One Night with the King is the title of a full length film
which brings the book of Esther to life.
This weekend Glen and I watched this movie--again.
One of my favorites! Hadassa, was an orphan raised by
her Uncle Mordecai whose grandfather was taken to
Babylon by Nebuchadnezzer. The book of Esther comes
after the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament.
The story of Esther is a romance that brings together
a poor Jewish teen and a King! This King was King of
the Meads (Kurds today) and the Persians (Iranians),
whose kingdom covered the land from India to Ethiopia!
The book of Esther hardly mentions God, but He is the
central figure behind the action.
The book opens with a week long feast given by the
King for all his officials and servants. The last night
all of Susa feasted at the Kings request and
Queen Vashti was called to show herself. She refused.
So, out goes the Queen and out go the soldiers to bring
into the castle all the beautiful young maidens in the
kingdom. Hadassah was caught in the net. She called
herself Esther of Susa so as to hide her Jewish heritage.
In a split second her life changed forever. The young
woman wallowed in Myrrh baths for six months and
was then slathered with ointments and spices for another
six months. Talk about soft skin! Esther found favor
during the process and was advanced to the head place
in the harem. Esther is then chosen by the king to be
his Bride and his Queen.
Wow! I pause. A poor Jewish teenager becomes the bride
of the King? This only happens in fairy tales, does it not?
But hidden in every woman--I cannot speak for the men--
is a life long dream of marrying a prince and living happily
ever after! Well, those of us who claim Christ as Savior
and Lord have been promised toa King. We are engaged and
sealed, which means that we are co-heirs with our Lord and
will reign with Him forever! Reader, a true understanding
of this will banish depression!
So, did this Esther live happily and at peace after the
wedding? She did not. For the wicked Haman plotted to
have all the Jews in the kingdom killed on a single day.
Esther was asked by her Uncle to go before the King to
get him to change the edict. However, even the Queen
could not go before King without his invitation, to do so
meant death. Esther told Mordecai that she and her maids
would fast and pray for three days,
'Then I will go to the King, though it is against the law,
and if I perish, I perish.'
Well, most of you have heard the story of how Esther was
received, her petition granted, and the wicked Haman
hanged. Then the Jews were allowed to defend themselves
on the day set for their death.
This evening Jews all over the world will celebrate Purim.
They will read the short book of Esther, exchange gifts and
feast. This woman saved her people, and probably herself
by trusting God to go before her and give favor with the
King.
Back to our place in this time of history. The hour of the
wedding supper is at hand. May your lamps be trimmed
and your flasks be full of oil. Your King is at the door...
'At midnight there was a cry, "Here is your bridegroom!
Come out and meet him."'
which brings the book of Esther to life.
This weekend Glen and I watched this movie--again.
One of my favorites! Hadassa, was an orphan raised by
her Uncle Mordecai whose grandfather was taken to
Babylon by Nebuchadnezzer. The book of Esther comes
after the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament.
The story of Esther is a romance that brings together
a poor Jewish teen and a King! This King was King of
the Meads (Kurds today) and the Persians (Iranians),
whose kingdom covered the land from India to Ethiopia!
The book of Esther hardly mentions God, but He is the
central figure behind the action.
The book opens with a week long feast given by the
King for all his officials and servants. The last night
all of Susa feasted at the Kings request and
Queen Vashti was called to show herself. She refused.
So, out goes the Queen and out go the soldiers to bring
into the castle all the beautiful young maidens in the
kingdom. Hadassah was caught in the net. She called
herself Esther of Susa so as to hide her Jewish heritage.
In a split second her life changed forever. The young
woman wallowed in Myrrh baths for six months and
was then slathered with ointments and spices for another
six months. Talk about soft skin! Esther found favor
during the process and was advanced to the head place
in the harem. Esther is then chosen by the king to be
his Bride and his Queen.
Wow! I pause. A poor Jewish teenager becomes the bride
of the King? This only happens in fairy tales, does it not?
But hidden in every woman--I cannot speak for the men--
is a life long dream of marrying a prince and living happily
ever after! Well, those of us who claim Christ as Savior
and Lord have been promised toa King. We are engaged and
sealed, which means that we are co-heirs with our Lord and
will reign with Him forever! Reader, a true understanding
of this will banish depression!
So, did this Esther live happily and at peace after the
wedding? She did not. For the wicked Haman plotted to
have all the Jews in the kingdom killed on a single day.
Esther was asked by her Uncle to go before the King to
get him to change the edict. However, even the Queen
could not go before King without his invitation, to do so
meant death. Esther told Mordecai that she and her maids
would fast and pray for three days,
'Then I will go to the King, though it is against the law,
and if I perish, I perish.'
Well, most of you have heard the story of how Esther was
received, her petition granted, and the wicked Haman
hanged. Then the Jews were allowed to defend themselves
on the day set for their death.
This evening Jews all over the world will celebrate Purim.
They will read the short book of Esther, exchange gifts and
feast. This woman saved her people, and probably herself
by trusting God to go before her and give favor with the
King.
Back to our place in this time of history. The hour of the
wedding supper is at hand. May your lamps be trimmed
and your flasks be full of oil. Your King is at the door...
'At midnight there was a cry, "Here is your bridegroom!
Come out and meet him."'
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