Born to answer a call

It’s too big a thought for me to embrace that every person on the earth is born with a gift and calling from the foundation of the world he chose you in love (Eph. 1:4). And in Him, you have an inheritance according to the purpose and counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11). Pondering that truth led me to a story in the Old Testament, in the Book of Esther. 

The book opens with a king celebrating the nobles and princes of all the provinces he reigned over. The king summoned his queen, and she ignored the demand. Her decline to present herself before the court led to political unrest and a decree to replace her as queen. 

The king sent out letters to all the province

For fear of losing household control, the king and his men made a law; the mandate required eradicating the queen due to her dismissal of his request. But the king still needs a wife, and the province needs a queen. Now, this all looks like an awful situation brewing. But this story becomes more interesting after the king signed the decree and sent the letters to each province. 

All things work together for good to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

In Esther, chapter 2 is where you can begin to see God moving to protect His people. The believer can use this story to see how political change often led to social unrest, but God is always working things for your good. Even in situations where it appears injustices are happening. Although God isn’t mentioned in the Book of Esther, you can see His orchestration by positioning people to protect the Jews before their enemy is made known to them. 

Servants Idea for Queen

The kings’ servants come up with the idea of gathering every virgin in all provinces and having them brought to his castle. At the citadel gate, a Jew named Mordecai raised his niece Hadassah, but for this time, he would call her Esther to conceal her family and her people. Yes, Esther was also taken for the king’s pleasure.

 Beauty treatments were given for 12 months at the citadel before meeting the king. These ladies were kidnapped in a matter of speaking because they live in one of the provinces where King Ahasuerus reigned. I can only imagine the chaos enveloping these women. Sure, some women felt they had a chance to become queen, but not all.

Esther found favor with the king

Esther, a Jew, is queen. But first, Esther found favor with Hagia, the king’s eunuch. Favor with him meant a favorable audience with the king. The king fell in love with Esther and placed the royal crown on her head. Haman, an enemy of the Jews, reveals a plan to destroy the Jewish people and convinces the king that the Jews who were throughout his kingdom needed to die when he really wanted to kill just Mordecai, but he feared putting his hands on him alone. But a decree from the king allowed him to kill all the Jews.  

Mordecai Sends Word to Queen Esther

When Mordecai learned of Haman’s plot to kill all the Jews, he got word to her and warned her that she wasn’t safe just because she was in the castle. What if she refuses to stand up delivery will come for the Jews from someplace else? Also mentioning to her, “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14) Esther called for a fast then planned a dinner with the king and Haman, exposing his plan and ending his life.

Was Esther born for this time? I believe God has a plan for every person born, and they have a choice to serve His will or their own. Esther decided to allow God to use her to deliver His people from the hands of the enemy. Will you allow God to use you?  

Invite Jesus Christ into your heart and listen for His directions!