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REFLECTION
Learning from Esther is the theme for reflection. Learning from Esther means the lessons Esther teaches us when we read about her. We learn three lessons from Esther,
1. Esther was a God-fearing, bold and selfless leader.
2. Esther was wise and humble.
3. Esther was a strategist and an influencer.

The first lesson we learn from Esther is that she was a God-fearing and selfless leader. When her people faced the threat of annihilation, she declared a three-day fasting and prayer for herself and her people before boldly approaching the King (Esther 4:16). Again, knowing the danger of losing her life when she approached the King uninvited, she boldly and selflessly took the risk after she prayed and fasted. (Esther 5:1-2). Dear friend for a society to thrive we need God-fearing, bold and selfless leaders who will always act or take risks in the interest of the masses, especially the less privileged and oppressed. How many God-fearing, bold and selfless leaders do we have in Africa? How many Church leaders in Africa are God-fearing, bold and selfless to approach those in power to speak to them about the ills, corruption and injustice in the nation. Esther was a God-fearing, bold and selfless leader who taught us to act even if it means risking our own lives when our people’s lives are threatened by the wicked in our societies,

The second lesson we learn from Esther is that she was wise and humble in her approach to King Xerxes. Dear friend, it takes wisdom and humility to move the heart of a King or a person in a position of power. Esther wisely and humbly approached the King on his royal throne. She did not unexpectedly or arrogantly barge on the King because she was the queen nor did she interrupt him uninvited bearing in mind the consequences. Esther positioned herself at a location where she could be seen by the King and presented herself in a manner that made the King himself invite her. “On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. ² When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. ³ Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” (Esther 5:1-3) The combined effect of wisdom and humility is knowing when to do what and how to do it in a manner that will yield a positive and impactful result. It is important for us to wisely and humbly approach people in higher authority if we need their attention and action for a positive change in our church and society. A person in a position of power is deeply moved when approached in humility and a demonstration of wisdom. We may have genuine concerns but how we approach and talk to people in positions of power can make us invited or rejected. Following Esther’s example will enable us to appeal to the hearts of men and women toward a positive impact or change.

Thirdly, Esther was a strategist and an influencer. Before Esther approached the King to make her request she had a plan. Her strategy involved how to get noticed by the King, where to make her request known to the King, and when to make her request known to the King in the presence of Haman the villain. Esther said to the King “My petition and my request is this: ⁸ If the king regards me with favour and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.” (Esther 5:7-8). On a light note, it is often said that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Could it be that Esther knew the King’s favourite meals, therefore, she decided to treat the King to a banquet of his favourite meals even as she made her request known to him. Esther was a wise strategist and an influencer who moved the heart of the King. Again, Esther teaches us the power of persuasion or influencing others through good communication skills or rhetoric.
Esther teaches us the power and influence a wife can have over her husband through humility, good gestures and communication. “Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favour with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. ⁴ For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.” ⁵ King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?” ⁶ Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. (Esther 7:3-6). Esther did not speak to the King as a Queen who equally willed power or authority but she appealed to the King as a subject and a submissive wife. She made the King her saviour, the only one who could show mercy and change the destiny of the Jews including his beloved wife. In other words, Esther was telling the King, “If you love me then the love my people, if you love me then do not allow my enemy to destroy me, if you love and appreciate my presence in your life and need me to be preparing banquets of your favourite and delicious meals then do not allow my enemy to take me away from you” Esther’s irresistible persuasive language moved the King to action immediately. Haman the villain was impaled the the Jews were saved!

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Learning from Esther” After carefully studying the character of Esther, we discover that Esther was a God-fearing, bold and selfless leader, she was wise and humble, last but not least, she was a strategist and an influencer. Every leader, whether male or female must pray, desire and practice these qualities to be able to lead and make a meaningful impact in the church and society. Shalom.

PRAYER
Almighty God, raise impactful and transformational leaders for our church and society who will be God-fearing, bold, selfless, wise, humble, good planners, visionaries and positive influencers. Help us to be sensitive to the plight of the masses and enable us to use our positions of power to influence and change the destinies of our people. Amen.