“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24

At this time of Purim, the story of Esther’s role of courage is retold…

As Queen during the reign of Xerxes, she was called upon to be bold.

King Xerxes’ right-hand man, Haman, was plotting to kill the Jews…

Esther was, herself, a Jew, and realized there was no time to lose.

Her cousin, Mordecai, felt strongly that her position as the Queen

was providential for the Jews.  On Queen Esther, their destiny would lean.

Mordecai emphasized that she needed to be brave on behalf of them all.

Though not summoned by the King–on him, she would need to call.

Because it was so disastrous to go before the King without him asking,

she told Mordecai to have all of the Jews join her in a time of fasting.

If one entered the king’s court without being summoned, death was established law.

“If I perish, I perish” she said.  Yet in her act of coming before him, the King found no flaw.

He extended his gold scepter to her, even promising up to half the kingdom on that day.

She proposed a banquet for him and Haman to attend, where she would have her say.

Ultimately, at the banquet she held, Esther told the King of the evil plans being made…

against her, a Jew, and all of her people, which had caused her and them to be afraid.

King Xerxes asked her, then, who could be so wicked as to devise such a plan–

At that point, she revealed to the King that the wicked Haman was the guilty man.

…the King had Haman, instead, put to death. Through Esther, God’s people were spared. The greater details are in the book of Esther.

Thus, the Jewish tradition of Purim, a joyous feast on the fourteenth of the month of Adar (Hebrew calendar) happens every year, and is still held today. (Chapter 9 tells of the Jews overcoming their tormentors and the establishment of Purim (remembrance) by Queen Esther and by Mordecai, who became prominent in the King’s palace, having, at one time, saved the King from an assassination attempt.)

King Xerxes in the NIV, NLT, GW (named Ahasuerus in other texts)

The account brings to mind, of course, thoughts and scriptures on courage, but also of God’s preservation of the Jews, from whom He brought to us Jesus, our Savior.

P. A. Oltrogge

“The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

“But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.
I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4 NLT

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Ephesians 6:10

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“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham….” Matthew 1:1

“Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.'” Luke 1:30-33

Addressing the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, Jesus said, “You (Gentiles) worship what you do not know; we (Jews) know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.” John 4:22

“For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah….” Hebrews 7:14

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6