Now, I know that most of us will think of Haman as the ‘baddie’ and Mordecai as the ‘goodie’ in this story of Esther. However, I don't think we canjust completely write off Haman, for he does show some good qualities.
We can admire and appreciate the qualities people have even when we may not agree with their overall ethos of life. So, in light of this, I shall say - I admire Haman’s patient persistence.
So, to develop this idea further, we need to look at Chapter 3 of Esther, herewe see the revenge plot coming into place for Mordecai’s ’disrespect’ of Haman, and Haman's response:
*7*In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, they cast lots) before Haman day after day; and they cast it month after month till the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. *8*Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so that it is not to the king’s profit to tolerate them. *9*If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay 10,000 talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king’s business, that they may put it into the king’s treasuries.” *10*So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. *11*And the king said to Haman, “The money is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.”
Esther 3:7–11
Do you also notice Haman’s patient persistence?
Haman literally casts lots every single day until the ‘lot’ falls to him to approach the king with his revenge plot, and how long does this go on for? 12 months!!!
12 months of doing the exact same thing, in the exact same way for pretty much a whole year! Surely that shows persistence, restraint and patience. These are characteristics that we do not like to attribute to characters that it is easy to dislike. Yet, there is good in everyone. I mean, God created all people, so in some way, shape or form, they display the character of God whether we like it or not and whether they like it or not. Here, in this chapter, we see something admirable about Haman, even uf he is using this God-given gift for non-godly purposes, the good quality is still there. Haman displays great patience and persistence - Can you imagine doing the same thing, in the same way, everyday, for a year?
Being persistent and patient is hard for most of us, we live in a society which is surrounded by a culture of getting things done, and getting them done now, the attitude is 'I don't want to wait for my meal at a restaurant, I want good-tasting food, right now'. 'I don't want to wait for my problem to be solved, I want a quick-fix'. I bet you come across that, maybe you are even in this quick-fix mentality, well, I am sorry to inform you, that, often, it is better to wait.
Haman had learned the art of patience. He waited, he didn't act until it was right to do so, how many of us rush right in and often make a mistake or make matters worse? sometimes use even rush in when time would actually do a better job of solving the issue than us even needing to say or do anything.
Haman had realised the benefit of being patient, but not being idle. He was also persistent, he knew the goal he wanted to achieve, he knew he had to wait for the right tie yet in the meantime he kept going, kept planning, kept working. I think we can learn some good lessons from Haman, so today I encourage you to consider;
1. Is there an area that I need to grow in persistence? Is there some way that I need to keep going even when I don't want to?
2. Is there something I need to patiently wait for? Am I expecting a quick-fix or a long-term solution?
Wednesday 30 October 2019
Wednesday 23 October 2019
Be more Mordecai
Last week we looked at the character of Haman who we meet in the book of Esther, a man who seems to be a product of his environment - consumed by his own selfish desires, just like the king, Ahasuerus. There is another man that is involved in life at Susa, and within the palace, this man is known as Mordecai, and as we shall see, he displays different characteristics to Ahasuerus and Haman.
All of these men are surrounded by the opulence available in Susa, where even the palace walls and floor sparkle with riches. Mordecai and Haman have both witnessed how this kingdom works; that selfishness and ruthlessness are an acceptable means to an end, and wealth and authority are treasured above all things.
Both men also work in and around the palace and seem yo have some kind of authority, they have the same work colleagues and the same boss. They are within the same environment, with the same culture encompassing them, and the same people surrounding them - that’s a lot of ‘sameness’! So, why are these two men so different?
They are both surrounded by the same influences yet their desires and character are very different. Haman is concerned with his own affairs, and his desire is to get as much as he can however he can. Mordecai, on the other hand, is concerned with the affairs of others - he has helped bring up Esther, encourages and advises her even as an adult, and he protects the king’s life. Unlike Haman, Mordecai’s desires are not for himself, but for the welfare of others.
Mordecai demonstrates kindness to all, even to people that do not seem to deserve it. He is an upright man in a wonky society. He has not become enticed or corrupted by his environment - how is that possible?
