, so we must do the same with the Holy Spirit. Esther knew in her heart that her care-giver knew the secret to reaching the king, so she asked His advice in all matters. The Holy Spirit of God knows the secret to reaching the King of Kings and it is in our very best interests to seek His advice in all matters also. When we reject His teaching and guidance, we set back our progress on gaining entrance to the King. The Lord God wants His bride spotless and holy, properly dressed for a royal wedding, and the only way to achieve this state is to follow every direction of the Holy Spirit, no matter what. It is a matter of respect.
Is our physical and spiritual appearance showing the proper respect to the Lord God Almighty? What is the condition of our "bridal clothes?"
"Almighty God, King of Heaven and Earth, Lord of Life and Bridegroom of the Church, cleanse me and purify me and make me holy as You are holy. I seek Your wisdom, Lord Jesus, you know what needs done in my life. I lift it up to You, I ask that Your Holy Spirit lead me and teach me what I must do to be a pure and spotless bride for You. Give me a willing heart to obey all things. Let me be a glory to Your Name. Amen."
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Song of Solomon 4:10
Psalm 19:14
104:34
Zechariah 3:3-4
Matthew 22:11-14
John 14:26
Romans 14:17-19
2 Corinthians 2:15
Hebrews 13:20-22
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