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“So it came about when the command and decree of the king were heard and many young ladies were gathered to the citadel of Susa into the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken to the king’s palace into the custody of Hegai, who was in charge of the women. Now the young lady pleased him and found favor with him. So he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and food, gave her seven choice maids from the king’s palace and transferred her and her maids to the best place in the harem. Esther did not make known her people or her kindred, for Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make them known. Every day Mordecai walked back and forth in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and how she fared.

Now when the turn of each young lady came to go in to King Ahasuerus, after the end of her twelve months under the regulations for the women—for the days of their beautification were completed as follows: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and the cosmetics for women— the young lady would go in to the king in this way: anything that she desired was given her to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. In the evening she would go in and in the morning she would return to the second harem, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not again go in to the king unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name. Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai who had taken her as his daughter, came to go in to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the women, advised. And Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her. So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus to his royal palace in the tenth month which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the king gave a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his princes and his servants; he also made a holiday for the provinces and gave gifts according to the king’s bounty.” —Esther 2:8‭-‬18 (NASB)

“Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” —Esther 4:13‭-‬14 (NASB)

“For Such a Time as This” By In Touch Ministries:

“Though we may not always understand what God is doing around us, we can trust He’s working to accomplish His good purposes.”

“We clearly see the Lord’s sovereign hand at work in Esther’s life when she was plucked from obscurity and elevated to be the queen of Persia. She was a young woman with no social standing or power. Without her cousin Mordecai’s protection, Esther was actually very vulnerable. Can you imagine how upset, confused, and uncertain she must have felt as events were unfolding around her?

We may feel like that, too. God’s purposes are being worked out just the way He’s planned, but from our earthly perspective, things sometimes seem confusing and unclear. That’s why Esther’s story is encouraging. It teaches us to trust in God’s will. After all, He doesn’t save us and then leave us to fend for ourselves. Instead, He continually guides each of His children in the work He has planned.

Begin looking for the Lord’s hand in your life. He is working out His design—sometimes with gentle nudges, other times via jarring disruptions. No matter what happens, don’t forget that He is present and always moving and directing. Never imagine yourself to be insignificant in His eyes. You’re so highly esteemed that almighty God has designed a unique calling just for you.”

Seeking Vashti's Successor

1 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was pacified, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. 2 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: 3 and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that young virgins unto Shushan the palace, they may gather together all the fair to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hegai the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: 4 and let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king, and he did so.

5 There was a certain Jew in Shushan the palace, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; 6 who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar he king of Babylon had carried away. 7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maiden was fair and beautiful; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.

Esther Finds Favor

8 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken into the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. 9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with her portions, and the seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he removed her and her maidens to the best place of the house of the women. 10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. 11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.

12 Now when the turn of every maiden was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that it had been done to her according to the law for the women, twelve months, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with the things for the purifying of the women,) 13 then in this wise came the maiden unto the king, whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house. 14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.

15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. 16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

Esther Becomes Queen

17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the bounty of the king.

19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate. 20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.

Mordecai Uncovers a Conspiracy

21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who shewed it unto Esther the queen; and Esther told the king thereof in Mordecai's name. 23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king. — Esther 2 | English Revised Version (ERVB) The English Revised Version of the Holy Bible is in the public domain. Cross References: 1 Kings 1:2; 2 Kings 24:14-15; Ezra 4:6; Esther 1:1-2; Esther 1:11; Esther 3:2-3; Esther 5:2; Esther 6:1-2; Esther 7:9; Esther 8:1; Esther 9:29; Esther 10:2; Isaiah 3:24; Daniel 2:49; Daniel 8:2; Mark 6:21

Esther 2:3-4

New International Version

3 Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. 4 Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it.

Esther 2:12-17

New International Version

12 Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. 13 And this is how she would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. 14 In the evening she would go there and in the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name.

15 When the turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. 16 She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

17 Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

MFM Daily Devotional 28th December 2023 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – The Rewards of Righteousness (7).

