Over the years, many of us have probably heard the story of Queen Esther. The girl who is taken to the palace of King Xerxes and becomes queen. The one who works valiantly to save her own people from the vicious attacks of the enemy. But there's so much more as we delve deeper into this incredible story. It reveals some very powerful truths in its 10 chapters, great wisdom for today, and the recognition that God is still working mightily on behalf of his people. (Esther 1-10)
- The Book of Esther is one of only two in the Bible named after women (the other is Ruth).
- It is also one of the two books in the entire Bible that does not mention the name of God (the other is Song of Songs). And though we don't read God's name in the story, his sovereignty and loving care are woven into the words and chapters.
- It is set in a time when Jews suffered a lot of racial hatred. They have been a minority in Persia for years.
4 main characters throughout the story:
König Xerxeshe reigned in power in his palace at Susa in Persia. He had banished Queen Vashti from her presence when she refused to obey his orders. Thus, the search for another queen swept the region.
Estershe was taken from her home and lived in the palace along with many other harem girls. She was Jewish, but she never revealed her nationality or her family background, as Mordecai had advised. God granted her great favor among everyone there and she soon became queen.
Mordecaihe was Jewish and Esther's older cousin. He adopted her and raised her after she lost her parents. He continued to advise Esther and check on her safety even after she was taken to the king's palace. As a government official, he reported an assassination attempt on the king and saved his life, which later drew the king's attention to his loyalty and devotion.
ammanHe was a descendant of King Agag, an enemy of the Jews. She received a place of honor from the king, butStolzand the lust for power led him to hate anyone who did not bow down to him. When Mordecai refused, he plotted revenge against all of God's people by plotting to kill the Jews.
7 Powerful Truths from the Story of Esther:
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1. God is the only one who has the power to turn trials into blessings.
Never doubt that he is capable of this. Nothing is impossible with him. This story has his wonderful handiwork and power everywhere, in every chapter, in every word. There is a constant thread of redemption in the story of Esther that speaks to our lives even today.
Things in life didn't turn out like Esther did. We often read this story thinking that Esther is beautiful and has the royal position of queen. But we forget where she came from. She was orphaned. She suffered great losses from a very young age. Then they took her out of her house, her family, her people and everything she knew; and she was taken to the king's palace in the great expectation of success. However, even endowed with such a royal position, there were still incredible difficulties. Her people faced great tragedy and destruction. She must have felt very lonely. She endured trial after trial throughout her life, but we see hope woven into every part of the story. And she really is the most powerful piece in the whole book.
God is always at work, even when we can't see the whole story. Although it seems uncertain. And he sets the stage for great things."...And who knows at a time like this you've achieved a royal position?"Ester 4:14.
God's blessings are greater than our worries. Ever. Your goodness will shine. It just works like that.
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2. Our prayers are important. Our vote counts. Our actions count. And God is our Redeemer.
We can choose to live with grace and kindness. We can choose to stay engaged, have a voice, get involved, and make a difference in our nation and the world.
Mordecai knew that his voice was important. Esther knew that her actions mattered. And by the wisdom and obedience of these two, God saved the people from him. Mordecai believed that even if Esther did not help them, God would send help in another way, so much did he trust in the Lord's power. He understood that our positions in life were not about us, but about what God could do through these powerful places.
"Because if you remain silent during this time, help and salvation will come to the Jews from another place, but you and your father's family will die..."Ester 4:14.
May God help us to be willing to pray, fast, wait for his direction, and then act on the wisdom he gives us. Let us always be faithful in praying for all the authorities, for those who need someone to defend them, for those who are being oppressed or persecuted. May we have the courage to speak with wisdom and discernment and live these days with hearts full of compassion and love. May we be strong in following God's voice, even if it is not the most popular option in our culture. Because sometimes He works with it and surprises everyone.
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3. God will give us courage to do everything he asks of us.
Obedience to his call is vital. It may even have the power to affect an entire generation of people. We may never fully realize how powerful our actions and faithfulness to His voice are for those around us. We don't need to stay in fear. We don't need to shy away from His leadership even when we feel incredibly unprepared or inadequate for the job. He will equip us for every task and prepare the way for us to walk in his power, giving us grace at every step and covering us from behind.
