Do not Esther and her "seven maidens" excel over all other remnant activity in Israel's history? Her heart went out after all the people of God in those days. And she was the means of saving all. According to Biblical chronology, she was received into the royal house of Artaxerxes just after Ezra and his band started for Jerusalem. (Compare Ezra 7:8, with Esther 2:16.) If this be so, little did Ezra and his company know that the intercessions of weakness were going on, not alone for him and his band, but for all the people of the Jews. The flesh, set at work by Satan, through Haman, scorned to do only a small work of malice (Esther 3:6), so all the people of Jehovah must be aimed at—destroyed by him. Perhaps Ezra knew nothing of this terrible intention. However this may be, weakness learned the secret from Mordecai. Death was hanging over Ezra and all his and Esther's people. Is it fighting and military prowess that is to triumph? No; "she that tarried at home" will gain a wondrous victory. Is not Esther greater than a Deborah?
Then notice the place into which she goes. Haman may enter "the outward court." He is covered with outward glory, too—like the coming apostate (Esther 6:4). But Esther enters "the inner court of the king's house." (See Esther 5:1, and Psa. 45—upon Shoshannim, verses 13 and 14). It was death or full blessing to go thither (Esther 4:11). If the king "delighted" still in her (see Esther 2:14; Psa. 37:1-7), what wondrous grace (truly sovereign) would be shown her, and how widespread the blessing that should follow. Unlike a Ruth or a Hannah, she is too weak to fight, but she is not too weak to reach the heart of the monarch of unlimited power. To "touch the golden scepter"—that would do all. That could only be done by entering his presence in the inner court.
Notice too, the greatness of her faith in her lord. She prepares a banquet for him, and does so before she presents her request. She let him see she expected him to come. Was this a trespass on his grace? No, it was a trial of his love to her, and all must share the blessing or none. It was either utter destruction or magnificent deliverance in royal bounty. Either Haman is to triumph supremely, or utter weakness is to bring in sovereign grace, joy and gladness, to all the people of God.
Notice, too, how Haman is allowed to go on to a moment in which he is just about to place the crown, as it were, on his own head. But, like "the chief baker," in Gen. 40, he is hanged. Such will be the end of "that wicked one" presently. But I am only illustrating the way flesh boasting at any time may come down in a moment. What a trial for faith to both Esther within and Mordecai in sackcloth without. She feasts within as he fasts without, for she must come as becomes the Queen of Ahasuerus when she enters there (see also Ruth 3.1-3).
This place of utter weakness is certainly a blessed one. If we feel we do not "delight in war," we may, surely, delight ourselves in Him who is "the Faithful and True Witness." Here is the golden scepter as it were, for us to touch. Really, all depends on Him now. But we must let our thoughts go out to all the people of God if we are coming towards "the inner court" in the time of the flesh's boastfulness and pride. If the flesh can boast of its success, still the moral truth of Psa. 17:15 is there for us now. "As for me," is the expression of weakness amid many foes around. May it be ours. Divine righteousness can do wonders in the face of the enemy. "Grace reigns through righteousness" now.
It was not only the valiant ones—the mighty men—who got the joy and gladness and feasting. All got it—the undeserving, the weak, the outcasts, all in "the kindness of God." I think we see this largeness of blessing in Rev. 22:17, and in the words, "If any man hear My voice," in chapter 3 verse 20. Jacob had this sovereign bounty shown to him when he was carried on the wagons which Joseph provided to feast on the corn in Egypt, while all Egypt felt the fullness of the savior of the world then. What a glory of grace. When all is in utter failure—death suspended over all, as far as our responsibility is concerned— what a moment for "rebels" to be gathered round "the well of Beer," that God may be sanctified in them, sanctified in the sight of His own enemies. (See Num. 21:13-16; Ezek. 20:41.) "Gather the people together and I will give." Thus the Holy One of Jacob beholds those that erred in spirit coming to understanding, and those that murmured learning doctrine (Isa. 29). This is deliverance and blessing according to His righteousness worthy of the Holy and the True, and "the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God." W. Reid