Naturally the reaction amongst Jewish people to the news of their planned annihilation was one of great anguish. Since the beginning, the race that God chose as His own has faced much opposition and many attempts at elimination. As always, their reaction was to immediately begin to fast and pray.
Five times we read of Haman the Agagite. The author wants us to know that Haman descended from king Agag of the Amalekites; an enemy of the Jewish people. In Samuel we read of King Saul being told to kill all the Amalekites, which he did, all except king Agag!
Since the very beginning there has been an enemy trying to destroy the Jewish race. Since the time of Christ, that spirit of hatred has grown to include Christians too. In many parts of the world admitting that you are a Christian can cost you and your family your lives.
It seems in every situation there are those who try to stir up problems. The court of the Persian King was no different. We know not why Haman was honoured by the king. We do know others had to treat him as a god. But Mordecai could not do that.
We know very little about Esther as queen, but it does sound as though she used her position well. It is obvious Mordecai spent a lot of time at the gate of the king. And quite often he seems to have been there at just the right moments. God moments!
We are not surprised by this turn of events for Esther. This feast makes me reminisce about royal weddings I have seen on TV or read about in the press. Journalists will take time to explain exactly what is happening and to describe clothes and the delicacies of the banquets.
Like any good heroine it seems Esther did everything right! And everyone liked her. Do you suppose that was because she was a nice person? I prefer to think that it is because the favour of God rested on her. People of prayer are often recognisable as people of peace.
This sounds to me like a very stressful moment for any young woman. Suddenly the day has come! I suppose it could be compared to a wedding day for a modern day virgin in parts of the world where young girls do not meet their husbands until they are married!
It seems as though the king was not in a very desperate hurry for his new queen. Over a year before he got to meet any of the prodigies! That must have seemed quite a long year for Mordecai who spent much time near to the courtyard of the harem.
We see the hand of God at work. We can begin to understand why Esther was orphaned and consequently brought up by a male family member. Her education with Mordecai would mean that she was not afraid to speak to men. It would mean that she knew about many things.
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