Yesterday I began lessons to teach about the superheroes and princesses from the Bible. Hollywood and Disney have had our attention far too long. God’s word has the best reality stories and it’s time we teach them to our children and learn the lessons in them ourselves. So, hang on for an adventure that’s true. Today we will look at a woman who became a queen. A queen who risks her life to stand for truth.
Easter was a young Jewish woman who lived in Persia after the Babylonian captivity of the Jews. Her parents died and she was adopted by her older cousin Mordecai. The king of the Persian Empire was Ahasuerus and he enjoyed flaunting his wealth in the finest way. In the third year of his reign, he made a lavish feast and called all the princes, noblemen, and his servants from all the provinces to come and party with him. There would have been 100’s to 1000’s at this event. In Esther 1:4, we see the party went on for 180 days! No expense was spared, and the king was intent on everything being lavish for him to support his ego. This desire to show off what he considered was his, now extended to his wife the queen. She had been engaged in entertaining the women of the region until the king wanted her to come and show herself to all the guests. Vashti the queen refused to appear before the king to flaunt her beauty to his guests. He was filled with anger and removed her from being queen and banned her from ever being in his presence again.
Esther 1:2-4 “That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: When he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even a hundred and fourscore days.”
Esther 1:11-12 “To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore, was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.”
Now the king had no queen! Here is where God’s plan begins for our “princess.” In our words, the king decides to have a beauty pageant for all the young virgins of the provinces of his kingdom. After 12 months of living in the palace, the king had each woman come before him. The one who pleased him the most with her looks would be the new queen. He chose Esther. Her cousin who had raised her after the death of her parents was Mordecai, and he became an official in the Persian government.
Esther 2:2-4 “Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: And let the maiden which pleased the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king, and he did so.”
The king fell in love with this young woman God would use to protect His people. Because of her beauty, he wanted her for his queen, but because of her heart for God, she was able to gain favor and grace in the king’s eyes.
Esther 2:17 “And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.”
Mordecai stayed connected to Esther and continued to give her advice on how to deal with the king. He also revealed a plot for the king to be killed. Esther told it to the king giving credit to Mordecai. He was remembered for his revealing the plot, but his position was not elevated.
The plot thickens as Haman the highest official and a wicked man devises a way to have every Jew in Persia killed. Haman hated Mordecai because he would not bow to him. When Mordecai learned of the plot, he knew Esther was the only one who could possibly change the king’s mind. However, if Esther approached the king without an invitation, it could mean certain death for her.
Mordecai reminds Esther that she too is a Jew and her heritage would be found out. If the king follows through on the decree she too will be killed. Esther asks for all the Jews to fast and pray for deliverance. Then, at the risk of her own life, she approaches the king on behalf of the Jews. She has a banquet prepared for some of the king’s men and Haman was one of those. She tells the king of the plot Haman devised to have her people killed, and the king has Haman hung on the same gallows that he had built for Mordecai.
Esther 4:13-16 “Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall their enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”
This beautiful godly young woman was willing to risk her life for her people. She was a woman of courage and faith. Because of her willingness to be used by God, her people were granted protection and Mordecai was exalted to Haman’s position. This kind of courage only comes because she already was living a life trusting in God. Her devotion to God caused her to be devoted to the things God loved. Her love for God demanded her obedience even in the face of possible death.
How much do you love God? Do you love Him enough to obey and stand for truth in the face of danger? In our world today there are many situations where Christians need to take a stand and make a difference. Are you equipping your daily walk with God with prayer, study, and obedience to prepare for the task He has for you?
