"The Best Place in the Harem"

Scripture Passage

Ezra 6:14-22; Ezra 4:6; Esther 1-4:17

Scripture Focus

…he moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem. (Esther 2:9 NLT)

Observation

There’s so much to love about the book of Esther. One of my favorite verses is Esther 4:14—“Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” That verse speaks so powerfully to the providence of God and our divine appointments as opportunities to serve Him. I’m focusing today, however, on a different verse.

Esther enters the story of the book that bears her name when she’s rounded up as part of a national “beauty contest” of sorts. It’s delightful how the story ends, but it’s troubling if we pause to think honestly about how the story begins.

King Xerxes’ attendants are searching the empire “to find beautiful young virgins for the king” (2:1). Esther is one of a number of young ladies—scores, maybe hundreds…the text is not specific—brought to the fortress of Susa to be prepared for what is essentially a one-night stand with the king. I’m sure by the standards of the day, the treatment they received really was “royal”, and the treatment Esther receives is better than all the rest! The Bible says that Hegai (the king’s attendant in charge of the harem)…

“…was very impressed with Esther and treated her kindly. He quickly ordered a special menu for her and provided her with beauty treatments. He also assigned her seven maids specially chosen from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem.” (Esther 2:9 NLT)

The treatment Esther received was the best—but still, isn’t there something a bit ironic (not sure that’s the exact word I’m after) about having “the best place in the harem”? The beauty of the story is that God had something better in mind than “the best place in the harem” could ever supply!

When—to everyone else—Esther was simply a commodity to be processed and used (dress it up however you want—that’s what it was), to God she was a daughter to be given purposeful and history-altering opportunity! She was someone precious in His sight whose purpose was far greater than satisfying the kings of this world.

I’m trying to be discreet in what I write and in my choice of words, but I must declare—whatever “best” this present age offers doesn’t hold a candle to the value each of us has to our Heavenly Father (who always sees our true worth) and to the plans and purpose He holds for us. I encourage you—as I encourage myself—don’t settle for less!

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