The Topic of Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional for 28th December 2023 Is ”The Rewards of Righteousness (vii)”   Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 28:13 Thou shall be head and not tail. Thou shall be above only and not beneath. Motivational Quote: Righteousness is the ladder for divine promotion. Prophetic word for today. I decree that heaven will remember you and promote you, in the name of Jesus. Fire Scripture: Esther 2:12-18 12 Now when every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;) 13 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house. 14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name. 15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. 16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king. Praise & Worship BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Zechariah 11 – 12; Revelation 15 – 16.

MFM DAILY DEVOTIONAL 28TH DECEMBER 2023 

Divine promotion is the portion of all those who walk uprightly with God. His counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. He declared, “Thou shall be head and not tail. Thou shall be above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13). Promotion comes exclusively from God. It does not come from the east, west or south. There are some keys that open the door of divine promotion. The first key is righteousness. Those who are completely sold out to God and walk consistently upright before Him will enjoy His promotion, no matter the land or circumstance they find themselves. Righteousness makes your life attractive to heaven and gives you approval as well as favour before God and man. The second key is humility. God resists the proud, but He gives more grace to the humble (James 4:6). James 4: 10 and 1 Peter 5:6 both enjoin us to humble ourselves before the Lord and He will lift us up. Proverbs 22:4 adds that the reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honour and life. The third key that brings promotion to righteous believers is favour. Divine favour is the righteous believer’s badge. It promoted Esther, a slave girl in Shushan to the exalted position of a queen. It propelled Mordecai to great heights and unimaginable honour. It also raised Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego to enviable positions in Babylon. Similarly, it turned Joseph, a prisoner, to a prime minister in a mysterious way. I pray that you will find favour with God and all men, in the name of Jesus. Beloved, God has promised that you will be head and not tail and that you will be above only and not beneath. He watches over His word to fulfil it. Having proceeded from His mouth, these words will not return to Him void. They will be fulfilled in your life, in the name of Jesus. Keep being consistently righteous. Our faithful Father will reward you with promotion. If it appears as if it is not going to happen, do not be deceived; wait for it. God will make it happen because He is forever faithful.

MFM DAILY PRAYER POINTS 28TH DECEMBER 2023

PRAYER POINTS MORNING 1. I receive the grace to be consistently righteous, in the name of Jesus. 2. Anointing of divine elevation, come upon my head now, in the name of Jesus. 3. I love righteousness and hate wickedness. O God, anoint me with the oil of gladness above my fellows, in the name of Jesus. EVENING 4. I plug my life into the socket of divine favour, in the name of Jesus. 5. My Father, usher me into the unending season of favour, in the name of Jesus. 6. Father, as You promoted Esther by the workings of Your favour, promote me now, in the name of Jesus. 7. Father, let the book of Remembrance be opened for me and let my good portions be released to me, in the name of Jesus. Read the full article

Now Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus in his royal palace in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign, the king loved Esther more than all the other women; of all the virgins she won his favor and devotion, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. ~Esther 2:15-18

Tebeth 27, 5782 {Day 293 of 2561 Days}

Sundown, January 20, 2023 to Sundown, January 21, 2023. The Power of An Focused Mind: Day 168 + 125 Days = Tebeth 27. Mathematics: 1345/8 = Satan Does Not Stand a Chance.

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Novel-quote re: earth & sky

[A passage from part 3 of THE RELIC by José Maria de Eça de Queirós, translated by Aubrey F.G. Bell.]

. . . dipping a piece of bread in the saffron sauce, the profound doctor explained the earth.

It was flat and rounder than a disk; in its center stood Jerusalem the holy, a heart filled with the love of the Highest; Judea, rich in balsam and palms, encircles it with shade and scent; beyond Judea live the pagans in harsh regions where both honey and milk are scarce; after that come the seas enveloped in darkness; and above all is the sounding, solid sky.

