Sometimes it’s even hard to breath, because life is just to heavy.
In those times we turn to God and say I need your hope, love, and faith right now!
In the story of Esther:
After both of Hadassah’s parents died,
She was raised by her cousin Mordecai, who raised her as his own.
In chapter 2 of Esther, we see that the young Jewish girl, Hadassah, who will later be known as Esther, is taken from her home to move to the king’s palace, to see if the king will find favor with her, and possibly make her his Queen.
Mordecai instructs Hadassah to not let anyone know of her Jewish heritage, out of fear that she would die.
So Mordecai chose Hadassah’s name to be Esther.
The name Hadassah, in Hebrew represents righteousness and boldness.
The name Esther, is taken from the Hebrew word hester, which literally means to hide or be hidden.
Two names that are polar opposite in meaning, but both integral to Esther’s story.
In the king’s palace, before even seeing the king, all the girls were subjected to a whole year of beauty treatments.
After this, each girl would wear what ever they wanted from the king’s harlem, and try to find favor in his eyes.
When it was Esther’s turn, it says in 2:15 that Esther did not cover herself in jewels she thought beautiful, but only wore what Hegai, the king’s eunuch, advised.
Immediately, the king found favor with Esther,
And she became Queen…
In Esther’s time as Queen, there was one who plotted against her people.
Hamen, he hated the Jews, but most of all, hated Mordecai.
Mordecai did not bow when Hamen passed in the streets.
Mordecai did not follow the crowd, he would bow to no one but his Lord.
Hamen was embarrassed and mortified!
He had worked his way up in the king’s courts, and was planning the
destruction of the Jews once and for all.
Mordecai heard of this and tore his clothes, and put on sackcloth and ashes.
He went to the king’s entrance and sent a message to Esther through Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs.
When Esther learned of the possible death of her people she replied to Mordecai saying:
(4:11)
“All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman
goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law – to be put to death, except the one whom the king holds out the golden scepter so the he may live.
But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”
Mordecai saw Esther’s distress, through her reply.
But he also saw the fear of his people, and replied once more to Esther.
(4:12-14)
–
Esther knew what she had to do.
Yes she might die, yes her people might die.
But this was why she became queen.
For such a time as this.
She replied to Mordecai for the last time saying –
“Gather all the Jews, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day.
I and my young women will also fast as you do.
Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish I perish…”
–
That moment in life when you realize…
I’m ready to give everything,
for what I believe in.
And in that moment,
all the chaos, all the struggles and fear of life…
Fall at your feet.
Because you understand!!
If you had no voice,
If you had no tongue,
You would still dance for the one that saved you!
You would follow God into the storm, knowing you might not come out.
Because when the day comes that we see the face of glory,
the face that brought ruin, and ash…and made them glorious and beautiful,
We will shout His endless glorious praise!
–
Esther came to this realization…
That if she perished, it would be okay.
God put her here for such a time as this,
and if she perished obeying Him,
then she perished.
She walked into the king’s courts, not as Esther, queen.
But as Hadassah, a Jew, pleading for the lives of her people.
Under The Surface: By Anna Beth
pandemicgospel 