Text: Esther 2:1-23
The process for preparing and choosing a new queen requires a year of beauty treatments. Then each lady would spend a night with the King. If he wanted her again, she would be called by name. This is a degrading practice–virgins being treated like play things to satisfy the lusts of the King, and of other men. Sadly, that is the way it was in pagan nations. Hegai recognized that Esther would probably be the one to please the King, so he assigned some very special salon ladies to care for her (v.9). Indeed, Esther was chosen to be the Queen. There was a great banquet, a holiday, and gifts.
The young ladies were treated poorly, but there are two good lessons to
consider. We will soon see that God is putting this young Jewish woman in a
position to rescue her fellow Judaeans and to destroy His enemies. We should also note verses 21-23, where God is also putting Mordecai in a position to deliver the Jews. Second, a bride being prepared for the King is a picture of our redemption. Believers are being prepared as a bride for King Jesus. The King lived a pure life for her, paid her sin penalty, came back to life for her, and one day He will bring her to Himself forever. For now, the Holy Spirit is preparing the bride, sanctifying her, to present her to the Lord on the greatest wedding day, when there will be feasting and a great eternal celebration.
Meditate on verse 10. What are you learning from this verse?
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, help me to talk less but observe more.
Amen.