A Star's Character

O T. #1084  "A Star's Character"
Oct. 20, 2017
Esther 2-Part 2
A gentle and quiet spirit, ...of great worth in God's sight.  1 Peter 3:4

LET IT GLOW

Growing up, I had was of a quiet nature. But, being a school teacher for 15 years, I developed  bossy and stern ways. Now I realize that I don't need those qualities and have been trying to work on having a gentle and quiet spirit. For some of us, it takes an effort to achieve. However, for Esther, it came naturally. This star's character shone out with the love of God in her heart. She was shining above the other maidens.

Last time we talked about Esther being brought to the palace, along with other maidens, in order to eventually be in a beauty contest for the position of queen of Persia. We mentioned that she was an orphan after both of her parents were dead. Her cousin Mordecai took her in and raised her. They were both Jews.

Who is this Mordecai?
He was a fourth generation of deported Jews. To explain that, we need to look into Israel's history.
It divided into two kingdoms after King Solomon's reign. The Northern Kingdom, called Israel, which included 10 tribes, eventually turned to idolatry, thus God allowed Assyria to conquer them. The Southern Kingdom, made up of  Judah and Benjamin, had a few more faithful kings, but they eventually turned from worshiping God to idols, also. Jehoiachin, the young king of Judah, only wore the crown three months when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered them. Jerusalem was destroyed, as well as the Temple, which had its holy contents made of gold, silver and bronze taken away to Babylon. Then Babylon fell to the Medo-Persians. Ahasuerus became king of the vast Persian empire, about a hundred years after the fall of Jerusalem.

Mordecai was a descendant of those exited Jews. His great grandfather actually experienced the deportation. Kish represents a Benjamite family name which can be traced all the way back to Saul's father. Since their exile, the Jews had increased in population, had great freedom, were allowed to run a business, and hold position in government. Mordecai was probably born in Susa and inherited an official position among the Jewish captives that kept him around the palace. However, he instructed Esther to remain quiet about her being a Jew.

If we have been born into a family of believers in Jesus Christ, we are blessed.

Life Application Study Bible advises us:

While boldness in stating our identity as God's people is our responsibility, at times a good strategy is to keep quiet until we have won the right to be heard. This is especially true when dealing with those in authority over us. But we can always let them see the difference God makes in our lives.

LET IT GROW

Esther impressed Hegai with her lovely, gracious character. He gave her special privileges and care by:

• giving her additional attention beauty treatments, and choice food;
• seven maids;
• the best room in the harem. (verse 9)

It was more than Esther's beauty that attracted her to Hegai, the one in charge of the maidens. It was bound to be her sweet, gracious, lovely, and kind spirit. This star's character shone out from the other young women. (The Persian name Esther means Star.) Her humility and grace were rewarded with those things mentioned above.
Nowadays a movie star is often selfish and self centered, prideful, boisterous. It isn't her outward beauty that makes her a beautiful person. Her kindness, sweet attitudes, and giving spirit do in my books.

How is our character measurement? Can folks say the same about us as revealed Esther?

LET IT GO

Keep showing a gentle and quiet spirit toward others and situations.
Graciously think of others before myself.