Women of the Bible: Esther

Many of you may already know about the story of Esther. But we need to look a little more deeper to find out what is really means, and what we as Christians can learn from it.

As most of us know, Esther was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin. The name Esther in question means 'star'. This is a derivation of the root name of the goddess Ishtar. Esther was also known as Hadassah (her birth name for that matter) which means 'Myrtle'. Myrtle branches signify peace and thanksgiving. She first appears in Book of Esther Chapter 2. She is an orphaned Jew brought up by her cousin Mordecai. (Esther 2:5-7).

The Story

The book of Esther teaches much more than the life of one lady. In fact, there are five main characters in this story; King Xerxes (or otherwise known as King Ahasuerus), Queen Vashti, Mordecai, Esther and Haman. As you read the story in Esther chapters 1-10, make sure you understand the roles of these five characters.

In this study we will concentrate on the life of Esther, and what we as Christians can actually learn from it:



Esther Chapter 1

The story begins in Chapter one of the book of Esther, where King Xerxes decided to display his abundant wealth for 180 days followed by a seven day feast; a lavish display of his power for that matter. On the seventh day of the feast, King Xerxes calls Queen Vashti in order to display her beauty to the people; she refuses to come and is eventually banished from the King's presence for life. And thus, a new Queen is sought.

The book of Esther is unique in that the name of God is never directly mentioned, but passages show that He is involved.


Esther Chapter 2

In Chapter two, Esther is chosen to be Queen. She goes through the normal twelve months of beauty treatment before meeting the King. God still prepares us for His work today (1 Peter 3:3-4).

The very same chapter also records the good deed of Mordecai in saving the King's life by alerting him of an attempted assassination on his life. This deed is recorded in the record books and later serves as a blessing for Mordecai in the future.

God never forgets our labour of love (Hebrews 6:10), even though many will just overlook it.


Esther Chapter 3-4

In Chapter three, Haman is honoured by the King and given a high position in the kingdom. Haman however, is exceedingly annoyed with Mordecai because Mordecai refuses to kneel down to him; Haman's anger leads him to plot the execution of all the Jews in the kingdom.

In order to prevent the execution of all the Jews Mordecai calls on Esther to intercede to the King. The only problem here is that the King does not know that Esther is a Jew. Esther has no idea whatsoever of how the King will respond to this news. Although God is never mentioned in the book of Esther we can see His acts in the background. Nothing takes God unaware. At all.

Esther's reluctance to approach the King is met by stern words from Mordecai. In Esther 4:14, where he says:

For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Esther eventually agrees to appeal to the King. Prior to this she asks Mordecai to organise a time of fasting for her with all the Jews. She is well aware that she needs God's favour if she is to succeed. Risking her own life, brave young Esther approached the king with a plan of her own.

Fasting is a Godly exercise which bring us closer to God. And before you ask, fasting is Biblical. Isaiah 58:3-6 tells us about the right and wrong fasting.

Another thing that scenario thought us is that we as Christians have a calling, and fulfilling the Great Commission is a duty given to us. The problem with some of todays Christians is that they are becoming too reluctant to do what God wants them to do or do His will, nevermind preach the sound Gospel, and taking a stand against sin. They are scared to lose their "friends" or their occupation, but we should be doing what Esther did; taking that bold step on doing what God has called us to do, even if it will cost us everything. But it is better to do it with God's help in His own timing.


Esther Chapter 5-6

In Chapter five, Esther approaches the King and invites him and Haman to a banquet. This is an attempt to get the timing right before she informs the king about Haman's plot to kill the Jews of which she is one. Esther had hid the fact that she was a Jew from the King on Mordecai's advice. God's timing is always best. We need to wait for God's timing in doing things. It is dangerous to jump out before time. By doing so, it will not end well.

Meanwhile Haman's hatred for Mordecai is growing and on the advice of his friends and wife Zeresh, he has a special gallows prepared beside his house on which to hang Mordecai. In Chapter six, God moves to save the Jews. The King cannot sleep and asks for the record books to be read aloud to him. The deeds of Mordecai in saving the king in the past are read out.

In an extraordinary change of events, the King asks Haman what should be done to a man who the king wants to honour. Haman, in his arrogance, thinks the king is referring to him and advises a lavish display of wealth and honour to be bestowed on the man publicly. The King orders Haman to do this to Mordecai. Can you imagine the shock, horror and humiliation Haman must have suffered?! (You must read the book of Esther).

Its amazing how the tables just flipped against Haman, isn't it?


Esther Chapter 7-10

In Chapter seven, at the second banquet that she had made for the King and Haman, Esther reveals to him that she is a Jew and that Haman has plotted to kill them all. This made the King so enraged that he had to step outside. And while Haman was begging Esther, but eventually, Haman is hanged on his own gallows. In Chapter eight, nine and ten all the Jews are saved and Haman's children are killed.

Esther (with the help of God) saved the Jews.

Summary

Her life teaches us these vital lessons

1. There is a preparation time.
She allowed herself to be prepared for the task. God's preparation time can sometimes be long and uneventful. Moses spent 40 years in the desert looking after sheep before coming to deliver the Israelites. The refining of our characters is very essential to God's plan for our life. God cannot use a proud woman (or man).

2. We need the favour of God.
Esther found favour with the King and so did Mordecai. Even Jesus grew in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52). When you live a life that is pleasing and acceptable to God, by obeying His will you will find favour with Him. God will also give you favour with people.

3. God works in His own time and season.
Esther also got her timing right. Maybe God has put it on your heart to do something for Him. Don't just jump into it but wait for His time. Joseph was in jail until it was God's time for him to be released. God will move in His time when we remain faithful and alert to His leading.

4. Your background does not hinder your future with God.
Esther was an orphan. God still exalted her and used her. Some of Jesus' disciples were fishermen, tax collectors and one was a doctor. Your background does not determine what God can do with you. Your faith does.

5. The Lord's deliverance
The same God who raised up Moses, Joseph and many others to save His people from destruction, He raised up Esther to save His people. And if you look at it in another way, the world we live in right now is full of sin and immorality; but through Jesus Christ we are delivered from death and Hell (John 16:33), that is if we choose to really accept Him as our Lord and Savior, and repent from our sins, and live for Him (John 3:16-18). God is able to save his children.