Evening star., 1922-08-12
BY REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON,
ESTHER SAVES HER PEO-
IE,.-t,sther. l.l,lU.3.
Golden Text: THE righteous
cried, and Jehovah heard. and
delivered them out of all their
troubles. Psalms, Az.

Women have come into their own
because of their patriotic services for
their country and civilization. No
man who has studied history will
deny that they have been the domi-
nant force in all forward movements.
Back of every man who has made
good in the world will be found the
influence and inspiration of some no
BILE woman who has nodded HIS
career. Many of them have been
prominent in the affairs of the world.
but none has surpassed the Iecord of
Esther, who saved the life OF her own
people when she was summoned to
risk her life in personal effort to
obtain the reversal of the kings edict
that threatened the destruction of
every Jew in the kingdom of the
great Aha asuerus, King of Persia, or
Xerxes. He is better known in his
tory by that latter name.
The book of Esther, which has been
assigned for our study this week, con-
fains no mention of God by name
throughout its thrilling pages and in
only one instance is there even a rtIer-
.uce to Him. No one can read 1t.
however, without feeling that He is
everywhere present. 1t teaches the
presence of God in history by reveal
ing the evidences of His providential
care of His chosen people and His
control of human events. No other
book in the Bible tells the full truth
about the providence of God like
Esther, which teaches us that He In
yisibly guides and controls the affairs
of men.
1t is not only book of providence,
but it is also a book of patriotism.
The annual celebration by the Jewish
people of Purim, which developed
from the deliverance of the Hebrew
captives narrated in this book, has
served to increase the patriotism OF
the chosen nation, just as our OBJ
servance of national holidays has
among us. No better example OF pub
lie service by women can be found In
all literature. Its precepts and prin-
ciples make Esther an ideal guide for
all women entering upon public life.
Every one who reads this fasci-
mating book must honor Vashti for
her courageous An-l righteous stand
pear and display her beauty before
him and his officials who were pres
ent at the great imperial banquet.
She refused to enter into his presence
she considered his request to be inde-
cent. Her stand for virtue resulted
in her being banished forever from
the kings presence and another queen
sought One cannot doubt that Nor
decai, who is the hero of our lesson.
was correct when he pointed out to
Esther that she had come to take
Eashti's place, as queen, TO help save
her people in their hour Of danger.
God knew the hour would come and
He lifted up to the throne the young
Jewish maiden, whose beauty sur
passed all the others of the realm.
Her presence in the palace in Shu-
san enabled Merdecai to send a mes
sage of warning to ,Nerxes concern
ing the plot to kill him. But it was a
greater danger that confronted not
only Mordecai but the whole Jewish
race when he sent Esther word con-
cerning the peril of their people. He
evidently felt the burden, because he
knew that Haman had secured the
edict that imperiled the Jewish exiles
because of his vindictiveness against
Mordecai. When Haman, whose name
would indicate that he was of bar
barian origin. became the favorite
official of the king and rose to the
leading place in the court he required
all to reverence him. Mordecai de-
clined because it was contrary to his
faith. The only way that Haman
could get Mordecaf out of the way
Jews were seditious people and have
him issue a decree that they should
all be annihilated in about eleven
months. Haman had sympathized
with the Samaritans. who left no
stone unturned to make the way of
the Jews in Jerusalem difficult and
trying They gave Haman the clue
upon which to base his charge. He
secured the edict. but God was watch
ing over His own, for the Lord pre-
serveth all them that love Him"
Mordecai realizing that his refusal
to pay homage to Haman had arous-
ed the officials bitterness against his
race, prayed over their danger and
finally determined that he should
place upon Esther the responsibility
that her position gave to her to help
save her people by his question. who
knoweth whether thou art not come
TO the kingdom for such time as
this?" 1t was no accident that she
was queen. God placed her there for
a definite mission, just as He has
given to each one of US a definite
task to perform in helping to win the
world for Him. His program and
purpose are absolutely Independent of
our plans. but we are not Independent
of Him.
Esther hesitated when the burden
was placed before her. She then real
ICED the full significance of Mordecai's
mourning and message. Every per-
son called to do the Lords work is
apt TO hesitate because they recognize
their unworthness. Esther was willing
to do her part, but she feared that the
method suggested by Mordecai made
1t impossible She knew that the law
prevented any person going into the
kings presence uncalled under the
A