1,034 words, 5 minutes read time.
My name is Esther, and my story is not one of mere coincidence—it is a story of destiny, courage, and divine intervention. Even as I recount these events to you now, my heart beats with the memory of how close my people came to destruction and how my role, though unexpected, became pivotal in their salvation. This is the story of how I, a Jewish orphan raised by my cousin Mordecai, became the Queen of Persia and risked everything to save my people.
An Unlikely Path to Royalty
I was born Hadassah, a Jewish girl living in exile in the mighty kingdom of Persia. My parents died when I was very young, leaving me in the care of my older cousin, Mordecai. He loved me as his own daughter, and I was raised with a deep understanding of my heritage and faith. Life was modest but full of meaning—until the day everything changed.
In the third year of King Xerxes’ reign, he held a great feast for his nobles and officials. On the seventh day of the feast, the king, in his drunken pride, summoned Queen Vashti to display her beauty to the crowd. But she refused. This enraged the king, and he deposed her as queen. Soon after, a decree went out calling for all the young virgins in the land to come to the palace so the king could choose a new queen.
I was one of those young women. Mordecai instructed me to hide my Jewish identity for my safety, and I did as he advised. I spent twelve months in the palace undergoing beauty treatments before I was presented to the king. When my turn came, I took nothing but what the king’s eunuch suggested, and the king was pleased with me more than any other woman. He placed the royal crown on my head and declared me Queen of Persia. I was overwhelmed but also terrified—what did this new position mean for my life and my people?
The Threat of Annihilation
While I settled into my new role as queen, my cousin Mordecai continued his work at the king’s gate. One day, he overheard two palace guards plotting to assassinate the king. He quickly reported this to me, and I informed the king, giving credit to Mordecai. The plot was thwarted, and Mordecai’s name was recorded in the king’s chronicles—but no reward was given.
Then came Haman, an ambitious and arrogant official who was elevated to a position of great power. The king commanded that everyone bow to Haman, but Mordecai refused because he would bow to no one but God. This enraged Haman, and he sought to destroy not only Mordecai but all the Jews in the kingdom. Haman convinced the king to issue a decree for the destruction of all Jews on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month.
When Mordecai learned of this, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes as a sign of mourning. He sent a message to me, pleading that I go before the king and beg for the lives of our people. My heart sank. It was against the law to approach the king without being summoned, and anyone who did so without invitation could be put to death. Yet Mordecai’s words rang in my ears: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 NIV).
I fasted for three days and nights, asking God for favor. On the third day, I dressed in my royal robes and approached the king’s inner court. My heart pounded as I stood before him, waiting for his response. When he saw me, he extended his golden scepter—my life was spared. I invited him and Haman to a banquet, planning to reveal my identity and plead for my people.
Exposing the Villain
That night, after the banquet, the king suffered from insomnia. He ordered the book of chronicles to be read to him, and he was reminded of Mordecai’s service in saving his life. The next day, the king asked Haman how to honor someone who had pleased him. Thinking the king meant him, Haman suggested elaborate honors. To his shock, the king ordered Haman to bestow those honors on Mordecai.
At the second banquet, I gathered my courage and revealed my identity to the king. I told him of Haman’s plot to annihilate my people. The king was enraged and stormed out. When he returned and found Haman begging for his life, he ordered Haman to be hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.
Deliverance and Legacy
A new decree was issued allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies. On the appointed day, the Jews triumphed, and my people were saved. Mordecai was elevated to a position of great power, and I continued to advocate for my people. To this day, the festival of Purim is celebrated to commemorate our deliverance.
Looking back, I see that my journey was never about beauty or royalty—it was about purpose. I was placed in a position of influence, not for my own comfort, but to fulfill a divine calling. And to you reading this now, I say: there are times when you may feel unqualified or afraid, but if you step into your purpose, you might just change history. Because sometimes, like me, you were made for such a time as this.
Sources
- Book of Esther – Wikipedia
- Book of Esther – Bible Gateway (NIV)
- Esther – Jewish Virtual Library
- The Story of Esther – Chabad.org
- Esther – Britannica
- Esther – My Jewish Learning
- Esther – Bible Odyssey
- Life of Esther – GotQuestions.org
- Book of Esther Overview – Insight.org
- Esther – Bible Study Tools
- Esther – Blue Letter Bible
- The Book of Esther – The Gospel Coalition
- For Such a Time as This – Desiring God
- Who Was Esther? – Christianity.com
- Queen Esther – Learn Religions
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author. The information provided is based on personal research, experience, and understanding of the subject matter at the time of writing. Readers should consult relevant experts or authorities for specific guidance related to their unique situations.