The Book of Esther offers a remarkable portrayal of women in leadership. As the book opened, we saw how Vashti had to decide between being exploited and holding on to her role and status as queen. We don’t know what happened to her after being stripped of her title, but we do know that the King and the men in his party did not get to parade her around like an object. She left with her dignity intact and hopefully left a more powerful message to the women of the city on how to value and respect themselves. In this chapter, Esther is called to stand up for her people and face the consequences of approaching the king. 

She had the prayers of her people lifted on her behalf and a desire to do what was right, regardless of how it may have ended for her.  God was already working on Esther’s behavior before she entered the king’s court.  Psalms 139:16, “Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.” God promised Abraham that He would protect His people, and no matter what type of consequences the children of Israel faced, at the appointed time, God brought deliverance. 

Esther was able to seek the king’s favor. But even with the king’s blessings, she could discern that this was not the right time to fulfill her request. The situation for the Jews was dire, but she was able to wait for the right time to speak to the king. We must spend time in prayer and seek godly counsel so that we can discern how God desires us to act.  Haman, however, was thinking more highly of himself than he should have been. He had an evil plan in his heart for Israel, but God did not allow His plan to prosper.  Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.

Esther was able to see God’s vindication as she exposed Haman’s plan to exterminate her people. She was also able to witness God exalting Mordecai for his faithfulness to Him and his service to the king. Mordecai never bowed to Haman’s demands. Men of godly character and conviction will raise daughters of strong character and conviction, just as we saw in His influence on Esther’s life.  I hope that you will be inspired to stand firm and trust God when faced with a difficult situation. 1 Corinthians 10:13 teaches us that God will make a way of escape for us when we trust Him.  His way is always the best.