Something I dreamt of often as a little girl was how cool it would be to be a princess. I could wear lavish gowns of silk and lace, topped with a sparkling tiara. I could wake up with no real responsibilities, go to balls and dance with a handsome prince. I imagined royalty to be all glitz and glamour.
As time passed, my desire to be a princess slowly faded. The reality was I couldn’t wake up and be royalty or do a degree on how to be a princess. Royalty wasn’t really something to aspire towards—unless it’s in heaven of course. Growing up watching Disney princesses, it was easy to forget that royalty is less about fairytale endings, and more about a life of politics, responsibilities and drama. Is there a better way of describing Esther’s story?
Here’s what we know:
Esther found herself in the heart of a political struggle. She was a Jewish woman in a foreign land who rose to the throne of Persia and faced an enormous challenge. She didn’t step into a glass slipper and live happily ever after with her prince charming. Rather, she was taken to the palace where her beauty and purity earned her the best place in the harem (Esther 2:9). One can assume it wasn’t a willing process either as she was taken to the king’s palace upon his order and edict (Esther 2:8). Not only was Esther taken away from her family, but she was also placed into a foreign environment and surrounded by other women she didn’t know. Now I like to describe myself as a confident and sociable person, but if I was in this situation, I could only imagine how scary and intimidating it would be.
And to make matters worse, Esther was forbidden from revealing her nationality and family background (Esther 2:10).
From there, she went through an entire year of pampering, preparing her to go before the king. Saying it was love at first sight may be a stretch, however, upon seeing her beauty and spending the night with him, he was attracted to her more than the other women and she won his favour and approval (Esther 2:16). King Xerxes, unaware of her Jewish heritage, made her queen before he signed off on the annihilation of Esther and her people (Esther 3:10). The deadly plan, devised by Haman, one of the king’s highest officials, was an act rooted in his hatred for Esther’s cousin, Mordecai. Esther became caught in the middle of this dangerous plot, torn between the life she lived as queen and the fate of her people.
When Esther heard of the potential demise of her people due to Haman’s schemes, she put it all on the line. She went to the king without receiving an invitation but with an attitude of “if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:17). Esther knew she risked death but went anyway. This moment was a test of her faith and character. Esther had not been raised to be royalty, and the weight of her new position pressed heavily on her. She could have easily stayed silent, hidden in the safety of the palace, but her devotion to her people called her to something greater. It makes me wonder, would I risk my life for my beliefs?
The first answer that comes to mind is yes, but I can think of many occasions where I have found it easier to stay silent. In high school, I went to a Christian school and was the only Adventist in my grade. I didn’t think much of it as many in my grade were also Christian. Yet keeping the Sabbath set me apart very distinctively. People questioned why I went to church on Saturday and why I didn’t treat Saturday like every other day of the week. I was teased and told I was wrong. As a teenager who just wanted to fit in, it was an uncomfortable experience that challenged my faith—trying to balance sharing my faith and putting myself out there with getting along with everyone. Sometimes, even if I disagreed on something, it was easier to just stay quiet.
Reflecting on it, I thought it was an age thing. I was young in age and in my understanding of God and the Bible. However, after spending the past few years in university, that excuse loses much credibility. I found university to be a very secular place, and when discussing religion, Christianity was on the outer. Other popular religions were accepted and respected in contrast to Christianity. I can recall times where my peers would make fun of Christians, and I felt fearful of correcting them and standing up for my beliefs. And these experiences make me wonder, would I risk it all for my belief?
Today, despite these instances that would suggest otherwise, I would still say yes. God works through imperfect people in incredible ways. Many characters felt too weak, too fearful and inadequate but God didn’t give up on them. Moses feared the people wouldn’t believe God appeared to him and felt he couldn’t speak in front of Pharaoh, but God performed miracles through him and delivered the people out of Egypt. Gideon felt too weak to save Israel from Midian, but God made him a mighty warrior. Jeremiah believed he was too young to become a prophet, but God worked through him to fulfil His purpose. Jonah refused to do what God told him and ran away, and despite his disobedience, God used him to save the people of Ninevah. And Esther would have been afraid to share her beliefs. She was in a high position politically where her faith would have been challenged, but God protected the Jewish people and worked through her to deliver them from destruction.
While God is not mentioned within this story, He was still present. As Mordecai says to Esther, “and who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14), alluding that God placed her in this position for this purpose.
As Ellen White, in Daughters of God chapter 2, explained, God worked through women, who He chose to be His representatives, using them to “gain great and decisive victories” (p45). God, on more than one occasion, used women in times of emergency, bringing them to the frontline and working through them to save the lives of His people (p45). While God may not be mentioned, through Esther He was able to protect His people. As Ellen White explained, during a time of hopelessness for the Jewish people, Esther and the women alongside her, through “fasting, prayer and prompt action”, achieved salvation for their people (p45).
Through her bravery and God’s intervention, the king granted her request, and the Jewish people were saved from destruction. She became an instrument of God’s will, working within the messy, unpredictable world of politics and power to uphold the Covenant and ensure her people’s survival. So, from the information we read in the Bible about Esther, I would like to think that she did get her happily ever after in the end.
Kiera Bridcutt is an intern at Adventist Record.
