Enjoy the latest article by guest author Jesse Flowers from his “Godly Women of the Bible” series:

The very first book of the Bible that I taught as a young preacher in training was the Book of Esther to a high school class in Danville, Kentucky. Ever since that time the incredible story of Esther has remained a personal favorite of mine.

“Like the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, Esther belongs to the post-exile period of Old Testament history. However, Esther is unique in that it focuses only on those Jews who remained in foreign lands during this time period rather than returning to their homeland. The book of Esther is also unique in that it is one of only two Old Testament books to bear the name of a woman, and it is the only Old Testament book which lacks any explicit mention of God” (David Dann, Overview of the Bible – Part 2, p. 29).

Esther’s life and story is truly amazing and inspirational. So what important spiritual lessons can we learn from this godly woman?

1.  She was an orphan. “And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother…When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter” (2:7). She was born in a foreign land as a result of the 70-year Babylonian captivity of her Jewish ancestors from Judah. Evidently at a young age she lost both of her parents. In a time of great loss, her older cousin Mordecai raised her as if she was his own daughter. No doubt one of the greatest acts of love that can be expressed by Christian parents today is to bring an orphan into their home, to love them and raise them as their own child (James 1:27). Consider the love of our heavenly Father in that through Christ He adopted us into His spiritual family as His own sons and daughters (Rom. 8:14-17). “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1) But God had very special plans for this very special orphan.

2.  She possessed an outward and inward beauty. The previous queen, Vashti, was removed after displeasing king Ahasuerus (1:10-22). So beautiful young virgins were sought throughout his kingdom in order for him to select his next queen. Many young women, including Esther, were taken to the king’s palace in Shushan, the Persian capital, to undergo twelve months of preparations (2:8, 12). We read that “Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her” (2:15). And further that the “king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti” (2:17). Yes, Esther was “lovely and beautiful” (2:7), but more importantly, the Scriptures reveal to us her inner beauty. The godly character that she possessed. The fact that she was pure in heart and life. As we continue to live in a world that is so focused on outward beauty, may Christian women give their attention to adorning the hidden person of the heart (1 Pet. 3:3-4), for that is the place where the LORD sets His gaze (1 Sam. 16:7).

3.  She was obedient to Mordecai. “Now Esther had not revealed her family and her people, just as Mordecai had charged her, for Esther obeyed the command of Mordecai as when she was brought up by him” (2:20; cf. 2:7, 10, 15). Mordecai was always looking out for the best interests of Esther. He was always there to provide, protect, and guide her in life. And from a young girl to a young woman Esther obeyed and honored Mordecai’s instructions. Even as queen she heeded his wise counsel. What a wonderful example she is to children and young people today. We are to obey our parents in all things “for this is right” (Eph. 6:1) and “well pleasing to the Lord” (Col. 3:20). We are to give honor to our parents as children and as adults (Eph. 6:2-3; Mt. 15:3-6; 1 Tim. 5:4). Esther is a shining example of a child trained up in the way she should go, and did not depart from it when she became older (Prov. 22:6).

4.  She was a woman of great courage. Haman, a wicked and arrogant ruler, had persuaded king Ahasuerus to sign a decree to annihilate all the Jews in the whole kingdom (3:1-15). Mordecai gave Esther the most difficult command of her life to obey – “to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people” (4:8). Why would this be such a difficult task to obey? For one, the king doesn’t know that he himself is married to a Jew. Secondly, if she entered the inner court to the king without being called she would be put to death unless he held out the golden scepter (4:11, 13). And thirdly, she hasn’t been summoned before his presence for an entire month! Ultimately, she responds with some of the most courageous words recorded in Scripture. “And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” (4:16) Esther’s act of bravery lead to the salvation of the Jewish nation and to multiple victories over their enemies (5:1-9:19). The people of God today need that degree of courage for the cause of righteousness (Acts 18:9-10; 1 Cor. 16:13-14; Eph. 6:10-17; 1 Tim. 6:12; Jude 3). To be willing to forfeit our life for Christ and our brethren if the hour and occasion would require such from us (Rev. 2:10; 1 Jn. 3:16).

5.  She played a key role in the unfolding of God’s plans (4:13-14). “Though God Himself is not explicitly mentioned anywhere in the book of Esther, God’s providential protection of His covenant people is seen throughout the book” (Ibid., 32). Was it simply a matter of chance and luck that Esther happened to be in the perfect place at the perfect time? Or can we not readily see the hand of God in the unfolding of the various events in the book? As Mordecai expressed it to Esther: “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (4:14). If it was not for Esther we would not read of the great Bible stories of Ezra and Nehemiah. But far more importantly if it wasn’t for the brave actions of Esther, the promise that Christ would come through the seed of Abraham could not have been fulfilled (Gen. 12:3; Matt. 1:1). The providence of God is truly an incredible and amazing reality in the lives of His people to this very day. Who knows whether or not you are God’s woman for such a time as this – in your local congregation, in your community, in the workplace, or in your home?

The story and life of Esther is truly remarkable. Think about it – a Jewish orphan that became the queen of Persia! From a young orphan girl to a beautiful and radiant queen who delivered her fellow Jews from death and destruction, preserving the very people through whom the future Messiah would come. Her courageous decision to stand up and speak up so long ago positively impacted every single one of us. Now that’s a Bible story that must be told and retold to our children and grandchildren!

Jesse Flowers has been preaching for the church of Christ at Pruett and Lobit Street in Baytown, Texas for the past 8 years. He is married to his beautiful wife, April (Melton), and they have four sweet children, Jesse, Josiah, Anna and Clara. If interested, you can read more of his articles or listen to his sermons at www.biblework.com.