They will rise to bless the heart of God in a way that sees Him pour Himself out on the earth.
By Marc Brisebois
The Corporate Esther
God is calling for a corporate Esther. A corporate Esther knows how to change a nation through touching the heart of God. The story of Esther maps a profound path leading to national justice and the unraveling of a sinister plot against the Jewish people. It is a prophetic template for our day.
In her obedience and humility, Esther plots for us a strategic course activating the administration of the Government of God. Today, there is an emerging army of Believers collectively giving themselves to a similar strategy. More than victory, they will experience the immense beauty of their glorious God. They are a “Corporate Esther”.
The story of Esther unfolds at a dire moment. The very existence of the Jews was being threatened as a diabolical plan surfaces. Envy has once again focused the enemies of God toward the cause of annihilating His people. Central to the narrative is Haman, a man with murderous ambition. He is not acting alone, being merely the present host through which satan's demonic intent is galvanizing. Strangely enough, this story has played out more than once in history. The outcome serves the purposes of God in astounding ways.
The threat hanging over the Jews is a spiritual one, as their adversary is the same as ours today. Like the Jews of that era, the Church is surrounded by sinister plans for its destruction. What we need is divine favor and action from Heaven. Let's pay more careful attention to Esther's strategy.
Divine Strategy
The first stage, when she is alerted to the plot, is to immediately call for a fast. Though her position in the palace seems safe, she knew the fires of persecution would eventually engulf her. Likewise, there can be no illusion of ease for any part of the Church today, no matter where we are. Like the Jews, today we are faced with ongoing threats (in our Christian walk and values) calling for our demise in many avenues. While it may not be fully at our doorstep yet, we can take heed in this lesson: Esther acted!
It is not clear how Esther came to the conclusion, but she knew what she must do. She presents herself before the king at the risk of her life, since it was forbidden to appear without being called…on the penalty of death (Esther 4:11). Apparently, marriage relationships were not a guarantee of intimacy and access to the king was strictly controlled. Yet, she comes dressed in her royal robes. At this point, the king extends his golden scepter offering her seemingly everything she wanted.
“And the king said to her, ‘What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you—up to half the kingdom!'” (Esther 5:3)
Despite the offer, she does not present her petition. She makes no plea nor does she even hint at her dilemma. Rather, she engages the king in a series of events in order to fully open his heart. Diverting her focus away from her plight she plunges headlong to, instead, meet his need—food and wine are now on the menu!
At the banquet, the king again extends favor to Esther for a second time. Again she deflects, preferring to simply ask both he and Haman to attend yet another banquet the next day. What Esther is doing is not only brilliant, it is part of an already establish Biblical pattern. Esther is following a template revealing a key part of God's Kingdom order.
Governmental Order
The core issue at stake here is the issue of order, which Esther clearly understood. By “order” we mean “who will be put first?” If you read carefully the words of Jesus you can find this message distinctly in His message.
Consider this: “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25)
“For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:32-33)
What is He saying? Simply, “Seek Me first!” The solution is in the command saying, “Seek first the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). More than a statement, it is a precept for the release of the heart of God toward us. Jesus is giving us the antidote for a literal landslide of His blessing. It is the key to open to us everything within God. Esther was doing the same thing with her king. Rather than focus on her need she paid attention to his. Let's return to our story.
Kingdom Administration
Something mysterious happens now, between the first and second banquet. Her obedience has awoken the wheels of heavenly justice and something begins to move behind the scenes. God disturbs the king's sleep as the machinery of Heaven begins to turn. One can only imagine the furious traffic of angelic beings hastening to do His bidding. In the natural, unable to rest, the king has the book of records read before him, where he is reminded of the debt owed to a Jewish man Mordecai—Esther's cousin. This event becomes a turning point. Suddenly the plan to destroy the Jews begins to unravel. We should know the story from here.
When the final banquet unfolds and Esther pours out her heart, she now has the full attention of the king. She could have presented her petition on day one or during the 1st banquet. After all, she was offered a request up to half of the kingdom on two occasions. However, not content with the low hanging fruit of an answered prayer she instead reaches to touch his heart. Likewise, a Corporate Esther is not preoccupied with their own need. A corporate Esther reaches for the heart of God.
The Mature Church
A lesser woman would have stumbled awkwardly grabbing the very first opportunity to voice her request. Similarly an immature church is impatiently preoccupied with her own needs. Yet, according to Jesus, we are called “to seek God and His righteousness” at which point “all these things will be added unto us.” This priority indicates the right order of the Kingdom, which will witness the full majesty of our God. As the sun soaks the earth in its life giving energy, the unfurled heart of God will bless the earth.
A people who know this will bathe God in the wine of love and adore Him ceaselessly, until He is fully satiated. When we do this, His heart opens and the full measure of His goodness begins to pour out. Then He will make streams in the desert, and the impossible is suddenly not only made possible—even unavoidable.
Unlocking More
It has always been the intent of God to unlock His goodness on us with a truth reflected in the message at Christ's birth, “Peace and goodwill to men.. After all, He can “open His hand and satisfy the need of every living thing” (Psalm 145:16). Even in nations where tyranny rules, His arm is not too short to save. What is needed is a high level administration of the Kingdom of God. Then with the Corporate Esther doing what it can in directing the minds and hearts of men is virtually automatic. After all, “The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1).
We are entering a day when the people of God will be that collective Esther. They will rise to bless the heart of God in a way that sees Him pour Himself out on the earth. This posture unlocks a level of Heaven's atmosphere able to shift nations and governments into serving His desire. Kings and princes will be awakened in the night as divine order comes to scenarios far removed from our reach. This is the power of a Corporate Esther.
Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things… all these things… all these things, will be added to us.
Marc Brisebois the senior leader of Spruce Grove Community Church, along with his wife Wendy. They have 5 children and 4 grandchildren. Spending almost half his time traveling in ministry, Marc is widely recognized as a credible apostolic and prophetic ministry. Marc has written two books, as well as numerous articles, while being published on themes from discipleship, worship, the prophetic and more. He has a passion for truth and the desire to see the people of God fully enter their destinies.
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