Esther: The Humble Queen (Esther Series Part 2)

When we last left the book of Esther, the Queen of the Medo-Persian Empire, Queen Vashti had taken a stand for righteousness and was removed from her position of influence. We learned taking a stand often has consequences, but that taking a stand for righteousness is the right thing to do.

This shift in power also paved the way for a new queen as King Xerxes began his quest for a replacement wife.

He conducted a search to find the most beautiful girls in the land, and if that wasn’t enough, these already stunning girls still had to undergo beauty treatments for a year before they were presented to the king. I wonder if they had Mary Kay in those days?

One of the beauties, with a perfect figure was Hadassah. In Hebrew her name means “myrtle tree.” Names in Hebrew are important. The myrtle tree symbolizes righteousness or a sweet smell, and as we’ll find out Hadassah was a righteous woman.

We all know true beauty comes from within.

Hadassah came from a humble Jewish background. Both her mom and dad were dead so she was an orphan, raised by her cousin Mordecai. Mordecai had his own difficult past. He was taken captive and carried away from his homeland, Jerusalem, by the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar. He had to create a new life in a strange land. It wasn’t easy.

So before Hadassah, also known by her Persian name, Esther, went off to the palace on her quest to be queen, her cousin warned her to not reveal her nationality or family background to anyone. She obediently did that.

So this obedience to Mordecai’s request is the beginning of a pattern of humility in Esther’s life. This pattern ultimately led to her being chosen queen.

Pride gets us nowhere. Humility is much more attractive.

Has pride ever been an issue for you?

I used to think I didn’t have pride, but I was prideful to think that. I remember covering a practice for an NFL football team when someone wanted me to autograph a football they were going to have all the players sign. I told them they were making a big mistake. I said the football would be worthless with my signature on there. However they insisted, and I bet they are kicking themselves now about that football. Who is this woman who autographed my football? 

But I got used to the free lunches while working in television.

I enjoyed being written up in the newspaper.

I kind of liked being recognized in the grocery store.

This recognition happened even after I left television and spent five years as the spokesperson for the San Antonio airport during the events of 9-11.

Then everything turned upside down when my husband’s job moved us to North Texas, and all of the sudden no one knew me. I was like Mordecai in a strange land. I was no longer recognized in the grocery store.

No friends.

No organized activities.

During the day, all I had were my seminary classes, which weren’t every day. My husband was consumed with his work and work people at the time, and during the day while the kids were in school, I was alone.

Worried about many aspects of my life during those days, I created my own War Room and was flat on my face before the Lord pleading for my marriage.

Pleading for friends.

Pleading for a purpose.

It took about three years for my life to level out, but after I did, there had been a transformation in me. Through these hardships God stripped away every ounce of pride and showed me everything I have is because he chose to give it to me.  That included my talent, any position of influence, any opportunity, any relationships, even my husband and my family. He was the ruler of my world. He was my foundation. He was the giver of good gifts.

I was nothing without him.

Maybe you understand what I am talking about.

How you ever had everything stripped away from your life?

Perhaps it was a job loss or a move. Maybe it was through a death or a divorce. In the midst of those hardships God is at work on us. We finally understand what Micah 6:8 means when God says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

And that is why Esther was a success. She walked humbly with her God.

On Saturday, we’ll continue with Part Three of our Esther series as we look deeper at Esther’s humility. What characteristics contributed to Esther’s humility? What can we learn from her behavior? Stay tuned.