“Later when King Xerxes’ fury had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her. Then the king’s personal attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it.
Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah. Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.
When the king’s order and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. She pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven female attendants selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem.
Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.”
Putting it bluntly, King Xerxes sobers up and suddenly realizes that he has banished Queen Vashti in a drunken rage. As a monarch with absolute power, Xerxes can’t apologize; nevertheless, he really needs a queen gorgeous enough and charming enough to match the splendor of his kingdom. Vashti is breath-takingly beautiful, but she is now out of Xerxes’ reach. What to do? Wiping their brows in relief that the king is now thinking logically, the advisors suggest that commissioners be appointed in every province and that a contest for “Persia’s Most Beautiful” be conducted. These commissioners will seek out the most beautiful young virgins and send them to the palace harem in the capital of Susa. The young lovelies will receive the finest beauty treatments and will be brought to Xerxes one by one. The lady who pleases Xerxes will become the new queen.
Living in Susa is a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin named Mordecai. Mordecai is a close relative to King Saul and he has been rearing his cousin Hadassah (Esther) because she is an orphan. As Esther has developed, Mordecai has probably cherished hopes of arranging an excellent marriage for Esther with an observant young Jewish man; however, now Esther has also joined the other virgins in the palace harem. Obviously a young woman of fine character, Esther has so impressed Hegai, the head of the harem, that he is providing beauty treatments, special food, seven attendants from the palace, and the best place in the harem. What the other virgins think about the special attention is best left to the imagination. It’s a mercy of God that some rival does not poison Esther out of spite!
Poor Mordecai! Mordecai loves Esther dearly; however, he has cautioned her to hide her nationality and family background for fear of antisemitic prejudice. All Mordecai can do is to walk daily near the courtyard of the harem, hoping for news of Esther, and he must be careful not to display undue interest, lest someone begin asking embarrassing questions. What if Esther fails to please the king? Will the king insist of keeping Esther in the harem as a concubine for the rest of her life? What if one of the other women tries to harm Esther? Everyone knows that harems are full of intrigue.
APPLICATION: Many times, we focus so much on the character of Esther in this short book that we fail to fully appreciate Mordecai, his character, his love for Esther, and his example for the rest of us. Mordecai has devoted his life to raising Esther to be a fine young woman of excellent character. It’s likely that if Esther did not have a good reputation, the commissioners wouldn’t have bothered to send her to the harem for the king’s consideration. Those commissioners undoubtedly know how to do background checks, and they have already eliminated several young women with fair faces but bad character. Esther’s candidacy is a tribute to Mordecai’s rearing. Until now, Mordecai has protected Esther, but now Esther has been removed from Mordecai’s protection. All Mordecai can do is to pray for God’ protection over Esther. Mordecai is in a precarious position, one that also puts Esther at risk. Mordecai is a known person in Susa, and his nationality is also well known. Esther’s connection with Mordecai needs to remain a secret for now, lest someone use that against Esther.
Mordecai is the example of every parent who has ever sent a child off to school or to work in a distant location. Few feelings are as helpless; any caring parent can tell you just how much they wind up praying for their children. If that child becomes sick, you may not be able to help them. If the child dies, your feeling of helplessness only multiplies.
Our children are older and they live in America; however, we have many Ghanaian young people who are as close to us as if we had given birth to them. On Easter Sunday 2015, we were in our regional capital for a party for a friend. Before the party, we stopped to see Musah, one of our “sons” who was completing a two – year computer course. Musah mentioned that he had been ill and was taking malaria treatment. We prayed for him and then went to the party. Two hours later, our friends with whom Musah was staying called us in a panic because Musah had collapsed! Although our friends rushed Musah to a nearby hospital and although we joined them, there was nothing we could do. Musah died in my arms. We still grieve, although Musah was a Christian and we know one day we will see him again.
As you read today’s selection, think about Mordecai and then pray for all the young people you know who are going off to school or to new jobs.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we lift up parents and children as these parents courageously allow their children to move forward with their lives. Be with both parents and children and help us to remember that You love these young people far more than we ever can. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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