READ: Esther 2
Four
years have passed since Vashti’s banishment in 483 B.C. Xerxes has been to
battle and back again, and upon his return, seems to be pining over his love,
lost at his expense. But his attendants’ suggestion to hold a beauty pageant of
young virgins is all he needs to get his mind off of the former queen, and officers
are sent out to gather up the most beautiful women in the land.
Esther,
an orphaned Jewish girl in the care of her cousin, Mordecai, is one of the many
women chosen to come before the king. The process for the “contestants” was
quite serious: they were brought into the first harem where they received a
whole year of beauty treatments, followed by initiation into the king’s second harem:
when it was her turn, each woman would spend the night with the king; in the
morning she entered the second harem where she would stay for the remainder of
her life, never allowed to marry, and never to go to the king again unless he
called for her. When Esther enters the first harem, she quickly wins the favour
of the head eunuch, Hegai. As a result, he provides her with all she needs and
gives her the best place in the harem. Not only is Esther beautiful, she is
humble and likeable. She listens intently to Hegai’s direction and wins the
favour of the king who, upon seeing her, falls instantly in love with her and
crowns her queen.
Verses
10 and 11 give us a hint of the anti-Semitism (prejudice against Jewish people)
that is to come later in the story, and that was prevalent at the time. The
Jews were an exiled people trying to maintain their way of life while under foreign
governance. Mordecai knew that Esther’s Jewish heritage would pose a hindrance
to her eligibility as queen and urged her to keep quiet. Clearly God is behind
this, giving wisdom to Mordecai as he advises Esther, and setting in place the
means for the salvation of His people.
The book
of Esther is written in a most thrilling way, with foreshadowing and suspense,
keeping us on the edge of our seats. Verses 19-23 describe an incident that
will come greatly into play later on in the story. It seems that through
Esther’s influence, Mordecai has been given a job as one of the king’s
officials, putting him in a position to easily watch over his cousin. Mordecai
happens to be in the right place at the right time and overhears two of the
king’s eunuchs plotting a royal murder. He tells Esther who tells the king,
making sure to give credit to Mordecai, and the king has the two thugs hanged
on the gallows and Mordecai’s loyal act recorded in the chronicles of his
kingship.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Like
the Jews in Persia, we as Christians are living as foreigners in this world –
or at least we should be. It is not easy, but we are called to be different.
Read 1 Peter 2:11-12 and Titus 2:11-14. These passages urge us to say “No!” to
the ungodliness in the world. Meditate on these verses.
a. Is
there a specific situation where you are finding it hard to say “no” to
ungodliness? Ask God to help you to do good – to love righteousness like Jesus
does. Pray that God would be glorified through our obedience – that others
would see and know Him.
2. Esther
was in a precarious position – a Jew in an environment somewhat hostile towards
Jews. She needed wisdom and discretion and favour from God. Our country is
becoming increasingly hostile towards Bible-believing Christians, yet we must
continue to stand firm, looking forward to our “blessed hope – the glorious
appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ”! Spend some time
interceding for believers across our nation. Pray that they would hold firmly
the hope of Christ’s return. Pray that they would love righteousness and hate
wickedness. Pray that, like Esther, God would give them wisdom and favour.
3. Esther
didn’t choose her position, and she certainly didn’t know what God had in store
for her. Perhaps you are in a position that you didn’t choose. Whatever the
case, God has purpose for you. Are you willing to say “yes” to His purposes for
you? Take a moment to recommit yourself to the Lord today; tell Him you are
willing to say “yes” to His purposes for you, even though you may not know them
yet.
