Esther, also known as Hadassah, was a young Jewish woman who became queen of Persia and saved her people from destruction through her courage, wisdom, and devotion. Her story, recorded in the Book of Esther, reveals a woman who rose from obscurity to a position of influence and used her role to protect the Jewish people from a planned genocide. Esther’s actions not only secured deliverance for her people but also established the Jewish festival of Purim, a lasting celebration of God’s providence and deliverance.
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Esther’s Rise to Queenship
Esther’s journey to the throne began under unusual circumstances. After King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) of Persia dismissed his previous queen, Vashti, he held a nationwide search for a new queen, bringing young women from across the empire to the royal court. Esther, raised by her cousin Mordecai after her parents’ deaths, was among those selected. Mordecai, a Jew living in Susa, instructed her to keep her Jewish heritage a secret, fearing potential hostility toward their people. Esther’s natural beauty, humility, and grace won her the favor of the king, and she was ultimately chosen as queen (Esther 2:17).
The Threat of Haman’s Plot
Esther’s life as queen took on new significance when a crisis emerged that threatened the survival of her people. Haman, a high-ranking official in Xerxes’s court, developed an intense hatred for Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, because Mordecai refused to bow to him. Mordecai’s refusal may have stemmed from his religious convictions, as Jews were forbidden to bow in worship to anyone but God. Infuriated, Haman plotted not only to kill Mordecai but to annihilate all the Jews throughout the Persian Empire. He convinced King Xerxes to issue an irrevocable decree permitting the destruction of the Jewish people on a single day, casting lots (purim) to determine the date of the massacre (Esther 3:5-13).
Esther’s Courage and Intervention
When Mordecai learned of the decree, he mourned publicly and sent word to Esther, urging her to use her influence to plead with the king on behalf of her people. Initially, Esther hesitated, knowing that approaching the king unsummoned was punishable by death. However, Mordecai’s reminder—that she may have become queen “for such a time as this”—stirred her to action, emphasizing her unique position to save her people (Esther 4:14).
Esther resolved to approach the king, asking Mordecai and all the Jews in Susa to fast for three days on her behalf. She recognized that only God could give her favor and the courage needed to confront the king. After three days, Esther put on her royal robes and approached the king’s throne. To her relief, he extended his golden scepter, signaling that she was welcome. Esther then invited Xerxes and Haman to a banquet, intending to reveal her request at an opportune moment (Esther 5:1-4).
At the second banquet, Esther revealed her Jewish heritage to the king and exposed Haman’s plot, pleading for the lives of her people. Xerxes, outraged by Haman’s scheme, ordered that Haman be executed on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai (Esther 7:3-10). Though Haman was dead, the original edict to annihilate the Jews could not be revoked due to Persian law. Instead, Esther and Mordecai persuaded the king to issue a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies on the appointed day (Esther 8:11-13).
The Victory and the Feast of Purim
When the day of Haman’s intended massacre arrived, the Jews, with the support of Persian officials, successfully defended themselves against their attackers, gaining a decisive victory. This deliverance was celebrated throughout the empire, transforming what had been a day of anticipated mourning into a time of joy, feasting, and thanksgiving (Esther 9:1-17).
To commemorate this miraculous deliverance, Mordecai and Esther instituted the annual feast of Purim. Named after the “pur” (lot) that Haman cast to determine the date of the destruction, Purim became a celebration of God’s faithfulness and protection. During Purim, Jews would gather to read the Book of Esther, give gifts to one another and to the poor, and celebrate with feasting and gladness. Purim continues to be observed by Jewish communities worldwide, serving as a reminder of God’s providence and the courage of Esther (Esther 9:20-22, 26-28).
Legacy of Faith and Courage
Esther’s story remains one of the most inspiring examples of courage and faithfulness in the Bible. She risked her life to intercede for her people, embodying the principle that one person’s faith and bravery can alter the course of history. By trusting God’s timing and seizing the opportunity to act, Esther saved her people from destruction and left a lasting legacy of hope and faith.
Esther’s actions underscore the importance of seeking God’s guidance, recognizing one’s unique position to serve, and acting courageously in the face of fear. Her story continues to inspire believers to stand up for what is right, trusting that God is at work, even in the midst of seemingly impossible circumstances. The feast of Purim stands as a testament to God’s providential care over His people and to the strength of faith that can arise “for such a time as this.”
Esther’s story is told in the Book of Esther, where she rises from a young Jewish woman to the queen of Persia, using her position to courageously save her people from annihilation. Her impact extends to the establishment of the Jewish festival of Purim, commemorated to this day as a reminder of deliverance and God’s providence. Esther is also honored in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 as part of the Messianic line, signifying her importance in biblical history.
“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” — Esther 4:14
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New International Version (NIV)
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