Esther 2:12–14

The description of verses 12–14 is a perfect picture of Persian customs and the immorality of Persian and other Eastern rulers. […] She must have left her home unwillingly, and unwillingly put on the ornaments. They wanted her and ordered her to appear, so she obeyed Hegai and let him prepare her for the occasion. She was compelled to be there, while no doubt in her heart she hated the whole affair.

The true myrrh, so called because it drips its gum as tears, which harden into a bitter aromatic gum. It was an ingredient in the holy anointing oil, and was much prized as a perfume. Ex. 30:23; Esther 2:12; Ps. 45:8… The Magi presented myrrh with frankincense to the Lord at His birth, and it was used at His burial.

Now she was taken from him for a year of purification before she would go in to the king. The first six months of purification were with the oil of myrrh. Those were very difficult experiences for her. She was cut off from Mordecai. The purification with its bitter oil of myrrh was harsh. Both would produce a marked change in her. […] The oil of myrrh would separate her from the past and prepare her for the future.

Every woman who applied got 12 months of preparation! (v. 12). So the unbelieving world thinks it can improve on the beauty of those whom God has created, by various artificial means. Very likely the king would have been just as impressed with Esther without this long delay. Hegai gave her the best place among the women right at the start.

In all these things we see a God of providence. He directs the thoughts and hearts of men, and the thoughts and heart of the king, according to His own purpose. He does it to carry out His plans of grace toward His people. […] We see the Jewish wife handed over by force to the king of the Gentiles, like a slave that someone disposes of, and no one asks her! Her will counts for nothing in this marriage. She is forced into it. Every other young woman in the empire might have wanted such a position very much. Esther could not want it.

Esther undergoes a time of preparation before she can meet the king. In the same way, there will be a preparation time for the remnant. The Holy Spirit (pictured in Hegai) will guide and teach the true Esther, prepare her, and bring her beauty into display. This still applies to Christians today: the Spirit needs to show us the way. We can't attain beauty based on our own thinking.

The king interviewed each young woman in turn, as though they were applying for a job. They could take anything they wanted with them. It might be make-up, perfumes, delicate clothing, flowers, or anything else they thought would help them appeal to the king (v. 13). To a believer, what are all these surface things next to the moral and spiritual beauty he sees in a future wife? Compare 1 Peter 3:4.

Every woman who applied went through 12 months of preparation! (v. 12). So the unbelieving world thinks it can improve on the beauty of the people God created. It tries all kinds of artificial means. The king would very likely have been just as impressed with Esther without this long delay. Hegai gave her the best place among the women right from the start.

The other women could not find enough artificial ways to impress the king. But Esther cared nothing about these things. She had no such ambitious desires. Her heart did not burn to become something grand that did not suit a Jewish woman. She must have left her home unwillingly, and put on the ornaments unwillingly too. She was wanted, and she was ordered to appear. So she obeyed Hegai and let him prepare her for the occasion. She had no choice but to be there, while no doubt in her heart she hated the whole business.

In the course of time, without any effort or desire on her part, she becomes the favourite wife of the Persian king. More than that: before this happened she had decided, like Daniel, to keep herself separated to God from the customs of the people. She did this even though she lived in the court of a Gentile king. (Esther 2:15.) She will owe nothing to man. She will not, as it were, take from the king of Sodom (Gen. 14) beyond the necessary things. It is the Lord, and not ornaments, who gives her favour in the eyes of all who see her. The king himself is won, and the royal crown is put on her head. She began with herself, determined to keep herself pure. And such a person will be found fit for the Master's use. (2 Tim. 2)

We see the Jewish wife handed over by force to the Gentile king, like a slave that someone disposes of without asking her! Her will counts for nothing in this marriage. She is forced into it. Such a position might be highly desirable to every other young woman in the empire. But it could not be desirable for Esther.

Whatever may be thought of Mordecai or of Esther in this matter, Scripture is silent here. It neither accuses nor excuses. We do not have long to wait before the vital question is raised. The Jews must either perish or be delivered beyond all outward hope — yet without sign, wonder, or miracle.

Chapter 2 brings the book's two main characters onto the scene. It shows us how Providence works in secret. It prepares the way that would raise the Jewish wife publicly to royalty over the nations.

The description of verses 12-14 is a perfect picture of Persian customs and of the immoral lives of Persian and other Eastern rulers.

What was involved in the interview we are not told… We might ask, where did she sleep? — but we have no answer.

All of the women applicants were given 12 months of preparation! (v. 12). So the unbelieving world thinks artificial means can improve on the beauty of those God has created. Very likely the king would have been just as impressed with Esther without this long delay. Hegai had given her the best place among the women right from the start.

In due course, without any effort or desire on her part, she becomes the favourite wife of the Persian king. More than that, she had already decided, like Daniel, to keep her separation to God from the customs of the people, even in the court of a king who was not a Jew. (Esther 2:15.) She will be no debtor to man. It is the Lord, and not ornaments, that gives her favour in the eyes of all who see her; the king himself is won, and the royal crown is put on her head.

The other women could not find enough artificial means to impress the king. But Esther cared nothing about these things. She had no such ambitious desires… She was compelled to be there, while no doubt in her heart she detested the whole affair.

Did she have advantages that set her apart from all her companions? Her origin would certainly have ruled her out from the start, and Mordecai, aware of his people's humiliation, knew that well. So Esther is a hidden wife, but her grace and her beauty attract the sympathy and love of all. She pleased Hegai, the keeper of the women, and found favour with him, and with all who saw her. She pleases the king "above all the women." Still keeping her secret, she is lifted up to the dignity of queen of the nations, in place of Vashti.

In fact, we may rightly question whether a Jewish woman should think of marrying a Persian, king or not. We may also question whether Mordecai should encourage such a union. But the Jews were in such a state that they had all but forgotten what suited Jewish character… God was concerned about the Jews too, though He could not associate His name with them at the time.

Whatever may be thought of Mordecai or of Esther in this matter, Scripture is silent here. It neither accuses nor excuses. We have not long to wait before the vital question is raised: the Jews must perish, or be delivered beyond all outward hope, yet without sign, wonder, or miracle.

Perhaps there is no more remarkable display of the great truth of divine providence in the Bible… The main object is to show His hand working in secret, where His name could not rightly be proclaimed. Far from being a fault, this is one of the most strengthening thoughts we have. We deal with a similar secret providence every day.