Esther: A Courageous Woman

If you (Esther) keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” So Mordecai went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him. Esther 4:14-17 (NLT)

The story of Esther is filled with drama, power, extravagant banquets, romance, and intrigue. Every detail of drama in this story folds into another drama from one page to the next. The book of Esther is the last of the Old Testament historical books. This true and accurate Old Testament book reveals the relationship of God's sovereignty, God’s providence, and human will.  The story of Esther illustrates the unseen Hand of God’s providence and sovereignty in our human world with the story’s startling string of coincidences. 

Esther's story begins around 483 B.C. in the kingdom of Persia. Persia was the dominant kingdom in the Middle East after Babylon's fall in 539 B.C. Esther was among the Jewish people that decided to remain in the Persia kingdom after King Cyrus decree of 539 B.C. Cyrus, the Persian king, had issued a decree allowing all Israelites (now called Jews) to return to their homeland. Ezra and Nehemiah, the books preceding Esther, tell of the “Second Great Deliverance” of the Jews returning to Jerusalem after 70 years of foreign captivity (see Ezra chapter 1 – 6; Jeremiah 25:11; Jeremiah 29:10). Yet, many more Jews decided to stay behind and not return to Jerusalem. Esther and her family were such Jews that decided not return to Jerusalem.  Many modern-day communities of Jews in Iraq and Iran descended from these ancient Jewish exiles that decided to stay in Persia. 

The book of Esther begins with the powerful King Xerxes of Persia having a drunken party with his friends at his royal palace in Susa (Esther 1:2-8). The Persians were very fond of wine and parties (also called banquets or festivals). Susa was one of the main capitals of the Persian Empire during this period. While in a drunken state, King Xerxes called for his wife, Queen Vashti, to parade her wonderful beauty in front of his friends. However, the Queen refused to obey the king’s order. So the king through the advice of his royal counsel removed Queen Vashti as queen. Historians often portray King Xerxes as a proud, mean-spirited, and impulsive man as seen in the events of Esther’s chapter 1. So after Vashti’s removal, King Xerxes issued a decree throughout the Persian Empire to begin a search for a new queen. Many young and beautiful virgin girls were gathered and brought into King Xerxes’ royal harem for essentially a sex contest to determine who would be King Xerxes’ new queen. Esther, an orphan-young Jewish woman, was chosen to be in the royal harem (Esther 2:17-18). Esther’s cousin Mordecai raised this beautiful young Jewish girl as his own daughter into a woman. King Xerxes was so delighted with Esther that he made her his new queen. Esther is the Persian word for “star”. 

In the meantime, Mordecai discovered an assassination plot against King Xerxes and courageously saved the king’s life (Esther 2:21-23). Also during this time, an ambitious and prideful Haman, a non-Jew, was appointed second-in-command in Xerxes’ empire. Haman was a descendant of King Agag of the Amalekites, a long time enemy of the Jews (1 Samuel 15:20; see also Exodus 17:16; Deuteronomy 25:17-19). As Haman was walking by Mordecai one day, Mordecai refused to bow in reverence to him. Haman became very angry and decided to kill not only Mordecai but all his people, the Jews. The Jews in Persia had been a minority since their Babylonian deportation from the Promised Land in 586 B.C. To accomplish his evil plot against the Jews, Haman decided to trick King Xerxes to issue a royal decree to destroy all Jews in the Persian Empire. In essence, Haman’s decree from the king was a government-sponsored genocide of the Jewish people. 

Once Mordecai discovered Haman’s planned genocide of the Jews, Mordecai informed his cousin, Queen Esther, in the royal palace. Mordecai believed that God would somehow preserve His people. He knew that God might accomplish His goals through the courageous actions of His people like himself and Esther. In fact, Mordecai believed that Esther’s advancement to royalty had been in the providence of God to save His people. Moreover, Mordecai believed if Esther failed to save her people, God would have another way of saving the Jews, since God’s purposes are not stopped by the failure of one person to respond obediently to His leading. 

God’s sovereignty and providence are seen throughout the story of Esther. "Providence" is one of the words which do not occur in the Holy Bible, but represents a biblical doctrine. The Bible describes providence as God’s mighty acts to help His people (e.g., see Psalm 104:10; Psalm 136:25; Romans 1:20).  Providence in the fullest sense is God’s gracious outworking of His purposes in Jesus Christ to save His people (Ephesians 1:11).. In sum, the doctrine of providence tells us that the world and our lives are not ruled by chance or by fate but by God’s Hand.

"Sovereignty" is the biblical doctrine that God is King, Supreme Ruler, and Lawgiver of the entire universe (e.g., see Psalm 103:19; Daniel 4:17, 25, 34).  King David summarizes God’s sovereignty at 1 Chronicles 29:11-12. “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom. We adore you as the One who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from You alone, for You rule over everything. Power and might are in Your Hand, and at Your discretion people are made great and given strength (1 Chronicles 29:11-12, NLT). God is indeed the only Ruler and King of all (Matthew 6:13; 1 Timothy 6:15) as God is all-powerful and omnipotent. God works out everything on earth in conformity with His divine purposes and will (Ephesians 1:11). Nothing is too hard for God (Jeremiah 32:17-23; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37). The best example of God’s sovereignty is His gracious work of redemption to save all people who trusts Him through His Son Jesus Christ in faith. Jesus the Messiah is “Mighty God” (see Isaiah 9:6-7) and “Son of the Most High God” (Luke 1:32-33). The authority of God’s Holy Bible is an expression of God’s sovereignty and a chain of God’s divine plan to save His people (see Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:44; 2 Timothy 3:16).