Queen Esther had a choice. When Mordecai told her about the great danger facing her people, she could have simply tried to save herself from it. She could have stayed calm, simply hoping for the best, or turned around. But she and Mordecai knew that God had given him a great destiny in her position. She was wise; She made a plan and didn't get caught up in fear or worry. She prayed and fasted and asked her people to do the same. She was willing to act, follow God's leading, and save the lives of her people, even if it meant losing her life.
“Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ‘Go, gather all the Jews who are in Shushan and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my servants will fast like you. When this is over, I will go to the king, even if it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish'"Ester 4:15-16.
While our current situation may seem different than the one Esther faced, we may still be dealing with a lot of fear or uncertainty. The future may look bleak. A difficult diagnosis or a recent loss may have sent us into a tailspin. But often with great intentions, God places us in positions of influence or strategic locations. The places we find ourselves in are often not just about us. It's about him. This is the great plan of his.
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4. God is capable of bringing great favors and blessings to our life, even in difficult times.
And many times, when it does, we will undoubtedly feel hostility from others. If we live as salt and light in a dark world, we can be sure that there will be attacks against us. We will face fights and fights that sometimes we did not expect. But in all of that there is this incredible protection and covering of God's favor and blessings upon our lives. So strong that the darkness cannot penetrate.
From the moment Esther was in the king's palace, she received protection and favor. The Bible even says that she won the favor of everyone around her and God greatly blessed her and allowed her to become queen. This is important because, without much favor from the king, Esther could have been executed simply for asking to be in her presence without her asking.
“On the third day, Esther dressed in her royal garments and stood in the palace courtyard in front of the king's hall... Seeing Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, he was glad for her and held out the scepter to her. of gold that was in his hand Then Esther came near and touched the tip of the scepter. Then the king asked: "What is Queen Esther? What is your request? She will be given to you up to half the kingdom."Ester 5:1-3.
Due to a great favor, Esther was allowed to carry out the plan that would save her people. The king was ready to come not once but twice to the banquet prepared for Haman and himself. God's purposes were established; Haman would soon meet his death and the Jews would be saved. When we belong to God through Christ, we have a protection that the world around us may never understand. This does not mean that we will not face trials. We certainly will, but as we do so, the power and blessings of it will become even more apparent.
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5. God will always guide us faithfully and fight for us.
He is faithful forever and this story is a great proof of that. He sometimes tells us to wait. Other times He will tell you to move quickly. We need to be sufficiently in tune with his leadership and Spirit within us so that we can discern what He is saying. Your timing is always perfect. Even if it's not our time. Even when things seem "off" or we feel forgotten. God is at work, often in ways we cannot fully see. His timing pinpoints every crucial plan at just the right time. It is never random or combined. It is intimately intertwined with the stories and purposes of all of our lives.
As Queen Esther and Mordecai spent these critical days working for their people, every plan was carefully planned and every purpose carried out to the glory of the Lord. In the end, the tables were turned. Those who conspired against the Jews were destroyed.
"No one could oppose them because people of all other nationalities were afraid of them."Ester 9:2.
The plan to kill the Jews had been stopped. There was great fear of God everywhere, his reputation became known throughout the land, to the point of“Many people of other nationalities even became Jews because they were overcome by fear of Jews”Ester 8:17.With God even our enemies will flee. His power can never be thwarted or destroyed. He is with us, guiding us, carrying us, and covering us from behind at all times.
May God help us to follow his example, believe that his timing is perfect, and remind us that he is always faithful to fight for us, even today. May he help us know when to shut up and wait and when to speak up for others and share your truth. He does not leave us alone in difficult places. The power of him cannot but come to our rescue. His faithfulness and mercy are new every morning.
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6. Pride is a trap. Humility is the key.
This is a great lesson in the story of Esther:Stolzit is a trap and it will lead to our downfall. Every character in this book had to choose between living proudly and living humbly. Those who chose pride faced ultimate defeat. Those who walked before God with humility and integrity overcame every difficult circumstance with his grace and power.
When Mordecai told Esther about the evil conspiracy against the Jews, Esther was in high places. She could have turned her back on her people, proud of where she was in her life and happy with her own success and power. But she did the opposite. This is true humility. Being willing to put the needs of others before your own, not thinking too much of yourself, even if the world says you have a lot to be proud of.
