Esther: From Everyday to Extraordinary – Esther 2 v 1-18

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We’re diving into the captivating story of Esther—a tale of beauty, courage, and unexpected journeys. It’s Esther 2:1-18, and we’re about to witness Esther’s journey from the everyday to the extraordinary.

Verse 1-4: “After these things, when the anger of King Xerxes had abated, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her. Then the king’s young men who attended him said, ‘Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king. And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in Susa the citadel, under custody of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women. Let their cosmetics be given them. And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.'”

Picture this: King Xerxes, fresh from a royal fallout with Queen Vashti, is ready for a new queen. His advisors come up with a plan—it’s a beauty pageant across the kingdom! Think of it as a Persian version of ‘Queen Search.’

Verse 5-7: “Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite, who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away. He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.”

Now, meet Mordecai—a Jew in Susa. He’s not just any guy; he’s raising his cousin, Esther. She’s not just beautiful; she’s got that ‘extraordinary’ vibe. A Cinderella story in ancient Persia, but with a twist.

Verse 8-11: “When the king’s order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king’s palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women. And the young woman pleased him and won his favor. And he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her portion of food, and with seven chosen young women from the king’s palace, and advanced her and her young women to the best place in the harem.”

Esther is in the mix! She’s part of the lineup for the next potential queen. But here’s the plot twist—Esther, in the eyes of Hegai, not only pleases but wins favour. She’s not just another contestant; she’s standing out in the crowd.

Verse 12-14: “Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known. And every day Mordecai walked in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her. Now when the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Xerxes, after being twelve months under the regulations for the women, since this was the regular period of their beautifying, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and ointments for women.”

Esther’s got a secret! She doesn’t spill the beans about her Jewish background, thanks to Mordecai’s advice. Mordecai, being the concerned guardian, checks on her regularly. The beauty prep is no joke—twelve months of oils, spices, and ointments.

Verse 15-18: “When the young woman went in to the king in this way, she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. In the evening she would go in, and in the morning she would return to the second harem in custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who was in charge of the concubines. She would not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.”

The big moment arrives! When it’s Esther’s turn, she’s not just given the standard fare; she can take whatever she desires. But here’s the catch—she only goes to the king if he’s pleased and calls her by name.

So, what’s the deal here?

1. Beauty with Purpose: Esther’s beauty isn’t just skin deep; it comes with a purpose that goes beyond aesthetics.
2. Guardianship of Mordecai: Mordecai’s guidance and care play a crucial role in Esther’s journey from the ordinary to the extraordinary.
3. Quiet Courage: Esther’s decision to keep her identity secret shows a quiet courage in the face of uncertainty.
4. Standing Out: In a crowd of potential queens, Esther stands out not just for her looks but for winning favor and attention.
5. Preparation for Destiny: The beauty regimen isn’t just about appearances; it’s a preparation for a destiny yet to unfold.

So, let’s be a crew that embraces the extraordinary in the everyday, appreciates the guidance of mentors, demonstrates quiet courage, recognizes the importance of standing out for the right reasons, and understands that our preparation today shapes our destiny tomorrow.

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