A new queen
Day 309, Monday, June 16
Esther Chapters 1 – 2
The book of Esther is unusual in several ways. One is clear from the title—it is primarily the story of a woman. It and Ruth are the only two of the 66 books of scripture this can be said of.
Even more unusual is the fact that it is the only book in scripture where God is never directly mentioned.
Ruth and her cousin Mordecai are presented as faithful Jews. Their trust in God is evident and God’s protection of them is clear, but God is never actually spoken of in the book.
The story begins with King Xerxes deposing his queen, Vashti, and looking for a new queen. In the process, young women are prepared with beauty treatments for a year before being presented to the king.
As his new queen, Xerxes chooses Esther, not knowing her to be a Jew. “Now the king 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.”
Mordecai learns of a plot to assassinate the king and passes that knowledge to him by way of Esther, earning good will from the king for both of them. The conspirators are executed.

Monday meditation

Proverbs 30:21-23
“Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes king, a godless fool who gets plenty to eat, a contemptible woman who gets married, and a servant who displaces her mistress.”

Prayer focus
Lord, place us in a position to serve you.

-Rev. Mark Fleming