Young and frightful, Queen Esther courageously risked her life to save the Jewish people. She believed that the safety of the Jews were more important than her life and responded, “If I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16). Esther’s reply is a confession of faith and confidence in God’s will and wisdom (Esther 4:15–17; see also Job 13:15; Daniel 3:17-18). “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15, NKJV). “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods . . .” (Daniel 3:17-18, NKJV). 

Although Esther was queen and shared some of the king's wealth, she had very little power and rights in the Persian Kingdom. During this era, women were mostly used by the king only for his sexual pleasure. In essence, Esther was only a powerless sex partner as she only came to the king when he called her for his sexual pleasure.  King Xerxes had not called Esther in over a month.  Yet she alone as queen had access to the king. Mordecai reminded Esther of her unique position. “Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”  Esther responded with courage and faith:  “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish (Esther 4:16). At that point Mordecai expressed his strong faith in God’s providence. Moreover, access to the king was strictly limited, even his wife had no right to approach. As mentioned earlier, Historians portray King Xerxes as a proud, mean-spirited, and impulsive man. Esther knew the dangers of appearing before the king without being asked and she had not been called by the king for thirty days. So, Esther needed God's protection and wisdom. So, Esther gathered support from her royal court and fasted. By calling for a fast, Esther and the people essentially were praying and seeking God's divine help from Haman’s genocide plan.  In the Old Testament, prayer always accompanied fasting (see Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:9; Ezra 8:21-23; Nehemiah 1:4; Daniel 9:3; Matthew 6:16–18). Fasting was designed to petition the blessing of God on an assignment and trust in God provision. 

Unable to sleep, King Xerxes decided to read the historical annals of his kingdom and discovered the assassination plot against his life that Mordecai prevented. Surprised to learn that Mordecai had never been rewarded for this deed, the king asked Haman what should be done to reward the courageous man. However, Haman thought the king was talking about him, and so he described an extravagant reward. Later, Haman learned that the king was actually rewarding Mordecai for his courageous actions and not him.  

After fasting and praying, Esther decided to host a banquet to seek help from King Xerxes on behalf of the Jewish people to soften the king’s heart (Esther 7:1). At the banquet hosted by Esther, the king asked the queen what she desired. She instructed the king that Haman had plotted to kill her people, the Jews. Esther convinced the king to issue another decree to save the Jews life (Esther 8:8). Angered and frustrated by Haman’s actions, the king ordered that Haman be killed on the same gallows Haman had mounted to kill Mordecai (Esther 7:10). Eventually, the king promoted Mordecai to Haman’s royal position in the Persian kingdom and the Jews were saved from death. 

To celebrate this miraculous occasion, the Jewish people established the feast of Purim (2 Maccabees 15:36). Purim is celebrated by Jews on the 14th and 15th days of Adar (February–March). Just as Christians celebrate the arrival of God to earth in the life of Jesus Christ each Christmas, Jews celebrate the events of Esther at the Festival of Purim. The Jews celebrate the feast of Purim (also called the feast of Lots) to celebrate Esther and Mordecai’s courageous action and self-sacrifice that saved the entire Jewish nation from genocide (Esther 4:14; see also Genesis 12:1–3). The festival got its name from the casting of lots (like dice) against the Jewish people (Esther 3:7) – a gamble that eventually backfired against Haman. The author explains the origin of celebrating Purim on two different days even today. Jews observe Purim on the 14th everywhere except in Jerusalem which schedules Purim on the 15th day. Jewish families read the book of Esther aloud on the day of Purim. Through her obedience, Esther became a true “star” (the meaning of her Persian name) in the kingdom. 

The book of Esther is a unique book of the Holy Bible. First of all, the word for God or the name Yahweh (Lord) does not appears in the book. Esther’s story has a complete absence of any reference to God, worship, prayer, sacrifice, the Temple, Jerusalem, or God’s Law. In this sense, the book of Esther appears to be a completely secular (nonspiritual) with no direct religious teaching. Because of this secular nature, scholars have debated whether the story of Esther should be included within the Holy Bible. Also, the scene of Esther occurred in the Persian’s capital of Susa and not Israel with the marriage of a Jewish girl to a gentile king. But the story’s many events to save the Jews occurred only by God’s deliberate design (providence). 

