While her mother-in-law was out of town, my friend was given the keys to her luxurious car. Later, my friend said to me, “The leather seat seems to be made just for your body shape. And the car cruises silently along the highway. Wow, such luxury is intoxicating.”
Indeed, power, wealth, fame, and pleasure can be intoxicating. With that said, I wonder what it was like to be Esther—an orphan Jewish girl living as an exile—plucked from rags to riches? She received pampering beauty treatments, had seven maids standing by, and she stayed in the best place in the harem (Esther 2:9).
The Bible is surprisingly silent about Esther’s character, however. Unlike Daniel (Daniel 1:4), for instance, nothing about her devotion to God or character was mentioned. We only know that she was physically very beautiful (Esther 2:7,15). This is most unusual, for if the Bible tells us anything, it tells us to judge a person in terms of their character—not according to their good looks.
Yet, many of us are easily inclined to view Mordecai and Esther as godly. The question is why? Why are we happy to see Esther on the throne, even though she’s the winner of a contest . . . which included sleeping with the king?
Something is drastically wrong with God’s people as represented in the book of Esther. One Bible teacher suggests: “God is not mentioned in Esther, because God is not thought of in Esther.” As we read through the book, however, we sense that His invisible hand is working through events and people to preserve His chosen nation. He’s faithful even when His people are unfaithful.
Let’s walk faithfully with our great God who providentially cares for His people—even in the midst of intoxicating pleasures that threaten to distract us.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 7:1-29
More:
Read Psalm 101:1-8 to see how one man—who was powerful, wealthy, and famous—committed himself to walking faithfully with God.
Next:
How often do you think of God in your daily life? Does He affect your decisions? How can power, wealth, fame, and pleasure draw you closer to God rather than away from Him?
Gene on October 16, 2012 at 7:30 am
Esther’s actions speak of her character as she demonstrated her willingness to die for her people (Esther 4:16), in spite of her situation. This is a good example for all of us to follow.
tom felten on October 16, 2012 at 9:43 am
Good thoughts, Gene. It’s evident that Esther’s courage and sacrificial spirit is exemplary. Praise God that we have the Holy Spirit to encourage and strengthen us to present His truth and character in a difficult culture!
gramy on October 16, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Mordecai was a practicing Jew and must have taught Esther the Jewish ways which is part of what drove Haman so wicked. I think God was right there with Esther as she did not display the worldly attitude the other girls did while training for the king. She also loved the Jewish people enough to die for them, so she must have had some relationship with God.
Monte on October 16, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Esther may not be presented in God’s wording as a follower of His, but as others have commented, you need to read in the Holy Spirits influence. It is definitely presented that she loved the Lord in her actions. Knowing that she had a chance to die for her actions shows that she “had no great love than this, that she lay down her life for her friends(read people here).” While I paraphrased greatly there, isn’t that the same thing that our Lord did for us?
josy on October 16, 2012 at 1:18 pm
I think you`re all missing one point–Esther`s first reaction to helping was “Why should I”, then Mordecai reminded her that she was a Jew, and if all the Jews were wiped out, she would be as well. Her initial reaction was far from altruistic.
josy on October 16, 2012 at 1:29 pm
The reference for the above is Esther 4:13.
It is “funny” to note that Esther`s reaction to Mordecai`s tearing his clothes in distress is to send him more clothes.
I never understood why people considered Esther to be virtuous. Not a criticism of Esther–she responded like most people would, but to me it`s an example of what God can do with what God has to work with (us!)
Gene on October 17, 2012 at 7:16 am
This was my first experience posting on ODJ and I truly appreciate the different perspectives.
tom felten on October 17, 2012 at 9:33 am
It’s great to have you in our worldwide, online community, Gene! Hope to hear from you often. Peace.
winn collier on October 25, 2012 at 1:35 pm
fathering two boys as they discover the allure of consumerism, the allure of more and more, is a sobering act. I pray that their heart and imagination will be expanded to want things that are true.