Powerful Christian Women in History: Queen Esther, the Israeli Liberator
An example of beauty, humility, brains, and courage, Esther is portrayed as the Jewish queen of the Persian king Ahasuerus (Xerxes I). She used her powerful position for good. When her people were on the verge of being annihilated, Esther selflessly risked her life to save them.
The king’s chief minister Harman plotted the massacre of Jews. Because Mordecai refused to bow before him, he decided to destroy all the Jews. Mordecai refused to bow because according to Jewish law, Jews do not bow to anyone but God Yahweh [Exodus 20:5]. Harman did not know that Queen Esther was a Jew as she had not disclosed this information to anyone. Neither did anyone know that Mordecai, the man Harman despised, was Queen Esther’s uncle.
To save the Jews from destruction, Esther ordered them to fast for three days and three nights. No man or woman was allowed to enter the inner courts to approach the king without being summoned by him. Any attempt to do so resulted in the death penalty. On the third day of the fast, risking death, Esther went into the inner court and found favour in the eyes of the king who summoned her.
An audience with the king allowed Esther to persuade him to retract the order to annihilate the Jews made by Harman. The king loved her to the extent of giving her half of his kingdom. Esther only asked for her people to be spared. Letters allowing the Jews to defend themselves were sent to all provinces. Harman, the anti-Semitic chief minister, was then hanged and his estate was given to Esther.
In the history of Christianity, Esther is not only a queen but a liberator. She did not force her power on anyone. Her sacrificial love for her people makes her stand out as someone who used her power for good. Her impressive wisdom and ingenuity gave her a seat beside all other great women in history.
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