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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Esther 2:17
Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favour and approval more than any other of the virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
The Miss World Beauty Contest is nothing new.
The heart of mankind has not changed either. Everyone appreciates a beautiful woman - especially the men. The magazines of the world know it and capitalise upon it. It is the ‘modus operandi’ of the sales media and advertising agencies even today.
But I would hazard a guess that none of the beauty agencies or glamour parlours come anywhere near subjecting their clients to the programme given to the girls of Xerxes’ harem. They had to undergo a year of beautifying treatments. The first six months involved therapy with oil and myrrh and the next six months, with various perfumes and cosmetics. They had to be in perfect condition for the king.
The head of the harem, Hegai, the king’s eunuch, liked Esther most of all. He gave her 7 maids to help her and also put her in the best part of the harem. He oversaw her beauty treatment and gave her special food. When the time came for any of the girls to go before the king, they went in the evening and took anything they liked with them. They would return in the morning to a different part of the harem.
It was 4 years after Vashti’s dethronement that Esther was summoned to the presence of the king. She was asked what she wanted to take with her, but she just allowed herself to the guided by her advisors. The king was immediately attracted to Esther more than to any of the other girls, and so he set a royal crown upon her head and made her the new queen. He then declared a national holiday to celebrate and gave out generous presents.
But who was Esther? She was a Jewess. She was an orphan. The likelihood of her becoming Queen of Persia was almost non-existent. So how did it all happen? God was working out His plan. Her family had been exiled to Babylon, which was eventually taken over by Persia. So too had her ‘uncle’ Mordecai (her older cousin) who had taken Esther in and brought her up. Her real name was Hadassah (2:7).
Mordecai had done a good job. She wasn’t bitter or rebellious, but rather a meek, obedient, princess. They had agreed not to reveal her nationality at this time as it could have worked against her. God needed that piece of information ‘up His sleeve’ for later.
Mordecai had not only done a good job with Esther, he was also loyal to his captors. Shortly after Esther was made queen, he heard of a plot to assassinate the king and revealed it to Esther and so she informed the king. He, in turn, found out it was true. After the culprits were discovered, they were hanged and a record was kept in the royal diaries. (Again recorded for later.)
God looks not for ability so much as availability. Not for superstars but humble, trustworthy servants. Are you one?
You may never be a ‘Miss World’ but you can still be a Princess of the King of kings. Or as a man, an adviser and guide to one.
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