A People Set Aside

From a Common Virgin to a Queen – What We Can Glean From the Book of Esther

We read in the Book of Esther how Yahweh used her, a common virgin and orphaned Hebrew girl, who was under the care of her Uncle Mordecai, to save Israelites from the hands of the Persian Empire government. We learn through scripture of the character of Yahweh and the power of His Holy Spirit to keep a promise to Himself that He would have a people set aside for His glory, to have a covenant people unto Him.

Several of the books of the Old Testament chronicle historical events of the time and era of which they are written. However, they are also a type of shadow of things to come when our Redeemer, Yeshua (Jesus Christ) would come, born unto a virgin woman through the Holy Spirit of Yahweh, and redeem the world (both Israel and Gentile nations) from sin when He gave His life as the ultimate sacrifice by shedding His blood on the cross. The climax of His life on this Earth is when He defeated death by being raised from the dead three days after His death; in other words, His resurrected life and ascension back to the Father is what gives those who believe in Him, the ability to become His bride. Many are called, few are chosen. As King of Kings, Yeshua awaits a Queen. His Queen will be a people who have set themselves aside for Him by purifying their hearts, minds, and souls.

Let’s look at how Yahweh used the type and shadow of that monumental time in history, through the book of Esther, for you and I to be transformed from an orphan spirit, to a common virgin, to a bride made ready, to a queen. We are saved when we receive Yeshua as our Lord and Savior and have repented from our sins. We are washed clean by the blood of the Lamb and His Word, and in essence, we have become new as a virgin. The purification process must then begin.

The Process of Purification:

A common virgin woman (the ordinary believer) is suddenly swept into a fight for a nation’s life (a holy nation/royal priesthood). God is doing something new. It requires faith like never before. She is told that she will be presented before the King, along with many others. She must seek wise counsel if she is to stand out and be recognized….to be chosen before the King (Yeshua). Many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14 – Parable of the Wedding Feast).

The virgin must learn all she can to understand this new thing. She sees the reality of becoming a queen, but must register her name so as to not be overlooked (Be written in the Book of Life – Be saved). Life as she has known it now takes a drastic change…she is in a valley of decision and must make changes or risk the consequences. She makes a decision to live. It requires a life of purity. It requires a change of friends and a change of character (True Repentance). She must be prepared for she knows not what hour of the night the King might call for her. (Matthew 25:6 – Parable of the ten virgins)

The virgin has been placed under the care of the keeper of women. She obtains favor, yet she isn’t sure why or from where it has come (Yahweh). It is critical that she not resist the keeper, not tempt him, not lie to him, not strive with him, not grieve him, and not vex him, or she is certain to be tossed aside. The favor increases as she continues to please her keeper. She has been chosen. She rejoices as she now enters the preparation phase to stand before her King. This phase takes time. It involves others (the body of Christ), it involves the sweet smell of knowledge and the finest of oil (the anointing of Yah upon her). She sees the impurities in her life and understands the benefits of purity, if she is to stand before her King. Oh how she appreciates the purification gifts (Isaiah 11:2 – Spirit of the Lord, Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Might, Knowledge, Fear of the Lord).

The keeper is well pleased with her progress and provides her the services of the seven maidens (the seven redemptive gifts that align with the seven lamp stands, Romans 12:4 and Revelation 4:5/Isaiah 11:2). It becomes clear to her and to her keeper that she is no longer ordinary because she has sought that which pleases the King. She is invited to dwell in the best place within the palace gates. She accepts the invitation to come out from the wilderness (2 Cor 6:17 – Come out from among them and be separate), as the transformation will be a quick one. Now, she must enter the school of obedience. She has a caretaker to give her advice. The caretaker asks for nothing in return. He yearns to see his people free from death. She still has the keeper of women (Holy Spirit) to see to it that she doesn’t get off track. She has become a friend to the King and is gaining favor with him, with the keeper of women, and it so pleases the King to have her in his midst.

It is through her continuous relationship with the keeper of women and the King (Holy Spirit and Yeshua) that she is made queen. Her caretaker has much wisdom and continues to stand by her side as she is a bride made ready and is made a permanent queen. The marriage has taken place.

In Conclusion

I pray this will provide you with some spiritual wisdom and understanding of how our Father in Heaven speaks to us in His word. In His infinite wisdom, He has laid out a master plan for the return of His Son, Yeshua Ha Mashiach, for His bride. She will be a people set aside for her King, a glorious church without spot and wrinkle.

In a world that would like to shut down (silence and even exterminate) believers in Yeshua, we can be assured that His promise is His promise. He WILL have a holy people set aside for Him. He will return for His glorious church and His bride must be made ready. We know not the hour He will return for us. Everyday is the great day of the Lord for many.

You can begin today to apply Yah’s principles of how to grow from a common virgin to a queen by:

1) Obeying the message of the King delivered by His messengers – His Word, the Holy Spirit of Truth, or a human messenger sent to you to prophesy. All must be convicting to your spirit and soul so as to keep you on track.

2) Rejoicing greatly in seeing the face of the King, than serving him (always seek His face and His righteousness first, then you will know how to serve the King);

3) Rejoicing in putting on the royal crown and showing thy beauty (1 Thess 2:19 – For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?);

4) Living with the mystery of repentance – break off the generational curses that plague you and your bloodline, turn away from acts that lead to eternal death and step into the fullness of who you are in Yeshua (Jesus Christ).

Blessings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Yeshua Ha Mashiach.

May the Lord Yeshua bless you and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24

Norma Umphress