He has maintained a consistency of character and a contentment in his position, whatever that may be. He does not seem to have a lust for money or power. In fact, he is the first person we meet in this book that has shown some loyalty and compassion.
He maintains his loyalty to his kindred, the Jews, yet also displays loyalty to the Persian king, even to the point of saving his life (Esther 2:21-23).
Then, despite the fact that Mordecai has saved the king’s life, he gets no recognition for it. He remains relatively unnoticed and unrecognised. Have you ever felt like that? He went unnoticed even when he’d uncovered an assassination plot! Yet, what was Mordecai’s response? He did not complain, he did not become bitter or disheartened - He simply carried on with life. He went to work as normal, went around the city as normal and remained loyal, as normal.
Is that your response when you’ve been unnoticed or overlooked?
It is so easy for us to become angry, resentful and bitter especially when we put ourselves out and receive nothing in return, yet doesn’t that show a lack of contentment within ourselves? A need for approval from others, a need for recognition? Mordecai displayed an assurance in who he is rather than what he can do, simply by dong nothing different, he remained consistent and contented. Can you imagine the difference if you acted the same in similar circumstances?
Then, as we read on in Esther into chapter 3; we see that Mordecai admits his heritage - he is a Jew. He acknowledges in that admission, that there is one true God, and that He is the one he bows down to.
Then, of course, he comes up again some kind of prejudice at work as his workmates tell their boss Haman about Mordecai’s faith. His faith means there’s a limit to his actions, there’s a manner in which he lives and works that has clearly stood out to them because they’ve mentioned it - they wouldn’t bother if Mordecai did the same as them. They recognised something different about him and weren’t sure how to handle it, so they told their boss. They realised that Mordecai had limitations to his work, they realised he wasn’t going to do what was expected if it meant compromise.
That’s an easy situation for us to be in, a position of prejudice or compromise in our workplaces - what do you do in those situations? Do you go along with everyone else? Do you allow your workmates to question your motives? Do you make deliberate faith-choices even when it gets a bit scary in the workplace for you?
This was Mordecai’s situation. He’d come face to face with compromise, and he put his faith first even though it meant he would come up against some kind of prejudice. It would of been easier in the moment to just go along with what everyone else was doing, but he knew it would go against what he believes and values. It’s easy to dismiss our faith when we come under pressure or feel we have to go against the crowd at work. We often think it is easier to compromise, to prevent rocking the boat, but, as Mordecai realised, there is no point compromising your integrity - you have to live with that for the rest of your life. I know I’ve compromised before - I thought it was expected and the easier way out. However, the feelings of guilt and that I’m not a ‘good enough’ christian have plagued me. Don’t live like that. It’s ok to be more like Mordecai. It’s ok to stand out for what you believe, yes criticism will come, temptation will arise, but what will your response be? Will you compromise your integrity like Haman, or continue to be consistent and content like Mordecai?
Haman had learned to compromise his character, everyone else was doing the same and he was influenced by others and their expectations as well as his lust for greater wealth and power. He went along the majority, and he didn’t become the man who plans an extermination of a whole race overnight, it probably started with something silly like stealing a pen. The thought process can be that everyone does it, so it’s ok, it’s budgetted for, and does anyone really care or notice. Maybe, or maybe not, but what’s the cost to your integrity?
Mordecai, on the other hand, worked hard, worked well, was loyal and relatively unnoticed until he started not to compromise, not to go along with the flow. He decided to stand up, to not allow others expectations to influence his ideals of right or wrong. His faith ruled his decisions, not the culture or other people, or even concern for his own safety or employment.
Are you overwhelmed by the concerns of the crowd?
Does your faith influence your decisions and actions at work?
Is there some way you need to be more like Mordecai?
There is greater freedom in being like Mordecai, Haman’s life choices led to death - where are your choices leading you?
