The Best Place

10.04.12

Esther 2.9 9 Now the young lady pleased him and found favor with him. So he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and food, gave her seven choice maids from the king’s palace and transferred her and her maids to the best place in the harem. NASB

Never having been in one, I can only imagine what a harem looks like and who is in one: an all-women’s dormitory. I can also imagine that there are good places and bad places within a harem. Maybe some of the places are near the restrooms and showers where there is a lot of foot-traffic and noise. Maybe some are near the latrines where there is foot-traffic, noise, and stench. Maybe some are near the dining areas where there is, foot-traffic, the clanging of pots and pans and smells. Maybe some are near the garbage disposal area and there are flies and the smell of rotting leftovers. Maybe some are elevated and next to a window above the noise and the smells, face the north, have a view of the mountains capturing the cool evening breezes of the Fertile Crescent.

A harem has at least, to my understanding, a two-fold purpose: the king’s (or lord’s) wives or concubines are kept in the harem and the harem keeps the outside world from the women. Wives and concubines of the king serve a unique purpose and must be carefully cared for and kept safe. One can only imagine the egos and issues from within a room full of carefully selected women sharing one space together, all vying for a king’s attention.

So, Esther was transferred from where she was to the best place in the harem: close, but not too close to the restrooms and showers. Close, but not too close to the kitchen and dining areas. Perfectly situated for comfort, ventilation, and (perhaps) some much needed privacy. With a view.

I thought about us – the children of the King; we are not wives or concubines, although we are called the Bride of Christ. And we are kept, not in a harem, but in the world – but in the best place: in the King’s heart, and in the King’s hand; and in the King’s Name. We are His and we bear His name. That’s the best place. That’s the place of Hope and Encouragement. We have been transferred from the mundane to the marvelous.

Jesus said, “I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.” John 17.11-12 We, as the Bride of Christ, are kept safe in the best place.

Jesus also said, “Father, I desire that they also... be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” John 17.24 NASB And we, are in that Name, heading for that place

Lord God, where I am right now is with my brothers and sisters in the best place of all: Your presence; as we walk out our mission in this world. Help us to remember that wherever we are, and whatever we are in, we are always in the best place we can be: with You. Amen.