The Humble Star

“[After a year of beauty treatments, young virgins selected for the king] would go to the king in the following way: Whatever she asked for would be provided for her to take with her from the harem to the royal palace. In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to a separate part of the harem, to the authority of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was overseeing the concubines. She would not go back to the king unless the king was pleased with her and she was requested by name. When it became the turn of Esther … to go to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who was overseer of the women, had recommended. Yet Esther met with the approval of all who saw her.” –Esther 2:13-15, NET

Let us be clear. Each of these women would spend a night with the king for his sexual pleasure, going in the “evening,” and leaving “in the morning,” being then moved into the “second harem” of the “concubines,” returning to the king only if he called specifically for her (v.14). The young women here are seen as commodities to consume—a great evil (Mic 3:1-4).

Yet let us take note and examine closely the behavior of sweet Hadassah (v.7) the “star” of the story1. In the face of such evil, she does not rise up in rebellion and gather the young virgins to lead a revolt; nor does she defiantly refuse as queen Vashti did (Est 1:12); nor does she seek to manipulate to maintain some semblance of power and control. She submitted herself to all authority.

The very word “submission” tends to rub abrasively against the self-sovereign values that reign over our culture. We quickly label Esther and the other women as “victims” that “unjustly endured sexual trauma.” Not only would outbursts and manipulative tactics be expected, but such behavior should be applauded as a “righteous rebellion” against unjust tyranny.

Yet I don’t see this supported in the scriptures, but something much more scandalous surfaces. We are subject to “every human institution,” (1Pe 2:13), and obedience to even “cruel” masters “finds favor with God” (1Pe 2:17). Let’s press pause on the king’s injustice, and watch closely how this young woman responds.

Esther may have been granted outward beauty (v.7), but she did not exploit her charm to exert power over others. Instead, she humbled herself to the point of empty; not in self-abasement, but by making her pleasure the duty of honoring others. Notice how she obediently follows Mordecai’s instructions (v.20) and keeps quiet about her lineage (v.10). She does not “take” from the first Harem what looks pleasing to her eyes in retribution (which no doubt many did), but defers to counsel, taking to the palace only what Hegai “recommended” (v.15). She even willingly embraces a womanizing tyrant (v.16), accepting her divine placement (Est 4:14).

While all the other competitors appeared before the king in costumes that temporarily dazzled and covered their ugly self-interest, Esther’s allure was an “unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” (1Pe 3:4). For only those who humble themselves before God can dress in such attractive humility, able to put the interest of others, even their enemies (Mat 5:44), before their own (Phi 2:1-5). Esther surely shined bright over all her rivals, clothed in an irresistibility that could not to be removed (1Pe 5:5-7). Thus, she gained favor with everyone because of her sweet submission, and was exalted in her humility (Mat 23:12). Ahasuerus was powerless to select anyone else (Pro 21:1).

“The reward for humility and fearing the Lord is riches and honor and life.” –Proverbs 22:4

“And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she met with his loving approval more than all the other young women. So he placed the royal high turban on her head and appointed her queen in place of Vashti.” –Esther 2:17

 Let us seek to be clothed in such humility, shining bright with the love of Christ (Col 3:12-17), accepting whatever lot is given to us by our good and loving Heavenly Father, trusting that all is for our good (Rom 8:28). Let us not complain (Phi 2:14) or seek to scheme to promote ourselves by manipulating others, but treat others as more important (Phi 2:3)—even to the point of loving even those that wrong us (Mat 5:44).

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1. The name “Esther” means “star”