The scepter of righteousness

"But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom’" (Hebrews 1:8).

In ancient historic tradition, one did not dare speak a word in the court of the king unless specifically invited to do so, especially if that person was a mere commoner. If the king would point his scepter at even a commoner, then that person could speak and his/her witness would carry weight in the king’s court. Pointing the scepter was the king’s method of authorizing a witness.

In the Book of Esther, Esther risked her life to come into the King’s court, before his very throne to speak on behalf of her people.

"All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days"

(Esther 4:11).

"Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, across from the king’s house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house" (Esther 5:1).

"So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter" (Esther 5:2).

"And the king said to her, "What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you--up to half the kingdom!" (Esther 5:3).

"And Esther said, ‘The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!’ So Haman was terrified before the king and queen" (Esther 7:6).

"So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath subsided" (Esther 7:10).

Haman was a type of Satan in this Scripture. We are called to witness against Satan and his works on this earth. We are called to speak the Word of God against him as Jesus did. We are to wear him out as in the parable of the unjust judge in Luke 18. We are to pray the Word of God against Satan and his devils until we prevail and until our Just Judge avenges us as He did Esther.

"Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: ‘There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’’ Then the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:1-8).

Are we qualified to be witnesses? Good question! What is the Scepter of Jesus our King and Judge? It is our righteousness.

"But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom’" (Hebrews 1:8).

"even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference" (Romans 3:22).

Notice that Esther had clothed herself in royal garments before seeing the king. She was the queen, she was legally related to the king. However she still needed to clothe herself properly. While we cannot add anything to our imputed righteousness, our living a clean, pure, and unselfish life before God does indeed confirm our authority.

"And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints" (Revelation 19:8).

God has pointed the Scepter of Righteousness at us because of what Jesus did for us. When we take the Word of God on our lips and use it as a witness against our adversary, he will lose the case against us. God will confirm our witness and we will win!

Larry Chkoreff April 2001