BECOMING · DAY 18

THE OIL CAME BEFORE THE ROOM

❧

Esther 2:8–17 · Esther 2:17 (WEB)

“

So, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together to Susa the palace, to the custody of Hegai, Esther was taken into the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. The maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness from him. He quickly gave her cosmetics and her portions of food, and the seven choice maidens who were to be given her out of the king’s house. He moved her and her maidens to the best place in the women’s house. Esther had not made known her people nor her relatives, because Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make it known. Mordecai walked every day in front of the court of the women’s house, to find out how Esther was doing, and what would become of her. Now when the turn of each young lady came to go in to King Ahasuerus, after her purification for twelve months (for so were the days of their purification accomplished, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet fragrances and with preparations for beautifying women), then the young lady came to the king like this: whatever she desired was given her to go with her out of the women’s house to the king’s house. In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second women’s house, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who kept the concubines. She came in to the king no more, unless the king delighted in her, and she was called by name. Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, came to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the keeper of the women, advised. Esther obtained favor in the sight of all those who looked at her. So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus into his royal house in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained favor and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

Esther 2:8–17 · Esther 2:17 (WEB)

TODAY'S TEACHING

Esther 2 describes a long process of preparation before Esther enters the king's presence. She listens to Hegai's advice rather than demanding everything available to her. The passage is part of a difficult imperial setting; its beauty treatments are not a formula for spiritual promotion.

The title invites us to consider the preparation behind visible moments. We may desire access while overlooking the learning, patience and wise guidance needed to handle an opportunity. Preparation and visibility are connected, but they are not the same thing.

What does readiness require in your actual life? It may mean understanding a subject, improving a skill, seeking counsel or establishing a sustainable routine. Attend to those things without treating them as a bargain that obligates God to open a particular door. Let preparation serve faithful participation whenever an appropriate opportunity comes.

TODAY'S TRUTH

Esther's preparation preceded access; preparation and visibility are not the same.

REFLECT

What preparation am I tempted to skip because I want access quickly?

Whose wise guidance could help me prepare without losing my own discernment?

Take a moment to answer honestly.

PRAY

Father, give me patience for the preparation my responsibilities require. Help me listen to wise counsel and practise the skills I need. Guard me from treating preparation as a guarantee of recognition. Make me ready to serve well when a fitting opportunity comes. In Jesus' name, amen.

JOURNAL

Choose one opportunity you hope to pursue. List the knowledge, skill and support it requires, then schedule one concrete preparation step.

Your response