She actually had two names. Her Jewish name was Hadassah, “myrtle.” Myrtle trees are mentioned five times in the Bible. In Isaiah 55:13, God says, “myrtles will grow instead of briars.“ Esther is her Persian name. It means “star” and comes from a Persian word meaning fortune and happiness. Esther was placed in a position to save her people from the thorns of destruction and secure their lives.

Her story: Esther 1:1-10:3

Hadassah (Esther) was the cousin and adopted daughter of Mordecai, a Jewish man serving in the Persian royal court. Esther became queen after Persian King Xerxes threw a big celebration and Queen Vashti refused to follow his orders. His advisors convinced him to remove her. When Xerxes became lonely, these advisors helped again and Xerxes selected Esther as his queen. No one in court knew Esther and Mordecai were related. Haman, another court official, hated Mordecai and convinced Xerxes that Jews threatened his kingdom. A decree to eliminate them on a specific date was made law. Mordecai interceded and encouraged Esther to appeal to the king. Esther called for a 3-day fast. Then, she approached the king. Through God’s perfect timing and Esther’s courage, Haman was exposed and Esther and Mordecai saved the Jewish people in the kingdom.

Mordecai’s charge to Esther are the most famous words in the Book of Esther. “Don’t suppose that merely because you happen to be in the royal palace you will escape any more than the other Jews. For if you fail to speak up now, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from a different direction; but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows whether you didn’t come into your royal position precisely for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:13-14)

Her legacy for us:

Esther’s story is a wonderful reminder that God places us in specific positions and at specific places at just the right time to do His work.

Our response to Him:

What is my current “such a time as this” situation? How am I seeking You for the next action steps?