Even more, the story of Esther is about human will. Mordecai and Esther could have giving up with the news of Haman’s genocide plan and just sought to save themselves. Instead, Mordecai and Esther’s unselfish actions seized the moment and they acted to save their people. Esther’s story is similar to that of Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 37–50) and Daniel in Babylon (see Daniel 1–2). Each of these stories revealed a Jew who was delivered from a death plot and rose to a high position in a gentile government. Also, just as in Joseph’s story (Genesis 41:1-45) and Daniel’s story (Daniel 2:1; Daniel 6:18), the hero’s personal fortunes were reversed because of the king’s disturbed sleep (Esther 6:1). These stories all testify to God’s sovereignty over the events of life. The universe’s Great King exercises His providential and sovereign control over His people.  

Most important, the book of Esther gives a clear example of God's sovereignty (rule/control) and providence (wisdom) in the nations of the world. Although God is never explicitly named in the book, the story of Esther tells of God’s mighty Hand working in the many circumstances behind the scenes to save His people from death. In essence, God’s presence and wisdom fills the pages of Esther. When it looks as if the world is in the hands of evil people, God was still in control to protect His people. These many "circumstances" or “coincidences” in the book of Esther were not just the result of chance, but of God's sovereignty and providence (e.g. Esther 2:17, 21-23; Esther 4:14-16; Esther 6:1-2; Esther 7:8-10). Esther just “happened” to be chosen the new queen (Esther 2:17). The king just “happened” to be unable to sleep. When he picked up some reading, the king just “happened” to come across an account of Mordecai’s good deeds to save his life (Esther 2:21-23; Esther 6:1-2). Haman just “happened” to build a gallows to execute Mordecai that turned out to be used for his own death. Nothing just happens. These “coincidences” were part of God’s great plan to save His people. The book of Esther is another amazing story of God’s continuing protection of His people from their enemies. These events seemed coincidental, but these coincidental events all demonstrated God’s control and care for His people (Psalm 121:4; Romans 8:28). No matter how hopeless our condition; God is in control of our world. God is never absent, even though we may live in a world hostile to God. People of God must never fear because we can always trust God to care and protect His people.

Joseph to his brothers:  As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil, for He brought me (Joseph) to this high position I have today so that I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20 (TLB)

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 (NLT)

Esther and Ruth are the only books in the Holy Bible named after women. Ruth was a gentile who married a Jew, while Esther was a Jewish woman who married a gentile. Both Esther and Ruth’s stories are inspiring examples of faith and courage for all people – men and women. Other courageous and faithful women of the Bible include Abigail (1 Samuel 25); Deborah (Judges 4); Huldah the prophetess (2 Kings 22); Jochebed (Exodus. 6); Rahab (Joshua 2); Mary (Luke 1:26-38); and Lydia (Acts 16:11-15).

God calls people to accomplish His good purposes on earth (Esther 4:14; see also Ephesians 2:10) to become His living sacrifice. Esther and Mordecai became a living sacrifice to accomplish God’s good works on the earth (Romans 12:1-1). Yet, Esther and Mordecai were two of the most unlikely people to be chosen to play major roles in shaping a nation. Both were Jewish exiles living in a pagan nation. Even more, Esther was Mordecai’s adopted, orphaned cousin (Esther 2:7). Yet, Esther and Mordecai became heroes because they took quick actions at the “right time,” while others stood watching in horror. True heroes recognize the crisis and takes action. 

At first glance, the hostility between Mordecai and Haman appear to be a simple case of disrespect on Mordecai’s part (Esther 3:2). However, a further investigation reveals their hatred goes much deeper. The book of Esther stresses that Haman was the son of Hammedatha the Agagite (Esther 3:1, 10; Esther 8:3, 5; Esther 9:24). Tradition holds that the Agagites were descendants of Agag, the Amalekite king whom King Saul had failed to kill and thereby disobeyed God’s specific instruction (1 Samuel 15). The Amalekites stood under the permanent judgment of God for attacking the Israelites during their journey from Egypt to the Promise Land (Exodus 17:8–13; Deuteronomy 25:17–19). Thus, Haman's hatred was directed not just at Mordecai, but at all the Jews. The Amalekites had attacked Israel after she fled from Egypt (Exodus 17:8-16; 1 Samuel 15:2). For this reason, the Lord would “be at war against the Amalekites from under heaven” (Deuteronomy 25:19). Also, the Amalekites were descended from Esau, Isaac’s older son. The enmity between the Israelites and the Amalekites dated to the beginning of both peoples. 

Now, with Haman’s rise to power, the Amalekites were in a sense threatening once again to destroy God’s people. But this time, God used Mordecai to frustrate the plan. Mordecai was descended from Kish (Esther 2:5)—the same family of Benjamites from as King Saul (1 Samuel 9:1). Thus, Mordecai completed for God what King Saul had failed to accomplish (Esther 7:10; Esther 9:4–5, 13–15) to blot out the memory of the Amalekites (Exodus 17:14-16; Deuteronomy 25:17-19). Also, the author of Esther is insistent that the Jews did not take the plunder. Seizing the plunder centuries earlier in the battle against the Amalek had cost Saul his kingship (1 Samuel 15:17-19, 23). In the book of Esther, not taking the plunder brings royal power to Mordecai as well as grateful recognition of his people (Esther 9:20-23). 

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His (good) work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

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