This story begins with a great banquet/party that lasted 180 days. The King of Persia, Xerxes, displayed his great wealth and power to all the people by throwing this lavish party. His power came to question when he decided to display his beautiful wife, the Queen Vashti. After she refused his request for her to come to his party King Xerxes was advised to banish her and find a new Queen. After all he must keep his image as the most powerful person in the kingdom.
Not long after the party was over, when the king was no longer angry about his now ex-wife's disobedience, he thought about her and all that had happened. Maybe he felt lonely. So, his attendants came up with a plan. In this plan the king sent out a decree to bring all the beautiful young virgins into the empire to choose a new queen.
Esther, a young Jewish girl was chosen as one of the beautiful candidates for queen. Esther was an orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai. Mordecai advised Esther not to reveal her nationality so that she would have a fair chance to be the queen. She was not only a beautiful girl but also a smart and careful planner. She won the favor of everyone who met her. And most importantly she won the king's favor. Esther became the queen of Persia and just in time, as we will soon see.
Mordecai as a government official was able to overhear a plot to assassinate the king. He informed Esther and she went to her husband, the king to give warning. This created an opportunity to have Mordecai's name recorded which is also in perfect time. After Haman, the Agagite, was made second in command, Mordecai's life and the lives of all the Jews were in danger.
Backing up a bit, let's see who this Haman really is and why he hates the Jews. Think with me back to 1 Samuel when God ordered Saul to totally annihilate the Amalekites. Do you remember what happened? Saul in his pride brought back the King Agag alive. They did not kill them all like God had commanded. Haman is the descendant of the King Agag. Haman became furious when Mordecai would not bow down to him and from that he set out to destroy Mordecai and all the Jews. Haman decieved the king into issuing an edict condemning the Jews to death. Learning of this Mordecai tore his clothes, put on sack cloth and ashes and wailed in the streets. Mordecai told Esther that she must do something. Mordecai's message to Esther held much urgency and wisdom. “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Esther realized the lives of all the Jews were in her hands. She ordered a three day fast and on the third day she went to see the king, risking her life. The king extended his scepter to her and allowed her to make her request. She requested that he and Haman come to a banquet that she would prepare for them. At this banquet they dined and the King Xerxes asked for her request and she simply asked for them to return to another banquet and then she would tell him what she wanted. Haman left the banquet feeling mighty fine until he saw Mordecai at the gate. After boasting of his power and success to his wife and friends he still was not satisfied. He wanted Mordecai dead. So that day he had the gallows built to have Mordecai hanged. I have to stop here for today. Do you feel the excitement? This is the part of the movie that would have the words "to be continued..." come across the screen.
Do you ever question your circumstances and wonder why God has placed you where you are in life? We must trust Him and be assured that He is in control and He has placed you where you are for "such a time as this."
I like the story of Esther also. It is a beautiful love story and I think your post was great. Even knowing the outcome it makes you anxious to get "the rest of the story." All of you gals are married and I am sure you know there is nothing like living and loving the person God meant for you to be with. Cherish them and thank God for them. Sometimes the little things get in the way but they can be overcomed.
ReplyDeleteEsther is also my favorite book in the Bible. The banquet party, drama, anticipation, beauty, anxiety, trust. Wow! The plot thickens as we go through these 5 chapters. I was captivated by the way the author did not mention the name of God one time in Esther, but you knew His presence is all in the chapters. Thanks for the reminder of we are in the place God has us because of His timing and not our own.
ReplyDeleteI love that God again places one of his people in an area to be used for His good. It's a great reminder that we have ALL been CHOSEN, for such a time as this..."For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight." Ephesians 1:4. May we be as brave as Queen Esther! Excellent post Amy.
ReplyDeleteI too LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the book of Esther! SO many lessons can be learned from this amazing book! If you EVER have the opportunity, take Beth Moore's Bible Study on Esther called "It's Tough Being a Woman". I promise you will be incredibly blessed by it!!! One of my favorite characters in this story is Mordecai. What another great example for us to follow. His statment that Amy quoted above is SO profound to me. God is going to get His work done. The only question is, are you going to get the privilege of being a part of it? I desire this honor and this privilege! So let's let God use us for "such a time as this"!!!
ReplyDelete