All of these men are surrounded by the opulence available in Susa, where even the palace walls and floor sparkle with riches. Mordecai and Haman have both witnessed how this kingdom works; that selfishness and ruthlessness are an acceptable means to an end, and wealth and authority are treasured above all things.
Both men also work in and around the palace and seem yo have some kind of authority, they have the same work colleagues and the same boss. They are within the same environment, with the same culture encompassing them, and the same people surrounding them - that’s a lot of ‘sameness’! So, why are these two men so different?
They are both surrounded by the same influences yet their desires and character are very different. Haman is concerned with his own affairs, and his desire is to get as much as he can however he can. Mordecai, on the other hand, is concerned with the affairs of others - he has helped bring up Esther, encourages and advises her even as an adult, and he protects the king’s life. Unlike Haman, Mordecai’s desires are not for himself, but for the welfare of others.
Mordecai demonstrates kindness to all, even to people that do not seem to deserve it. He is an upright man in a wonky society. He has not become enticed or corrupted by his environment - how is that possible?
He has maintained a consistency of character and a contentment in his position, whatever that may be. He does not seem to have a lust for money or power. In fact, he is the first person we meet in this book that has shown some loyalty and compassion.
He maintains his loyalty to his kindred, the Jews, yet also displays loyalty to the Persian king, even to the point of saving his life (Esther 2:21-23).
Then, despite the fact that Mordecai has saved the king’s life, he gets no recognition for it. He remains relatively unnoticed and unrecognised. Have you ever felt like that? He went unnoticed even when he’d uncovered an assassination plot! Yet, what was Mordecai’s response? He did not complain, he did not become bitter or disheartened - He simply carried on with life. He went to work as normal, went around the city as normal and remained loyal, as normal.
Is that your response when you’ve been unnoticed or overlooked?
It is so easy for us to become angry, resentful and bitter especially when we put ourselves out and receive nothing in return, yet doesn’t that show a lack of contentment within ourselves? A need for approval from others, a need for recognition? Mordecai displayed an assurance in who he is rather than what he can do, simply by dong nothing different, he remained consistent and contented. Can you imagine the difference if you acted the same in similar circumstances?
Then, as we read on in Esther into chapter 3; we see that Mordecai admits his heritage - he is a Jew. He acknowledges in that admission, that there is one true God, and that He is the one he bows down to.
Then, of course, he comes up again some kind of prejudice at work as his workmates tell their boss Haman about Mordecai’s faith. His faith means there’s a limit to his actions, there’s a manner in which he lives and works that has clearly stood out to them because they’ve mentioned it - they wouldn’t bother if Mordecai did the same as them. They recognised something different about him and weren’t sure how to handle it, so they told their boss. They realised that Mordecai had limitations to his work, they realised he wasn’t going to do what was expected if it meant compromise.
That’s an easy situation for us to be in, a position of prejudice or compromise in our workplaces - what do you do in those situations? Do you go along with everyone else? Do you allow your workmates to question your motives? Do you make deliberate faith-choices even when it gets a bit scary in the workplace for you?
This was Mordecai’s situation. He’d come face to face with compromise, and he put his faith first even though it meant he would come up against some kind of prejudice. It would of been easier in the moment to just go along with what everyone else was doing, but he knew it would go against what he believes and values. It’s easy to dismiss our faith when we come under pressure or feel we have to go against the crowd at work. We often think it is easier to compromise, to prevent rocking the boat, but, as Mordecai realised, there is no point compromising your integrity - you have to live with that for the rest of your life. I know I’ve compromised before - I thought it was expected and the easier way out. However, the feelings of guilt and that I’m not a ‘good enough’ christian have plagued me. Don’t live like that. It’s ok to be more like Mordecai. It’s ok to stand out for what you believe, yes criticism will come, temptation will arise, but what will your response be? Will you compromise your integrity like Haman, or continue to be consistent and content like Mordecai?
Haman had learned to compromise his character, everyone else was doing the same and he was influenced by others and their expectations as well as his lust for greater wealth and power. He went along the majority, and he didn’t become the man who plans an extermination of a whole race overnight, it probably started with something silly like stealing a pen. The thought process can be that everyone does it, so it’s ok, it’s budgetted for, and does anyone really care or notice. Maybe, or maybe not, but what’s the cost to your integrity?
