Only Myrrh and the Sweet Odours

We are continuing to reflect on the Book of Esther.

In the house of women under the custody of Hege, the queens to be undergo a rigorous regimen for purification. Purification is perfection to the one they’re about to show themselves.
This exercise lasts twelve months of two phases. One, the virgins, they use myrrh for six months and the second half of the twelve months, they use “sweet odours and with other things” (Esther 2:12). After that they each go at different evening into the king’s house with whatever they desire. In the king’s house, each pass the night with the king and go on to the second house of women under the care of Shaashgaz, another chamberlain who keeps “the concubines: she came into the king no more except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name” (Esther 2:14).

Myrrh was one chief ingredient that made up the compounding of the anointing oil in the tabernacle. When myrrh which was a bitter spice was processed into oil, it exuded a most amazing pleasant odour associated with love bites. Used 17 times in the bible, myrrh is frequently connected with love, especially in the Songs of Solomon.

The second ingredient of purification is “sweet odours.” There are other spices not mentioned. All said, the purpose of the oils is to overcome male resistance, through the sense of smell, and weave a heavy crush on the man.
Myrrh as a pleasant odour comes through sacrifice, through processes. What comes out at the end is a pleasantness that’s captivating. Paul speaks of Christ as having, out of love “given himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour” (Ephasians 5:2). Myrrh is greatly valued in love tangles but it requires crushing, sacrifice and pounding to come to acquire the exceptional value. Christ was the sweet savour in the nostrils of God in the Old Testament as well as in the New; he’s the human sweet smell odour pleasing to God. These spices that constitute Christ make man acceptable to God and bring him to the all encompassing and embracing love of God. Talk of myrrh and sweet odours.

Esther 2:
15. Now when the turn of Esther , the daughte of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was to go in on to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her
16. So Esther was taken into king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month Tebeth in the seventh year of his reign.
17. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour (kindness – Marg.) 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

This is what grace is all about. Grace and favour/ kindness are so interrelated that they’re interchangeable. Favour is the move behind picking up on somebody for good inheritance without the picked being qualified. As a teacher, I’ve always been guilty of this. A student might fail to pass my test, but favouring him, I could alter figures to make him or her pass while whispering under my breath, Lord, please have mercy on me. This is a bad practice but I am using it as an illustration. Esther receives favour that moves the entire being of the king to let down his jealously guided grace.

Esther has been well groomed by pastor Hegai and she doesn’t enter into the presence of the king, cringing or worried. She seems to have taken to heart all the instructions given by the seasoned pastor. As soon as the king sights her, he’s completely won over; he falls outrightly in love there and then. No bride who knows the nature of the king can miss the mark; Esther has learnt so much of the king. She knows better than to stand on her outstanding qualities, her beauty and elegance. She simply refuses to add any other thing apart from the saving knowledge of the Lord, the king

The King cannot miss me; I cannot miss Him. He’s bestowed on me His saving grace. This is the act of Your favour bringing grace. I cannot miss You for Your face is mine inheritance. I’m not to be distressed today because I feel inadequate in His presence. I’m leaning on nothing extra in me nor am I striving within me. I’ve learnt a great deal about Your nature, Your provisions; I’m standing only on the providence You gave: I’m learning to stand upon the cross of Christ alone, upon His death. I don’t have any goodness. I’m looking away from my weakness and I’m learning to trust in His strength alone, looking away from my afflictions, I’m leaning all of my entire being on Him in confidence. Of course, I’m holding to the Eternal Word whatever be the tides. I’m without anything extraneous addition than what He has provided