Sandy Zalecki
Member
Esther is one of my favorite Bible characters, not only because she was a woman, but also because she was called to deliver her people. She was alive during the captivity of the Jews. They were about to be slaughtered by a very evil man named Haman. God, however, had another plan. His plan was to save the Jews from inhalation because the savior was yet to be born.
If you know the story, then you know that Queen Vashti was dethroned because she refused to put herself on display during a drunken party that her husband was hosting. The men of the land decided they could not allow the women to believe they were in charge. There might be anarchy in the land.
In search of the new queen, the king rounded up all the beautiful young virgins of the land, had them go through a years worth a beauty treatments before they were brought before him. Esther had already gained favor with the Eunuch, Hegia, who had charge over her. She had a special place in the palace and extra beauty treatments because of her favor.
When Esther was taken to the king she obtained favor with him and “The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained favor in his sight.” (Esther 2:17) NKJ
The devil is always trying to thwart God’s plans and he used Haman, the Prime Minister to hatch his evil plans. Haman did not like Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, and plotted to have him killed. Haman payed the king a lot of money to have the Jews destroyed just so he could get rid of Mordecai. The plan was going fine until Mordecai got word to Esther informing her of the plot to kill the Jews.
Esther did not want to go before the king because she could be killed if she were not invited into his inner court. That was the rule. She had all of Israel fast for three days and then she entered the court uninvited. This was a far worse infraction that Vasti was accused of. But because of his love and favor for Esther the king held out his golden scepter and allowed her to live.
She was granted her request. After two banquets she finally revealed to the king who she was and requested that her people be spared. Haman’s evil was now revealed and he was hanged on the gallows that he meant for Mordecai.
The edict had already been given to kill the Jews and it could not be recalled. The Jews were given arms to defend themselves and they killed their enemies.
Esther’s courage and calling saved her people. If God were to call a woman toady to the greatness of Esther, how would the church respond? How would the woman respond? Would she shrink from the duty because she is a woman or would she embrace it? How would the men around her react? Would they believe that women could be used for great things in God's kingdom?
If you know the story, then you know that Queen Vashti was dethroned because she refused to put herself on display during a drunken party that her husband was hosting. The men of the land decided they could not allow the women to believe they were in charge. There might be anarchy in the land.
In search of the new queen, the king rounded up all the beautiful young virgins of the land, had them go through a years worth a beauty treatments before they were brought before him. Esther had already gained favor with the Eunuch, Hegia, who had charge over her. She had a special place in the palace and extra beauty treatments because of her favor.
When Esther was taken to the king she obtained favor with him and “The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained favor in his sight.” (Esther 2:17) NKJ
The devil is always trying to thwart God’s plans and he used Haman, the Prime Minister to hatch his evil plans. Haman did not like Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, and plotted to have him killed. Haman payed the king a lot of money to have the Jews destroyed just so he could get rid of Mordecai. The plan was going fine until Mordecai got word to Esther informing her of the plot to kill the Jews.
Esther did not want to go before the king because she could be killed if she were not invited into his inner court. That was the rule. She had all of Israel fast for three days and then she entered the court uninvited. This was a far worse infraction that Vasti was accused of. But because of his love and favor for Esther the king held out his golden scepter and allowed her to live.
She was granted her request. After two banquets she finally revealed to the king who she was and requested that her people be spared. Haman’s evil was now revealed and he was hanged on the gallows that he meant for Mordecai.
The edict had already been given to kill the Jews and it could not be recalled. The Jews were given arms to defend themselves and they killed their enemies.
Esther’s courage and calling saved her people. If God were to call a woman toady to the greatness of Esther, how would the church respond? How would the woman respond? Would she shrink from the duty because she is a woman or would she embrace it? How would the men around her react? Would they believe that women could be used for great things in God's kingdom?
