As described in Esther 2:1-16, King Xerxes had held a “contest” of sorts (although not a very nice one) to replace his former queen (who he had banished at a drinking party some years back). One of the participants in this event was a Jewish woman named Esther (or Hadassah), an orphan who had been taken in by her cousin Mordecai.
Eventually, it was time for the king to choose a new queen.
Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. And the king gave a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality.
Esther 2:17-18 NIV
When it’s time to announce the winner, it’s Esther. (The book is named for her, after all.) This orphaned Jewish girl was made queen! This would be quite the “Cinderella” story if the suitor was truly Prince Charming, rather than this king (who wasn’t really much of a catch, it would seem).
Regardless of his faults, the king throws a party for her. The empire gets a holiday, and the king hands out gifts. If you thought that the coronation ceremonies in Great Britain were a big deal, I suspect that this one was even more extravagant!
I like how the Lookout (cited below) suggests that the “holiday” may have been a tax holiday. That could definitely help people celebrate, “Happy Esther’s Day”!
Remember that Esther had been cared for by her cousin Mordecai after her parents died. He’s still in the picture, though, even after Esther is selected to be queen.
When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.
Esther 2:19-20 NIV
I’m not sure if Mordecai was a guard, or an official, or if he just hung out near the palace. However, when the girls or young women who had been gathered at the king’s command (whether the original group, or – as suggested by Mangano, p.58 – a new group) are brought back together, Mordecai is there again. In my my mind, I imagine him still checking in with his cousin.
And, despite Queen Esther now being exalted in the kingdom, she doesn’t let it go to her head. Instead, she continues to follow Mordecai’s advice, including keeping her heritage a secret. As far as the king knew, I suppose, his new queen was just another local from the city of Susa.
Esther had her challenges, but she also had some good things going for her, both the support of her cousin and God’s help. God’s plan was for all of these things to work together for something even greater, though. So, as David Faust reminds us in the Lookout for this week, “If you are blessed with education, talents, physical skills, and material possessions, you must use those gifts to glorify God and benefit others.”
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 