Esther Made Queen. Esther 2

 

Esther 2 – Esther Made Queen

 

King Xerxes was thinking of Vashti, but the law he had made concerning the queen cannot be changed. The servants recognize his state of mind and suggested there be a search for women who were beautiful. They were to be brought in from near and far. The king was to select the next queen.

God had permitted His people to return to their land, as He had prophesied through Isaiah. Many of them, out of the will of God, chose to remain, and Mordecai happened to be one of them. Mordecai was taken captive, probably at a young age, in the second deportation of captives that left Jerusalem.

Esther’s Hebrew name was Hadassah, which means “star.” Mordecai adopted her as his own daughter. Her one asset was beauty. When the announcement was made that there was to be a new queen selected, Mordecai decided that none of them were as beautiful as his adopted daughter. Esther was taken to the palace. God had told His people not to intermarry with the heathen, so they were breaking the Mosaic law. If Esther were not chosen, she would be forced to become a concubine. The keeper of the women, Hegai, was pleased with Esther and gave her everything she needed to make her even more beautiful. Mordecai had warned her not to reveal her nationality. That moment of decision was a denial of their religion.

Providence is the way God leads the man who will not be led. It is no accident that Esther was given a prominent place among the women. There are no accidents with God.

The first six months the women were beautified with oils, the second six months they went to perfumers. This is a typical pagan culture. In Esther’s case God permitted all of this by His providence. When it was Esther’s turn to go to the king, it was decided that she was a natural beauty. When the king saw her, he decided he found the one to take Vashti’s place and made Esther queen. God moved her into that place.

Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate when he overheard a plot against the king. He immediately sent a message to Esther, and she informed the king. The king ordered them to be put to death, and they were executed by hanging.

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah.