Queen Esther

This is my view/reflection about the book Esther in the Bible, and about Queen Esther herself. Actually, this was an assignment given to me by my CCs's chaplain, for an event called Esther Fez... This is also posted on my school's 'Esther Fez' blog (refer to my links)... I wrote it on 13th March 2006... ...


My views on Esther Fez

This year, we've been talking and talking about Queen Esther and the noblest thing she did, with her seeking God.

Before Esther Fez was introduced, Queen Esther was already my "super-hero" (or heroine to be specific). It may be the same for many female Christians like me... Why? Simply, because she is a woman, highly respected and recognised (human are bias). She is a model example for us woman/ladies. Sure there are other female characters in the bible, but somehow Queen Esther is still very popular.

There are so many things we can learn from Esther. Not by just self-reading her story, but also through the gb devotions and throughout the annual camp we just had, the qualities of Esther was laid. Personally, I feel that Esther is amazing, and through her amazing life, we too can see how much more Amazing God can be. Imagine yourselves:

You are a young girl, orphan, yet have such a caring uncle. You are very care-free, happily doing your routine and enjoying yourself. Suddenly, one day, the palace guards "kidnapped" you and bring you into the palace, this big, scary, unfamiliar place. You do not know anyone, and the one who is closest to you, you do not know where. Then you spend 6 months going through some kind of beauty treatment. You are bored, lonely, missing your uncle who dotes on you, and missing the care-free life you used to own. Then, you are appointed queen...

Just as things seem to be settling down, and you are beginning to adapt to the royalty code, your uncle tells you that everyone you used to know, your people, your race, your family, and even yourself, will be killed. You are traumatized and you have no one to turn to. You are not allowed to leave the palace. No one in the palace would be able to understand that feeling you have. Yet, you persisted in faith, spend hours frantically asking God for help, cracking your brain to think of how to put your problem. You never did talk to your husband much at all...

If i am in her shoes, I would have given up half way. One problem after another, her life is not an easy one.

Yet, we can see the work of God through her life helping her...
Modercai works at the palace, so Queen Esther occasionally gets to meet up with him.
God sent Hegai, to guide and help Esther so wisely that she won the king's favor (he was probably counted as a professional)
Not long after being appointed queen, Queen Esther won the king's favor more by revealing to him a plot that Modercai witnessed
Modercai exposed the plot, was later honored by the king (so well-remembered), giving them more advantages for replacing Haman and defending the Jews.
Esther's love for the people overcome her fears.
She and even her maids were willing to plead to the king.
Esther was spared not by the king's mercy, but the greater king in heaven whose hand of protection was upon her.
God gave her ideas on projecting the request in the most appropriate manner.
Instead of Mordecai hanged, 10 sons of Haman, their enemies were hanged.
Wise laws were written to defend the Jews.

One of the lesson I learnt, and it relate to me very much is... PATIENCE!!!
Have you ever wondered "Why did Queen Esther need to have 2 banquets? Why didn't she just go straight to the point when she went to seek the king???"
Queen Esther though nervous, and probably want this situation to end asap, controlled herself and waited for God's best timing. To invite only your husband, and your enemy, to keep your exploding words and feelings inside you, is no easy job. Yet Esther succeeded.

You see, God's timing is so perfect... He does the right things at the right time. he knows what is best for us. If Esther did not have patience and happen to catch the king on a bad mood, the outcome might become very difficult.

So what are you waiting for, learn to wait, and always be spiritual alert, that you will be able to catch the best timing... As you wait upon the Lord, the Lord's hand will rest upon us. Esther is not perfect, no one on earth is... but she puts God in the centre of her life, living the way God wants, trusting Him, waiting upon Him... She tries her outmost best to put God and her people above herself, and through God in her, she is now so vividly remembered and honored.

I learnt that we should live for God, in God, and wait faithfully on Him. Seeking Him and living on His commandments.