Continuing in Esther 2, after meeting two Jewish cousins living in the foreign city of Susa, we learn a couple of key things in verses 10-11.
Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.
Esther 2:10-11 NIV
Here we see two key things. First, Esther – on the advice of her cousin – hasn’t told anyone that she is Jewish. We can often spot differences among ethnic groups today: whether in how we look, how we talk, or how we dress. On a good day, these differences give us opportunities to learn about other people with different backgrounds and experiences, in a positive way.
However, Esther was apparently able to blend in without anyone knowing where she was from. She had been living in Susa, after all, so it wasn’t like she had been brought in from Judea (which might have been a giveaway) just for the king’s “Queen Search”. And, if she had been born in Susa, she may have learned to fit in with the local speech, mannerisms, and clothing.
The second thing that we find is that Mordecai continues to look after his cousin, even when she’s undergoing a year of preparation and beauty treatments. He finds a way to be nearby where she is, and whether he gets to speak with her, or just talks with other people in the area to learn about her situation, he continues to check on Esther. I think that’s sweet, and a good reminder for us to check in with loved ones when we can.
I encourage you to read this chapter on your own, but let’s consider a few highlights. In Esther 2:12, the preparation for the king’s “beauty pageant” sounds like a year-long spa treatment. Per Esther 2:8-9, Esther also had seven personal attendants, which might sound like a pretty luxurious life. Having said that, though, there was a pagan king awaiting her at the end of this preparation time, so that may have been something of a bummer.
Verses 13-14 tell us how the evaluation went. We don’t need to dwell on the details, but the evaluation wasn’t performed on a stage with all of the other contestants. This wasn’t what we think of as a pageant. Instead, it was – frankly – a night with the king.
We don’t know whether or not Esther wanted to be in this competition in the first place. She may have known that she was pretty, but I don’t see her trying to claw her way to being queen. If so, she may have tried to “game the system” with what she brought with her to meet the king, or found ways to undercut the other young women. Instead, though, she listens to Hegai’s advice in verses 15-16, and she does what she is required to do.
I appreciate the comment at the end of verse 15: “And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her.” It sounds like she was not only attractive, but also likable. We find later in this book that she was both wise and courageous: quite a queen for a pagan king who – in my mind – didn’t deserve her.
By the way, Esther 1:3 indicates that the banquet that preceded these events took place in the third year of Xerxes’s reign. So, since Esther 2:16 refers to the seventh year of his reign, there probably has been no queen for four years. (Per various sources, the king went off to war for a couple of years, probably during that time.)
There is plenty of messed-up behavior described in the first couple chapters of the book of Esther. Like the pastors (at the congregation I’m a part of) mentioned during a sermon series on Samson, we should be careful before emulating the behavior of people in the Bible without first checking to see if it is good behavior.
However, there is a relationship here between Esther and Mordecai that I think we can find value in. Whether it is listening to the wisdom of others, sharing wisdom with those who need it, or just checking in on those we care about, let us show Christian love to those around us, and not harm them through the wrong action or inaction on our part.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for July 7, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, July 7, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The Bible and Archaeology, by J.A. Thompson, © 1962, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., p.166-171.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Esther & Daniel, by Mark Mangano. © 2001 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 