June 26, 2024

King Artaxerxes was depressed over losing Vashti for what she had failed to do, but there was nothing he could do about it because of the law. Several years later, his servants encouraged him to allow them to search the kingdom for a young woman to replace her to bring back his joy, and he allowed it. They gathered all the beautiful young women, including Esther, who was orphaned. Mordecai, her uncle, raised her, and when she was called among the young women, he told her not to reveal her lineage. All the women underwent a purification process for six months and were given treatments with ointments and fragrances. Once that process was over, one was brought to the king daily for him to sleep with. The girls he didn't choose for a wife were put away as secondary wives. However, when it was Esther's turn, he was enamored by her beauty and selflessness; he fell in love with her and chose her as his queen. He had a feast for his wedding and required all the provenances to celebrate his marriage. Mordecai had kept tabs on her throughout the process and was easily found at the king's gate. He discovered a plot against the king and reported it to Esther, and she told the king. The men who plotted against him were hung for treason. 

To see the inner workings of God's design are incredible. Time is of no concern to Him; His plans never fail and are eventually brought into the light. Though it may seem slow to us, we can count on his plan to prevail. Look at poor Esther losing her parents; it doesn't seem like good could come from that, but when it's part of God's plan, we can be confident it's for our good. If you are dealing with an unpleasant situation, you can be sure that God will make good of it.

And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Esther 2:17

Note: Any information not found in the Bible comes from Matthew Henry’s Commentary On The Whole Bible and The Complete Works of Flavius Josephus.