We’ve looked at some of the difficulties faced by Mary and by Noah. Today I’d like to peek into the life of Esther – you’ll find her in the Old Testament book by that title.
Esther was a young Jewish girl who lived in Susa where King Xerxes was in power. His wife, Queen Vashti, had displeased the king and one of the king’s advisors had told him: “Let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. Then let the girl who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti” (Esther 1:19b, 2b, 4a, NIV).
And out of all the women in Xerxes’ kingdom, Esther was the one he chose. Esther 2:5-7 gives us Esther’s background: “Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai… who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah. Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah… This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.”
King Xerxes had no idea that Esther was Jewish since “Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so” (Esther 2:10). So when the evil Haman became angry with Esther’s Uncle Mordecai, he convinced the king to issue a decree to destroy the Jews living within Xerxes’ realm. The king, clueless as to Queen Esther’s heritage, did as Haman suggested.
“When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly” (Esther 4:1). Esther, learning of Mordecai’s behavior, sent one of her attendants “to find out what was troubling Mordecai” (Esther 4:5b). And that was how she learned what the king had done.
Which put Esther in a serious pickle. See, even though she was queen, it was unlawful for her (or anyone) to appear before the king unless he commanded her presence. To violate that law would result in Esther being “put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter” (Esther 4:11b). Even if she could talk to King Xerxes, he couldn’t rescind his decree; but perhaps they could figure out some other way to help her people.
What was a girl to do? As her uncle told her: “Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14b).
Esther had a huge decision to make, but Mordecai had given her much to think about. Could God save the Jews through her intervention? Should she take that kind of risk? We’ll look at the rest tomorrow.
Meanwhile, what about your own life? What can God do through you? Where has He allowed you to be “for such a time as this?”
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