Mordecai, on the other hand, worked hard, worked well, was loyal and relatively unnoticed until he started not to compromise, not to go along with the flow. He decided to stand up, to not allow others expectations to influence his ideals of right or wrong. His faith ruled his decisions, not the culture or other people, or even concern for his own safety or employment.
Are you overwhelmed by the concerns of the crowd?
Does your faith influence your decisions and actions at work?
Is there some way you need to be more like Mordecai?
There is greater freedom in being like Mordecai, Haman’s life choices led to death - where are your choices leading you?
Thursday 17 October 2019
Haman the horrible?
When we read the story of Esther, we often judge Haman quite harshly. After all, he is the enemy of the heroine and he has an unhealthy lust for power and renown, but, isn’t he just a product of his environment?
Haman has grown up and succeeded in a community which is dominated by power and wealth. He lives in the city where there is this incredible show of opulence. The city is a bustling place with people of importance everywhere, and it would be difficult to miss the lavish show of the king’s riches. Even if we just consider the palace - decorated with rich materials, sparkling gemstones and golden goblets what a show of extravagance! Can you imagine living in a place surrounded by such wealth? Being constantly bombarded by sights of the wealth and prosperity? Haman is. He even has access to this palace, so he sees it everyday and he would have been aware of how many of these beautiful, expensive things have been gained - through violent and passionate means.
Haman knows the reputation of king Ahasuerus - a proud, greedy, passionate man whom gets what he wants at any cost. Haman has witnessed it, and heard many stories of the king’s ruthlessness. In this kingdom, ruthless selfishness is permissible and demonstrated by the most famous and revered person of the time. This city of Susa, and the whole region of Persia are ruled by passionate impulse and selfish desires, a me-first society, so is it any wonder that Haman is ruthless in his pursuits too?
Haman has been surrounded by this system where anything goes, so isn’t he merely a product of his environment?
Haman has learned to play a part in this kingdom, he has realised that, to get the best in life, you need to get as close to the king as possible, at any cost. Haman knows that winning the king’s favour will benefit himself and his family. It will mean greater renown, respect and revenue. He knows king Ahasuerus promotes those who align themselves with him, who work to satisfy the king’s passions' and that the king is more interested in results than the manner in which they are achieved. Possessions, riches and authority are the top priority in this kingdom. Haman acknowledges this and unsurprisingly has developed the same mindset - to get what he wants, any methods are acceptable.
When we consider this character of Human, we often see a man whom we hate. Someone we feel disgusted with and whom we see evil in. That may be true, but is it fair for us to judge at all?
I am sure we can all think of people that we dislike, who we don't get along with, whose methods we think are disagreeable or even despicable. Yet, are we even aware of their influences? upbringing? expectations? Like Haman, have they been indoctrinated in a culture or society where certain things are allowable, acceptable or expected?
Do you judge people as unworthy and unacceptable because of their characteristics, personality or choices? Jesus doesn't.
Jesus came to forgive everyone who accepts Him, he even went our to meet the most unacceptable people of his culture - those who were detested by the Jews, those who lived lives of depravity and deceit - He invited them into relationship.
So, my question to you this week is; are you willing to be like Jesus and accept the unacceptable? to form relationships with those who don't match up to your idea of a friend? Are you willing to share who Jesus is to you to those you think least deserve it? You never know, you might be giving a Haman the chance to redeem his life. You might be giving Saul the chance to transform into Paul. You never know whose life you may influence when you treat people like Jesus does.
Haman has grown up and succeeded in a community which is dominated by power and wealth. He lives in the city where there is this incredible show of opulence. The city is a bustling place with people of importance everywhere, and it would be difficult to miss the lavish show of the king’s riches. Even if we just consider the palace - decorated with rich materials, sparkling gemstones and golden goblets what a show of extravagance! Can you imagine living in a place surrounded by such wealth? Being constantly bombarded by sights of the wealth and prosperity? Haman is. He even has access to this palace, so he sees it everyday and he would have been aware of how many of these beautiful, expensive things have been gained - through violent and passionate means.
