We can learn from a young orphan girl from history who established traditions that continue unto this day. Just how one person can change the course of history in one day!
The historical events regarding an orphan girl from Susa concealed her true heritage while being forced into preparations in the king’s hope to choose a replacement Queen. King Ahasueres (Xerxes) appointed officers in all the provinces to gather together the young virgins.
Esther 2:3-12 Darby Translation ~and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the young virgins of beautiful countenance to Shushan the fortress, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hegai the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given.
4 And let the maiden that pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
5 There was in Shushan the fortress a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjaminite,
6 who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives who had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter; for she had neither father nor mother—and the maiden was fair and beautiful—and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.
8 And it came to pass when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the fortress, unto the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was brought into the king’s house, unto the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
9 And the maiden pleased him, and obtained favour before him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, and her portions, and the seven maidens selected to be given her, out of the king’s house; and he removed her and her maids to the best [place] of the house of the women.
10 Esther had not made known her people nor her birth; for Mordecai had charged her that she should not make it known.
11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.
12 And when every maiden’s turn came to go in to king Ahasuerus after that she had been treated for twelve months, according to the manner of the women (for so were the days of their purification accomplished—six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with spices, and with things for the purifying of the women,
Esther was chosen out of all the women who went through preparations, she obtained grace and favor. The king loved Esther above all the women.
Esther 2:17 Darby Translation ~And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins, and he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
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Esther being prepared for such a time as this, would risk her life with boldness and courage to plan and invite both the King and Haman to a banquet. Where she would expose the evil plan of Haman’s to kill the Jews. (Esther 8:5).
Through her courage she would end up changing the outcome and saving her people from certain genocide. For such a time she was raised up and acted in righteousness for deliverance of a people.
And so the Jews who were set for genocide would now have preparation to defend themselves on that day of attack.
Esther 3:14 KJV ~The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.
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Esther 9 KJV ~9 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;) 2 The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people.
Her petition and brave request moved the King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) to compassion for a people who were destined for harm. The banquet held with both king and Haman to hear Esther reveal Haman’s evil plan must have shocking to hear. The outcome and desires of Haman’s plan would be overturned and onto his own head.
And unto that day of victory a decree was made:
Esther 9:21-23,28-29 KJV ~To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, 22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. 23 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; 28 And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed. 29 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.
What a victory, a purpose and great historical truths of one person who changed the course of history in one day. Where the celebrations of Purim originate from the courage of a young Jewish orphan girl destined to become Queen and speak.
There are many lessons we can learn from history and the courage of Esther. Also it is hard not to miss the fact that patterns repeat over history, and enemies always seem to rise up. And most importantly that in the face of adversity that righteousness always prevails, truth is not turned back, and victory is the Lord’s.
