Esther was one of the women in the bible whose attributes could challenge us to abide by God's principles. She was a woman who by God's design found herself the queen of Persia. It was not clearly stated that it was God's design but a statement by her cousin, Mordecai which will be stated later in the article could imply so.
Briefly, the King of Persia, Xerxes gave a week long banquet for his guests and officials. On the seventh day he asked that the Queen, Vashti be brought to him so he could show off her beauty to the guest and officials. Queen Vashti refused the King's summon which made the King lose his temper. Then on the advice of one of his expert advisors which was acceptable to the king and other advisors, Queen Vasht was banned from the king's presence and subsequently a search for another queen began.
Many young girls were chosen to be groomed by Hegai (the eunuch in charge of the women in the palace) for the King. Hadassah, a Jewish girl was one of them. Hadassah is a Hebrew name meaning myrtle tree which represents immortality to the Jews while the myrtle flowers signify beauty's crown, love Hebrew's emblem of marriage. On Mordecai's instruction, Hadassah was not to reveal her family and racial background in the palace. Perhaps that was why she was named Esther which is a Persian name that means a star. Hegai took a special interest in Esther and gave her special treatments which included special food, assigned her seven maids and gave her the best rooms.
A study of Esther's character would reveal the attributes she had which singled her out amongst the other girls, endeared her to Hegai and subsequently the King of Persia:
She gave up her desires: (Esther 2:12-15)
Esther put aside her wants, desires or yearnings but was willing to accept all recommendations from Hegai. She did not make her own suggestions during the training of what she believed as a female would be appropriate for the King. Perhaps being aware Hegai had been with King, he was in a better position to know what appealed to the King. She had not met the king so she could not possibly know what would appeal to him.
She stooped to conquer: (Esther 2: 12-18)
Esther had a likeable nature which won the admiration of everyone who saw. Obviously she knew she was pretty (Esther 2:7) but she was not vain. Rather she submitted herself to the twelve month beauty treatment and Hegai's teachings. As each girl went to the King, she was allowed to take whatever she wanted with her to the King. However, Esther asked for nothing other than what Hegai recommended. Esther had a teachable heart and her submission paid off in the end. She went to the King after her training; he fell in love with her far more than any other woman and made her his queen.
She was obedient and humble (Esther 2:19-20)
As Esther got into the palace initially, one could say that her status had changed. Imagine if you are singled out amongst other trainees and given special treatments during your training for a job position. You will feel like you are walking in the air above everyone else and perhaps even conclude that you have gotten the job. You may probably take offence when old friends and family assume that they could talk to you as usual. You may find yourself making it clear to them (just in case it has not dawned on them) that your status has changed and you should be referred to accordingly. You may even decide to stop helping out with household chores because one held in such high esteem in a company should not condescend to such. However, Esther was neither puffed up by the fact she was being groomed for the powerful King of Persia who ruled 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia nor did she become arrogant when she became the Queen of Persia. She still carried out Mordecai's instructions just as when she was being raised by him. Mordecai adopted Esther when she lost her parents. Esther accorded Mordecai his due respect even though by the reason of her position, she had become an authority over him.
She was a law abiding citizen: (Esther 4:9-11)
Although she was married to the King, the law of Persia did not allow her to see the King whenever she wanted. Let's not look at it in the context of marriage but in the context of the laws of a nation. In Persia, no one whether wife, member of cabinet or second-in- command approached the King without invitation. So although she had not seen the King for thirty days, she was calm. No agitations, no placards! This does not imply that we obey every law that is contrary to the scriptures but we are encouraged to submit to the government in accordance with God's principles. However, unlike what most of our leaders do, who take advantage of their position to imply that they are above the laws of the land, Esther as uncomfortable as it may have been, complied.
She was selfless and a risk taker: (Esther 4:15-16; 7:3; 8:3-6)
The popular "If I perish, I perish" was said by Esther. Haman, the second-in-command to the King has planned, promised to deposit money in the royal bank to fund the destruction of the Jews and has even gotten the King's approval. Mordecai saw the bulletin to this regard and instructed Esther to go before the King and intercede for her people. Initially she was hesitant based on the fact that she can only see the King on invitation. However on further admonition from Mordecai, she told him to lead the Jews on a three day fast and then she would take a risk to go to the King without invitation. After the fast, she went to the king asking for her life. She understood that if her people were killed, she was also killed. She could have decided not to take the risk to intercede for her people and she would certainly be spared since no one in the palace knew her identity. So somehow she was secure but she accepted to put her life at risk to save her people.
She accepted she was a Queen for a purpose: (Esther 4: 12-14)
Initially I saw my job as a source of fulfilment and income to help pay the bills. However, after a while, I understood I was on the job to guide people to understand God's principles and step in boldly into their God given destinies. So Esther is not the only one that did not understand the position she found herself. Mordecai made her understand that it was possible that God may have orchestrated her to be queen to save the Jews. He also said if she did not try to save the Jews, help will come for them from elsewhere but her and her family may be wiped out. She could have bluffed him and rebuked him for trying to manipulate her. She had a choice not to accept the responsibility and allow someone else to do it but she chose to accept it.
She understood the importance of prayer: (Esther 5:1-3,6)
Esther did not jump into action after her discourse with Mordecai. She spent time fasting and praying with her maids before she went to present herself to the King. It worked beyond expectation. Instead of her being put to death for coming to the King without invitation, she got an offer of half his Kingdom if that was what she wanted.
She strategized: (Esther 5:4-8; 7:1-10; 8: 11-13; 9:1-16)
Despite the King's urging for her to make her request known, she took her time. Instead she invited him and Haman to dinner twice. It was at the second dinner invitation that she made her request known. Perhaps if she has told the King her request right away, it may have not had the impact it had when she told him after the second dinner. Perhaps it was a strategy downloaded to her from heaven when she prayed. The result was a resounding victory. Haman was killed; the Jews were licensed to rise up and defend themselves.
The life of Esther sure does teach us a lot on how to respond and live in this challenging world. With the attributes above, we can also have resounding successes in our families, communities and workplaces.