Calling and purpose 9—Esther—Position Power, Personal Power, Gifts
We first meet Esther in Chapter Two of the book that bears her name—as an orphan, brought up by her cousin, Mordecai, and “taken” as one of the “beautiful young virgins” chosen for the Persian king and added to his harem. The plan is for the king to find a pleasing replacement for the now-deposed prior queen. King Xerxes appears to be capricious, and prone to pride, drunken parties and inebriated decision-making. Not a great beginning.
In time, after months of beauty treatments and training, Esther meets the king and is chosen by him because he “was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti” (Esther 2:17).
Running parallel to this story of Esther’s beauty is that she is also winsome. Mordecai raises her as his own daughter, cares for her, and watches over her. When Esther is taken to the king’s palace, she wins the favor and help of the head of the harem—which results in preferential treatment. Early on, she also has the king’s ear—reporting an assassination conspiracy to the king on behalf of Mordecai.
Then, a high-ranking official, Haman, decides to destroy the Jews. Esther and Mordecai are Jews but have kept that information secret from the king. Xerxes, at Haman’s urging, issues an edict to destroy the Jews. At this point we learn that Esther may no longer command this fickle king’s interest: “…thirty days have passed since [she] was called to go to the king” (Esther 4:11). She knows in this situation that appearing before the king and/or asking for mercy might cost her life.
However, her uncle-father Mordecai responds with these famous words: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14).
Esther is perfectly positioned. She may have gotten her Queen appointment for less-than-skin-deep reasons, but God has her in this place in this moment in time to have great influence and to save many lives.
To this point, we know that Esther is beautiful and has earned the favor of those she encounters. We now learn of her courage and her faith. She commits (and asks others to commit) to a three-day fast. She promises to then go to the king “…even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).
Xerxes is again pleased to welcome Queen Esther to the court. Here, we learn that Esther is wise and discerning. Instead of making an immediate plea for mercy, she requests that the king and Haman attend her banquet. She knows how King Xerxes thinks and behaves. She knows, with her husband the king, that timing is everything. She knows how to set up her request in such a way that she will gain a hearing and perhaps his blessing.
Even at the banquet, Esther somehow senses that it is still not yet time to make her ultimate request, so she invites him to a second banquet at which she promises to make her plea. At this second banquet, Queen Esther calls upon all of her training and skills and perceptions. She uses her position power as Queen along with her personal power—hard-earned through relationships and prayer. Her request is gracious and respectful and bold. She names Haman the “enemy” and gets her desired reaction from the king. She has such influence in this moment that she also gains power and wealth for her uncle.
Queen Esther is nothing if not persistent. She knows that the destruction of Haman will not reverse the irrevocable edict to destroy her people, so she risks all again, going unsummoned before the king. He again welcomes her. King Xerxes tells Esther and Mordecai to write another official decree on behalf of the Jews—however they see fit. Queen Esther continues to make requests of the king, and it appears he increasingly is willing to trust her requests and her judgment.
Her power grows. She, initially selected primarily for her beauty, turns out not to be just a pretty face nor a figurehead queen. The Book of Esther records that she “wrote with full authority” to the Jews about their deliverance, “decreed” fasting, celebration, and regulations regarding Purim, and that her decree was “written down in the records” of Persia.
Where, like Esther, have you perhaps been chosen for a role/job based on appearances more than credentials—but know that you have been placed in that position “for such a time as this”—to have strategic influence?
Are you called to use your influence to speak up on behalf of others—to save them?
What about the story of Queen Esther gives you some clues as to your own calling and purpose?
Where can your gifts—perhaps of wisdom, discernment, leadership, faith—help define your calling and purpose?
Additional Resources:
• Downloadable Resources--See Sample List of Interest Areas; Your Spiritual Gifts—A Study Guide; Knowing Your Unique Calling and Purpose Study Guide; Whole-Life Ministry: A Form of Worship, Grace-Giving, and Living into Your Calling.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, law enforcement leadership, and individuals for over 30 years. Shirley has been EquipConnectServe Director at First Pres Boulder since 1999. She has worked with leaders and organizations in 47 of the United States as well as having clients outside the U.S. Contact Shirley.