Oceans in the Desert

By Kathi Pelton

During this time of Purim, I have been meditating on the Book of Esther. As I have read this book over and over again. The part that has stood out to me more than any other part begins in Esther 2:15.

“Esther was the daughter of Abihail, who was Mordecai’s uncle. (Mordecai had adopted his younger cousin Esther.) When it was Esther’s turn to go to the king, she accepted the advice of Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the harem. She asked for nothing except what he suggested, and she was admired by everyone who saw her.

Esther was taken to King Xerxes at the royal palace in early winter[a] of the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti.” Esther 2:15-17

After the twelve months of beauty treatments, each virgin was to pick what they wanted to wear and adorn themselves with before being brought into the king’s chambers. But Esther decided to deferred to the counsel of the king’s trusted official, Hegai, who would know what the king truly desired. She wore only what he suggested; rather than clothing herself with what she desired, she clothed herself in the King’s desire.

This is what I have felt that the Holy Spirit has been doing with the us in these days. The Holy Spirit is like Yeshua’s trusted official to mankind (though so much more- He is One with the Father and the Son). He knows the desire of our King. The bride has been longing to rid herself of all “her choosing” so that she can be fully clothed in her Beloved’s desire; just as Esther was clothed in nothing except what would fulfill King Xerxes desire. When he looked upon her he fell deeply in love with her and took her as his queen; placing the royal crown upon her head. I believe that as we yield to the desire of our our King, settling for nothing less, there is a crown of bridal (queenly) authority that is placed upon our head. His bride will go before the King and she will receive favor– even to the point of being used to reverse evil decrees that have been put in place.

The desire to please our King has been awakened like never before in His bride. There is a holy desperation to rid our lives of any other thing- except His desire. Every other name is being removed (even our own names). We long to take His name as our identity and our crown.

“There I will give her vineyards back to her and make the Valley of Achor (Trouble) into a gateway of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came out of Egypt. In that day- this is the Lord’s declaration– you will call Me, ‘My husband,’ and no longer call Me, ‘My Baal.’ For I will remove the names of the Baals (Masters) from her mouth; they will no longer be remembered by their names.” Hosea 2:15-17

Isn’t it interesting that these scriptures are from Esther 2:15-17 and from Hosea 2:15-17? Esther is presenting herself in purity to become a bride and Hosea is redeeming his wayward bride so that she can be made pure.

There is a bride being prepared, to stand as an Esther before her King and there is also a redeeming of every wayward place that has sought out other “lovers” and become enslaved to their name and harsh rule over her. God is redeeming His bride so that she will be clothed in His desire alone and reign with Him in purity and authority. She is taking His name and every other name (Baal or master) is being removed from her.

As we are in the time of Purim, let us ask the Holy Spirit to instruct us how we are to clothe ourselves. Let us lay aside our thoughts and be clothed with His desire. Let every name but His be removed from our lives so that we become “His desire.”

“I will give them a desire to know me and to be my people. They will want me to be their God, and they will turn back to me with all their heart.” Jeremiah 24:7

“Clothe and adorn us, Holy Spirit, in all that our King desires. May He be our whole desire and may we be ‘His desire.’ We long to turn back to You with our whole heart. We will call you ‘Husband’ and we thank you for removing the names of Baal from us and redeeming us as your own.” Amen

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