Esther 2:7, 17; 3:5-6; 4:13-17; 7:1-3; 8:11-13, 16 NAS
Related Sunday School Lesson, Family Bible Series, March 28

Let me introduce you to a woman named Esther, a woman who, when she had her moment in the spotlight, did not waste that moment. As a sportscaster might say, she stepped to the plate, swung the bat, and drove in the winning run. Esther’s time in history was played out in the ancient world of the Medo-Persian Empire, some 450 to 500 years before the birth of Christ, a tempestuous world of sex, politics, power, and intrigue.

The story takes place in Susa, one of three capital cities in a massive empire that spread from Pakistan in the east to Ethiopia in the west. Xerxes, by his Greek name, or Ahasuerus, by his Hebrew name, sat on the throne of this colossal political-military conglomerate. He has been called one of the “most illustrious monarchs of the ancient world.” Yet, he has also been referred to as “a boisterous man of emotional extremes, whose actions were often strange and contradictory.”

By a strange twist of events, Esther had been made queen by Xerxes. Yet, her position was not necessarily one of power and influence. Xerxes had already de-throned and banished the previous queen for displeasing him (1:10-19), and Esther was all too aware that approaching the king uninvited could have drastic consequences (4:11). Even so, the time would come when Esther would be called upon to risk everything in order to take a stand for God’s kingdom and His people.

That time came when Xerxes promoted a man named Haman to the number two position in the empire. You need to know three things about Haman. One, Haman loved power. Two, Haman loved to flaunt his power. Three, Haman hated Jews, and he especially hated Jews who refused to acknowledge his power.

When a man named Mordecai (who also happened to be Esther’s uncle and who raised her as his own daughter) declined to pay homage to Haman, his resulting rage was such that he plotted a Hitler-like extermination of the Jews throughout Medo-Persia, and he even secured the approval of the king, who did not know that his own queen was a Jew (3:2-11).

As news of Haman’s plan spread through the land, Jews in every province were thrown into devastating despair, including the strong and courageous Mordecai. Esther, herself, “writhed in great anguish.” Mordecai eventually gathered himself and dispatched a copy of Haman’s edict to Esther, requesting that she implore the favor of the king and plead for the life of her people (4:1-11).

Mordecai’s request, however, was not an easy one. Esther knew of the high probability that she would forfeit her own life and that the Jews would be annihilated anyway (4:9-12).

Yet, three days later Esther requested to see Xerxes, knowing that her life was on the line. As the story goes, she found a favorable reception with the king and saved the Jews from extermination (5:1-8; 7:1-6; 8:8-14).

The story, in and of itself, is a powerful, heart-moving, soul-stirring epic. What a great mini-series it would make! Yet, this narrative is not recorded in Scripture merely for the sake of our entertainment. There are numerous truths that come to us. In fact, someone has written, Esther casts a long shadow into the twentieth century.

What truths are visible in Esther’s shadow? First truth: When life is not fair, excel anyway. Esther was an orphan (2:15). It’s one thing never to know your blood parents, it’s something else to know them, then lose them. Esther knew them and lost them. She grew up with a foster father, and perhaps, she had to compete with Mordecai’s children for affection and attention. What’s more, Esther had to face the cruelty of living in a man’s world.

If Esther were living today, many in our society would not only encourage her to lose herself in pity, but they would also lavish upon her every possible reason for failure. Yet, Esther made no excuses – she got it done with what she had.

Second truth: Esther shows us that the greatest gift you have to offer the world is yourself as an individual. She never sought to make herself a replica of someone else or a cheap imitation of something else. In chapter 2, Esther stood before the king with nothing but herself – no pretense, no hidden agenda, no facade, just Esther. Yes, she had physical beauty. Yes, she kept herself well-groomed. However, her truest beauty sprang from the heart.

Third truth: Esther shows us that listening to sound advice can be more profitable than independence. Esther had beauty but she also had brains, and having brains meant knowing when she needed help and knowing where to get that help. She had learned the wisdom of listening to a godly man growing up, and she did not forsake that posture as an adult.

Fourth truth: Esther shows us that there are times when taking a risk is essential as a follower of Jesus Christ. In fact, she shows us that there are occasions when God means for you, in particular, to take a stand. It’s not that God couldn’t call someone else instead, it’s simply that God wants you to be the one.

God doesn’t ask us to die on every mountain, but there are some things that are worth the risk, though the risk may involve loss of job, wealth, reputation, or even life. Gideon, whom we studied two weeks ago, knew that. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, whom we studied one week ago, knew that. Position is not nearly as important as God’s calling and His kingdom. Most likely, He has you where you are because you are the one for the hour, whenever that hour might arise (4:14).

Fifth truth: Esther shows us that God is our greatest asset (4:16). The question is not, “How great is the risk?” The question is, “What does God want to do with my life?” Esther answered that question, and she answered it as courageously as she did correctly because she saw God as one working with her and through her. When she went to see the king, she went with God, and she went with His power.

“Who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this?”