Things I've Learned from Esther

When the new Bible studies began in the middle of September, I began the Esther study. Truthfully, I wanted to do “Me, Myself, and Lies,” but I work full time and it wasn’t possible for me to be somewhere else on Tuesday mornings. So . . . Esther it was. We’re now four weeks into the study. The things we are learning!! Apparently, those ancient Persians really liked to party. And eat. Banquet after banquet – for months at a time!

We are seeing Queen Esther in a whole new light – and we are just getting to the part where she cannot remain silent and decides to approach the king, even though she knows she could die. One of the things I have learned about Esther is that she listened to other people who could give her good advice and she learned from what others were doing. (I need to work on my Esther-ness.) She listened to Mordecai who acted as her adoptive parent. She listened to Hegai who knew what would please the king most. She paid attention. She made friends. She was beautiful. She received special treatment because of her beauty. But . . . she was NOT a snob!

Esther’s circumstances were no accident. How likely is it that an orphan Jewish girl (and perhaps not such a devout one, at that) would grow up to be the Queen of Persia when she could have been sitting in Jerusalem among other Jewish people?! And how likely is it that the same little orphan Jewish girl would become a queen and save herself and ALL of her people from annihilation? So, I’ve been thinking over the past four weeks as Esther’s story has been unfolding. What might God want to do with us? What could He do with us if we were willing to do what He asks of us? What would He do with you if you just offered yourself to Him just like you are, let Him provide the “beauty treatments,” and see what He has in mind?

So far, here’s what we have learned that is tough about being a woman:
• It’s tough being a woman in another woman’s shadow.
• It’s tough being a woman in a world where beauty is a treatment.
• It’s tough being a woman in a mean world.
• It’s tough being a woman thrown a giant-size weight.

If you aren’t participating in the Bible studies because you think you don’t have the time . . . rethink that. Whatever you gain from any part of the study is yours to keep! You just never know what God can do with a woman willing to follow Him. That woman might be you.