Now, we must make a giant leap backwards to a time centuries before Saul and David to a beautiful Jewish woman named Esther. She was part of a drama somewhat like the dramas written today with power, romance, intrigue, and double-cross. The story is found in the bible, in the Old Testament.
There was a king named Xerxes who disliked his queen. Queen Vashti was not fond of obeying her king and husband and did just what she wanted all of the time. This rankled King Xerxes and she was finally banished from his sight, and a search began for a new queen. The king sent out a decree asking for all the beautiful women in the empire to come forward that he might choose a new queen. A Jewish maid was chosen and her name was Esther. Although this sounds like the beginning of an old fairy tale, the outcome of the story is unusual because God Almighty has a big part in its ending.
A Jew named Mordecai has a large role in this story. He was Esther's older cousin who had earlier become a government official and during his term he foiled an assassination plot. But an ambitious, self-serving man, named Haman, became second-in-command in the empire. Haman made a rule that everyone must bow to him when meeting, but Mordecai would not bow, as he knew Haman well. Haman, becoming furious, then determined to destroy Mordecai and all the Jews with him by deceiving the king, convincing him into issuing an edict condemning all the Jews to death.
By this time, Esther had become a favorite of King Haman, and had become Queen, so when she entered the king's rooms soon afterward, she suggested to the King that he and Haman be her guests at banquet the next day. The king agreed, being very fond of Esther. During that feast, the king asked Esther what she really wanted, and he promised to give her anything. But she just invited both men to dinner again for the following night.
But, the same night as the first dinner, the King, flipping through some old records, was reminded of the assassination plot Mordecai had halted. He was surprised that the old man had never been rewarded for this good act, and asked Haman, "What should be done to properly thank a hero?" Haman, assuming the king was talking about himself, said, "A lavish reward. Perhaps, bring a robe and a horse belonging to the King, one with the royal crest upon it, Let the king's princes robe and horse this man and have him be lead throughout the city streets, proclaiming, "This is what is done for a man the king delights to honor."
Now, Queen Esther had invited both the King and Haman again to dinner that next night, also, and when they were drinking her fine wine, the King, once again, asked the Queen what she really wanted. "Even up to half my kingdom, it shall be given you!" he said.
And Queen Esther answered, "If I have found favor with you O King, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life--this is my petition. And spare my people--this, too, is my request. For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had been sold as slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king."
And King Xerxes shouted, "Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?"
And Queen Esther calmly said, "Why, the adversary and enemy is this vile Haman." The king left abruptly to her porch in great anger and Haman then begged Esther to save him, throwing himself over her form while she reclined at her couch where she had been dining. The king, returning to the dining room, and seeing Haman crawling up onto the lap of Queen Esther, cried out, "Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?"
So, Esther got her request from the King, and the Jews were saved as was Esther and Mordecai. Mordecai got to take the king's horse, wearing the King's robes, throughout the city. And Haman? Well, he was hung on the very gallows he had built for the Jew, Mordecai.
And even now, the Jewish children hiss and boo the bad guy, Mordecai, on one of their special days.
And did the king and queen live happily ever after? Maybe not! This was not Cinderella, but it did make the bible!
Study/"While we should not expect earthly rewards for being faithful to God, they often come. Esther and Mordecai were faithful, even to the point of risking their lives to save others. When they were willing to give up everything, God gave them a reward in proportion to their all-out commitment."
Hope you enjoyed this little tale probably written about 470 B.C.
Jo INMN
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