Esther's Story
How would you feel if you were chosen to be queen over a vast empire? And after being selected as queen, you learned your people were in danger of losing their lives? Would you be courageous enough to help your people if it meant putting your own life in danger? These are the hard questions that Esther had to answer a long time ago during the reign of King Xerxes in the citadel of Susa.
Esther, whose Hebrew name is Hadassah, was an orphan raised by her cousin, Mordecai, a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin. At that time, King Xerxes, who had grown dissatisfied with his Queen, Vashti, ruled the Jewish people. To help him find a new queen, the king’s advisors brought many girls to the palace in Susa, including Esther. As the Old Testament Book of Esther describes her, Esther was lovely in form and features, and won favor with all who saw her. But because Esther was Jewish, Mordecai—who stayed close to the palace to advise and watch over her—told her that she must not reveal her nationality.
While watching over Esther, who was living in the palace, Mordecai uncovered a plot to assassinate King Xerxes. He told Esther, who in turn reported it to the king. Mordecai received credit in the king’s book.
However, not everyone liked Mordecai and Esther. Haman was a noble of King Xerxes’ court. He was a vain man and expected everyone to kneel down before him. Mordecai refused, which enraged Haman. He vowed not only to destroy Mordecai, but all of the Jewish people. Mordecai knew Esther must help save her people, and that God had sent her to the court “for such a time as this” (Esther 4; 14). Despite the danger to herself, Esther approached King Xerxes even though she had not been summoned. Approaching the king without a summons could result in death. King Xerxes extended the royal scepter, welcoming Esther. He was so pleased with her that he vowed to give Esther up to half of his kingdom if she wished. Instead of accepting this offer, Esther revealed that she was Jewish and pleaded for her life and the life of her people. Her act of bravery destroyed Haman’s evil plans, setting in motion the deliverance of the Jewish people and God’s perfect plan in sending our messiah.
His Story
God’s perfect plan unfolds through the story of Esther. He gave her the strength and courage to risk her life to save His people. God continues to work out His perfect plan for us today just as He did for Esther so many years ago. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Your Story
Have you ever needed to be brave?
What can you do to find courage when facing something scary?
Esther had to make a hard choice to do what she knew was right. This took great courage. Share a time that you have had to make a difficult choice.
Write down a verse you can memorize from scripture to help you remember that God will provide all that you need when confronting something that causes fear.
How would you feel if you were chosen to be queen over a vast empire? And after being selected as queen, you learned your people were in danger of losing their lives? Would you be courageous enough to help your people if it meant putting your own life in danger? These are the hard questions that Esther had to answer a long time ago during the reign of King Xerxes in the citadel of Susa.
Esther, whose Hebrew name is Hadassah, was an orphan raised by her cousin, Mordecai, a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin. At that time, King Xerxes, who had grown dissatisfied with his Queen, Vashti, ruled the Jewish people. To help him find a new queen, the king’s advisors brought many girls to the palace in Susa, including Esther. As the Old Testament Book of Esther describes her, Esther was lovely in form and features, and won favor with all who saw her. But because Esther was Jewish, Mordecai—who stayed close to the palace to advise and watch over her—told her that she must not reveal her nationality.
While watching over Esther, who was living in the palace, Mordecai uncovered a plot to assassinate King Xerxes. He told Esther, who in turn reported it to the king. Mordecai received credit in the king’s book.
However, not everyone liked Mordecai and Esther. Haman was a noble of King Xerxes’ court. He was a vain man and expected everyone to kneel down before him. Mordecai refused, which enraged Haman. He vowed not only to destroy Mordecai, but all of the Jewish people. Mordecai knew Esther must help save her people, and that God had sent her to the court “for such a time as this” (Esther 4; 14). Despite the danger to herself, Esther approached King Xerxes even though she had not been summoned. Approaching the king without a summons could result in death. King Xerxes extended the royal scepter, welcoming Esther. He was so pleased with her that he vowed to give Esther up to half of his kingdom if she wished. Instead of accepting this offer, Esther revealed that she was Jewish and pleaded for her life and the life of her people. Her act of bravery destroyed Haman’s evil plans, setting in motion the deliverance of the Jewish people and God’s perfect plan in sending our messiah.
His Story
God’s perfect plan unfolds through the story of Esther. He gave her the strength and courage to risk her life to save His people. God continues to work out His perfect plan for us today just as He did for Esther so many years ago. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Your Story
Have you ever needed to be brave?
What can you do to find courage when facing something scary?
Esther had to make a hard choice to do what she knew was right. This took great courage. Share a time that you have had to make a difficult choice.
Write down a verse you can memorize from scripture to help you remember that God will provide all that you need when confronting something that causes fear.