Solid! muttered my wise friend in his astonishment.

The slaves were handing round yellow beer of Media in silver cups. Gamaliel with careful attention advised me that in order to give it a savor I should take a bite of fried cicada. And Rabbi Eliezer, wise more than other men in the things appertaining to Nature, revealed to Topsius the divine construction of the sky.

It is made of seven hard wonderful gleaming layers of crystal; above these continually roll the great waters, and on the waters the spirit of Jehovah floats and gleams. These crystal layers, pierced like a sieve, glide over one another with a sweet music which the most favored prophets sometimes hear. He himself one night, as he prayed on the terrace of his house at Silo, had, by a rare grace of the Highest, heard that harmony; so piercing sweet that the tears fell one by one upon his open hands. In the months of Kisleu and Tebeth the holes in the heavenly sheets coincide, and through them drops of the eternal waters fall upon the earth and cause the crops to grow.

“The rain?” asked Topsius reverently.

“The rain,” answered Eliezer calmly.

Os possíveis ministros do… Lula.

via #NikolasFerreira

los posibles ministros de 🦑 1 casa civil a Gleisi Hofmann que tiene en el STF detenido un caso de corrupción (detenido en el STF durante 4 años). 2 ministro de justicia Flávio dino que recibió 400 mil para defender un proyecto que benefició a Odebrecht según el denunciante que también está involucrado en el escándalo del respirador millonario durante la pandemia. 3 ministerio de agricultura Simone tebeth 0:34 ella habla del gobierno donde está (hablando de un gobierno que primero usó la mensualidad como mesada para comprar el congreso nacional luego en una reelección para mantenerse en el poder, un petrolão compartiendo con políticos partidos Es verdad esta culpa hace este reconocimiento el gobierno del PT no hace hasta el día de hoy niega que haya habido este escándalo. ) 4 ministerio de cultura bela gil hoy es totalmente libre calamar de izquierda y feminista (que inauguro algo que se llama cocina revolucionaria comer es un acto politico) por la cultura en lugar de tener a alguien informado y con conocimientos sobre la cultura brasilera y las raices historicas tendremos cocina revolucionario. 5 ministerio de defensa Aldo Rebelo perteneciente al PCdoB (partido comunista de Brasil) ministro de defensa comunista (👀 ver 🤡) 6 Ministerio de Educación Aloizio Mercadante (has escuchado ese nombre) Mercadante ofreció ayuda a cambio de silencio, dice delcio en denuncia (estaba en las noticias de G1) 7 Ministerio de Hacienda sería Fernando Haddad pero ahora será Guido Mantega (1:46 Guido Mantega fue el encargado de ayudar a crear esto (la crisis de 2015 con Dilma)) 8 Ministerio de Integración Nacional Alexandre Kalil, quien es condenado a más de 40 juicios laborales y no paga la deuda. quien tambien dijo hace un ratito no sirve de nada querer ponerme una estrella, PT star pero ahora esta cogido de la mano con squid 9 seguridad social Paulinho da Força que fue condenado a 10 años y 2 meses de prisión por el STF pero el mismo STF suspende la condena de Paulinho da Força en sesión extraordinaria. 10 Ministerio de las Ciudades Guilherme Boulos (2:30 palabras suyas (No tengo ninguna duda de que hay corrupción en el gobierno del PT, ¿verdad? Usted tiene pruebas de corrupción en Petrobras durante los gobiernos del PT) 11 ministerio de desarrollo agrario pusieron a Joao Pedro Stédile (básicamente es el líder del MST) 12 Ministerio de Desarrollo Social y Combate al Hambre Rui Costa (PT) compró a una empresa de marihuana 48 millones de respiradores nunca fueron entregados. 13 ministerio de desarrollo Geraldo Alckmin el mismo que hablo mal de LUla 14 ministra de medio ambiente Marina Silva que también ha hablado mal de Lula pero lo que la gente no hace para un cargo político 15 Ministra de Turismo Marta Suplicy que en 2015 dejó el PT y dice que no puede vivir con la corrupción, pero Marta Suplicy recibió un subsidio de 200 mil, según el dueño de JBS (artículo del diario Poder) El ministro de comunicaciones del 17 sería André janones 3:45 pero Lula ya lo descartó.. en serio ahora ocupará su lugar Paulo bernardo quien también recibió sobornos que lesionaron a miles de funcionarios según la policía federal y quien también fue absuelto por la STF. (se trataba de corrupción y lavado de dinero) 18 ministerio de los pueblos indigenas sonia guajajara (es la mujer activista que fue al oscar junto con otra activista vestida de traje y con la gorra del MST)  te gusto hacer la L (L de ladrón)

