Esther 1 & 2: She Required Nothing
Verse of the Day: (2:15) Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
1. No (1:1-22)
If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. (1:19)
King Ahasuerus, who reigned an empire that stretched from India to Ethiopia, made a feast for all his princes and servants to show off his wealth for 180 days before them. He then requested his wife, Queen Vashti, to be with him, so that he could show off her stunning beauty. However, Vashti refused as she assumed the king would give in to her insolence, but he was so angry with her that he commanded her to come no more to him as he would replace her with another queen. Subsequently, he sent a decree to all that all wives shall honour their husbands. Indeed, let us truly humble ourselves, and submit to the will of God, and no longer live in disobedience and the lusts of men. (1 Peter 4:1-2)
2. Nothing (2:1-20)
And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. (2:7)
The quest for the new queen for King Ahasuerus began, and after much search he chose Esther. What a contrast between the 2 queens! The former queen Vashti was proud who required everything for her status, while Queen Esther was humble who required nothing, and she even obtained favour in the sight of all who were with her. Esther was a humble and godly woman mainly because she was an orphan, and was raised by Mordecai, her humble and godly uncle. Indeed, let us be truly contented with God, as we bring nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out of it. (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
3. Name (2:21-23)
And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name. (2:22)
Mordecai saved the king as he told Esther that 2 of the king’s servants had plotted to kill Ahasuerus. The culprits were eventually arrested and hanged, and Mordecai’s name was recorded in the chronicles. Indeed, when we choose to believe in God, our names shall be written in His book of life and our souls shall live with Him forever! (Revelation 3:1-5)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I require nothing in this life except Your salvation.
