Esther and Purim




 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14


Esther was a young Jewish woman living in the Persian diaspora who finds favor with the king, becomes queen, and risks her life to save the Jewish people from destruction when the court official Haman persuades the king to authorize a pogrom against all the Jews of the empire. Her story is one of the most dramatic stories in the Bible. 


Her boldness, courage, and spiritual insights saved her people, and she is now celebrated as a biblical heroine. Her beauty, courage, intelligence and humility are noted throughout the book of Esther. 


FAITHFULNESS

Esther demonstrates a level of faithfulness few have matched. her faithfulness led her to a position of power and influence as a queen. She then used that power and influence to risk her life to save her people. Her faithfulness did not just bless her, but the Jewish people in that country as well.


COURAGEOUS


In her youth, Esther was taken captive and forced to live in the Persian palace. She knew that revealing she was Jewish and requesting an audience with the king unsummoned could cause her life. She did it anyways. Not only did she stand up for herself and her people, she did it in the face of the person trying to annihilate them. Her courage and faith in God was rewarded though. Her people where saved because of her courageous acts. 


HUMILITY


Even in a position of power as the queen who had the favor of the king, she remained humble and advocated for others. Even at the risk of her own life. 


INTELLIGENCE 


Esther was intelligent and eloquent in the way she approached the king. Her words and acts of providing banquets and recognition to him, softened his heart and persuaded the king to spare the lives of the Jews. 


OBEDIENCE


Regardless of the repercussions on herself, Esther was obiedent to what the Lord had called her to do. Her position of power gave her influence and an ear of the king. For many, being queen would be enough. Why risk EVERYTHING? Because God had created her for such a time as this. She obediently did what the Lord had called her to do, risking her life. We all have the choice to obey God. What will your choice be? 


Purim is the festivals that celebrates the retelling of the story of Esther March 6th and 7th this year. How can you apply this story to your life? We are faced with choices everyday. Choose the course that God is leading you down. 

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