Haman chose the exact opposite. He devised a plan to finally improve his appearance and destroy a people who would not kneel before him. He was proud and full of selfishness and hatred. In the end, he destroyed it. The whole story unfolds like the plot of a great movie. It is amazing how God used every part of Haman's evil plan to reverse it in his own life. The Jews were saved and Mordecai was honored.
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We have to choose.
The last verse of the book says:"The Jew Mordecai was second only to King Xerxes, the pre-eminent among the Jews, and he was highly respected by his many fellow Jews because he worked for the welfare of his people and the welfare of all Jews."Ester 10:3.
Whatever positions of leadership or positions of authority God has given us in life, one thing is for sure: it should never be just about us. Every part of our lives must point to God and the truth of him. We have to make a choice for life:I'll takeStolzin my life, my achievements and what God has blessed me with; Or will I walk in humility and let Him shine through it all?Both Mordecai and Esther knew the key: "Less of me, more of him.” His willingness to live humbly before God enabled him to work mightily to save his people from destruction.
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7. God is sovereign over all and lovingly cares for his people.
If you are facing difficulties or trials, you can be sure that God is working in your situation. He works in you and for you in all the events that surround you, however difficult they may be. No matter what, God is still on the throne. He is powerful and nothing is too hard for him. He cares about you. He loves you. He knows everything you are facing, even now, even if you think no one could understand your situation or your pain, He knows.
This life-changing truth is a major theme of the Book of Esther: God is sovereign. He dominates everything and nothing surprises him. We never read that God does not know what to do. He's not in heaven wringing his hands trying to come up with a plan. Evil has come against your people. And he raised those who were faithful to action. Spiritual darkness will seek to erase the existence of truth and the power of the believer's life through Christ. But in the end you won't win. God has the final victory.
Light is greater than darkness. every time It's the only way to cross any deep and difficult river. Walk in the power of His Sovereignty and His Light.
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God is working.
Keep your eyes on the Lord. He won't let you down or leave you struggling alone. Never. and he he he is faithfulTurn our pain into a greater purpose, for us in our own lives and for the people around us. Know that he is for you. He will never fail. Believe that He is at work creating the conditions for great things to happen.
God reigns and is with us today and always.
Debbie McDanielshe is a writer, pastor's wife, mother of three wonderful children (and many pets). Join them every morning at Fresh Day AheadFacebook site,for the daily encouragement to live a strong, free and hopeful life.
The Book of Esther is unique. It reads like a novel, and its story is as gripping as any novel you'd read today. Sadly, some have wrongly concluded that Esther was just a piece of historical fiction. Archaeological and historical evidence, however, shows that this book is historical, accurate, and despite its literary form, follows the same pattern as other Old Testament books.
Day one: a divorce from providence
Our story begins in Shushan or Susa, one of the four capitals of the Medino-Persian Empire (the others are Babylon, Ecbatana, and Persepolis), where Ahasuerus (Xerxes) came to spend the winter months. Susa is unbearably hot in summer, but it was comfortable at this time of year. The event calendar was also strategically planned by Ahasuerus...
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Originally posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
FAQs
How is the Book of Esther relevant for us today? ›
Esther for Christians Today
The book of Esther offers us an example of how imperfect, yet faithful people can continue to live faithfully in a culture that does not acknowledge God (have you ever noticed that the name of God is not mentioned at all in Esther?).
The Story of Esther emphasises the power of God, instructing us we should use the blessings given by God to help others. The moral of the Story of Esther, for children, is to always do the right thing, using the influence you possess to help others as Esther does in the story.
What does the book of Esther remind Christians of today? ›What does the book of Esther remind Christians of today? Even when God seems absent, we must remember that He is always with us.
What are the positive characteristics of Esther list at least 5? ›- Obedient: one of the main characteristics of Esther in the Bible is her biddability. ...
- Brave: we often think that bravery is the absence of fear. ...
- Selfless: it's not every day that someone is willing to die so that others could be saved (Esther 4:16).
The Book of Esther is unique, because it is a story where the main character is never named, never speaks, but is present and active. Consider it. It is easy to assume that Esther is the main character, but she is not. She is, however, an important and pivotal character in the story.
What does Esther symbolize in the Bible? ›Hadassah, Esther's Hebrew name, means “myrtle,” like an evergreen; myrtle symbolizes peace, joy, generosity, and justice. Her Persian name, Esther, means “the star.” Biblically speaking, God uses his stars.