Haman knows the reputation of king Ahasuerus - a proud, greedy, passionate man whom gets what he wants at any cost. Haman has witnessed it, and heard many stories of the king’s ruthlessness. In this kingdom, ruthless selfishness is permissible and demonstrated by the most famous and revered person of the time. This city of Susa, and the whole region of Persia are ruled by passionate impulse and selfish desires, a me-first society, so is it any wonder that Haman is ruthless in his pursuits too?
Haman has been surrounded by this system where anything goes, so isn’t he merely a product of his environment?
Haman has learned to play a part in this kingdom, he has realised that, to get the best in life, you need to get as close to the king as possible, at any cost. Haman knows that winning the king’s favour will benefit himself and his family. It will mean greater renown, respect and revenue. He knows king Ahasuerus promotes those who align themselves with him, who work to satisfy the king’s passions' and that the king is more interested in results than the manner in which they are achieved. Possessions, riches and authority are the top priority in this kingdom. Haman acknowledges this and unsurprisingly has developed the same mindset - to get what he wants, any methods are acceptable.
When we consider this character of Human, we often see a man whom we hate. Someone we feel disgusted with and whom we see evil in. That may be true, but is it fair for us to judge at all?
I am sure we can all think of people that we dislike, who we don't get along with, whose methods we think are disagreeable or even despicable. Yet, are we even aware of their influences? upbringing? expectations? Like Haman, have they been indoctrinated in a culture or society where certain things are allowable, acceptable or expected?
Do you judge people as unworthy and unacceptable because of their characteristics, personality or choices? Jesus doesn't.
Jesus came to forgive everyone who accepts Him, he even went our to meet the most unacceptable people of his culture - those who were detested by the Jews, those who lived lives of depravity and deceit - He invited them into relationship.
So, my question to you this week is; are you willing to be like Jesus and accept the unacceptable? to form relationships with those who don't match up to your idea of a friend? Are you willing to share who Jesus is to you to those you think least deserve it? You never know, you might be giving a Haman the chance to redeem his life. You might be giving Saul the chance to transform into Paul. You never know whose life you may influence when you treat people like Jesus does.
Thursday 10 October 2019
strength of submission
- Throughout chapter 2 of Esther, we find out something beautiful about her character that set her apart from the rest of the women around her. We can see this character trait in the way she responds to; her cousin Mordecai, Hegai the eunuch, and to King Ahasuerus. In all of these relationships, Esther is submissive.
- Now, this is not a word many of us like to hear. Yet, this is something that stands out in Esther’s character. Just have a look a the following few verses to see what I mean:
-
Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known
Esther 2:10.
she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised
Esther 2:15.
Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him
Esther 2:20.
Do you see what I mean? Esther is submissive to those around her, she clearly has a healthy respect for those in authority. She is obedient, not proud or entitled, but compliant and content. The submission displayed by Esther is definitely seen as a strength, it is what ultimately wins her favour. Esther’s compliance, her acknowledgement that she doesn’t know best, her ability to be led and taught are all beautiful characteristics that far outweigh her physical beauty.
Yet, who of us would like to be submissive?
None of us, I should imagine, would see submission as a desirable characteristic for a person, let alone for a woman or a queen!
After all, submission is about giving in to others, giving up your own desires, allowing others authority over your life. We usually consider submission as a weakness - an inability to make up your own mind, make decisions or be too scared to. Submission is to something that we desire, instead we desire independence. We want authority over our own lives, and preferably over others too, we want to have our desires met, and our voices heard sometimes at the expense (not benefit) of others. This is what we consider strength to be - to be seen and heard and noticed.
However, Esther lives in a place where it is easy to be overlooked, unnoticed and unheard, yet in her simple submission to these circumstances, the fact that she is not screaming or shouting about it, but simply being obedient, that is the very thing that causes her to stand out.
