The one who bravely works to save her own people from the cruel plots of the enemy. It reveals some very powerful truths in its 10 chapters, great wisdom for today, and the realization that God still works in mighty ways on behalf of His people. Esther As I learned more about story of Esther from Scripture, the more my heart longed to be a woman just like her. Many books recount the historical and theological importance of the Jewish orphan who became a Persian Queen.
While many record Esther's influence upon history, my own story was so influenced by Esther that I cannot help but share from my perspective. Who was Esther and why was she so important? Her story teaches us these valuable lessons:. Esther was born at a time when Israel was in captivity as a consequence to their disobedience to God. Not only was Esther an ordinary woman living in a foreign land, but she was part of a minority race held in low esteem.
So much so that when later she was chosen to be queen Mordecai advised her to keep secret her Jewish nationality Esther On an ordinary day God chose Esther to do through her what He had planned before she was even born.
As a young girl when I learned this fact I remember thinking, If God had a plan to use an ordinary girl like Esther maybe He has a plan for my life too Ephesians ! I cannot imagine the pain young Esther had to endure in her upbringing. In that tumultuous time she would have been one of many Jewish children whose parents died. Rather than becoming rebellious and resentful over her troubled life, the Bible says Esther was obedient to Mordecai as she was brought up by him Esther Imagine, she would lose her virginity in the process and whether or not the King chose her as his wife, she would become his property——never allowed to return to her life with Mordecai Esther With so little control over her past or future, another woman might have reacted by turning into a control freak, but not Esther.
Amsellem, Wendy. Berlin, Adele. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, Fox, Michael V. Character and Ideology in the Book of Esther. Grand Rapids, MI: W. Eerdmans Reimer, Gail Twersky. White, Sidnie A. Newsom and Sharon H. Ringe, — White, Sidnie A.. Day, — Minneapolis: Fortress Press, Zornberg, Avivah. New York: Schocken, Have an update or correction? Let us know. Episode E. Lockhart's New Jewish Superhero.
Jewish Women's Archive. Learn more. In Brief. The Path to Becoming Queen. Unique Features of the Book of Esther. The Purpose of the Book of Esther. Carruthers, Jo. Esther Through the Centuries. She was of the tribe of Benjamin and lived during the time Israel was exiled. Tragically, Hadassah was orphaned at an early age. This is quite fortunate for Hadassah because Mordecai was a God-fearing man who loved her dearly and raised her well in the face of dreadful circumstances.
Hadassah lived with Mordecai in Susa under the rule of King Xerxes. The king ruled over a sizable area of the world and wanted everyone to know. For a full days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days Esther King Xerxes was infuriated by Queen Vashti.
Upon consulting the experts in law and justice, a royal decree was issued that changed everything. Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa.
Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti. Once the edict was declared, they started taking the young virgins. Esther was not only beautiful but a woman of honor. In his quest for a new queen, the king was dishonoring countless young women, stripping them of their virginity, and casting them aside to the rank of concubine sex slave without the title or privileges of queen or wife.
Although Esther had no control over what was happening to her, she took control of her responses with humility and grace. During the 12 months that Esther was put through the beauty treatments required, it was her character that gained the favor of those in authority.
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