1097 - Esther is Chosen by God

Esther is Chosen by God


After Xerxes’ anger had subsided, he began thinking about Vashti, and what she had done, and the decree he had made, to banish her, and he was sad because she was very beautiful. 


So, his personal attendants suggested, 


“Let us search the empire, to find beautiful young virgins, for the king. 


Let the king appoint agents, in each province, to bring these beautiful young women, into the royal harem, at the fortress of Susa. 


Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the harem, will see that they are all given beauty treatments. 


After that, the young woman, who most pleases the king, will be made queen instead of Vashti.” 


This advice was very appealing, to the king, so he put the plan into effect.


At that time, there was a Jewish man, in the fortress of Susa, whose name was Mordecai, son of Jair. 


He was from the tribe of Benjamin, and was a descendant, of Kish and Shimei. 


His family had been among those, who, with King Jehoiachin, of Judah, had been exiled, from Jerusalem, to Babylon, by King Nebuchadnezzar. 


This man had a very beautiful, and lovely, young cousin, named Hadassah, who was also called Esther. 


When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her, into his family, and raised her, as his own daughter.


As a result of the king’s decree, Esther, along with many other young women, was brought to the king’s harem, at the fortress of Susa, and placed in Hegai’s care. 


Hegai was very impressed, with Esther, and treated her kindly. 


He quickly ordered a special menu, for her, and provided her, with beauty treatments. 


He also assigned her seven maids, who were specially chosen, from the king’s palace, and he moved her, and her maids, into the best place, in the harem.


Esther had not told anyone, of her nationality, and family background, …because Mordecai had directed her, not to do so. 


Every day, Mordecai would take a walk, near the courtyard of the harem, to find out, about Esther, and what was happening to her.


Holy Bible: 

New Living Translation. 

Tyndale House Publishers. 2015.


Esther 2:1-10


Praise be to God!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Moses Chooses Seventy Leaders

​ Moses Chooses Seventy Leaders The Lord said to Moses,  “Gather before Me …seventy men, who are recognized, as elders and leaders of Israel.  Bring them to the Tabernacle, to stand there with you.  I will come down and talk to you there.  I will take some of the Spirit …that is upon you, and I will put this Spirit, upon them.  They will bear the burden, of the people, along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone.  “And say to the people,  ‘Purify yourselves, for tomorrow you will have meat to eat.  You were whining, and the Lord heard you when you cried…  “Oh, for some meat!  We were better off in Egypt!”  Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will have to eat it.  And it won’t be for just a day …or two, or for five, or ten, or even twenty.  You will eat it for a whole month until you gag and are sick of it.  For you have rejected the Lord, Who is here among you, and you have whined to Him, saying,  “Why did we ever leave Egypt?” ’ ”  But Moses responded to the Lord,  “Th
Read more

1088 - A History of the Priests and Levites

A History of the Priests and Levites Here is the list of the priests and Levites, who returned, with Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua, the high priest: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, Shecaniah, Harim, Meremoth, Iddo, Ginnethon, Abijah, Miniamin, Moadiah, Bilgah, Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah, Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah. So, these were the leaders, of the priests, and their associates, in the days of Jeshua. Now, the Levites, who returned, with them, were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who ….with his associates, was in charge, of the songs, of thanksgiving.  Their associates, Bakbukiah and Unni, stood opposite them, during the service. Jeshua the high priest was the father of Joiakim. Joiakim was the father of Eliashib. Eliashib was the father of Joiada. Joiada was the father of Johanan. Johanan was the father of Jaddua. So, when Joiakim was high priest, the family leaders, of the priests, were as follows: Meraiah was leader of
Read more

1046 - Israel Celebrates Passover

Israel Celebrates Passover When everything was ready for the Passover celebration, the priests and the Levites took their places, organized by their divisions, as the king had commanded.  The Levites then slaughtered the Passover lambs …and presented the blood to the priests, who sprinkled the blood on the altar, while the Levites prepared the animals.  They divided the burnt offerings, among the people, by their family groups, so they could offer them to the Lord, as prescribed, in the Book of Moses.  They did the same with the cattle.  Then, they roasted the Passover lambs, as prescribed; and they boiled the holy offerings… in pots, kettles, and pans, …and they brought them out quickly, so the people could eat them.  Afterward, the Levites prepared Passover offerings, for themselves and for the priests—the descendants of Aaron—because the priests had been busy, from morning till night, offering the burnt offerings, and the fat portions.  The Levites took responsibility for all these
Read more