26/05/2026
The account of Esther, Mordecai, and the Jewish people illustrates the story of a remarkable queen who rose from humble beginnings to greatness. In ancient times, there was a specific protocol to follow before one could approach the King or Queen, which could take six months or longer, depending on the status of the individual seeking an audience. Queen Esther is among the few who gained favor with King Ahasuerus, possibly due to her humility towards him, as stated in Proverbs 29:23 (KJV): "A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit." Esther gained favor in the eyes of King Ahasuerus, which helped to avert the destruction of the Jews in the province of Shushan. It is important to recognize that we cannot receive mercy or favor from God without demonstrating humility and submission to His authority, unlike Queen Vashti, who displayed pride and refused to submit to her husband. This is why it was relatively easy for the King to grant Esther her requests. The Bible describes Esther as attractive, which was an asset to her position. However, what truly distinguished her was her commitment to advocate for her people. She set aside her status, reputation, and privileges to defend the Jews in the King's province. A notable aspect of Esther's story is found in Esther 4:16 (KJV): "Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish."
This reflects a combination of humility and determination in the face of significant challenges against the Jewish people. My question is, can we identify you as the current Esther of your time or if this pertains solely to your speech.