Esther: A Story of Faith, Courage, and Hope

Esther, the woman who saved a nation shows us to take a risk, and do something for God.

King Ahasuerus ruled over 127 provinces but he could not control his wife. Really he was a fool, vainly wasting money on banquets that went for months. He wanted to show off queen Vashti in his pride. He did not care about the indignity it was to her. When she refused the king deposed her and then he sought a new wife.

Mordecai had brought up the orphan, Esther, his younger cousin, raising her as his own daughter. “The maid was fair and beautiful”. She became a contender to become the new queen. “And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight… he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen...”

Mordecai overhears a plot to assassinate the king, and saved his life. It was recorded in the chronicles of the king. But he received no reward.

Next we meet Haman, the wicked enemy of the people of God. The king “advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes… all the king's servants... bowed, and reverenced Haman... But Mordecai bowed not.”

Haman was a man full of pride. He expected everyone to bow to him as if he were a god. But Mordecai would bow to no one but God Himself. Haman was enraged when Mordecai did not bow. He hatched a diabolical plan to destroy Mordecia and his people, the Jews.

When Mordecai heard the news he put on sackcloth and ashes. “There was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing.” Word reached Esther. Mordecai appealed to her to plead with the king - but there was a huge risk here. Approaching the king unsummoned could mean her death.

Mordecia urged her, “who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther could choose her own comfort and safety, or risk her life for her people. This was Esther’s time. Esther’s destiny.

Do we see God’s working in our own life? Can we embrace our God-given purpose and destiny?
Esther chose to stand up for what was right. But first she wanted prayer: "fast ye for me". Let us rely on God's guidance and strength.

She decided she would go in unto the king… “and if I perish, I perish”. Esther courageously risked her life and approached the king - to invite him and Haman to a banquet. What about us? Will we step out in faith and take action when we face tests?

Esther “obtained favour in his sight”. Esther took a step of faith. God honoured her courage. Esther then invited the king and Haman to a banquet. Haman went forth that day "joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.” Enraged, he built a gallows to hang Mordecai on.

By God’s providence, the king couldn’t sleep the next night. He went to the chronicles and read about the plot to take his life and discovered that it was Mordecai that had saved his life. He asked, “What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.”

The king asked Haman, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Haman thought, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? So he devised an extravagant show of honour, thinking that he would receive it.

It ended up that the king directed Haman to so honour Mordecai. So he took the royal apparel and the king’s horse, and “arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.” What a humiliation for Haman!

Haman then gets ushered into the second banquet with Esther and the king. Esther reveals her heritage, and of the threat against her people. The king asks who has done this. Esther brings the charge against Haman: “The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman...”

Haman is then taken out in shame to be hanged on the gallows he had prepared to hang Mordecai. You reap what you sow. Proverbs 16:18, Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

The king issued a counter-decree that the Jews defend themselves against their enemies. The Jews are saved.

Then king arrayed Mordecai in "royal apparel... and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple... 16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.”
Esther shows us the importance of perseverance and faith. God cares for His people. His timing is perfect. We can trust Him.

Mordecai instituted the celebration of Purim as a commemoration of their deliverance.

Throughout the book of Esther we can see that God has His hand on every life. God can turn any situation around. We can trust God’s timing.

Mordecai acted with conviction, courage, integrity, love, and servanthood. Esther showed humility, patience, reverence, self control, and boldness. She was ready to die in order to help her people.