Hegai

In the book of Esther, we see many virgins brought in and groomed exorbitantly and delicately with the end that one would become Queen to the most powerful king then: Artaxerxes, following Vashti’s being striped of the very same office.

The virgins were presented to household managers called chamberlains — specifically Hegai, I guess for screening; or what people refer to as ‘auditioning’ today. Among they that came, Esther immediately caught the in-charge’s eye:

Esther 2:9 Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favour; so he readily gave beauty preparations to her, besides her allowance. Then seven choice maidservants were provided for her from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maidservants to the best place in the house of the women.

He gave her the ingredients for the preparations — but that was a given for EVERY other virgin. All were meant to complete a 12 months’ preparation according to the regulations for the women. That was six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes (sweet odours), among others, but also we get to know that every woman could receive whatsoever she desired during this spell — then go in to see the king.

Verse 14 states that the morning following, after the virgin had gone in to see the king, she’d go to the house of concubines — meaning those the king didn’t like never proceeded to that house, but returned home. From the house of concubines is where he would then make the final choice. If one pleased Him, He’d call her in again.

While the virgins obtained whatsoever they could, Esther required nothing but what Hegai appointed. Then the Bible says ‘And Esther obtained favour in the sight of ALL them that looked upon her.’

After the first twelve months, the following year, Esther was summoned by the king again in the tenth month. He looooved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

It is not mentioned why Esther was loved by the king. But we do have a hint. ‘Esther required nothing but what Hegai appointed or suggested.’ While many sermons have rushed to conclude that favoured was Esther, we notice that she needed something to BUY that favour. Being favoured by the household manager is one thing, being favoured by the king is a whole different ball game.

The unseen aspect here is wisdom. I think to myself, Esther must have asked Hegai what things the king likes and detests, and she must have noted them all. He being a household manager must have enabled him access to know a lot about the king’s preferences. He must have had years and years of serving the king(s); getting to know their character, interests or weaknesses. That’s what Esther acquired —

Look — all the virgins oiled themselves. Everyone’s skin was glittering. They wore sweet odours. Everyone was smelling good. But the king must have known charm is deceptive — having been king for many years — hence he was looking for something other than pulchritude and perfume. Everyone was ‘anointed.’ Everyone was ‘prayerful’ (the odours represent incense as well). Everyone was attractive! How would Esther stand out?

Esther herself must have seen that all the virgins around were suitable for pageantry. It’s like all had qualified to be Miss Universe or Miss World, but only one was needed. This is equivalent to getting into an interview and you come face to face with all the best academic brains in the country seated in one room! There’s only one spot for the thousands who applied. How would you expect to beat them all!? The Bible says Esther obtained favor even in the eyes of these thousands. They seemed to say ‘Even if she wins, she is worth the crown.’

In my further study, I discovered that the name ‘Hegai’ means meditation, word, groaning and separation.

That’s when the Holy Spirit began to teach me.

Remember, Esther did not do anything or required nothing except what Hegai — meditation, word, groaning and separation — suggested. Artaxerxes here could represent many things. It’d be your to-be spouse. It’d be your promotion in terms of employment. It’d be that ground breaking deal. But what has meditation said? What has God’s word said? What words have come as a result of the groaning of the Holy Spirit in prayer (Rom 8:26)? What has the separation through consecration or covenant suggested?

What my eyes were opened to was the fact that EVERYONE was oiled! All Christians are anointed by the fact that they are born again. But stopping at that won’t guarantee accessing the Holy of Holies permanently. That won’t guarantee the completion of your divine assignment. I loathe to imagine what would have happened to the Jews if Esther didn’t become queen; perhaps Haman’s plot would have succeeded. All the more as to why you have to do your best to get to that place.

Everyone was immersed in sweet odours. By bare minimum, this could represent the incense which rises to God in prayer (as already mentioned), but still, not every virgin accessed the Holy of Holies permanently. Yes, we’d have occasional highs where we encounter God during prayer places, but we do not want to dwell on the past.

‘That time when Jesus walked into my room.’

Did He walk out? How about sitting with Him at the throne permanently. And I’m hearing God say it’ll take more than just being anointed, or just praying. One needs to execute the instruction heard or given by Hegai and any forms He represents. That’s how we’ll attain that mark of high calling. Perhaps you prayed, and God instructed you to do something, but you still haven’t!

All the virgins in Jesus’ parable had lamps, and oil. They all were “anointed.” But not all carried extra oil; and at midnight when the groom came, only those that had extra oil had their lamps burning, and went in with the groom. They are called the wise virgins. Wisdom labelled them distinct! That was Hegai’s doing.

The prophets knew Elijah was going to be taken to Heaven. But only Elisha knew who Elijah really was: horseman and chariot, and that He attracted upon himself. With all Elijah had done, the other prophets never attained his cadre!

We are sure Ruth wasn’t the only widow or unmarried on the fields gleaning. But she did as Naomi suggested. And suddenly, her reproach was no more. She got married again! Becoming grandmother of David, and ancestor of Jesus.

Launch into the deep and let down your nets for a draught, Jesus told Simon. But he claimed they had toiled all night and hadn’t succeeded. Little did he know that the master of oceans had spoken to the waters in Simon’s favour, that the fishes would all glide effortlessly into his nets this time.

Peter was washed out. ‘Nevertheless,’ he said, ‘at thy word, I’ll let down my net.’ He performed what ‘Hegai’ suggested, and his nets caught so much they tore!

Artaxerxes is calling for a queen, but are you ready to go the narrow way? Not to just oil yourself or perfume yourself but inquire of the very servant of the king and do more?

Yes, you’re almost to your end Ruth, but are you willing to obey all that Naomi asks you to do when you go to glean?

O widow, I know the creditor is coming. But will you obey Elisha; and go borrow those vessels from the neighbors and see if the oil will not forever flow in your house?

O Hosea, I know Gomer has wronged you time and again. But will you go and buy her again off the whore stalls and love her still; and see if her heart won’t burn of conviction to stop sinning?

O followers, tarry in Jerusalem and wait for the comforter. He may take a while, but do you not want to do greater works than I did?

Ah… Help us Holy Spirit — God’s very own spirit who searches the heart and knows the things of God — help us to hear more pertaining any situation; and know what to do (like the sons of Issachar) that we may perform it, and not miss out; on our part in the kingdom, on our step to promotion, on our favour for our destiny! That we may fulfill all that we were created for, while on earth!

May we not do or require anything else, other than what you have besought O Hegai! May we not do or require anything else, other than what your word, the meditation thereof, the groaning and our separation have suggested, O Holy Spirit.

Let’s also remember that the favour needed in the sight of our destiny helpers is way different from the favour needed in the sight of our destiny. Yes Esther was destined to be Queen for such a time as this, — but for what? To save the Jews from the upcoming tyrant. This is why wisdom has to be a denominator; both to do what Hegai suggests, and also to ask the reason why Esther is queen. It’s not just by coincidence. Lives are at stake here.

So help us Hegai, Help us O Holy Spirit! Lead us to meditation, lead us to the word in due season, lead us to pray in the will of of God, and lead us to separate ourselves for the assignments or purposes, we were uniquely created for. In Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen