Esther: For Such a Time as This

Who knows whether you were not to come to this royal estate for such a time as this?  Esther 4:14

As an historical character, Esther is an extraordinary heroine who delivers her nation from genocide; as a woman, she is a rare and admirable individual, a mixture of charm, strength and guile; a human being whose character is secure and not tainted by wealth, prosperity and power.

Esther had been an orphan and was raised by her uncle Mordecai who reared her as his own daughter. Esther was always obedient to her uncle and even after she became queen, sought his practical advice.

Mordecai had made the girl conceal her nationality from the king because it was against the law for a Persian to marry a foreigner. She kept this promise until the opportune time came. Her Hebrew name was Hadassah meaning, myrtle. Her name was later changed to Esther which, according to Rabbi Jehudah affirms that Esther is “sether” meaning “to hide”.