(1) v.7b neither her father nor her mother was alive.
v.7c When her father and mother died, Mordecai had raised her as if she were his own daughter.
Esther was an orphan. Her cousin raised her up and treated her as his own. There was a strong bonding between them.
Esther was an orphan. Her cousin raised her up and treated her as his own. There was a strong bonding between them.
(2) 2:5 Now there happened to be a Jewish man in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai.
v. 6a who had been taken into exile from Jerusalem with the captives who had been carried into exile
v. 6c whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken into exile
2:10 Now Esther had not disclosed her people or her lineage, for Mordecai had instructed her not to do so
2:11 And day after day Mordecai used to walk back and forth in front of the court of the harem in order to learn how Esther was doing and what might happen to her.
It seems that being Jewish was not being welcomed in Babylon. They were the descendants of the captives. Mordecai was so worried about Esther that he walked in front of the court day after day to see how she was doing.
It seems that being Jewish was not being welcomed in Babylon. They were the descendants of the captives. Mordecai was so worried about Esther that he walked in front of the court day after day to see how she was doing.
(3) 2:9 This young woman pleased him, and she found favor with him....He then transferred her and her young women to the best quarters in the harem.
In the night that would determine her future life...
v.15b she did not request anything except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who was overseer of the women, had recommended. Yet Esther met with the approval of all who saw her..
2:17 And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she met with his loving approval more than all the other young women. So he placed the royal high turban on her head and appointed her queen in place of Vashti.
Cosmetics and perfume were considered to be extremely important to get them ready,
v.3 and let him provide whatever cosmetics they desire.
v.12b for in this way they had to fulfill their time of cosmetic treatment: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfume and various ointments used by women—2:13 the woman would go to the king in the following way:
Reflection: According to (1) and (2), we know that God used every situation. Being the descendants of the captives and as an orphan, Esther could have felt very unfortunate, but she was protected through her cousin. Later, the relationship between Esther and Morecai became something very important. God also can use all the situations we have in our lives. Sometimes, we may feel like complaining about our family, but they are all under the sovereign plan of God.
Reflection: According to (1) and (2), we know that God used every situation. Being the descendants of the captives and as an orphan, Esther could have felt very unfortunate, but she was protected through her cousin. Later, the relationship between Esther and Morecai became something very important. God also can use all the situations we have in our lives. Sometimes, we may feel like complaining about our family, but they are all under the sovereign plan of God.
(3) Perhaps the beauty of Esther helped her to gain favors from other people, but her personality certainly played a key role in that. She did not request anything else. She did not rely on the cosmetics of the perfumes. Scriptures did not say, but I guess she just trusted her future in God's hand. Can we?
Audrey
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