*Submission is a powerful tool.*
- In the days live in we are taught and empowered to be independent, to do our own thing, have it ‘my way’. We are supported to know that our emotions, views and opinions matter, and we are educated that we should be heard. Yet here, in ancient Persia, we see a woman being elevated for exactly the opposite quality. Persia, by what we’ve read so far, doesn’t seem wildly different to world we live in; they also have worldly leaders out for themselves, sin and debauchery is as obvious as it is today, there are liars and selfish people, immigrants, wars, marriage and divorce, just like we do. Amongst all of this life that’s going on, with people out to get what they want, is it any wonder that a beautiful, young woman, who just gets on with life, listening and obeying the instructions of her elders stands out?
Esther honours and respects those in authority by listening and being obedient, therefore she wins their trust. She does not talk behind anyones back, complain or bemoan her situation, she just gets on with it. She is not ashamed to take advice, she follows instructions and she doesn’t seem to get upset or offended by it. Is it any wonder that, ‘she won grace and favour in his sight’ (v17).
If you want t win favour, have you considered the strength of submission?
- Now, this is not a word many of us like to hear. Yet, this is something that stands out in Esther’s character. Just have a look a the following few verses to see what I mean:
-
Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known
Esther 2:10.
she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised
Esther 2:15.
Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him
Esther 2:20.
Do you see what I mean? Esther is submissive to those around her, she clearly has a healthy respect for those in authority. She is obedient, not proud or entitled, but compliant and content. The submission displayed by Esther is definitely seen as a strength, it is what ultimately wins her favour. Esther’s compliance, her acknowledgement that she doesn’t know best, her ability to be led and taught are all beautiful characteristics that far outweigh her physical beauty.
Yet, who of us would like to be submissive?
None of us, I should imagine, would see submission as a desirable characteristic for a person, let alone for a woman or a queen!
After all, submission is about giving in to others, giving up your own desires, allowing others authority over your life. We usually consider submission as a weakness - an inability to make up your own mind, make decisions or be too scared to. Submission is to something that we desire, instead we desire independence. We want authority over our own lives, and preferably over others too, we want to have our desires met, and our voices heard sometimes at the expense (not benefit) of others. This is what we consider strength to be - to be seen and heard and noticed.
However, Esther lives in a place where it is easy to be overlooked, unnoticed and unheard, yet in her simple submission to these circumstances, the fact that she is not screaming or shouting about it, but simply being obedient, that is the very thing that causes her to stand out.
*Submission is a powerful tool.*
- In the days live in we are taught and empowered to be independent, to do our own thing, have it ‘my way’. We are supported to know that our emotions, views and opinions matter, and we are educated that we should be heard. Yet here, in ancient Persia, we see a woman being elevated for exactly the opposite quality. Persia, by what we’ve read so far, doesn’t seem wildly different to world we live in; they also have worldly leaders out for themselves, sin and debauchery is as obvious as it is today, there are liars and selfish people, immigrants, wars, marriage and divorce, just like we do. Amongst all of this life that’s going on, with people out to get what they want, is it any wonder that a beautiful, young woman, who just gets on with life, listening and obeying the instructions of her elders stands out?
Esther honours and respects those in authority by listening and being obedient, therefore she wins their trust. She does not talk behind anyones back, complain or bemoan her situation, she just gets on with it. She is not ashamed to take advice, she follows instructions and she doesn’t seem to get upset or offended by it. Is it any wonder that, ‘she won grace and favour in his sight’ (v17).
If you want t win favour, have you considered the strength of submission?
Thursday 3 October 2019
Are you favoured?
When we consider the story of Esther, we usually consider it a triumphant story, a story of a heroine, a story of triumph and freedom. Yet here, at the beginning of the book, we hear that Esther is an orphan, she’s been taken in by her cousin as a daughter (he’s clearly much older than her). We also discover that Mordecai and Esther are Jews historically means that their family in generations past were once exiled to this place. Therefore they are not exactly welcomed or appreciated where they live, hence they are wary of telling others their true heritage.