Yay🤩 https://fb.watch/9AWgfES4LR/ Join me for my Readings show.. with a little difference!✨ I will help you with your Achilles Heal, that part of you that could use more nourishment to create greater self empowerment .. now is the time!😀💓 My Show Time Livestreaming each: Sunday Nov 28 @ 9pm ET/ 5.30pm PT USA timeline Monday Nov 29 @ 12.00 pm Brisbane/ 11:00am Melbourne & Sydney Timeline #AngelHeartRadio #YouMatter #RememberYourMagnificence #Tebeth #MentalHealthMatters #WeArePoweredByLove #personaldevelopment https://www.instagram.com/p/CW31h_7hpzQ/?utm_medium=tumblr

🍭Tebeth looking super cute and adorable in this World of Sweets gacha pull! I think this outfit suits her most due to the little highlights of green and her eyes~🍭

It’s the last week of COSTOBERFEST, and we’re spotlighting some more favorites! Credits: Sumaru (Rescue) / 📷: nic0lasmeunier Tamara (Storm) / 📷: DrLawsPhotoLab HazelWitch (Lady Loki) Purple Star Gazer Cosplay (Misty Knight) / 📷: HULK Smashing Photography Mikette (Phoenix) / 📷: Naku Mayo of In His Eye Photography Tebeth (Taskmaster) / 📷: April Nordenbrock

A Charming and Graceful Spirit

Esther 2:15-17

Esther modeled a kind winsomeness, regardless of her surroundings.

And Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her. So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus to his royal palace in the tenth month which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. (Esther 2:15b–17)

Clearly, Esther had something about her that caused everyone to "favor" her, from the king to the women in the harem who were competing against her for his attention and affections. I think she must have had a winsomeness about her. Webster says winsomeness is "being pleasant, delightful, attractive in a sweet, engaging way." A person who is winsome draws you to him or to her. We are intrigued by that person's charming and gracious spirit.

In the past, I have shared the traits of Esther with my own beloved daughters, hoping that they will not only think about them but cultivate them. And it's with the same sense of care that I share these things with you, because I personally believe they are more needed than ever in our environment of insecurity and sensuality.

Taken from Great Days with the Great Lives by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

from Chuck Swindoll's Daily Devotional https://ift.tt/2TZ0A2Y via IFTTT

Esther 2

Esther Chosen Queen

[1] After these things, when the anger of King Ahasuerus had abated, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her. [2] Then the king’s young men who attended him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king. [3] And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in Susa the citadel, under custody of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women. Let their cosmetics be given them. [4] And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This pleased the king, and he did so.

[5] Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite, [6] who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away. [7] He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter. [8] So when the king’s order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king’s palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women. [9] And the young woman pleased him and won his favor. And he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her portion of food, and with seven chosen young women from the king’s palace, and advanced her and her young women to the best place in the harem. [10] Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known. [11] And every day Mordecai walked in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her.

[12] Now when the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Ahasuerus, after being twelve months under the regulations for the women, since this was the regular period of their beautifying, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and ointments for women—[13] when the young woman went in to the king in this way, she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. [14] In the evening she would go in, and in the morning she would return to the second harem in custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who was in charge of the concubines. She would not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.

