A Queen's faith that saved the nation

In the heart of the Persian Empire, during the reign of King Xerxes, there lived a young Jewish woman named Esther. She was an orphan, raised by her cousin Mordecai, who loved her like his own daughter. Though they lived in exile, far from their homeland of Israel, Mordecai and Esther had remained faithful to their God, practicing their faith in secret as they navigated the vast Persian empire.

King Xerxes had recently banished his queen, Vashti, after she refused to obey him, and so the king sought out a new queen. A royal decree went out to every province, calling for beautiful young women to come to the palace to be considered for the honor of becoming queen. Esther, though hesitant, was chosen to be among those who would be presented to the king.

Mordecai, though anxious for his cousin’s safety, encouraged Esther to go but warned her to keep her Jewish identity a secret. The king’s palace was no place for someone like her, and revealing her heritage could lead to dangerous consequences.

Esther was beautiful, and she quickly gained favor with the king’s attendants. She was placed in a special place, away from the others, and the eunuch in charge of the women, Hegai, saw something in her. He gave her special treatment and guidance, helping her stand out. When it was her turn to meet King Xerxes, she was calm, composed, and confident.

To the king’s surprise, Esther’s beauty was not just physical; there was something about her that shone from the inside. He was captivated by her grace and charm, and before long, Esther was crowned queen of Persia.

For a time, everything seemed perfect. Esther lived in luxury, with servants attending to her every need. But behind the splendor, a dark shadow began to grow.

Mordecai, who continued to sit at the king’s gate, overheard a plot to assassinate King Xerxes. He quickly told Esther, who in turn warned the king. The plot was foiled, and the king’s life was spared, but Mordecai’s name was not acknowledged in the royal records. Despite this, Mordecai continued his watchful care over Esther from afar.

But not long after, another dangerous figure emerged in the palace—Haman, the king’s highest official. Haman was a proud and arrogant man who demanded that everyone bow down to him whenever he passed by. Mordecai, however, refused. As a Jew, he could not bow to anyone but God.

This defiance enraged Haman, and he became determined not just to punish Mordecai but to destroy all the Jews in the empire. He convinced King Xerxes to issue a decree that on a certain day, all the Jews in the kingdom would be killed. A date was set, and the order was sealed with the king’s ring.

When Mordecai heard of this, he tore his clothes in despair and went into the streets, mourning loudly. Esther’s maids brought word of his distress, and she sent a servant to find out what was wrong. When Mordecai sent word back, explaining the decree and the looming threat to their people, he urged Esther to speak to the king.

Esther, however, was afraid. In the Persian court, approaching the king without being summoned could lead to death, unless the king extended his golden scepter to the person. And Esther had not been called by the king for over a month. If she went uninvited, she risked losing her life.

Mordecai, however, spoke to her words that would stir her to action: "Do not think that because you are in the king’s house, you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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’s heart raced as she realized the gravity of the moment. She was in the palace for a reason, though she had never imagined it would be for such a purpose. With courage and resolve, she sent a message to Mordecai: "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."

For three days and nights, Esther and her people fasted and prayed. The weight of the decision pressed on her shoulders, but in the quiet of her prayers, she found a strength that was not her own. The courage to stand in the face of danger came from her faith in God.

On the third day, dressed in her royal robes, Esther approached the king’s throne room. When Xerxes saw her, he extended his golden scepter, signaling her to come forward. Trembling but determined, Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

"What is it, Queen Esther?" Xerxes asked. "What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you."

Esther, with wisdom and grace, invited the king and Haman to a banquet. There, she would reveal her heart and make her request. At the banquet, the king again asked her what she desired. With courage, Esther asked that Haman’s evil plot be undone and that her people be saved.

In a dramatic turn, the king learned of Haman’s treachery. Haman, who had plotted the death of an entire people, was himself executed, and the decree was reversed. The Jews were saved.

Esther’s bravery, guided by faith and courage, changed the fate of her people. And though she had feared for her life, she had trusted in God’s timing and found that He had placed her in that position “for such a time as this.”