Read ESTHER 2:5–7
The phrase “damsel in distress” describes many female characters in fairy tales. They need to be rescued, preferably by a handsome prince. But when Disney created their updated movie version of the story of Rapunzel, they wanted a different heroine. In Tangled, a tough, independent feminine character could take care of herself.
In today’s passage, we meet an unusual, brave, quick-thinking heroine named Esther, along with Mordecai, her cousin and adopted father. Mordecai and Esther lived in Susa when the decree came from the king’s palace to bring every beautiful, eligible young woman for consideration to be his next queen.
Mordecai was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin, and he is depicted in Scripture as a man of courage. His family had been carried into exile by King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians (v. 6). In addition to his beautiful cousin, Mordecai himself would play an important role in the rescue of God’s people.
Finally, we learn that our heroine had two names. Her name Hadassah comes from the Hebrew word for “myrtle tree,” known for its beautiful sweet smell. The prophet Isaiah uses the myrtle tree to describe life and abundance instead of drought and death, because the myrtle has deep roots that can find water (see Isa. 55:18). God chose Hadassah for her heart and inner beauty that would stand firm in the face of challenges.
Her second name, Esther, is derived from the Persian word for “star.” This radiant young woman was prized by King Xerxes and the Persian court for her physical beauty, but God had chosen her to shine a light in the darkness of that court in order to provide deliverance for His people.
APPLY THE WORD
Esther, the star, points ahead to Jesus Christ, the “star who will come out of Jacob; the scepter will rise out of Israel” (Num. 24:17) in order to deliver His people forever from the darkness of sin. Her faithfulness foreshadowed His perfect obedience. We can shine the light of the gospel in the darkness around us when we tell others about Jesus.
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