[15] When the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her. [16] And when Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign, [17] the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. [18] Then the king gave a great feast for all his officials and servants; it was Esther’s feast. He also granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts with royal generosity.

Mordecai Discovers a Plot

[19] Now when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. [20] Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had commanded her, for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him. [21] In those days, as Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. [22] And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai. [23] When the affair was investigated and found to be so, the men were both hanged on the gallows. And it was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.

Esther Becomes Queen and Points Us to the Best King | Esther 2:1-18

Main Idea: Even when the worst people make the worst decisions, God has the greatest purposes as the Best King.

I. A False God and a King’s Desire for Glory

 A king who thought he was a “god”, LOST and now he has to deal with the consequences of his rash decision to “dispose” of his queen. 

At this point, King Ahasuerus is the loser of a major battle and he is also ALONE. 

 If you are in that moment today, am going to challenge you to ask yourself “Whose glory are you after?” 

2 Then the king's young men who attended him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king. 3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in Susa the citadel, under custody of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women. Let their cosmetics be given them. 4 And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This pleased the king, and he did so.

The king’s advisers suggested a kingdom-wide search for a new queen. 

They tell him that the answer is not to turn to God in repentance, but to turn to a woman. 

5 Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite, 6 who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away.7 He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

These two were not supposed to be in Susa. Where should they have been? Jerusalem.

In this verse, notice that Mordecai was of the tribe of Benjamin. King Saul, the first king of Israel, was also of the tribe of Benjamin.

Mordecai is a most likely a descendant of King Saul. This little detail is very important for the rest of the story of Esther. Like any good story, we learn little bits of detail that seem insignificant when we learn them but become very important later.

Over in 2 Samuel 16:5-13, we learn another interesting fact about Mordecai’s lineage.

In the verses 5-7 we learn 4 things about Esther: 

She is a Jew

Orphaned/Parents died

Raised by her cousin Mordecai

Her Jewish name is Hadassah

II. False Gods and Kings Love Themselves First and Only.

8 So when the king's order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king's palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women. 9 And the young woman pleased him and won his favor. And he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her portion of food, and with seven chosen young women from the king's palace and advanced her and her young women to the best place in the harem. 10 Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known. 11 And every day Mordecai walked in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her. 12 Now when the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Ahasuerus, after being twelve months under the regulations for the women, since this was the regular period of their beautifying, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and ointments for women— 13 when the young woman went in to the king in this way, she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the harem to the king's palace. 14 In the evening she would go in, and in the morning, she would return to the second harem in custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch, who was in charge of the concubines. She would not go into the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.

Esther’s cousin Mordecai told Esther to keep it a secret that she was a Jew.

Esther obeyed his wish.

III. Esther is Made a Queen and We See the Need for a Savior.

15 When the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king's eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her. 16 And when Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign, 17 the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king gave a great feast for all his officials and servants; it was Esther's feast. He also granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts with royal generosity.

So, now we see that Esther won! Is that a good or bad thing? 

Xerxes is still living for his glory, and it’s causing misery for others. 

Esther wins the Persian version of the bachelor, but it’s a victory layered in suffering.

The king’s sin and Esther and Mordecai’s suffering are not the point of the story or any story in the Bible. 

The point of the story is that God is in control and orchestrating all things.

Are you holding back because you are not perfect? If so, you are going to miss out on what God has for you because you think he only uses perfect vessels. 

He will use you just as you are. We see it with Esther, you can see it in your own life.

Reflection: How are you letting your sin or suffering get in the way of God loving you and using you for His glory?

Now Esther was admired by all who saw her. When Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus in his royal palace in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign, the king loved Esther more than all the other women; of all the virgins she won his favor and devotion, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the king gave a great banquet to all his officials and ministers--”Esther’s banquet.” He also granted a holiday to the provinces, and gave gifts with royal liberality.

~Esther 2:15-18