The book of Esther opens with King Xerxes/Ahasuerus throwing a huge celebration for the nobles in his kingdom which lasted 180 days. One of seventh day while drunk on wine, he sent for Queen Vashti so he could parade her and show off her beauty but she refused. Furious and embarrassed, he banished her from his presence and looked for a new Queen. Esther, a very beautiful Jewish woman was one of the women brought before the King and he chose her to be the new Queen.
Key Lessons from the book of Esther
1. The book of Esther is the only book in the Bible that God isn’t mentioned in but you can clearly see his power at work throughout the book. This shows that God’s silence does not mean he’s absent. Even when he’s silent, he’s working.
2. You have to mind the way you act when you’re in a position of power and influence (Esther 1:17). The reason why Vashti’s punishment was so severe was because of the example her behaviour would portray to the other women in the kingdom. Any other woman would have have probably gotten away with a milder punishment. So, do your best to honour any position you accept.
3. Do good always even if it only benefits others. Cease every opportunity to do good because even if men don’t reward you for it, God sees your every action (Esther 2:22). God used Mordecai’s good deeds to spare his life and elevate him (Esther 6:1-12, Esther 10:3). It can be a source of blessing to you in the future.
4. Don’t sacrifice God’s commands to please men, no matter who it is and no matter what you might gain or lose. This is part of what it means to put God first (Esther 3:4). God sees all.
5. Don’t react in anger. Your fury will subside and you’ll be left with the consequences of your decisions.
6. Revenge can be your downfall. Haman had it all. He had the second highest position in the kingdom but his obsession with getting revenge cost him everything including his life and his family’s. If anyone offends you, leave it in God’s hands because vengeance is costly.
Romans 12:19 ~ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.
7. The favour of God is powerful and will set you apart. Esther won Hegai’s favour (Esther 2:9) and not only Hegai’s but everyone who saw her (Esther 2:15). In fact, as soon as the King met her, he was so enamoured with her that he crowned her Queen (Esther 2:17). He favoured her so much that even after thousand of people were killed (to protect her people), he still asked her for anything she wanted, even if it was half his kingdom and he’d give it to her (Esther 9:12). He was smitten with her beyond reason. This is what the favour of God does, it goes beyond reason. Pray for God’s favour always.
8. Sometimes, God puts you in certain places for a reason (Esther 4:14). Always pray to God for direction and his divine alignment.
