DEVOTIONAL “On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.” Esther 6:1 Rev. José A. Soto
WHEN YOU CANNOT SLEEP This passage tells about the time when Persian king Ahasuerus, who ruled the Persian empire at its ze-
nith, could not sleep. During his empire, God’s people was scattered throughout 125 provinces. This means that in every corner of the empire, people were waiting on God and His promises, even though they were living in unpleasant conditions, under oppressive circumstances. Esther’s arrival at the royal palace was the result of God’s intervention. After queen Vashti refused to come before king Ahasuerus at the royal feast, thus defying his command, her deposition was immediate, and Esther took over as queen of the Persian Empire. It should be no surprise to anyone that in the midst of God’s blessing, someone like Haman arises. He moved up and managed to hold a position of great importance in the reign: he was appointed vizier, which is like a viceroy. Haman exalted himself and whenever he met someone at the palace they had to bow. But Mordecai the Jew, Esther’s adoptive father, stood his ground and never bent the knee before any man (Esther 3:2). Haman, full of wrath, decided to kill Mordecai and the Jews. He appeared before king Ahasuerus and told him about a certain people scattered all over his territory that did not contribute to the kingdom’s profit and so did not deserve to live. When Haman proposed to offer to pay ten thousand silver talents to destroy the Jews, the king, who knew nothing about them and did not care to, answered, “The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee” (Esther 3:11). Haman sent letters in different languages into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, kill and cause to perish all Jews. It was an irrevocable command, and so it had to be obeyed (Esther 3:15). It was then that God deprived the king of his sleep. “And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus” (Esther 6:2). When the king asked if Mordecai had been rewarded for such action, his servants told him that nothing had been done for him. It was then that MISSIONARY MOVEMENT 46 WORLDWIDE Americas • Europe • Oceania • Africa • Asia