How does the story of Esther relate to Jesus? ›She risked her life so that they may have life. It was only through her intercession that God's people were saved. And so, Jesus does the same for us that Esther did for her people. Jesus is/was willing to give up His life so that we might live.
What is the power of Esther? ›Esther was the Queen of Persia, but she didn't 'lord it over' her people. We see her giving a command to Mordecai, but it is a command to fast and pray. It is an unselfish command. She obviously knows the power of prayer combined with fasting, and she knows that the end result could be her own death.
What does an Esther moment mean? ›And THIS, for me, is the most amazing moment ever - it is what I now call the “Esther moment” - meaning - it is the moment when you did everything right and it still did not go as you planned and you need to decide what to do now. How can you adjust?
What are the leadership qualities of Esther in the Bible? ›- Good leaders are not afraid to do the hard things while poor leaders avoid hard decisions. ...
- Good leaders serve others while poor leaders pursue the applause of others. ...
- Good leaders react patiently while poor leaders are obtuse and compulsive.
How did Esther show faith in God? ›
Esther prepared in every way she could and then chose to have faith in God, trusting that even if she was unsuccessful—even if she was put to death—she was doing the right thing.
What are the traits of Esther anointing? ›The Esther Anointing: Becoming a Woman of Prayer, Courage, and Influence gives you the keys to Esther's success. God gave you the power of influence and the key to finding God's favor for your assignment. God can use your life for His glory, no matter where you came from or what skills and talents you have.
What is the most curious fact about the Book of Esther? ›The most curious thing about the book of Esther is that God is never mentioned.
What is the strength of Esther in the Bible? ›Esther had a very fond relationship with Mordecai, and she deeply respected him. This led to her being extremely loyal and obedient. The overarching strength shown by Esther is her bravery. She willingly stands before the king to save her people even though it would be risking her life.
What can children learn from the story of Esther? ›The Esther Bible story teaches us that we can trust and follow God's plans for us even when we don't know where they may lead. Esther (Hadassah) was an orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai. After going through a year of beauty treatments, she was chosen to be the new queen of Persia.
What was Esther's spiritual gift? ›It is also implied that Esther's beauty was a gift from God to put her into the position where she could gain the favor of the king and save her people.
What is an esther calling? ›As a way of being able to connect with more of you, I am trying a couple of new things. Esther Calling is one of them. You write to me with a relationship concern and I call you to talk through it. These are not full sessions but conversations that I hope lead to many more after we hang up.
What was the prayer of Esther? ›She afflicted her body severely and in place of her festive adornments, her tangled hair covered her. 14Then she prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, saying: “My Lord, you alone are our King. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, 15for I am taking my life in my hand.
What made Esther courageous? ›A plot to kill all the Jews in the kingdom comes to light, and Esther, a Jew, rises to the occasion. She courageously goes to the king even though it could cost her life. And she cleverly orchestrates a turn of events that saves the lives of many of God's people.
How did God use Esther to save his people? ›God used Esther to rescue His people. By saving the Jews, God made the way for His Son, Jesus, to come into the world. enemies. She risked her life by going to the king without being invited in order to save her people.
What is a queen Esther anointing? ›
The Esther Anointing gives you the keys to Esther's success, including the qualities that make women great, the power of influence, and the key to finding God's favor for your assignment. It doesn't matter where you came from or what skills and talents you have; if you let Him, God can use your life for His glory!
What can kids learn from Esther? ›Esther trusted God even when she did not understand His plan. She went to Him in prayer instead of following her own plans first. A hero is not immune to fear. In spite of fear, a hero does what needs to be done for the sake of others.
What made Esther a good leader? ›Esther wasn't outspoken at all, but she undoubtedly led. While one might argue that her quiet presence reinforces stereotypes that women are timid and men are more assertive, she also presents us with a different image of who a leader is. She operated within existing systems to get what she wanted, and hey, it worked!
How did Esther show obedience? ›Esther was shown respect and deference because, in obedience to Mordecai's charge to her, she had not admitted her Jewish lineage. A Jewish maiden would not have experienced such friendly treatment. Even after her selection as queen, she continued to keep her racial identity secret at the request of Mordecai (see v.