Queen Esther
Paragon of Beauty and Virtue
The Story of Esther
• The expulsion of Vashti (1:1-22)
• The elevation of Esther (2:1-23)
• The extermination of the Jews (3:1 – 9:32)
– The extermination planned (3:1 – 4:17)
– The extermination thwarted (5:1 – 9:32)
• The exaltation of Mordecai (10:1-3)
The Expulsion of Vashti
• King Ahasuerus made a great feast (1:1-8)
• Queen Vashti was commanded to come and
show her beauty, but she refused (1:9-12)
• King Ahasuerus accepted the counsel to reject
Vashti and look for another queen (1:13-22)
The Elevation of Esther
• Fair, young virgins were brought to Shushan to
be purified for selection (2:1-4)
• Hadassah (Esther) was taken in with the other
virgins and given special treatment (2:5-11)
• Esther obtained favor in the sight of the king
and was selected as queen (2:12-18)
• Mordecai saved the king’s life (2:19-23)
The Extermination of Jews
• Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, so
Haman wanted to kill all the Jews (3:1-5)
• Haman made request of the king to have the
Jews destroyed and the decree was sent out
(3:7-15)
• The Jews mourned the impending doom and
Esther was made aware of the problem (4:1-8)
The Extermination of Jews
• Mordecai asked one question that instilled
courage and virtue in Esther (4:13-17)
• Esther requested of the king a banquet with
himself and Haman (5:5-8)
• Haman showed joy and pride (5:9-14)
• Mordecai is recognized for his earlier good
deed of saving the king (6:1-14)
The Extermination of Jews
• Esther exposed Haman’s plan to destroy the
Jews and Haman was hanged (7:1-10)
• Esther requested of the king that the Jews be
authorized to protect themselves (8:1-14)
• There was joy and gladness among the Jews
(8:15-17)
The Extermination of Jews
• The Jews resisted and their enemies were
destroyed (9:1-16)
• The feast of Purim was instituted to celebrate
the Jews’ victory (9:17-32)
The Exaltation of Mordecai
• Mordecai advanced in the kingdom and
continued to care for his people (10:1-3)
Esther Paragon of Beauty and Virtue
• She was lovely and beautiful (2:7)
• She was godly and virtuous …
– She was a young and chaste virgin (2:2-3)
– She was a respectful and obedient daughter
(2:7,20; 4:8)
– She was a sacrificial and religious Jew (4:15-16)
– She was a bold and courageous queen (4:16; 5:4;
7:6; 8:3-6)
Esther Paragon of Beauty and Virtue
• She was godly and virtuous …
– “I am a young person…”
– “I was not raised by my parents…”
– “I am living far from home in difficult times…”
– “I am surrounded by worldliness…”
– “I am popular and don’t have time for…”
– “I am a victim of prejudice and hatred…”
– “I am not going to be affected by…”
– “I have to do what __________ says…”
Esther Paragon of Beauty and Virtue
• Inward beauty is more important than outward
beauty (Prov. 31:30)
• Clothe your inside with godliness (1 Tim. 2:9-10)
• Inward purity must be passed on (Tit. 2:5)
• Incorruptible apparel is in the sight of God of
great price (1 Pet. 3:4)
Esther Paragon of Beauty and Virtue
• Think on what is virtuous and you will be
virtuous (Phil. 4:8)
• Add to your faith, virtue and you will be virtuous
(2 Pet. 1:3,5)
• Esther had youth, Esther had beauty, but most
importantly, Esther had virtue. Be an Esther
today!