Esther 1-3

“Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem ...” (2:8). Esther, like Queen Vashti before her, had few rights; she was forced to leave her home and join the royal harem. Vashti’s refusal to be paraded before hundreds of drunken men cost her the position of queen (1:10-12). Esther’s position was even worse, as a secret Jew (2:10), and Mordecai worried about her (2:11). Yet, her vulnerability was no barrier to being used powerfully by God.

“He set a royal crown on her head” (2:17). The world’s designation of people as ‘weak’ or ‘strong’ means nothing to God. He can work in and through anyone who offers their life to Him.