The Book of Esther

The book of Esther picks up with the telling of the event leading up to Esther being brought to the palace. Queen Vashti disobeyed and was removed by King Ahasuerus because she refused to come before him when he called for her. She disobeyed ('twas not a pleasant time for anyone in the kingdom, I'm sure), but it was only through that happening that the word was sent out for the young women of the land to be sought for King Ahasuerus. Queen Vashti's disobedience had a ripple effect on everyone. However, it was through this that Esther was brought to the palace.

Hit rewind, though, and go all the way back to Esther's childhood. Esther was orphaned as a child. Her parents died. What a horrible thing to go through as a child. It doesn't say how old she was, if she remembered it, if she dealt with the heart-wrenching grief that would overtake someone - a child - in such a situation. Even if she didn't remember it, I'm sure there were many times throughout her childhood when she would see the "perfect family" and she wished she had a mommy to hug her, to hold her, to wipe away her tears, to talk to her, to just be there. I'm sure she wished for her daddy to pick her up, to protect her, to cuddle her, to do all the things daddies do. But, she didn't have that. God had a different plan for her. He had a purpose in her loss - her heartache, her tears, her grief, and all that must have accompanied her childhood. He was there through it all and protected her and raised her up in spite of what took place around her. It doesn't record all those emotions and the happenings of her childhood in the Bible, but she was human and I'm sure she felt all those things.

In her loss and being left orphaned, she was left in the care of her uncle, Mordecai. Under his watchful eye and upbringing, she was raised in a Godly way and was a devout Jew. She possessed a willing, faithful, and serving heart because of her upbringing and her life with Mordecai - it's not mentioned, but is very evident in her attitude and spirit towards Mordecai and King Ahasuerus. And, to be chosen by God for such a huge purpose, she had to have possessed a heart filled by Him.

Now, rewind one more time.... Mordecai could have chosen not to take Esther in. He didn't have to. He was a single guy and could have chosen to find someone else to take care of her. Perhaps a family or even a couple that would allow her to have a mom and a dad. I'm sure it crossed his mind a time or two. But, he followed God's plan and raised Esther himself. He didn't exactly have an easy life himself. He had been carried away captive. Not exactly pleasant, I'm sure. I wonder if Esther went through that with him. Either way, each piece was so crucial - Esther losing her parents, Mordecai taking her in, and his captivity that brought him to the palace of King Ahasuerus.

In the eyes of a human, Esther was nowhere near qualified or sprouting up from a background fit for a queen. She was disqualified by human standards, but in God's eyes she was everything needed for the position and purpose she was to fulfill - to save His people, the Jews. You know the story...she was chosen and found considerable favor in the King's eyes. Because Mordecai, in disobedience and a bitter heart, refused to bow to the king, all of his people (the Jews) were put in danger. They were to be killed. Haman saw to it that the decree was sent out for all Jews to be destroyed. God placed her (Esther) in the position - favorable sight in the eyes of the King - so that whatever she wished, it was granted. It defied all odds, all standards, and rules of the "royal" realm. Don't go before the King unless called for; she went and was accepted.

Esther, in some ways is a picture - a shadow - of the coming of Jesus, just as Adam (one man) sinned and caused the entire human race to be sentenced to death. Thus, Jesus came to save His people and give them life. Mordecai was one man and was disobedient toward the king which resulted in all of the Jews being sentenced to death. Esther was raised up and put in the place to save the Jews - to give them life, just as Jesus (so to speak) came before God and had the scepter reached out to him when He entered in to that Holy of Holiest....that scepter of righteousness. He was accepted and made righteous...acceptable for the covering of our ugly sin-marred lives. Esther entering into the inner chamber, the King's court, and having the scepter reached out to her so that she did not have to die is a beautiful and stunning picture of Jesus entering into the presence of God as our high priest. Esther was accepted and pleaded for the life of the Jews. Jesus gave His life - His blood - so that our life could be spared through faith in that shed blood. Beautiful! 

I love thinking about the prayer that she was bathed in by so many as she went before the king that day. It just goes to prove the power of prayer, and that through prayer, the hedge of protection was built around her as she stepped on those forbidden floors that were laid in the king's court. Her heart was trembling. I'm sure, but she was bold and stood before him to represent (and in the end) save the Jews. The creed was recanted and she was chosen to re-write it. Haman was hanged on the gallows that he had built for Mordecai. And King Ahasuerus set Mordecai up in high favor - even after he had disobeyed him. He gave him the ring and he took the place of Haman. How amazing is that!? And, what a beautiful picture of all the pieces - of all things working together for good - for God's ultimate and hidden purpose until revealed. No one would have guessed what lay ahead for the humble, simple, orphaned girl that Esther was. God took her willing heart and set her in the forefront of His plan to deliver His people from the decree that had been declared against them. 

No matter what may have taken place in your childhood, or even adulthood, be assured that God has a beautiful purpose and plan for each twist and turn that lies in the fabric of your life.