Even though the King’s anger had died down after his humiliation at the banquet the royal decree he ordered could not be revoked, he had to find a new queen. Unlike the system of our monarchy in which the line of accession is determined through family, the King would choose his own queen from his harem. The most important attribute would be her beauty. We’re introduced to Mordecai who adopted his deceased uncle’s daughter Hadassah (also known as Esther) who was ‘lovely in form and features’ and taken into the harem to be considered by the King. Apart from her beauty she had no pedigree worthy to be considered as Queen, no royal line, not belonging to a wealthy family of noble birth; not only was she adopted but a Jew. Mordecai instructed her not to tell of her background but to keep it secret for fear it would jeopardise her chances.

There followed an extensive preparation period during which she and all in the King’s harem were given beauty treatments and special food to make them presentable before him. Esther won favour with everyone, and her turn came to be with the king who became attracted to her more than any other of the women. She remained obedient to Mordecai not revealing her true self to the king and she was eventually crowned his Queen. So, Esther is Queen, Esther the lowly Jewish girl, the former orphan, providentially placed by God to be queen of the most powerful empire in the world - what an unlikely turn of events!

Mordecai, overhearing a plot to kill the King passes this information to Esther who promptly tells the king giving credit to Mordecai. On finding this to be true the king executes the officers and records the event in the book of the annals. God’s placement of Esther and Mordecai in these events is to become crucial in the survival of the Jews in time to come and will be revealed as the story unfolds.

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Questions:

Can you identify a time when God has providentially placed someone in your life who has influenced you and been crucial in the direction your life has taken?

Can you identify an event where God has deliberately placed you at an important time in someone’s life?

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, for those you have placed in my life who have helped me and guided me. Help me to hear your call and to grasp those moments you give to me to help others in their time of need and draw them into a closer relationship with you. Amen.