Ester, who lived as a captive, was rewarded for her faithfulness to the kingdom to where she was held and faithfully worked. The king of the land, Xerxes, have her as a conduit in the palace in the City of Susa in the land of Persia. It was in the City of Susa that the king's concubines were chosen and lived with the best of life.
As was said, Ester faithfully worked there upon Xerses personal wishes because Ester was very pretty. So, the king was constantly testing her knowledge of life, love, and to the sojourner faith towards his kingdom.
Now, Mordecai, who was considered to be a faithful servant, was the Jew who plays an important role in the story of Ester and the King. When questioned by King Xerxes Ester claimed Mordecai as her father, a deep secret not even the king was to have know about, but palace guards reported to him that Ester was having secret meeting with the old man. Ester confessed it was her father and that she was a Jew when she was told that the old man was to be hanged for a crime that he had earlier reported as a possible death attempt on the king.
Ester had one last test to perform or watch her father die at the gallows for telling on those guards who tried to kill the king. In her courage she did pass the test as she stood with barely anything left on her of her clothing. In the reward, she requested the freedom of the Jews as a marriage agreement. The story follows as Ester becomes queen and a feast in named in her honor...Purim, the Persian feast of the poor.
As was said, Ester faithfully worked there upon Xerses personal wishes because Ester was very pretty. So, the king was constantly testing her knowledge of life, love, and to the sojourner faith towards his kingdom.
Now, Mordecai, who was considered to be a faithful servant, was the Jew who plays an important role in the story of Ester and the King. When questioned by King Xerxes Ester claimed Mordecai as her father, a deep secret not even the king was to have know about, but palace guards reported to him that Ester was having secret meeting with the old man. Ester confessed it was her father and that she was a Jew when she was told that the old man was to be hanged for a crime that he had earlier reported as a possible death attempt on the king.
Ester had one last test to perform or watch her father die at the gallows for telling on those guards who tried to kill the king. In her courage she did pass the test as she stood with barely anything left on her of her clothing. In the reward, she requested the freedom of the Jews as a marriage agreement. The story follows as Ester becomes queen and a feast in named in her honor...Purim, the Persian feast of the poor.
Below is an excerpt from the biblical records when King Xerxes brought Mordecai record before the court which lead to the final test of Ester.
Esther 6: 1-5
That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the historical records of his kingdom so they could be read to him. 2 In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king's private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate the king. 3 "What reward or recognition did we ever give Mordecai for this?" the king asked.His attendants replied, "Nothing has been done." 4 "Who is that in the outer court?" the king inquired. Now, as it happened, Haman had just arrived in the outer court of the palace to ask the king to hang Mordecai from the gallows he had prepared. 5 So the attendants replied to the king, "Haman is out there.""Bring him in," the king ordered.
...Mordecai sat waiting next to the gallows waiting to hear of his fate.
This perhaps is a happy ending for the Jews in the Persian exile. But it is classic to the nature of a king as foretold in the Book of 1 Samuel. Keeping persons in captivity only for their beauty and knowledge and to simply test them to a faithfulness to a king is illustrated in the Book of Ester. With God's grace, Ester was with a very wealthy king who was crafty and kind. So, the Jews were sent back home and Ester became the Queen of Persia.
Blessing and great wealth with the coming of a new year. Truth, love, and family hold the bountiful harvest we all seek. It is through you Oh Lord that all things are rewarded in time. Though quiet in prayers, it is the works that reveals the heart towards you the One God. Remember us always whose of us who serve you in faith and love. for we too await upon our discovery, reward, and return. Amen.
