Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” [Esther 4.15-16]
This whole story of Esther, up to this point, reveals what would be seen as disturbing social norms by today's standards.
The distinction made between men and women in Xerxes' kingdom is categorically rejected and vilified today.
Not only would the gender equality issue be a problem today, but also the genocide of all Jews.
The backstory of Esther is enough to distract all but the stronghearted from seeing the point of the story. But that 'point of the story' is worth understanding. That point is the sacrificial love that Esther demonstrated in her words in the passage above. For all the other benefits one might learn from Esther's story, this one point - sacrificial love - reveals Jesus.
Father, give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to understand Your Word every day!
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