Do you ever feel like that? Like an outsider? Like you don’t belong? A bit of an underdog? Maybe you are. Maybe your family heritage is questionable, perhaps your upbringing wasn’t conventional, or the opportunities presented to you are few. What we can learn from Esther is that it’s ok to have a bit of a disadvantage, because that doesn’t effect who you are or who you can be.
As we read further on into chapter 2, we see this strange competition to become the queen. Quite a strange affair we may think according to our society today, but not so strange in these times in Persia. Every beautiful young virgin is brought into the king’s living area, beautified and then presented to the king for one night only in order to impress him, they are then put into another area to live the rest of their days unless the king calls upon them again. I can’t even imagine what that would be like - No family or friends around, only the other discarded women of the king that didn’t impress him enough, having to live the whole of the rest of your life in this place. No chance of escape, marriage or family of your own, just living a life ‘on hold’ for the king in case he should want to see you again, but he probably won’t. It’s sad isn’t it, most of us probably see it as quite demoralising. Yet it is into this environment we find Esther entering. She, along with any others, are selected as potential wives for the king.
What a degrading position to be put into as a beautiful young woman, basically prepped and prepared to sleep with a man who most probably will never speak to you again, yet I doubt these women had any choice. It was a nation-wide selection process and these women had been chosen and were brought to live in the confines of the king’s harem.
Then we see Esther, having entered into this situation that seems desperate, immoral and lonely, gaining favour with the man in charge. There is something about Esther that stands out, that rises above those around her and something in her character that establishes her as a favoured one in the harem. How does she do that?
Well, we know from Chapter 2 that she was a Jew - a believer in God. Was it her dependence on God that enabled her to gain favour?
Esther was honoured and appreciated even in this debauched environment, and maybe that is exactly why she won favour because she was someone who had faith in God amongst a whole lot of immorality.
Are you honoured and favoured by those around you no matter the circumstances you are in? Are you one that’s noticed? Are you someone that stands out because of your character?
Do you ever feel like that? Like an outsider? Like you don’t belong? A bit of an underdog? Maybe you are. Maybe your family heritage is questionable, perhaps your upbringing wasn’t conventional, or the opportunities presented to you are few. What we can learn from Esther is that it’s ok to have a bit of a disadvantage, because that doesn’t effect who you are or who you can be.
As we read further on into chapter 2, we see this strange competition to become the queen. Quite a strange affair we may think according to our society today, but not so strange in these times in Persia. Every beautiful young virgin is brought into the king’s living area, beautified and then presented to the king for one night only in order to impress him, they are then put into another area to live the rest of their days unless the king calls upon them again. I can’t even imagine what that would be like - No family or friends around, only the other discarded women of the king that didn’t impress him enough, having to live the whole of the rest of your life in this place. No chance of escape, marriage or family of your own, just living a life ‘on hold’ for the king in case he should want to see you again, but he probably won’t. It’s sad isn’t it, most of us probably see it as quite demoralising. Yet it is into this environment we find Esther entering. She, along with any others, are selected as potential wives for the king.
What a degrading position to be put into as a beautiful young woman, basically prepped and prepared to sleep with a man who most probably will never speak to you again, yet I doubt these women had any choice. It was a nation-wide selection process and these women had been chosen and were brought to live in the confines of the king’s harem.
Then we see Esther, having entered into this situation that seems desperate, immoral and lonely, gaining favour with the man in charge. There is something about Esther that stands out, that rises above those around her and something in her character that establishes her as a favoured one in the harem. How does she do that?
Well, we know from Chapter 2 that she was a Jew - a believer in God. Was it her dependence on God that enabled her to gain favour?
Esther was honoured and appreciated even in this debauched environment, and maybe that is exactly why she won favour because she was someone who had faith in God amongst a whole lot of immorality.
Are you honoured and favoured by those around you no matter the circumstances you are in? Are you one that’s noticed? Are you someone that stands out because of your character?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)