Combing the Hills and Hair

O.T. #1083  "Combing the Hills and Hair"
Oct. 19, 2017
Esther 2
...Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
Esther 2:8

LET IT GLOW

After these things... What things? Well, after Queen Vashti was divorced and dethroned by King Xerxes. You will recall that she refused to be a made a spectacle of his highness to the drunk male guests. Then, the king launched his disastrous campaign against the Greeks, returning home humiliated instead of honored. Oh, he was a dejected and despondent king, in despair and anguish.  He had no one in which to share his deepest emotions, find comfort, and receive encouragement. Did Xerxes miss Vashti? Was he longing for true love?

So 4 years passed between chapters 1 and 2. The king's personal attendants noticed this about the king. They came up with a plan to secure him a new wife:

1. By appointment, agents in each province to search for beautiful virgins.
2. These girls were brought into the king's harem at Susa.
3. They were placed under Hegai's care and given beauty treatments (which lasted a year).
4. The maiden that pleased the king the most would be made queen

The idea pleased the king so it was implemented.
Do we know people who are like King Xerxes? They are morally corrupt, engaging in one sexual exploit after another. This has been hitting the news lately.
God and His Word forbids adultery and illicit sex. Marriage between a man and a woman is His guideline for us. A home, companionship, love, meeting needs, and nurturing  aide us in leading a life of happiness and contentment. This is found when God's guidelines are followed. (In a sense, that is what those illicit relationships are seeking.)



LET IT GROW

The decree went out as headlines in all the newspapers-Miss Persia Beauty Contest to be Held in One Year. Well, maybe it wasn't like that. so behind the lines is a girl named Hadassah (Jewish name meaning myrtle, fragrance). Esther is her Persian name, meaning star in reference to the star like flowers of the myrtle, but like a star in the sky.

What are the two things we learn about Ester in verse 7?

1. She was an orphan, raised by her Jewish cousin, Mordecai.
2. She became a young woman of incredible beauty.

At this point, Esther has not the slightest inkling that one day she would be crowned the most beautiful woman in the kingdom and the new queen of Persia. She knows nothing of palace politics, a lonely king, nor what the future holds for her.

So the appointed men combed the hills for the beautiful maidens in the land. Esther found herself on her way to combing her hair to meet the king. She was brought into the king's palace along with other virgins and placed under the care of Hegai. (I couldn't resist such an analogy.)

I wonder if Mordecai was worried about his sweet cousin. Was he reluctant to let her go away into such an environment, although he didn't have a choice about the matter? All he could do was trust her life with God. She also.

Where are you on your own journey today? Are you thinking how insignificant your life is? What good can come from where you live and what you do?

Remember, God's hand is not so short that it cannot save, nor is His ear so heavy that He cannot hear. He is at work in your life this very moment. (Swindoll)

His ways are higher than ours. Trust Him, dear one.

LET IT GO

Stand up for marriage being an institution by God.
Trust God when things are not foreseen.
Remain committed to the things of God, bringing hope to a world in need.