Esther 2:10-18
Relax, Read and Reflect
Prayer- Lord, Open our hearts and open our minds and help us learn. Go-Fight-Win. Amen
Esther 2:10-18
New International Version (NIV)
10 Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. 11 Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.
12 Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. 13 And this is how she would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. 14 In the evening she would go there and in the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name.
15 When the turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. 16 She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17 Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 And the king gave a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality.
Mordecai was no fool, he knew that if Esther revealed her nationality and family background, she may be dq'ed from the contest.
Every contestant went through a full year of beauty treatment, ( suddenly a mani-peddi a week doesn't seem like much.) Plus, they were allowed to take ANYTHING from the palace with them, (clothes, jewelry, etc.)
All Esther took was her beauty, and what ever the Hegai suggested. Her natural beauty shined through- and she won! Lesson here ladies- sometimes it really doesn't matter what you wear or buy, it's how you act that makes the difference.
Question:
1. Why did Mordecai tell Esther to not tell her background?
2. Why did he check up on her daily?
3. Do you think Hegai helped Esther?
Prayer- Lord, help us remember that it what is inside us that really makes the difference. Be in us so we too can show the world our love and grace. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
Prayer- Lord, Open our hearts and open our minds and help us learn. Go-Fight-Win. Amen
Esther 2:10-18
New International Version (NIV)
10 Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. 11 Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.
12 Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. 13 And this is how she would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. 14 In the evening she would go there and in the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name.
15 When the turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. 16 She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17 Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 And the king gave a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality.
Mordecai was no fool, he knew that if Esther revealed her nationality and family background, she may be dq'ed from the contest.
Every contestant went through a full year of beauty treatment, ( suddenly a mani-peddi a week doesn't seem like much.) Plus, they were allowed to take ANYTHING from the palace with them, (clothes, jewelry, etc.)
All Esther took was her beauty, and what ever the Hegai suggested. Her natural beauty shined through- and she won! Lesson here ladies- sometimes it really doesn't matter what you wear or buy, it's how you act that makes the difference.
Question:
1. Why did Mordecai tell Esther to not tell her background?
2. Why did he check up on her daily?
3. Do you think Hegai helped Esther?
Prayer- Lord, help us remember that it what is inside us that really makes the difference. Be in us so we too can show the world our love and grace. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
posted by Steve Killam TMTL | 8:43 AM
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