“Even if you now remain silent, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another source; but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows—perhaps it was for a time like this that you became queen?”
Esther 4:14 ( NAB)
Esther was a teenage orphan who lived in the Persian empire in the 5th century B.C. She was raised by Mordecai, her older cousin, who was like an uncle to her, after her parents died.
The story of Esther begins in ancient Persia, in a kingdom that was ruled by a stereotypical, self aggrandizing King named Ahasuerus, who was staffing his harem with new women. Esther, who was raised by her pious Jewish uncle, was selected by no choice of her own, to be a part of that harem. Her destiny dramatically changed from that day forward.
Esther soon became the king’s favorite and was promoted from a concubine to a Queen, though he knew nothing about her Jewish ethnicity. She would never forget her identity or where she came from, since her uncle Mordecai visited her regularly at the palace each day.
Women were treated as possessions in that ancient culture, and despite her status as Queen, Esther had no power or say over decisions made by the King. The book of Esther is the only book in the Bible that never even mentions God, yet the story reveals the divine gifts within women and how God was working through Esther’s life all along.
Esther is one of many courageous daughters of God in scripture who influenced the powers of the day, by speaking out, in spite of a culture that treated women as second class citizens. Esther changed the destiny of her generation through prayer, fasting and carefully selected words.
According to Persian royal culture, the queen or any other woman was never permitted to approach the king without first being summoned by him, so Queen Esther could only see the king when he asked for her.
Haman, a high ranking official close to the king, detested Mordecai, since he and other pious Jews never bowed down to him or showed him homage, as all other Persian citizens did. Not knowing that Mordecai was Queen Esther’s relative, Haman persuaded the king that the Hebrew people were disloyal subjects, and needed to be removed permanently. He not only plotted their genocide, but also had gallows built especially to hang Mordecai on.
Mordecai heard rumors of Haman’s plot, and knowing that Esther found favor with the king, he began to remind her to speak to him and intercede for their people. At first Esther was terrified, since she could be killed for approaching the king of her own free will. Mordecai reminded Esther that she might have been placed in her exact position for this purpose, and now was the time to act on it.
Meanwhile, the date was set for the annihilation of the Jewish people in the land. Esther began to fast and pray, for a way to intervene in the genocide plot. She decided to use a privilege she had as Queen, by inviting both the King and Haman to come to a special dinner party.
Haman and the King came and enjoyed the evening, and after dinner, Esther found the courage to ask the King to grant her a favor, by saving her people from genocide. When the king asked who would harm her people, Esther bravely revealed her Jewish identity and pointed to Haman sitting at their table. Since Esther always found favor with the King, he granted her request. Haman’s plot was stopped, and he later ended up being hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai.
Esther put her identity as a believer, above her status as the queen. She shows us that when we put God first, and speak out, as intercessors, He will intervene and miracles happen.
Most women in that culture would have no influence over a King’s edict, but Esther was a brave intercessor who broke her silence, instead of conforming to the rules of a pagan culture. She broke the mold and through fasting and prayer, she prevented the genocide of her entire generation.
An author and theology professor, Dr. Nina Heereman, has written a book, “Athirst for the Spirit”, which shares unique insight into the scriptural role of women. One statement in her book that I found to be profound is,
“Women are channels of God’s wisdom, created to give counsel to men and intercede for all.”
I can see this played out in scripture so many times, not only with Esther, but with Abigail who pleaded with David not to shed blood in a moment of anger. Deborah, the only female judge in scripture, gave wise counsel to kings and military leaders, and she made such an impression on the military general, that he wouldn’t go into battle unless Deborah came with him. There have always been women of God, who were channels of God’s wisdom throughout history.
There’s a reason that God chose Mary Magdalene, a woman, to be the first one at the tomb, and have the honor of being the first eyewitness of His Son’s resurrection. She tried to persuade the apostles that Jesus was alive, even though they thought she was crazy. Her spiritual maturity was beyond her male counterparts.
Dr. Heereman reveals a feminine mystique through the wisdom of scripture, instead of what the decades of feminism has taught regarding women. Women have a divine role in giving counsel and interceding for people. It’s all based on the word, helper, (Ezer) in the book of Genesis.
Eve was created to be “Ezer” or helper, which entails more than the common meaning of a helper as we know it. Eve fell in disobedience, but she was originally intended to be a counselor and intercessor, filled with the wisdom of God. Women often perceive what God is doing more easily than men do, and through redemption in Christ, women can resume their role as the “Ezer.” Women do not replace men, since both have a divine calling to fulfill.
Whether we are male or female, God can give us courage like Esther, to speak out and intercede for people, in our present world, for the sake of justice and to fulfill all that Jesus taught.
Lord, help us to live out our identity as believers, putting you first, and interceding for others, whether through prayer or speaking on their behalf. We believe we are where we are today, for a time and a purpose to glorify you. Amen
