Esther.2

Esther: The Unseen Hand of God

Bible Passage: Esther 2:1–18

Summary: This passage details Esther's elevation to queen, showcasing her beauty and bravery, as well as God's hand of grace and mercy guiding her to a place of influence amidst the Jewish people's struggle. This can encourage Christians to recognize their unique purposes in God’s plan, especially in times of uncertainty. It reminds us that God often works behind the scenes, preparing us for significant roles even when we may not see it at the moment.

1. Preparation for the Calling

Esther 2:1–4 “After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus subsided, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what had been decreed against her. Then the king’s servants who attended him said: “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king; and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather all the beautiful young virgins to Shushan the citadel, into the women’s quarters, under the custody of Hegai the king’s eunuch, custodian of the women. And let beauty preparations be given them. Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This thing pleased the king, and he did so.”

Queen Vashti is now out of the story and is moving forward in and God is moving forward in His unique plan to raise up an unknown Jewish girl.

Note the kings wrath had blinded him momentarily to the actions of Vashti and her fate. It reminds us that wrath often blinds us to the realities of consequences of our actions.

A voice that suggests a plan of action enters his ears. Others can and do have persuasive ideas to help our decisions. Fellow Christians are the multitude of counselors we are to look to.

The suggestion of choosing the most beautiful young woman to replace Vashti pleased the king. Ahasuerus represents the worst of male chauvinists. He wanted a harem full of beautiful women. He also forced these women to undergo a year’s worth of beautification before he used them. The harem system of ancient Persia objectified women to an extreme, robbing them of their dignity and freedom. Esther was subject to its humiliation, but rose above in her heart.

It is not an example the church would promote but we can view some aspects of the process and glean a lesson or two.

2. Promise from Humble Beginnings

Esther 2:5–7 “In Shushan the citadel there was a certain Jew whose name was Mordecai the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite. Kish had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives who had been captured with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was lovely and beautiful. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.”

The ordinary beginnings of Esther highlighted her character. One she obedient to her parents wishes and submitted herself to be raised by Mordecai. Two, yes she was beautiful, but beauty comes from within. It is a combination of good genes and good choices. Three, Esther understood to be a leader and to speak powerfully in difficult circumstances she must be quiet and listen. History speaks of the transformative power of God in using humble beginnings to forge significant destinies. Esther had humility, inner beauty, wisdom before she was chosen to be queen. These proved to be characteristics that God could use for His glory.

3. Positioned by Favor

Esther 2:8–11 “So it was, when the king’s command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king’s palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women. Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he readily gave beauty preparations to her, besides her allowance. Then seven choice maidservants were provided for her from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maidservants to the best place in the house of the women. Esther had not revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to reveal it. And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the women’s quarters, to learn of Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her.”

Like Daniel in the three Hebrew boys before her, Esther was placed into a difficult situation. She was forced to live in a harem. She was forced to be objectified. She was forced to live to please a pagan man. On the surface it did not look good for her but God had a bigger plan.

Esther kept getting promoted because of her beauty and special calling. And every day Mordecai prayed for her and looked to learn of her circumstances.

An important thing to notice here is that Esther did not reveal who were her people as Mordecai instructed her. It is not wise to speak such things before your enemies. Better to keep some things .

4. Preparation for Purpose

Esther 2:12–15 “Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women. Thus prepared, each young woman went to the king, and she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the women’s quarters to the king’s palace. In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who kept the concubines. She would not go in to the king again unless the king delighted in her and called for her by name. Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her.”

Even while in a Persian harem, Esther distinguished herself as a woman with great character. Though the text accentuates Esther’s physical beauty, it begins to show her beauty was a result of her exceptional character.

The New Testament elaborates on this principle.

1 Timothy 2:9–10 “in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.”

1 Peter 3:3–4 “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”

Some of the wisdom shown by Esther was the ability to read the culture and define it through Jewish eyes. She didn’t copy the current fashion. She defined her own version and it set her apart.

5. Chosen for a Purpose

Esther 2:16–18 “So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the king made a great feast, the Feast of Esther, for all his officials and servants; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces and gave gifts according to the generosity of a king.”

Esther was coronated queen.

She was chosen for a deliverance.

Her qualifications suited her role but didn’t define her.

She was raised high above her beginnings, but it did not change her character.

It appears that King Ahasuerus truly loved Esther.

The second feast mentioned in Esther is one proclaimed be the king for her. So in love with her Ahaseurus declared a national holiday. Persia was now celebrating a queen instead of fearing the retribution of woman over their husbands.