Esther, a central figure in the Old Testament book bearing her name, is celebrated for her remarkable courage and steadfast faith. Her account unfolds during the reign of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) of Persia, a time when the Jewish people faced the threat of annihilation. Esther, a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai, rose to prominence as queen of Persia, a position that would become pivotal in the deliverance of her people.

Background and Context

Esther's narrative is set in the Persian Empire, where the Jewish people lived in exile. The book of Esther, unique for not explicitly mentioning the name of God, nonetheless reveals His providential care and sovereignty. Esther's rise to queenship was orchestrated through a series of divinely guided events, beginning with the deposition of Queen Vashti and culminating in Esther's selection as queen (Esther 2:17: "The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.").

The Threat to the Jewish People

The central conflict arises when Haman, an Amalekite and high-ranking official in King Xerxes' court, harbors a deep-seated hatred for the Jews, particularly Mordecai, who refused to bow to him. Haman's animosity leads him to devise a plot to exterminate all Jews in the empire, securing the king's approval for his genocidal decree (Esther 3:13: "Letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.").

Esther's Courageous Decision

Faced with this existential threat, Mordecai implores Esther to intercede with the king on behalf of her people. Esther's initial hesitation is understandable, given the law that anyone who approached the king unsummoned could be put to death (Esther 4:11: "All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned—that he must be put to death. Only if the king extends the gold scepter may that person live."). However, Mordecai's poignant reminder of divine purpose stirs Esther to action (Esther 4:14: "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 house will perish. And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?").

Demonstration of Faith

In a profound act of faith, Esther calls for a three-day fast among the Jews, aligning herself with her people in seeking divine intervention (Esther 4:16: "Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!"). This spiritual preparation underscores her reliance on God’s providence and her willingness to sacrifice her own life for the salvation of her people.

The Outcome

Esther's bold approach to the king results in a series of divinely orchestrated events that lead to the downfall of Haman and the deliverance of the Jews. Her strategic banquets and the revelation of her Jewish identity to the king turn the tide in favor of her people (Esther 7:3-6: "Then Queen Esther answered, 'If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and my people as my request. For I and my people have been sold out to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept silent, for such distress would not be worth disturbing the king.' King Xerxes spoke up and asked Queen Esther, 'Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?' Esther replied, 'The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!'").

Legacy

Esther's courage and faith are commemorated annually in the Jewish festival of Purim, a celebration of divine deliverance and the reversal of fortune for the Jewish people. Her account continues to inspire believers to trust in God's sovereignty and to act with courage and faith in the face of adversity.