ARE YOU PURIFIED LIKE ESTHER?
“And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her things for purification…for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors, and with other things for the purifying of the women”
Esther 2:9, 12
Fragrances and herbs mentioned in the Holy Scriptures are physically enriching as well as rich spiritually and meant to upgrade our Christ likeness. Each represents the virtues and characteristics of Jesus perfection and what He desires in the Bride of Messiah [all believers].
“A bundle of myrrh [is] my well-beloved unto me; he shall lie all night between my breasts”
Song of Solomon 1:13
We see the revelation of spices and fragrances in Song of Solomon 1:13. In the bride’s response to the King, her statement reflects a popular custom of laying a bundle of myrrh on one’s chest while sleeping as a beauty treatment in preparation for a wedding. The Hebrew word for myrrh is “Mowr” which means “distilled” that is sanitized or purified.
During the Messiah’s final agonizing hours in the Garden of Gethsemane, the weight of the world’s sins crushed our Savior like a wine press, causing Him to sweat great tears of blood. His bitter sufferings can be compared to myrrh, a highly-prized spice used for perfumes and incense, extracted by piercing the tree’s heartwood and allowing the gum to trickle out and harden into bitter, aromatic red droplets called “tears.” When the myrrh flows from the tree, it is distilled in bitterness.
As joint heirs with the Messiah, we are to share in His afflictions according to 2 Corinthians 1:5, so that we His bride can be triumphant through the bitterness of suffering. Myrrh represents the bitter sufferings of Yeshua (Jesus) as a man on earth, whereby He learned obedience unto death by emptying himself of His own will (Hebrews 5:8; Philippians 2:7-8).
“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross”
Phil. 2:7-8
As His bride, just as the disciples did, we must follow Yeshua (Jesus) in denying one’s own will so as to obey Him [Matthew 16:24-25]. We must EMPTY self “kenosis” and put on Christ in all ramification of life. Except a corn of wheat fall to the ground and dies, he abides alone. It is in dying, put off carnality or in mortifying the deeds of the flesh that we put on Christ and we mature in the things of the Spirit.
Myrrh signifies the bitter sufferings of Yeshua (Jesus) at Calvary. The Scriptures says in Isaiah 53:5, “But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities”.
In the book of Esther we learn how Hadassah/Esther underwent almost a year of beauty treatments with spices and cosmetics to make her desirable for the King. Esther was prepared with the help of a eunuch (symbolic of the Holy Spirit) that provided her with the oil of myrrh. In the way Esther was prepared, the Spirit provides His betrothed with the oil of myrrh which allows us to share in His sufferings and rid us of deeds that are carnal, earthly and demonic.
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead”
Philippians 3:10-11
The Scriptures also tell us to rejoice in these trials. Colossians 1:24 says, “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind on the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church.”
As part of the body of Messiah, we too will bear His portion of affliction, as a part of Him. In fact, when the Messiah returns for His bride, we will actually “smell” His coming because His garments have been soaked in these fragrances in the midst of the throne room. Revelation 8:3-4 tells us that the original altar of incense continues to be used before the throne of God in Heaven.
Jesus Christ garments are describe as …
“All thy garments [smell] of myrrh, and aloes, [and] cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.”
Psalm 45:8
These spices are emitted in our lives when we clothe ourselves with righteous acts and deeds as the Bride of Christ and spend quality time with Him. Just like when a spouse or good friend greets you with a hug and is wearing cologne or perfume, their fragrance lingers with you after they are gone. So it is with Yeshua (Jesus). People will begin to recognize there is something different about you when you have been in His presence. We are to be the “fragrance of Christ to our Heavenly Father” as mentioned in the Old Testament and again in 2 Corinthians 2:15: “For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.”
AROMA OF CHRIST
“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing”
2 Cor. 2:14-15 ESV
Perfume makers in the Old Testament crafted a special oil that was used exclusively for anointing things and making them “holy,” and the smell was both sacred and distinctive. In the New Testament, Christ’s love is called a “fragrant offering” (Ephesians 5:2) and Paul tells us that, as believers, we spread “the fragrance of the knowledge of him” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
Holy Spirit sometimes showed up with a “sweet smell”. The fragrance of Christ exclusively dwells in the lives of believers such that His personality, character and sweet charm upon us can now create an atmosphere of godliness wherefore we can attract a spiritual atmosphere of divine favor and grace flowing in such manner that we are often treated well in Christ’s stead.
“If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, NOT SHIFTING from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister”
Col. 1:23 ERV
Key word in the above verse is “NOT SHIFTING” meaning we maintain an atmosphere of holiness, right standing with God, piety and wholesome godliness such that as we continue to acquaint ourselves with God, good will come to us always from the Throne Room of Grace
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
“Acquaint now yourself with Him [agree with God and show yourself to be conformed to His will] and be at peace; by that [you shall prosper and great] good shall come to you. Receive, I pray you, the law and instruction from His mouth and lay up His words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty [and submit and humble yourself before Him], you will be built up; if you put away unrighteousness far from your tents, If you lay gold in the dust, and the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brook [considering them of little worth], And make the Almighty your gold and [the Lord] your precious silver treasure, Then you will have delight in the Almighty, and you will lift up your face to God. You will make your prayer to Him, and He will hear you, and you will pay your vows. You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and the light [of God's favor] shall shine upon your ways. When they make [you] low, you will say, [There is] a lifting up; and the humble person He lifts up and saves. He will even deliver the one [for whom you intercede] who is not innocent; yes, he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands”
Job 22:21-30 AMP
That was what Esther enjoyed! She totally connected to God in conformity and agreement with all God’s directives and commandments and God blessed her! Wherever she shows up goodness and favor was awaiting her because she literarily carries God into that environment in her composure, charisma, attitude and speech.
She has been well saturated in the oil of myrrh and hereby well purified, disinfected, decontaminated and cleansed such that no carnal behavior or pattern was found in her anymore and she always attract good from the Presence of Jehovah God.
Are you cleansed, purged and purified in the blood of Jesus? Can it be said that wherever you shows up, Christ shows up and evidently seen in all that you do? Can it be said that you hated iniquity, sin, transgression, covetousness, greed, and detest everything that is not based on the love of God such that grace and glory; and an anointing greater than that of your fellows has been given to you?
REPENT AND DO THE FIRST WORKS!