On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, in front of the king's quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace.
On the third day of fasting, Esther dresses as a queen and walks into the inner court, where an uninvited visitor risked death. Commentators ask two questions of the scene: why the third day, and whose hand is arranging it.
The third day
The date is part of the message. Commentators follow the third day through Scripture and read Esther's appearance in that light.
Arno Clemens GaebeleinIt was on the third day that Esther came forth to enter the presence of the king. The third day throughout Scripture is the day of resurrection and life, the day of blessing and glory. In the first chapter of Genesis, the earth came up out of the waters on the third day and brought forth its beautiful plants. This speaks of resurrection, and it is the first place in the Word of God where this picture appears... She too passed, as a picture, through a death experience in her fasting, with deep anguish of soul. "If I perish, I perish," she had said, ready to sacrifice herself. She stands in her royal garments before the king on the third day, with her death experience behind her. So she reminds us of Him who left the grave behind and is now clothed in resurrection glory.
Sackcloth exchanged for royal robes
The change of clothing marks the end of one stage and the start of another.
Arno Clemens GaebeleinOn the third day Esther put on her royal apparel, a significant day in Scripture, as we point out in the typical application of this chapter. The days of fasting and agony were past, and she is seen no longer dressed in sackcloth but in royal garments.
Standing in the court was risking her life
Nothing about her position was safe. The law of Persia was that anyone entering uninvited died, unless the king chose otherwise.
William KellyWhatever the circumstances, God remains God; and faith knows it and counts on Him. To all appearance it was a dangerous adventure. Even so, Esther was ready to risk her life for the Jews in their lowest state. But she knew, just as Mordecai did, that deliverance must come, because God has pledged Himself to it. His purposes of blessing for man on earth and glory for His own name are bound up with His promise to Abraham's descendants.
Nothing but a man on a throne — and yet
The book of Esther never names God. The scene shows only a Persian court, a queen, and a monarch's mood. Kelly points to what the eye could not see.
William KellyHer faith in the goodness of God was great. All that appears is only man, yet the unseen hand was there. This she looked for, and this she found.
The golden sceptre
The sceptre in the king's hand carries a meaning of its own.
Arno Clemens GaebeleinThe golden sceptre speaks of divine righteousness, power and grace. God extends that sceptre to all who come to Him in that blessed and worthy Name. We can come with boldness to the throne of grace, receiving mercy and finding grace to help in time of need.
What her welcome pictures
The moment she is received changes the standing of a whole nation, and it becomes a picture of how believers come to God.
The Bible TreasuryOne unchangeable law guarded the way into King Ahasuerus's throne room: anyone who came in uninvited must die... Esther had access into the favour of the king, and so she won the lives of her countrymen. Those justified by faith have access into the favour of God. To undeserving people like us, the Lord Jesus Christ is infinitely more than the golden sceptre held out to Esther.
Some read Esther as a picture of the Jewish remnant in a coming day. Again the third day carries the meaning.
Michael HardtGod will receive the remnant on the ground of the resurrection of Christ, just as He receives us. Then the king sees Esther, she finds grace in his sight, and he stretches out the golden sceptre, the gesture of royal acceptance and favour. Hosea looks ahead to the day of Israel's restoration, in the form of a remnant. He uses the figure of resurrection: "on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him."
Summary
- Third day — the fasting ends where Scripture's pattern points: death behind, life ahead. Esther comes out of her agony as one raised.
- Robes — she comes out of her fasting dressed as a queen, with the death experience behind her.
- Risk — standing uninvited in that court could cost her life. She stands there because God has pledged Himself to deliver His people.
- Unseen — the eye sees only a man on a throne. Faith sees the hand that moved him.
- Access — the law barred the way, favour opened it. What the golden sceptre was to Esther, Christ is — infinitely more — to those who come to God.