August 20

Esther 8:1-10:3; 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 21:23-24

Today we read about one of the most powerful women in the Bible.

Esther. 

“The same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews” (Es. 8:1). Do you remember that Haman was second in command to Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces from India to Cush (see 1:1; 3:1)? This means that Haman’s estate was enormous. In addition to being queen, Esther was now independently wealthy and politically influential.

Esther immediately appointed her cousin (possibly uncle) Mordecai to oversee the estate (Es. 8:2) and she asked her husband for yet another favor: would he prevent the destruction of all the Jews in his provinces that Haman had planned (vs. 5-6)? And the answer is, yes. Even the King cannot revoke the decree that plans for the annihilation of the Jewish people, but he can write another one to counteract it. In the new decree, the Jews may band together and form armies to attack their enemies (vs. 11-13). The fastest horses and couriers are sent to all parts of the vast kingdom that King Xerxes ruled to announce this salvation for the Jews (vs. 10 & 14).

Esther also asked for Haman’s ten sons’ bodies to be publicly displayed on gallows (Es. 9:13). She then used her authority to proclaim days of Purim that would occur annually to celebrate the Jews victory over their enemies (vs. 29-32).

This queen, taken as a young virgin from her cousin Mordecai’s care, to a life she had never known and most likely never wanted, came to the kingdom for such a time as this (see Es. 4:14b), to save her people. She was elevated to the highest position in the land except for her husband. She was not only queen, but she became an active and ruling queen who worked on behalf of her people, as did Mordecai (10:3).

God turned tragedy in triumph. A lowly Jewish maiden became the most powerful woman in the world. Amazing.

Isn’t that just like our God? Our psalm comments perfectly on this: “Do not fret because of evil men [make no mistake—King Xerxes was an evil man] or be envious of those who do wrong [Haman did wrong]; for like the grass of the field they will wither, like the green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good: dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.… a little while and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the earth and enjoy great peace” (Ps. 37:1-3, 10-11).

Will the LORD not do the same for us? Our circumstances are never too terrible for Him to deliver us. Do what you can to deliver yourself from the evil circumstances like Esther did. She had to act to save her people. And she needed urging by her cousin. But she did act. And God was faithful.

There are times when we, too, must act. Or we must urge others to act. Let’s look to the example of this brave young woman who saved her people by God’s gracious favor and we will find our own courage to act in the troubling times in which we live.

- Nell Sunukjian

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