The idea of going from an orphaned immigrant to a queen seems like a fairy tale, yet the story of Esther is true. Esther’s ancestors had been exiled to Babylon when the Lord brought judgment on the Southern Kingdom of Judah. However, God still cared for His exiled people and worked through people like Mordecai to make a difference in their lives.
Mordecai seems to have a position that puts him in contact with government officials in the capital of Susa. Esther 2:7Mordecai had a very beautiful and lovely young cousin, Hadassah, who was also called Esther. When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her into his family and raised her as his own daughter. [1]
As the story unfolds, King Xerxes is displeased with Queen Vashti when she disobeys him and does not come to His banquet. In his fury, the King banished Vashti from his presence, and he sought a new queen, so the search began. Esther 2:8 As a result of the king’s decree, Esther, along with many other young women, was brought to the king’s harem at the fortress of Susa and placed in Hegai’s care. [2]
The New Queen
Esther is among many young women brought before the king as a potential queen. Esther 2:17 And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti.[3] One day, Esther’s life changed in a day when the king crowned her queen. She was now in place through God’s intervention to save her people. Who, as we will see in the next chapter, would be targeted for destruction by Haman.
From the Kingdom of Darkness to the Kingdom of Light
The story of Esther seems too good to be true, but there is another story just as unbelievable. This is the story of people coming to faith and becoming children of God through the Good news of Jesus. John 1:12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. [4]
When we become children of God, He adopts us into His family with kingly privileges. The largest privilege is eternal life. Our whole life changes instantly when the Holy Spirit comes and lives in us. Revelation 2:10But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. [5]
Esther received a crown as queen, but when faithful believers arrive in heaven, they receive a better crown, the crown of life. What a special day that must be. Praise the Lord. He calls us to faith to become His child! To learn the story of an orphaned immigrant to a queen, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/a-new-queen
[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.