(story told in the book of Esther)
Esther was a young Jewish woman living in Persia during the reign of King Xerxes. After Queen Vashti was removed from her position, the king held a search for a new queen. Esther, who was raised by her cousin Mordecai, was chosen for her beauty and grace. Though she lived in the royal palace, she kept her Jewish identity a secret, as Mordecai had advised her. God placed her there for a purpose she did not yet understand.
At the same time, an evil official named Haman rose to power and demanded that everyone bow to him. When Mordecai refused, Haman became furious and convinced the king to issue a decree to destroy all the Jews in the empire. Mordecai sent word to Esther, urging her to plead with the king for her people. But approaching the king without being summoned could mean death.
After prayer and fasting, Esther courageously decided to act. She said, “If I perish, I perish.” She approached the king, who welcomed her and asked what she desired. Esther invited the king and Haman to two banquets, waiting for the right moment to reveal the truth. At the second banquet, she exposed Haman’s plot and confessed that she herself was Jewish.
The king was enraged by Haman’s deceit and ordered his execution. A new decree allowed the Jews to defend themselves, and they were saved from destruction. Mordecai was promoted, and the people celebrated their deliverance with joy.
Esther’s story is one of courage, faith, and God’s unseen guidance. She risked everything to stand for what was right, showing that one person’s bravery can change the destiny of many.